site crit

[chompiraz]

hey everyone, finally figured out how to get a site online and publish it. The following is my website at a very very initial stage. Not much has gone into it in terms of visual design, but some on operational. All questions comments and concerns are appreciated.

www.sandovalcreative.com

[Shiruken]

When my mouse gets near the bottom of the screen, the page jumps and a scroll bar shows up briefly. It's weird.

[Heartburn_02]

I like it.

So easy to navigate.

It works 100% fine for me.

Just one point. Maybe the photos could do with some info.

It appears that there is a long haired native trying to fix the smoke alarm or air conditioning while on the air phone to someone giving him instructions.

[pinksta]

Hi,

A few points for you to think about:

I think it's a bit too dark overall - I would get rid of the black in the middle viewer as that's where you want peoples attention to be. Possibly have it white or a light grey?

Also the logo pattern is a bit too much with it on the background and also the banner. I think if it wasn't on the top banner then it would look a lot better.

The 'Welcome' and 'About me' is in a font that looks out of place as you don't use it anywhere else as far as I can see.

Also on the contact page it's quite strange where you've flipped the contact details upside down. It's just adding unnecessary clutter that is distracting from important information.

Oh and it might be a good idea to lose the smiley face as it gives the impression you're about 14 and doesn't look very professional.

One more thing, the two sets of four coloured lines on the top banner look like an afterthought and really add nothing in my opinion.

Overall it's easy pretty easy to use and navigate so well done there, but aesthetically it needs some work. Though it sounds like you already know that from what you said!

[Paj]

I like your logo - nice ambigram!

[vanishdesign]

I don't like the sideways navigation. I don't think it works online.

[BPDesignLab]

Overall I like the site and you have some good work. The only thing I think, which ends up being a little frustrating is that your examples are a little bit small (especially when it comes to the photography) with no way of enlarging them. I would recommend either having a way to zoom in or making the righthand side area where the photos are a little bit bigger so that the viewer gets more detailed shots of your work.

[chompiraz]

Thanks for the input everyone! I agree with some of the stuff you've all mentioned, primarily with reworking the aesthetics of the site. I think that the usability is effective because it's straightforward enough and simple. I like the idea of being able to enlarge images to view detail, any ideas on how to do this? I'm still a newb at flash. And I think I will develop some descriptions as complete more substantial work, the student projects and photos just don't cut it right now. As for the contact info being upside down, that's just a copy of my business card, makes people do a double take on my contact info.

ill post revisions as i make them.

[BeautyNut]

Great start!
Overall, I like it.

I agree the sideway navigation could be improved.

I can't wait to see your revisions.

[vanishdesign]

I like the idea of being able to enlarge images to view detail, any ideas on how to do this?

Lightbox (http://www.huddletogether.com/projects/lightbox2/) is the way most people do this - not flash, it's Javascript