View Full Version : Need Design eyes....I'm stuck
IBJC
Sep-26-2009, 03:01 PM
I have just past my 1 year at smug and I'm thrilled. I have changed the site look 1 time from the basic black to the carbonite. I'm looking for some updates and changes. I have come across this site of JAllen (http://www.joerallen.com/) AND I LOVE THE BACKGROUND!!!
I shoot a lot of sports (and some portrait/events) and have just been hired as a freelance sports photographer for a local paper so I know my site will see more activity. I want a background look like JAllens or something that is strong. I have no idea how to do this and keep some of the functions I have currently. I'm sure it's something simple but for the life of me I can figure it out.
Some of the other things I want to change are the following:
1. Header position
2. Navbar colors, layout, flyout.....it's so basic
3. font colors so they stand out more. I really like the blue and grey on JAllens site
4. slideshows.......eventually
I guess once i get the overall change ideas I can move forward if I can figure out how.
I can design for others all day long but when it comes to myself.....I'm stuck.:huh
Thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated. I just want a strong feel to the site much like the one above.
My site: Images by Jenifer Clark (http://imagesbyjeniferclark.com)
Thanks,
Jen
TheMooney
Sep-27-2009, 01:11 PM
Just my opinion, but I love the site the way it is, really nice colours and simple layout making it easy to navigate through, although the home page looks a little out of context due to the colours of text in the black box.
What got me a bit excited it you have a navbar almost exactly what I have been trying to create for the last 2 weeks, would you be upset if I copied your code for it just to bend to my own will? would hopefully save me alot of time :bow
microcosm_1
Sep-27-2009, 05:37 PM
TheMooney: can you post the code for the nav bar?
cheers,
IBJC
Sep-28-2009, 10:13 AM
No....I don't mind at all. I will get the code and post it for you shortly.
Love to see it after your done.l
Jen
IBJC
Sep-28-2009, 10:30 AM
Here is mine and I sure hope I copied all that you need to make yours work. :D
CSS
/* Common Styling */
.menu {
/*float: right;*/
top: -10px;
position: relative;
display: block;
z-index: 99;
padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; /* spacing around menu - top right bottom left */
height: 20px; /* menu container (div .menu) */
width: 630px; /* width of menu - minimize this until doesn't wrap to two lines - too large effects centering */
margin: 0 auto; /* top/bottom right/left */
}
.menu ul {
padding: 10px 0px 10px 0px; /* this effects menu centering if too big */
margin:0 auto; /* this maybe not needed? */
list-style-type: none;
}
.menu ul li {
/* margin: 0 2px 0 2px; */ /* adds space between main menu boxes */
float:left; /* WARNING: float right reverses menu */
position:relative !important; /* ***** Carbonite fix ***** */
}
.menu ul li a,
.menu ul li a:visited {
display: block;
font-size: 1em; /* main buttons */
color: #fff; /* main buttons text non-hover*/
text-decoration:none;
text-align: center; /* centers text in buttons */
width: 100px; /* main box width */
height: 2px; /* main box height */
/* border: 1px solid red; */ /* start your design with borders on, easier to position DD's & FO's */
/* border-width: 1px 1px 1px 1px; */
background: #4372AA; /* main button color */
padding-left: 0px;
line-height: 20px; /* positions text up/down in box */
}
* html .menu ul li a, .menu ul li a:visited {
width: 104px; w\idth: 104px; /* IE main button */
}
.menu ul li ul {
display: none;}
/* */
/* Specific to Non-IE browsers */
/* */
.menu ul li:hover a {
color: #fff; /* main when hover DD */
background: #000; /* main when hover DD */
}
.menu ul li:hover ul {
display: block;
position: absolute !important; /* ***** Carbonite fix ***** */
top: -8px; /* FF DD up down */
margin-top: 17px; /* FF main mouse active vertical */
left: 0px; /* FF DD right left */
width: 104px; /* unknown */
}
.menu ul li:hover ul li ul {
display: none;
}
.menu ul li:hover ul li a {
display: block;
background: #4372AA; /* DD FO non-hover */
color: #fff; /* DD FO non-hover */
height: auto;
line-height: 20px; /* DD FO box height */
padding: 0px 0px;
width: 100px; /* DD FO box width */
border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc;
}
.menu ul li:hover ul li a:hover {
background: black; /* DD FO hover */
color: #fff; /* DD FO hover */
}
.menu ul li:hover ul li:hover ul {
display: block;
position: absolute;
left: 102px; /* FF FO right left */
top: -27px; /* FF FO up down */
width: 146px; /* FF FO box width */
}
/* */
/* Specific to IE browsers */
/* */
.menu ul li a:hover {
/* text-decoration: none; */ /* might be needed */
color: #fff; /* main hover */
background: #000; /* main hover */
}
.menu ul li a:hover ul {
display: block;
position: absolute !important; /* ***** Carbonite fix ***** */
top: 2px; /* DD container up down */
background: none; /* gets rid of DD container */
margin-top: 7px; /* DD container up down */
left: 0px; /* DD right left */
}
.menu ul li a:hover ul li a {
display: block;
