[Matt_e11]

Hi Guys, im new to this site.
Currently i am working on designing a website, i have attached 3 images of different designs i have done for it. If people could let me know which one they like best, and what could be improved for it etc
or if any major flaws that im doing wrong to be pointed out would be much appreciated

Be as critical as you like, as prefer to find out all plus and minus points on these

I have attached jpegs to this but not showing up in preview, fingers crossed they are showing up in posted thread

Many thanks.

Matt

[twentysixtwelve]

I like the first as it focuses on the primary function of the site, the search. Im not sure of the colour, but its a good start. My least fave is the last one, it looks like a non-specific shopping site.

One thing i would do is lose the stock photography. Done wrong, stock images convey an impression that the company / designer cant be arsed to use their own photos. Maybe look at some themed icons? Or even photos that match in some way, colour, content etc.

[Spearbox]

The first one is ok, but they really look like ready-made templates.

[Matt_e11]

Yeah i have set them out that way in blocks which can look like ready made templates, but i have done this for easy use, this site will never win any awards for design, its simply for getting people the information they want without complication.

Yes the search is probably the most important feature, with colours it will have to include orange due to the company branding, which isnt the most friendly of colours to work with. but i am tying to get a corporate but friendly feel to the site, any ideas?

Thanks for comments so far

Matt

[JapanAlex]

don't make it 3d looking - just use a flat mild orange

the search area in nice on the 1st one

but the bars on the left and right need to be changed - maybe just white? maybe more space in between the boxes?

[kudos]

The first one is the most acceptable, it looks like youve been reading some books...

[ThePrintBarn]

Hi Matt,

Nice layouts, out of the three I would say the first was the best place to start. Just seems a bit too busy with no clear centre of focus, perhaps it’s the extensive use of gradients and bevel effects?

[Matt_e11]

Why is it most acceptable? whats good, bad?

Which books might they be?
I have actually been looking at the websites with the most hits globally, such as yahoo, msn etc, and they box everything off. so everything has its own section
as you can see, i based the blue design from the 1st orange design but made it more corporate.
They are laid out as there will be content management system which will update everything which will be in the middle, the side navigation always stays the same for ease of use and the adverts on the right can change.

[Matt_e11]

Yeah think im going to change the bevel on the inner tabs now, and make the outer navigation and adverts lighter as the main emphasis should be on the search option

thanks for your comment

[kudos]

Its good - in terms of layout, everything is catered for. Logo is clear, tagline is legible and clear, navigation evident and indicative of current position on site, everything on the page is distinct in its own section. There isnt much cause for confusion for your users so your next step is to build it and get it tested.

[Matt_e11]

Thanks for comments guys, finding them useful

[Matt_e11]

any more comments please?