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 Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:44 pm
http://www.guidetoottawa.comHi all, I know it does not have much content yet, I am working on that. To increase the popularity, I could use more signups on the forum, even if you are not from Ottawa, and will never post. I could also use a critique of the design and whatnot. Let me know what you think. Thanks, David
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:28 pm
Something in particular bugs me about the "Guide to Ottawa" text in the header image. I'll stare at it more to try to figure out what should be done with it.
The background might look a little better with a very subtle pattern in it.
Well, that's a start I guess. Not quite in the mood for critiquing.
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Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 5:01 am
Hizzahn Something in particular bugs me about the "Guide to Ottawa" text in the header image. I'll stare at it more to try to figure out what should be done with it. I think the letters are to thin, maybe they should be more like in the banner - thicker and maybe the header should have the wavy lighter thing like the banner to make it more livelly... and what is that building in this foto? eek
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Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 2:40 pm
The building is the Parliament Buildings in Downtown Ottawa. biggrin
Anyone that lives here will recognize it.
I will try some thicker font settings and play around with the banner some more. biggrin Thanks for the short critiques. biggrin
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Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 2:34 pm
the problem I see with the text is that it is "square" the width and height are even. the picture behind the text has many tall skinny elements, which makes the text seem too fat, like a fat man tring to dance.. I like the font, but if you can make it more tall and skinny, it might work better... I don't know, I would have to see it... also, the text is stuck in on the upper corner of the image, making the two focal points the upper left hand corner and the center of the banner... both are bad spots, if you off center the image a little and try to make the text more engaged in the banner design, it might be more appealing... it might also be that the image is very busy and has alot of contrast allowing the text to get lost...
or i may be on crack... who knows sweatdrop
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Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:50 pm
Hoookay, here's my 2c:
Don't take offense to this, but it does appear to me that a developer created this layout. What I mean by that is, there isn't anything technically wrong with it, but the design isn't terribly exciting either. It follows the standard 2 coloumn header + footer layout without stepping out of any boundaries, has Meta info on the first page, minimum pictures, and a cleverly CSSed header with words over a picture.
Technically there isn't anything wrong with that. It looks nice, most of it is easy to understand and the posts are easily accessible.
The layout of the site really depends on who the site is aimed at, and what it is intended to do. I think the layout looks okay, it just really reminds me of those CSS cribbing pages or standard blog templates, which is probably what made me think web developer... Seems to me that the site is supposed to generate interest and excitement about Ottawa, so it needs to be more... exciting somehow? Just an opinion though.
Apparently sans-serif fonts like Helvetica, Arial and Verdana are easier to read on a computer screen, whereas serif fonts like Georgia and Garamond are easier to read in print. Your type is big~ish enough to make it easy enough to read, but yeah, just something to keep in mind wink Italicised serif fonts on a computer are definitely hard to read, so I personally don't like reading the addresses in the quotes *squints*
On the home page, is the Meta information really necessary? It is great that you don't have many errors when you validate, but my guess is that most people coming to the site will have absolutely no idea what Meta, validation or W3C are, and will be totally confused when they see it, and even more so when they click on it.
With the header, I think it would look more interesting if you integrate the heading into the image instead of CSSing some text to sit on top. It looks okayyy with the way you have it, but you are limited in the fonts you can use, and the header is the place to be creative and use those fancy fonts xd A change of colour would make it stand out more from the photo (which looks great btw).
Good call on the advertising. Hope that gets successful.
Okay, thats all I got biggrin Hope it wasn't too mean, I'm just in a bad mood I guess sweatdrop Most of it is just my opinion, so feel free to disagree.
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Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 6:50 pm
Wow, you both gave me a lot to think about. I will work on some stuff...
I know the site seems like it was made by a developer...that is because it was.
I have taken no offense by what was said, I came to this Guild, hoping to learn more about being a designer. I'd love to make a site that looks like those featured on cssvault, or stylegala... redface
The META info on the first page is part of the software I use. I am a Wordpress Fanatic. I love WordPress software, and love to show off its many uses. I could remove it, but I don't see any real reason to...Does not hurt anything.
The minimum pictures are for now. I hope to get a scanner or a digital camera and add pictures of all the places I go. It is just for now that the picture density is low.
And I love my CSS...what's wrong with CSS? razz I know, I should just make a header image, at first I did not do that because I did not know what I was going to call the site. So being able to easily change the text was nice.
The site is aimed at 18-40 year olds. With poor-excellent web browsing skills.
I really don't know how to make it more exciting. I am not a designer, and see things very logically, not artistically.
I really need to change the fonts, I totally understand that. biggrin
I actually want to work on some stuff so I have 0 errors on validation... But that is not a high priority.
I will remove the links though. Thanks.
I hope it gets sucessfull too. So far I am averaging 1000 hits a day. I need it to get up to 2000-5000 hits a day with over 500 uniques to really get the advertising to probably work/pay off.
Raine Dragon - When I change the header and the fonts, I am sure it will look better. Thank you so much for your detailed review. biggrin
As always, even if you have nothing to say, I could use more forum members. biggrin
Thanks,
David
PS I will change things slowly over the course of the next little while. Tell me if it is getting better or worse, and feel free to give me more suggestions. (Also if you feel like helping with graphics or whatnot, let me know, and I will pay decently, either in gaia gold/items or not...)
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Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:12 pm
Okay...I am working on getting a logo together. I have added a classifieds section and increased the amount of articles. I have also tweaked a few things... What does everyone think now? Getting better, worse...or still too much of the same?
(P.S. I know I have not changed the fonts yet)
www.guidetoottawa.com for those of you that forgot the URL biggrin
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 5:12 pm
Got a new website up...
www.canadiantech.net
Tell me what you think biggrin
Thanks,
David
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Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 3:49 am
phoenixfireball Okay...I am working on getting a logo together. I have added a classifieds section and increased the amount of articles. I have also tweaked a few things... What does everyone think now? Getting better, worse...or still too much of the same? (P.S. I know I have not changed the fonts yet) www.guidetoottawa.com for those of you that forgot the URL biggrin The title is now much easier to read, which is good. Fonts are still not so great for reading on a monitor, but you've said you haven't changed those yet... New suggestion: photos of the places mentioned would be good, and help people be able to relate to Ottawa more easily. I really like the canadiantech web site! Very clean and streamlined, and you've also escaped the 'web developer' look xd The fonts are easy to read, and I like the way you've styled quotes (although some people with eyesight problems may have trouble with the grey). Can I just asked what you made these web sites for? Was it for a job, or just out of interest?
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