[Azeem]

for my main site you may have saw a while back - I agree it was a bit "confused" so after some though I'm thinking of trying something slightly different - a few months ago I did a 1 page template and was wondering what you thought of this.

I am thinking of using some of the elements used here and maybe mixing the two. What do you think might work? (I would not use the header.)

http://www.azeemalim.co.uk/redesign/

Cheers for any input.

[bgw]

It's a little too much veerle.duoh.com with that navigation, and main content edge, also your h2 font, and css/xhtml buttons. Though I like your colours.

[Azeem]

I was defo inspired my her site when I saw it and tried out a few similar techniques, but I wouldnt want to copy the style exactly.

I'm starting to dislike the colours though - it just seems way to dark.

[emmajg]

I don't think its like veerle's site enough to be a problem, although I can see the influence.

My general thought about the site is that it feels more like a personal blog design than a site to generate business. I can't quite put my finger on why, though.

Also, on your header where it says 'promoting web standards' - you've got standards spelt wrong, and while you're changing it I would get rid of the drop shadow!

I like the layout though, esp the sidebar set-up.

[2Dfruit]

i can see your SEO attempts with the word "website"
it's all over the place...

[doodler]

This site's a mix of really good elements and some really questionable stuff. For one, your CONTEMPORARY WEB DESIGN (promoting standands... ) is the most dated looking part of the site. Drop Shadow? Come on now.

To me, one of the major design improvements of web 2.0 is the idea of a flowing, open design. Going from your content to the surrounding background pattern, I feel very enclosed and forced into that center column. There just doesn't feel like there is any white space, since the pattern's more of a wall in its current form. Why not give those right and left edges some more padding, and find some way to transition from content to bg.

I really like your latest work, articles & accessibility columns. Your site should be more about them, not so much about your blog. Honestly, who do you expect to read that text unless they've already been hooked by your work? You should also try and incorporate more functionality into your header or just shrink it down, since it takes up so much space and serves little purpose (other than looking pretty). The nav could also be more spacially efficient. If I scroll down past your header and nav, everything looks really slick, although you should probably limit your blog to 2 moderate paragraphs with a READ MORE link if you really need to keep typing.

I think it really comes down to this: there's too much text for a portfolio, and your header is too large (unless it's going to serve some other purpose). Short snippits are what the web's all about. Look at digg, lifehacker, cnn, etc.

[Azeem]

Originally Posted by emmajg

Also, on your header where it says 'promoting web standards' - you've got standards spelt wrong, and while you're changing it I would get rid of the drop shadow!

Ive been meaning to change that for ages, I just never get around to it. I made this when I first got Fireworks MX and went overboard with drop shadows - Embarassing error.

Originally Posted by 2Dfruit

i can see your SEO attempts with the word "website"
it's all over the place...

This was when I was in my SEO phase, I saw many sites do the same - monkey see, monkey do. I think i'll remove it.

Originally Posted by doodler

This site's a mix of really good elements and some really questionable stuff. For one, your CONTEMPORARY WEB DESIGN (promoting standands... ) is the most dated looking part of the site. Drop Shadow? Come on now.

I know, that why I wouldnt use the header - I just realy wanted to use my Las Vegas style logo thing in one of my layouts and kinda rushed it.

Originally Posted by doodler

To me, one of the major design improvements of web 2.0 is the idea of a flowing, open design. Going from your content to the surrounding background pattern, I feel very enclosed and forced into that center column. There just doesn't feel like there is any white space, since the pattern's more of a wall in its current form. Why not give those right and left edges some more padding, and find some way to transition from content to bg.

I thought the pagging was sufficient? You dont thik its too cramped? - I'm not too sure what you mean by the pattern is a wall, do you mean the floral pattern?

Originally Posted by doodler

I really like your latest work, articles & accessibility columns. Your site should be more about them, not so much about your blog. Honestly, who do you expect to read that text unless they've already been hooked by your work?

Hmm, good point - perhaps a bit too much text for the homepage.

Originally Posted by doodler

You should also try and incorporate more functionality into your header or just shrink it down, since it takes up so much space and serves little purpose (other than looking pretty). The nav could also be more spacially efficient. If I scroll down past your header and nav, everything looks really slick, although you should probably limit your blog to 2 moderate paragraphs with a READ MORE link if you really need to keep typing.

I didn't intend for it to be a blog, but I can see how it resembles one. Eeek! - But I defo see your point - I always seem to over do it on the headers and make them massive.

Originally Posted by doodler

I think it really comes down to this: there's too much text for a portfolio, and your header is too large (unless it's going to serve some other purpose). Short snippits are what the web's all about. Look at digg, lifehacker, cnn, etc.

Yeah, I agree with that. I'll defo shorten down the text and focus more on things like "latest work" etc.

[doodler]

I appreciate the response. Regarding the "wall"... it's not a huge deal for most of the site, but if you look at the contrast between the light blue behind the header and your background... it's really boxed in.

If you really like your header, maybe you just need to think about restructuring. Perhaps have your home page with that header, contact information, basic intro (Azeem Says), and a few latest projects (I assume this is content managed? Or not?), with some navigation deal. Portfolios are usually very simple, and very directed. You see the illustration, cool. Look interesting? click profile and read a blurb... click portfolio for a full list of projects or just check out the latest ones, etc. Your "Azeem Says" is probably as much information as most people will care about unless they're seriously considering employing you... which would entice them to actually read your long profile thing. Right now your site looks more like some information portal, and a less patient person than me would probably get confused and leave.

Also I'm not sure about your justified text. Some of that looks really messy (Firefox 2, PC), with huge spaces between words.

I hope my ideas help. I'm just one person, so it'd be good to hear what other people on this forum have to say about them too.

[sinthux]

the only thing I'd suggest is a different font besides century gothic

[amitrampal]

The font being justified..naaa....background pattern gray doesn't match with the colors of the website...thats just me ....graphics are good...nicely done...