background:#4372AA; /* IE DD color non-hover */
color: #fff; /* IE DD color non-hover */
height: auto;
line-height: 20px; /* IE DD FO box height */
padding: 0px;
width: 145px; /* IE DD FO box */
border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc;
}
.menu ul li a:hover ul li a ul {
visibility:hidden;
position:absolute;
height: 0;
width: 0;
}
.menu ul li a:hover ul li a:hover {
background: #000; /* DD FO hover */
color: #fff; /* DD FO hover */
}
.menu ul li a:hover ul li a:hover ul {
display: block;
position: absolute;
top: -22px; /* FO up down */
color: #000000; /* unknown */
left: 147px; /* FO right left */
}
/*ADD TO FIX IE*/
/* a hack so that IE5.5 faulty box model is corrected */
* html .menu a, * html .menu a:visited {
width: 125px;
w\idth: 139px;
}
/* another hack for IE5.5 */
* html .menu ul ul {
top: 30px;
t\op: 31px; /* IE gap between main bar and the dropdown items */
}
/* style the table so that it takes no part in
the layout - required for IE to work */
.menu table {
position:absolute;
top:auto 0; left:0;
}
/* yet another hack for IE5.5 */
* html .menu ul ul a {
width: 125px; /* unknown */
w\idth: 104px; /* DD FF width */
}
/*END EXTRA ADDS FOR IE*/
/* ADD TO HIDE EXTRA LEVELS */
/* make the 2nd level visible when
hover on 1st level list OR link */
.menu ul a:hover ul, /* IE */
.menu ul:hover ul { /* FF */
visibility:visible;
}
/* keep the 3rd level hidden when you
hover on 1st level list OR link */
.menu ul a:hover ul ul, /* IE */
.menu ul:hover ul ul { /* FF */
visibility:hidden;
}
/* keep the 4th level hidden when you
hover on 2nd level list OR link */
.menu ul li a:hover ul li a:hover ul ul, /* IE */
.menu ul li:hover ul li:hover ul ul { /* FF */
visibility:hidden;
}
/* make the 3rd level visible when you hover
over 2nd level list OR link */
.menu ul a:hover ul a:hover ul, /* IE */
.menu ul:hover ul:hover ul { /* FF */
visibility:visible;
}
/* make the 4th level visible when you
hover over 3rd level list OR link */
.menu ul li a:hover ul li a:hover ul li a:hover ul, /* IE */
.menu ul li:hover ul li:hover ul li:hover ul { /* FF */
visibility:visible;
}
/* ==== END NAVBAR CODE ==== */
HTML
<div id="my_header">
<div id="my_banner">
<a href="/">
<img src="/img/spacer.gif" border="0" height="125" width="500">
</a>
</div> <!-- closes my_banner -->
<div class="menu">
<ul>
<li><a href="/">Home</a></li>
<li><a class="drop" href="/Information">Information
<!--[if IE 7]><!--></a><!--<![endif]-->
<!--[if lte IE 6]><table><tr><td><![endif]-->
<ul>
<li><a href="/gallery/6068624_xGLPp">Contat Me</a></li>
<li><a href="/gallery/6068670_FziYu">Hire Me</a></li>
<li><a href="/gallery/6068646_ZqRWw">About Me</a></li>
<li><a href="/gallery/6064626_Cw7BU">Guestbook</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ibjcblog.com/">IBJC Blog</a></li>
</ul> <!--[if lte IE 6]></td></tr></table></a><![endif]-->
</li>
<li><a class="drop" href="/galleries">Galleries
<!--[if IE 7]><!--></a><!--<![endif]-->
<!--[if lte IE 6]><table><tr><td><![endif]-->
<ul>
<li><a href="/Sports">Sports</a></li>
<li><a href="/Clients">Clients</a></li>
<li><a href="/Portfolio">Portfolio</a></li>
<li><a href="/Seniors">Seniors</a></li>
<li><a href="/Special%20Creations">Special Creations</a></li>
<li><a href="/Family-Friends">Friends & Family</a></li>
<li><a href="/East%20TN%20Places">East Tennessee</a></li>
<li><a href="/Events">Events</a></li>
</ul> <!--[if lte IE 6]></td></tr></table></a><![endif]-->
</li>
<li><a class="drop" href="/Sports">Sports
<!--[if IE 7]><!--></a><!--<![endif]-->
<!--[if lte IE 6]><table><tr><td><![endif]-->
<ul>
<li><a href="/Sports">All Sports</a></li>
<li><a href="/Sports/789345">AHS Football</a></li>
<li><a href="/Sports/AHS-Volley">AHS Volleyball</a></li>
<li><a href="/Sports/655181">AHS Basketball</a></li>
<li><a href="/Sports/729365">AHS Baseball</a></li>
<li><a href="/Sports/734755">AHS Softball</a></li>
<li><a href="/Sports/Alcoa-Middle-Sports-2009-2010">AMS Sports</a></li>
<li><a href="/Sports/755456">AMS Baseball</a></li>
<li><a href="/Sports/733303">AYB Baseball</a></li>
<li><a href="/Sports/Ice-Hockey">Ice Hockey</a></li>
<li><a href="/Sports/628330">Sport Style</a></li>
<li><a href="/Sports/693190">Albums Styles</a></li>
</ul> <!--[if lte IE 6]></td></tr></table></a><![endif]-->
</li>
<li><a class="drop" href="http://alcoasports.blogspot.com/">News-Links
<!--[if IE 7]><!--></a><!--<![endif]-->
<!--[if lte IE 6]><table><tr><td><![endif]-->
<ul>
<li><a href="http://alcoasports.blogspot.com/">Alcoa Photo-News</a></li>
<li><a href="/gallery/6224978_q3BCn">Calendar</a></li>
<li><a href="http://alcoafootball.net/">alcoaFootball</a></li>
<li><a href="#nopick">new links coming</a></li>
</ul> <!--[if lte IE 6]></td></tr></table></a><![endif]-->
<li><a href="http://www.imagesbyjeniferclark.com/find">Search</a></li>
</li>
</ul> <!--[if lte IE 6]></td></tr></table></a><![endif]-->
</div> <!-- closes navcontainer -->
</div> <!-- closes my_header -->
IBJC
Sep-28-2009, 10:32 AM
Just my opinion, but I love the site the way it is, really nice colours and simple layout making it easy to navigate through, although the home page looks a little out of context due to the colours of text in the black box.
