ZoomConcept Reviews
Minor Problem on 01_Home.jpg 1 this font choice looks too flat and doesn't convey professionalism. also all lower case is inconsistent with the rest of the copy on the page. 2 couple issues....too much shadow on the image. and a keyboard and pencil as main banner graphic doesn't convey "design" to me. 3 what does the logo represent? needs a tagline at the very least. 4 choose stronger words. I want someone to design a killer site for me, not just "something nice". -
Peter Karsai commented:This is just dummy text that will be replaced by the template user. Could also have written a simple Lorem Ipsum there :)
5 too much white space -
Peter Karsai commented:
Removed most of them :)
6 make this a slider and free up some real estate. also, if the portfolio samples are in black and white, that won't showcase the talent of what the agency can do. -
Peter Karsai commented:
I was thinking about making them color on rollover but it's all color now so it no longer matters.
7 wasted space 8 showing the logo twice is redundant Serious Problem on 01_Home.jpg 1 wasted space -
Peter Karsai commented:
I removed a lot of wasted space.
2 wasted space Summary:
Hi Peter - interesting concept, although I don't understand your thought process to having the black and white template. The page as a whole looks very one dimensional. and to be brutally honest, if I was in the market for a template to represent my design firm, I would not pick this look.
Also, there are some serious alignment issues with the main elements on the page. ruler guides are a huge assett as you design your mockup. Instead of having the main button say 'Contact Us", why not "Get a Free Quote" or something along those lines. You need to engage the user and entice them to perform an action on the page.
my review must sound harsh, but more thought needs to be put into this concept, it needs a do over.
please see my notes....
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Peter Karsai commented:
Hi Rebecca, I agree with most of your points and I made many significant changes. I would be more than happy if you'd take a look and tell me what you think. Thanks!
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Maximo Migliari commented:I would also completely review your color palette. If you are going for pastel colors its fine, but then try to stick to the primary colors and run away from desaturated brows and suchlike.
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Minor Problem on 01_Home.jpg 1 I dont like this border, to be honest it reminds me of death... like a photo of someone with black ribbon over it =/ -
Peter Karsai commented:
It was meant to be a sheet of paper on a black background so in a wide browser window it wouldn't have looked like that. But I changed it anyway.
2 What does this wants to say? I think there might be something personal about the pipe, but how are page visitors supposed to get it? I dont like this logo... try removing the outer glow -
Peter Karsai commented:
This is a template so the logo would be replaced by the user.
3 This top part somehow looks dated... the botton one doesnt... I think this is caused because of border and bad foint choices 4 please dont... (font) -
Peter Karsai commented:
I changed it from Arial Rounded MT Bold to Droid Sans. Is it better?
5 I dislike this font too -
Peter Karsai commented:
Changed fron Arial Black to Days. Is it better?
6 Here is slightly too much of whitespace -
Peter Karsai commented:
Removed.
7 Add see more/all link/button -
Peter Karsai commented:
I added but I'm not sure that it looks very well there.
8 I feel like unused whitespace on landing page is layout fail... try changing something... 9 Alignment issue 10 Alignment issue 11 email input is oversized and so does subscribe button... (go for minimalism) Positive Feature on 01_Home.jpg 1 nice button 2 I like the footer design except some details (see newletter dedicated note) Summary:
Hey there,
I am not fan of black/white design (this might work for someone who doesnt need to present and sell himself fore example for content based pages like blogs etc.). If I would be ever trying to do something like this I will pretty sure add some highly attractive colored element to create some nice contrast, visual hierarchy and action.... (I suggest this for you too). And the truth is I dont feel like there is many people out there who s gonna buy black/white template for their business... (If I understand correctly this one will be for sale?)
Well... I have added some notes....
Good luck
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Peter Karsai commented:
Thanks for your review. I made a lot of changes and your feedback on them would be welcome!
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Minor Problem on 01_Home.jpg 1 this banner area is good - but the key persuasive element needs to be a person (or something human for the hero image) versus the keyboard (which does not communicate design) 2 will these be clickable? If not, you may have an affordance issue (http://humanfactors.blogspot.com/2010/06/false-affordances.html) 3 not necessary - can be eliminated 4 a key persuasive element - which should be introduced higher up on the page. 5 you'll need to introduce a "lighting/location" interaction strategy. Minor Problem on Landing Page.jpg 1 something is not visually correct in the typography -
Peter Karsai commented:
Could you explain this a bit?
2 doesn't pop visually 3 the watermark treatment - slows the readers eye down from a readability perspective. Don't use - unless that is your goal... -
Peter Karsai commented:
Do you recommend making it lower opacity or removing it?
