[bluesage]

Hi,

Im currently working on a proposal for the redesign of a furniture shops website and would like to have your opinions on it. My goal is to have something simple and user friendly yet something stylish and modern.

Is there too much red ? maybe a bit too clustered ? (i plan on spacing out some parts such as the top horizontal nav from the content below it).

I attached a before and after picture so you can compare to its current design and what I plan on offering.

thanks for any feedback.

[karmedic]

Hi,

FWIW ...

I like your new approach vs. the current design. Some comments and suggestions:

- What is your intention for the 'more information' link? Will it go to a new page? I have done a couple sites now where a lightbox gets launched with a bigger picture and more information. Clients tend to like it - and it's a simple win for me.
- I find the red a bit overpowering. If you were to a) remove the background colour from the page title and make that text bigger and b) remove the red page outline and replace with something like a very subtle flattened dropshadow it may work well.
- This site looks like a perfect candidate for 960.gs or Blueprint CSS - have you thought about using such a system (if you're not already)?
- I agree with your move to space out the nav. That coupled with the potential removal of the background on the main title would help bring back some white space.

Nice work!

[webmindz24]

The new design looks good.. you can work on colors.. try to use the color of furniture (wood) or something similar instead of more pink and read

[bluesage]

thanks for the feedback. Points will be considered.

as for the "more information" link: it will lead to another page with the product details, more pictures and possibly other information. The details havent been thought off yet, as this project hasnt been accepted yet.

The idea of the lightbox window for details, is nice, and Im sure most people like it, but from an accessibility / usability point of view dont think its the best use for it. (I do plan on using a lightbox type window for the "zoom" link).

[karmedic]

re: Lightbox - Interesting point. Do you mean accessibility in terms of screen readers? I would have though it work well because the markup is inline and typically located near the link but I've never tested that assertion. You've given me something to think about - thanks!

[Dusteh]

Yes doesn't lightbox store the popup info within the page? I can't see an accessibility issue.

[bluesage]

im still one of those people that limits my use of javascript as theres always a minute percentage of users that may not benefit from what it provides and in this situation, the details of a product is something important that I would want to ensure everyone is able to view even if it means adding one extra click to reach the information.

I have also come to realize that its mainly IT and related people that tend to like all the javascripty enhancements, but that most "standard" web users, are impatient or get freaked out when something popups up, if the close button is different than usual, among other things and therefore are still adapted to "older" ways.

Thats just my opinion and way of coding, of course what I could do is have both methods. The standard second detail page and the lightbox window.

[goodwebdesigner]

I like the layout but I would try and blend it in with perhaps an orange maybe. But the layout is excellent.