What got me a bit excited it you have a navbar almost exactly what I have been trying to create for the last 2 weeks, would you be upset if I copied your code for it just to bend to my own will? would hopefully save me alot of time :bow
Ok, what do you suggest to make the main page look better???? Font/color/etc....
Jen
TheMooney
Sep-28-2009, 11:38 AM
thanks for the code, saves me fishing for it with the web developer tool :barb
What I would do is either use the news-link page you already have for the information/updates you have on your homepage, or a blog page, to keep the home page simple as I didn't even realise you had a slideshow until my 3rd visit. Then resize all the slideshow pictures to match so you have a solid flowing show that doesn't jump up and down in size ( I know I have not done this either yet, time is always against me).
Another Idea is to use upright images for the slideshow and place it to the left with your newsfeed on the right (but I would use font colours that compliment your page, white, neutral greys and the blue in your navbar look good together) that way, everything the viewer "needs" to see is there immediately.
Also I dont like the function buttons on the slideshow (the left/right arrows and pause/play) but that is merely personal preference, maybe make them smaller and placed in a bar below, but still invisible until mouse over if possible. I just think it would look cleaner that way.
Hope this insight is helpful, can't wait to see what you come up with :thumb
Techv
Sep-28-2009, 12:23 PM
I'll start my post with the disclaimer that I'm no expert at web design, (I don't even play one on TV) but here are a few ideas that we were trying to focus on with our own recent website rebuild.
1) What's the most important message that you want to market to your customers?
Ideally the answer to this will be clear and engaging as the main point of focus when a new visitor gets to your home page. (For us, we wanted to showcase our sports photography services for youth leagues, teams, schools, etc. .. so at the moment, that's essentially the first thing a newcomer sees when they hit our site ... well, that's the hope anyway.)
Right now, your site doesn't present a clear marketing message that grabs a new visitor right away. Depending on their browser window size, a visitor might not even see a single photograph! Just a logo, menu and text block.
2) Now that the main message has been planted, is it easy for your customers & prospects to find what they want?
I think we both have a little of hit and miss on this note. I really like your menu link system because it allows a visitor to navigate a layer-or-two deep into your site with just a single mouse click. I think we're going to have to add something like that to our next iteration through our site.
On the other hand ... even though you list a number of events and galleries available, it will likely be difficult for new visitors to sift through all the multi colored text in the main the text block without clear titles/heading ... and even when they do, there's no link there to take them to the gallery.
This area would be much easier for visitors to use if it was organized as a clear list with headings/titles and if direct links to the related galleries ("Alcoa vs Scott County 9/18/09 online now, Click Here (http://www.imagesbyjeniferclark.com/Sports/Alcoa-High-Football-2009-2010/AHS-vs-Scott-County-9-18/9764614_x4eYU#661749965_Ec6hq)")
(BTW: Some really great photos in your galleries. Great work!)
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
PS: One last note...
I'm using a Mac and your site and the JAllen example your noted in your first post both open fine in Firefox, but both sites litterally close the browser window before I have a chance to see anything when I try to look at them with Safari (the default Mac browser from Apple). Not sure if that dramatically impacts your customers & prospects but it might be a consideration.
microcosm_1
Sep-28-2009, 11:16 PM
thanks for posting that code :)
thank you thank you thank you!
IBJC
Sep-29-2009, 06:28 AM
Thank you all for the much needed advice. I have been stuck in a rut and my own designs keep getting pushed back. I will be working on this based of what each of you have posted. I really appreciate your thoughts.
I will post back when I update some things to get more opinions on flow, overall look and message it sends so keep an eye out for me.:rofl
Thanks again,
Jen
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