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I feel like something is missing


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#1 Jdsfighter

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Posted 08 February 2012 - 12:37 AM

Hey guys,
After a few years of my site remaining idle, I figured it was time for a complete recode. I went ahead and redesigned it and got it all coded. The problem is I feel like it is too plain, it's just missing something, but I can't place my finger on it. Perhaps you all could give me some feedback.

Programmatically it's solid, but graphically, I just can't get past the feeling.

http://www.jdhpro.com
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#2 1P0

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Posted 08 February 2012 - 05:21 AM

IMHO,
it seems more like a site of software engineers than from web designers.
So it would be nice if you can put something that can give both impressions.
If you are not a graphic designer in nature plenty of passion, then let somebody else do the work for you while you concentrate in business and engineering.

1. the first page looks like an error page. That's in your case because you're using ASP.NET MVC for a website, a technology meant for corporations intranets. You can do something 1000 times more visually appealing and simple, just with PURE HTML, and buying a template in http://www.templatemonster.com/ with some PHP inside.
2. it would be nice if you can put an slogan very clear below your logo, showing EXACTLY what you do.
3. the text of the first page sounds too vague. Put something DIRECT TO THE POINT.

I hope it helps :D

#3 Jdsfighter

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Posted 08 February 2012 - 07:52 AM

The entire backend of the site is driven by a custom cms, and I'm much more competent in ASP than in PHP, so for the time being I'm using it. As for content, that too I know needs updating, but it's more of a placeholder currently.

#4 Jdsfighter

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Posted 09 February 2012 - 01:41 AM

IMHO,
it seems more like a site of software engineers than from web designers.
So it would be nice if you can put something that can give both impressions.
If you are not a graphic designer in nature plenty of passion, then let somebody else do the work for you while you concentrate in business and engineering.

1. the first page looks like an error page. That's in your case because you're using ASP.NET MVC for a website, a technology meant for corporations intranets. You can do something 1000 times more visually appealing and simple, just with PURE HTML, and buying a template in http://www.templatemonster.com/ with some PHP inside.
2. it would be nice if you can put an slogan very clear below your logo, showing EXACTLY what you do.
3. the text of the first page sounds too vague. Put something DIRECT TO THE POINT.

I hope it helps :D


How about something more similar to:

Posted Image
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#5 JimmyJames

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Posted 09 February 2012 - 11:11 PM

This version is better for sure, the blue on grey top navigation links don't look that sharp imho, remove the tacky inner shadow

Make all of your borders/strokes 1px...all of them.

The black/grey vertical divider next to the logo would look better if you brought the opacity down

Go a touch lighter and less distance on the inner glow/inner shadow you're using on the grey and white content/secondary menu panes.

Relocate the social media buttons somewhere else (potentially in that secondary menu once you have some other items there)

If you follow those steps I think you'll have a winner. Cheers!

#6 Jdsfighter

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 12:15 AM

This version is better for sure, the blue on grey top navigation links don't look that sharp imho, remove the tacky inner shadow

Make all of your borders/strokes 1px...all of them.

The black/grey vertical divider next to the logo would look better if you brought the opacity down

Go a touch lighter and less distance on the inner glow/inner shadow you're using on the grey and white content/secondary menu panes.

Relocate the social media buttons somewhere else (potentially in that secondary menu once you have some other items there)

If you follow those steps I think you'll have a winner. Cheers!


I believe all my borders and stokes are 1px.

I didn't care for the inner shadow, but the straight text seemed somewhat bland.

I still can't decide on a place for the social media buttons, but there will be blog updates located in that area next to the logo.

That "Secondary Menu" was actually going to be a description pane for each page, or something similar, undecided.

#7 JimmyJames

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 12:30 AM

To be honest I don't think the gray and blue are working well for eachother. I think you will find a white background or VERY faint gray will do better with that particular blue. The borders around the content panes look wider than 1px on my screen.

#8 1P0

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 05:04 AM

It seems better than before.
BTW, I'm not a graphic designer to tell you much more than that :P
If you are using ASP MVC, search in the web for: asp mvc templates
For example here you have a video on that:


#9 JimmyJames

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 12:04 PM

Honestly, it's worth learning PHP over ASP and if you've ever worked with C or C++ the syntax is very similar. If you're into CMS's check out Drupal, theres modules available up the ass and if you have PHP questions I'm happy to help




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