Web Design Forums

lizzard · 17-05-2006, 17:29

this is my first post, so be gentle! I found this site today and have spent the last 2 hours reading and reading and learning. LOL anyway. I started designing 2 years ago and am completely self-taught. I'm a tad behind the times and just recently discovered validation and cross-browser compatability. (some of you just rolled your eyes, I know it!)

my first design ever: http://www.raschservice.com
(it has major suck, I know. I just put it here for comparison!)

my latest design: http://www.dewercs.net

am interested in opinions/critiques. (on dewercs, especially!) thanks!

oli · 17-05-2006, 18:04

Its definately an improvement

chris_bcn · 17-05-2006, 18:05

I had no idea that suck could be used as a noun!

THe dots are really distracting and pull the focus away from the content - which has to be the most important aspect of any blog.

Other than that it looks ok - looks like a blog really. but it's a huge improvement over your first one

pgo · 17-05-2006, 18:15

Looks OK. It is kind of over-complicated. It seems like you really focused on the flowers and other graphics and basically ignored your typography, which makes it look like a template with text plugged into it. Spend some more time on type.

Also, there are a lot of images (mostly the flowers, header, dots) that are JPGs, but should really be GIFs or PNGs.

Not terrible, though. And the other one isn't good, but as a first effort, it's decent.

Just look around this forum and you'll see that there are plenty of first (and subsequent!) efforts that are just awful.

lizzard · 17-05-2006, 19:00

at least no one told me my first effort was better!

pgo, would you mind clarifying about typography? I'm not sure HOW to spend more time on text. any specific examples?

also, the suggestion about GIFs or PNGs vs JPGs...is that a size/compression issue?

thank you so much!!!

Eyual · 17-05-2006, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgo

Just look around this forum and you'll see that there are plenty of first (and subsequent!) efforts that are just awful.

Talking about my stuff

Big improvment

Way better then any of my stuff. a Few things that I would change about the type the spacing between the letter and words I really dislike.

Bubbles have already been mentioned...

About compressions most images that dont have alot of details you go with gifs or pngs. I gennerally use pngs it just helps out dial up users and can mean the difference between some one looking at your site and not.

Good stuff overall

finbarr · 18-05-2006, 08:19

rid yourself of the bubbles... just use a block colour (background colour of bubbles perhaps?)

other than that I think it looks good

lizzard · 18-05-2006, 10:30

thanks, all!!

stevo · 18-05-2006, 12:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizzard

pgo, would you mind clarifying about typography? I'm not sure HOW to spend more time on text. any specific examples?

hit-squad · 18-05-2006, 16:28

i can see where its going but I think it needs to be borken down more in to specific areas especially stuff on the right and i dunno about the overall design - layout is ok but maybe go for something a bit more basic and imo scrap the flowers :P

pgo · 18-05-2006, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo

Haha, clever! Love that.

Also:
The Elements of Typographic Style (the Bible it would seem...)

Thinking with Type (pretty good one)

lizzard · 18-05-2006, 17:06

LOL will check out the books. already purchased "About Face". seems I have alot to learn about typography.

stevo · 18-05-2006, 17:11

yeah, its a class book...havent read those other two, ill put them on my list.

would also reccommend norman potter's 'what is a designer'

and Jan Tschichold's 'The New Typography

LadynRed · 19-05-2006, 11:50

Definitely a huge improvment over the first one. I rather like it - which is a decidedly female point of view in a forum overrun with testosterone

By the way.. since you scrap -- ever been to digitalscrapbookplace.com ??

lizzard · 19-05-2006, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadynRed

... a forum overrun with testosterone

LOL just a TAD overrun. I don't know why they didn't like the flowers.

I've been there quite a few times. they have some beautiful layouts and great ideas. but I don't digital scrap anymore...I get more satisfaction (and sometimes frustration) out of doing it the dinosaur way.

pgo · 19-05-2006, 17:08

Women.

17-05-2006, 17:29	#1 (permalink)
lizzard Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 5	blog critique this is my first post, so be gentle! I found this site today and have spent the last 2 hours reading and reading and learning. LOL anyway. I started designing 2 years ago and am completely self-taught. I'm a tad behind the times and just recently discovered validation and cross-browser compatability. (some of you just rolled your eyes, I know it!) my first design ever: http://www.raschservice.com (it has major suck, I know. I just put it here for comparison!) my latest design: http://www.dewercs.net am interested in opinions/critiques. (on dewercs, especially!) thanks!

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17-05-2006, 18:04	#2 (permalink)
oli Low flying star™ Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Manchester, England.™ Posts: 10,018	Its definately an improvement

17-05-2006, 18:05	#3 (permalink)
chris_bcn Goodbye little old lady Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Geordie in SF Posts: 340	I had no idea that suck could be used as a noun! THe dots are really distracting and pull the focus away from the content - which has to be the most important aspect of any blog. Other than that it looks ok - looks like a blog really. but it's a huge improvement over your first one

17-05-2006, 18:15	#4 (permalink)
pgo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,340	Looks OK. It is kind of over-complicated. It seems like you really focused on the flowers and other graphics and basically ignored your typography, which makes it look like a template with text plugged into it. Spend some more time on type. Also, there are a lot of images (mostly the flowers, header, dots) that are JPGs, but should really be GIFs or PNGs. Not terrible, though. And the other one isn't good, but as a first effort, it's decent. Just look around this forum and you'll see that there are plenty of first (and subsequent!) efforts that are just awful.

17-05-2006, 19:00	#5 (permalink)
lizzard Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 5	at least no one told me my first effort was better! pgo, would you mind clarifying about typography? I'm not sure HOW to spend more time on text. any specific examples? also, the suggestion about GIFs or PNGs vs JPGs...is that a size/compression issue? thank you so much!!!

18-05-2006, 08:19	#7 (permalink)
finbarr who the fuck am i? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: london Posts: 2,686	rid yourself of the bubbles... just use a block colour (background colour of bubbles perhaps?) other than that I think it looks good

18-05-2006, 10:30	#8 (permalink)
lizzard Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 5	thanks, all!!

18-05-2006, 16:28	#10 (permalink)
hit-squad digital artist Join Date: May 2006 Location: plymouth. uk Posts: 147	i can see where its going but I think it needs to be borken down more in to specific areas especially stuff on the right and i dunno about the overall design - layout is ok but maybe go for something a bit more basic and imo scrap the flowers :P

18-05-2006, 17:06	#12 (permalink)
lizzard Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 5	LOL will check out the books. already purchased "About Face". seems I have alot to learn about typography.

18-05-2006, 17:11	#13 (permalink)
stevo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 357	yeah, its a class book...havent read those other two, ill put them on my list. would also reccommend norman potter's 'what is a designer' and Jan Tschichold's 'The New Typography

19-05-2006, 11:50	#14 (permalink)
LadynRed Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 147	Definitely a huge improvment over the first one. I rather like it - which is a decidedly female point of view in a forum overrun with testosterone By the way.. since you scrap -- ever been to digitalscrapbookplace.com ??

19-05-2006, 17:08	#16 (permalink)
pgo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,340	Women.

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