my first big site

Hi!

I just finished my first site, which was basically designed as an online resume, etc. Check it out please, and let me know what your think. Honesty is greatly appreciated.


http://www.gemannihilate.com

Errrrmmmm........I don't really like any of it, especially the background colour...

Sorry, but it's not my taste.....

This site has a very familiar look to it.... I doubt a rip off, but check it out: www.aperfectcircle.com

(Past the intro)

Actually, I had never been to the Perfect Circle site before, but it's strangely similar. I should have known not to trust Maynard when he kept asking me questions in my web class. ;)
However, the similarities don't surprise me too much; they have the circle theme (clearly), and the astrology theme may be related to the song "3 Libras". If those are astrological symbols on the Perfect Circle site, that is... they look like some kind of creative variation on the generally accepted symbols.

i dont really like it either. ONly bonus is that it loads fast. Hmm but sweet.

I'm not trying to be defensive, but could you provide some detail as to why you don't like it? Your comments are not helpful if you simply say you don't like it and yet don't go into detail.

Her we go dude...

Well with the background i dont like how the gradient is liked not faded properly just another shade or something.
IN the middle i dont like how the text with picture behind it just suddenly has edges and there is too much empty space for me. And the reason i dont like the gold NAV in the corner is because of the bevel it looks to prefect kinda. I dont really know how to explain.
Hope that clears it up a little.

err...

1 - The only similarity to the apc site she has is the way her content is positioned. You cannot rip a layout technique.
It's obvious that she/he did their own work just from the sheer horridness of the site.

2 - I am going to try and clear up what PS6User is saying. It confused me the first 3 times i read it.

a. your gradient bg image goes from the blue bgcolor you have to black sharply then smoothly transitions back to blue. That's poor design. If you are going to use a gradient, make sure it fills the entire site from top to bottom.

b.text on top of images is bad. It appears that you are using the image that is in the center of the page to bring the visitors eye to the middle of the page. But you want them to read the text and it's destracting to put images under text like that.

c. I really don't see a problem with having a 'perfect' bevel on something. It's a smooth bevel and it acheives some effect. I honestly think someone was grasping for straws cause you louded them out.

As for you using frontpage...*shudder*. Stop it. Frontpage is not a design tool. No matter what they taught you in your design classes at Virginia whatsit college. Frontpage is great if you have a site that uses FP Extensions and you want to manage your site. Other than that, it's almost useless. Know it to get the job, don't use it on the job. Consider a design tool like dreamweaver ( yes to those who think I hate it, I said dreamweaver is a design tool ) or homesite.

Other than that stuff, I dont see anything that makes me want to gauge my eyes out. For a first site, it's decent. Infact, better than some of the sites that have been posted here, but we wont get into that.

Keep working on it.

i don't like it either, it looks a bit cheap. That isn't a nice blue you used there.
The atmosphere just isn't right...

I'll tell you what I did and did not like:

First off, I'd like to say that for your first site, I think what you've done is great. You've designed a real interface, not just put some links or buttons up (like I did my first few sites). I like your circular interface in the corner. I think it's worth keeping.

What needs work is the rest of the site. I agree with what Axiom said about text on top of images. Use that image instead in the top area, integrating it with the head banner. And change the header you have now, where it says "Gemannihilate", I don't like that way it looks, it looks rather...95. (it's okay, I've been a victim of 95 design myself). Get something sleeker.

Second thing I would say is lose the gradient. Not only is it not a smooth gradient, the blue is unnattractive in my opinion. It's kind of harsh on your eyes.

I like the logo you have and the rollovers, nice and simple. I would suggest having some sort of sub-navigation on the left side, so there's something there. Right now everything revolves around the top left corner, and I think it's a little unbalanced that way. Either have sub-navs on the left or the top.

Another thing: Justify your paragraphs (instead of Left align).

I know many people knock front page, but I use it too because I have nothing better. It's annoying because of how much you have to work around the bugs in the program, and sometimes fixing the html is the only way to get things to work in it. I too would like to get Dreamweaver when I have the chance, but for now I think FP works allright. It's alot better than nothing in my opinion.

I think that's it. You've got a nice start, I would like to see some changes with the background mainly. Otherwise you did pretty darn good for your first time.