[smallbeer]

We're thinking of changing the bs. It's been driving me mad for the past few weeks but came up with this idea this morning...

Home Page

Inner Page

Content is king for us so trying to keep it nice and simple.

[oli]

I like it better the way it is, logos nice though

[cam]

i like the content page mock, so clean and easy to read

index page, as much as i like whitespace, i'd say there's too much. layout doesn't really flow for me.

[Mik]

prefer old

[smallbeer]

Originally Posted by oli

logos nice though

that's from our man in greece - glad you liked something though

keep 'em coming.

[Jay-NL]

It's clean alright, but it's more "empty"-clean than "visually pleasing"-clean. Non-designers see that as non-professional (just because MSN & the like are pretty stuffed - they adapt to that idea).
Take a look at a real-life printed glossy for ideas on how to "fill" the space (not cram it like MSN does). Ususally, they still work vertically, not horizontally as you seem to be doing.
Oh, and I really don't like pages that sit to the far left or right on a high-res screen. But that's a matter of preference I guess.

[dan]

Agree, I like the current one better. But the content page is nice, maybe switch the main text and review details over? With a bit of work the home page could work as well me thinks. Nice.

Like the logo door

[matt designer]

nice logo.

like the clean layouts but think the current works better. looks like there is more going on.

I'd just add the logo to the current site.

[andycogbill]

In defense of the new design, though, I remember first visiting the current site a few months back and being intimidated by all of the content. I like the clean idea (seems where most web designs are headed of late), but maybe a little less clean and you'll have a winner.

I, too, quite enjoy the logo.

I say keep it up; it's always fun to change layouts (I do every month, practically).

[andycogbill]

As a sidenote, too, I'm not sure about the font choice for navigation. Doesn't look clickable, nor is it easy to read -- I remember reading an article saying that all navigation should be in sans-serif. F.Y.I.

[smallbeer]

OK, thanks for all the comments. I always do try and take them onboard.

There are reasons (back-end stuff) why a redesign needs to happen. More of a reshuffle really but we are growing out of the old layout very quickly and (to me anyway) it's starting to look a little tired and disorganised.

So anyway...I've bulked out the index mockup a bit. Any better?

[andycogbill]

Yummy! Same goes for the navigation, though.

[Stickman]

I think that's better.

The menu looks awkward though. You tried horizontal?


edit: pixelsurgeon's menu would look good on that design. Steal it.

[oli]

yeah this ones better, the green is good.
Id like it to be more balanced, ie , where it says 'competitions' - make this the same grey block background as 'latest in the forums' and make them line up. Dont like the washed out effect on the competitions and little banner ads.

[Jay-NL]

It's a lot better. Maybe the nav would look good all the way up, like pixelsurgeon indeed.

You know what, forget the nav. You have the "features" and "reviews" columns already. Where's "interviews"? Do some links right below these columns and you're done. Then shift "daily" and "forum" to the left, along with the login form.
So basically you'd have the cover picture, and "recent/news/updates" items on the left, and the current contents in the right column. Would work for me, and it's even more clean.

Cheers, looking good now.

BTW, Dude, center it. Margin: 0 auto; Should work especially well with the green. I'm getting a neck cramp like this.

[andycogbill]

Originally Posted by Jay-NL

BTW, Dude, center it. Margin: 0 auto; Should work especially well with the green. I'm getting a neck cramp like this.

Eeeee no! Don't center it. I like it the way it is Otherwise I'd feel too much green around me.

[Mik]

is that font rockwell (or something similar - headers) well i dont think it works.

It works well in print but at thinner weights and at a larger size.

Would look one million times better even with helvetica. -try trade gothic, univers or franklin

[smallbeer]

cheers guys,

yeah stick, the nav look much better up top.

Jay-NL, cheers but no.

mik, yeah you're right about the font.

everyone else, thanks for sharing

[andycogbill]

Aw, no shout-out. Is it because I'm a "spamcock"?

[smallbeer]

you're with everyone else.