Starting out

Hi all,

All my website's to date have been fairly graphic un-intensive, because I never really had a good graphics program or I had no idea on what to do...

I've been playing around with photoshop for about half a year now, I know a few basics etc, but I need a little help...

I'm designing my new website and I'm trying for a new look. Feel free to nipick and suggest ways that I can make it look better.

This is my forth attempt on this image, it's nowhere near finished, but I just need a few idea's...

Thanks for your input :D

Emohawk

The main problem is that it looks so similar to half the websites out there at the moment, as though there's a checklist people go through: grid - check, title in unusual font with outer glow - check, curvy glowing buttons - check, and so on. It makes your site look terribly mundane. Adapting good design elements from others is all very well, but place it in a context that makes your site unique, and personal to you.

Sorry to sound so critical, but I see so many uninspired sites out there - don't become a victim of passing fads, go your own way.

- ion -

I would avoid the glow, and I would try a different texture or look for the grid area.

I like the oval designs, the font on the buttons. Sure, I've seen similar ones before but fads are okay as long as you keep it original.

I've posted on various forums that I goto, and the general consensus was it was a tad un-original, and I tend to agree.
The redesign is alot simpler, and I think I like it more than the old one...
So long as I get the content balanced correctly, it should look ok
Tell me what you think...

Emo

the "redesign" looks like a great look for a splash page, although i dont really see where your going with it. if perhaps you could and some text telling us what exactly is going to be on that page and where.
the first one didnt seem too bad except for the top logo text. and and link area. perhaps not so much grid. i like the idea of the shapes though. i think you had something going there. ummm try getting rid of the grids and switch it with a nice light blue color. and change the logo and you should be able to stay with the first design ;) hope i helped u out some.

Cheers for the info
I'm on my 6th or 7th re-design now. I'm soo confused I don't know where I'm heading with it myself now :confused:

I think the general idea on the last one was left bar = links etc, then the main body, the the far right bar was gonna contain news + updates of stuff (i think).

As it's gonna be a brand spanking new website though (not at all like my old one), there will be no news! So not much point on the far right bar... I'll keep going at it until I hit something final. Then I'll do a basic index page and upload it for people to rate/critisise...

Emohawk

Starting to finalise my site now...
I like this alot, but there is something wrong with it. I just can't put my finger on it though :(

Is it too bland?
Not enough colour?
Which menu looks better?
Does the menu look good at all?

Need some feedback
Cheers guys n girls...

Emo

Oh for craps sake. You CANNOT keep deleting the previous images!!! I come here, and not a single one of those damn links work. If you expect people to help you who haven't managed to see the original in the seemingly 1 seconds you manage to leave the picture on your webspace, then you aren't going to get as many replies as you wanted. Not even that last link you just put on here works.

>( @ Missing out on possibly good art.

I don't delete them, they are all still there, it's just that liquid2k isn't the most reliable host, and I can't control that I'm afraid :(
Anything I submit from now on thought will be on my main site, not on one of my freebie accounts...

Hope this helps...
The links seem to work now tho, so take a peek... cheers

Emo