New web home page?

[Poseidon]

I am designing a "new and improved" website, this is a ROUGH draft of my home page. The image inside the frame is going to transition over 4-5 images, like a slideshow. All the Text will be "clickable" and will take you to a page that details about each of our photo offerings. Anyway, this hopefully will be a simple easy to navigate website that uses all html, and each page will display as 1024x768 with no scrolling. (Hopefully)

Anyway, I appreciate constructive criticism.

Thanks!

http://PerfectPix.smugmug.com/photos/220716638-XL.jpg

[Poseidon]

Is it really that bad?

[urbanaries]

I like the background, and the framing of the image, but the text needs some work. The form (big, scrolly type) and function (easily read navigation) need to meet somewhere in the middle. The slanted, large logo doesn't work for me, either.

HTH!

[Elaine]

I agree with Lynne. The background is rather elegant but the font and layout of it doesn't quite "go" somehow, IMO.

[beetle8]

I agree the script does not match the classiness of the rest of the design. The BG and framed wedding shot are elegant and the script is sorta "teen diary"

[Poseidon]

YAY! Alright feedback!

Thank you for the positive criticism, I was unsure of the font myself. My wife is a scrapbooking queen, and she has HUNDREDS of fonts! Frankly I was overwhelmed with all the choices. Does anyone have a suggestion on an appropriate font? My previous website used Century Gothic, but it was rather, well plain.

[Poseidon]

Is this any better?

http://PerfectPix.smugmug.com/photos/221151522-L.jpg

I'm not sure I like the "Perfect Pix Photography" going all the way across the top of the page.

[RustingInPeace]

I like the new font much better than the first one.

[Poseidon]

Thanks! I do too!

Any suggestions on the header itself? I feel that HUGE line across the top is to "in your face"....

[Elaine]

I don't think there's a problem with the line across the top. At least at this size, it looks fairly balanced overall, to me. The font is much better than the first one but I wonder if making the words a little less white would make it a little easier on the eyes...not quite so stark. :dunno

Good luck!

[denisegoldberg]

I find that spreading the words out confuses the eye, giving a disorganized feel to the site. Where are you trying to draw the viewer?

To me, the scattered words give the page a non-professional image, and I don't think that's what you're going for. (Of course, that's a purely personal opinion - your view may differ totally from mine.)

I found the book "The Non-Designers Design Book" to be quite helpful. Review is at http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/1278165.

--- Denise