4 too gray 5 slightly distracting " the small "m" and the "D" with the curly element Positive Feature on 01_Home.jpg 1 These "social proof" persuasion elements are key in building trust and credibility (http://communicatebetter.blogspot.com/2009/06/persuasion-power-of-social-proof.html). They are properly placed in this template. New Idea on 01_Home.jpg 1 if you punch a color into this button (like red) you drive a call to action instantly 2 Can be a fat footer element - it will eliminate some unnecessary scrolling Summary:
Hi Peter,
- The black and white template is a bit too stark. It lacks key contrast balance in the key areas (that will be the design challenge). I think it can work with a few more design cycles though.
- The color template has similar contrast issues in key areas. You will solve the problem once - when you attack the black and white version.
- I apologize if the keyboard image is an FPO (for position only) - it simply doesn't work as an image connecting the visitor to the design process. You will be more successful if you use something using a human face (or hands, etc)
- Organize your fat footer to include valuable information - but not "too much" information. Checkout for inspiration
Good start... Best of luck!
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Serious Problem on Landing Page.jpg 1 This image, doesn't portray design to me 2 Choose a better font, this is just Bleugh! 3 Wasted space 4 don't like this image, looks like msn 5 This should be at the top, this is a design / template for a creative- isn't it? 6 move to footer, like this http://challenger.ecomcorp.co.nz 7 Color scheme - try a new one 8 is the thumbnail necessary? 9 too soft Critical Problem on Landing Page.jpg 1 Background - it's flat and boring 2 emboss really? this style looks dated, give it some texture, if you don't know what I mean, look at this: http://dribbble.com/shots/106722-QwertyTown-Lessons?list=tags&tag=website 3 Why is this logo so angry? - Is he angry cause he's poorly designed, does he not like the m? -
Rebecca Perry commented:Aaran you crack me up...
Positive Feature on Landing Page.jpg 1 massive readability issues New Idea on Landing Page.jpg 1 what page am I on? why is this typography so dull? Seems to have no alignment Summary:
Ok so neither black & white or the color version work for me there seems to be fundamental design mistakes and I'll use notes on the color version as this is your last attempt...
Ok that's about it, don't get disheartened just take the feedback and use it to your ability, and make the design better!
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Minor Problem Nav vs Headings
You utilize lower case capitalization for your navigation yet you use Initial caps or all caps elsewhere. I'd recommend using a consistent headline style for headings/ navigation - so it's even easier to differentiate content from titles. Also, there is no graphic element tied to the current state of the navigation. The Home link should be stylized to show that a user is on that page.Positive Feature Clean design
This is a clean design template-- it's easy to visually navigate.New Idea Wrong emphasis
My biggest issue with the design is that the largest graphic on the page is a keyboard. A design firm's site should put the most emphasis on promoting their previous work - or the key message that communicates what makes them different from everyone else.Minor Problem Get a Free Quote button
Somehow, the green color for the Get a Free Quote button does not look great to me (but that could be just me). Can you try some other relevant color?Social Icons color
The social icons need contrast. Try using colorful icons as the currently look bland because they are blending in way too much with the color of the footer.Serious Problem Keyboard for what?
The use of a keyboard image gives me the idea that you are dealing with computers and probably selling keyboards. But you are not. Are you? Attempt to make the design look 3D like is nice, but the keyboard does not settle well. Try changing it to something more appropriate and visually eye-catching.No navigation in footer
I failed to find navigation links in the footer totally. Are you sure that you do not need any in footer, at all? Consider including some helpful links so that user does not have to scroll all the way to the top of the page.Positive Feature A very good improvement
When compared to the black and white design, the colored version stands out and appeals better.New Idea Slideshow
Try to implement a slideshow that takes about 60-75% of the header area and have your call to action button with a short message in the rest of the area. That should enhance the visual appeal.Summary:
A very good improvement over the previous design but still needs few more changes to stand out.
Good luck!
Minor Problem on 01_Home.jpg 1 no shaodw 2 better spacing needed in this box 3 Too much space? New Idea on 01_Home.jpg 1 Try not using round button here and also no shadow 2 Use photo with colors.... Believe me. Summary:
Put more color might make this more stunning.
Serious Problem Not black and white
The choice to use the black and white is not very happy. Remember that almost all users will only visit your website in seconds. If they don´t like what their are watching, they´ll will get out of your website.Positive Feature The layout´s structure is simple and nice. I think it will work very well About The colour design
It´s more efective than the B&W.New Idea Maybe if you use an wood pattern in the background, it will increase the design Other It´s unique to use only black and white, but...
...remember: just because you are unique, does not mean you are useful.Minor Problem Maybe a little dark
I do like the idea. And the overall design is nice. But it is just a little dark for my taste. Also the logo at the top... looks like it has some kind of outer glow type thing which is making it look a little fuzzy... but that may just be me.Summary:
All in all. Quite nice. I just find it to be a little dark. And I might light up the keyboard a little... That might be what is making me feel that. Just the blacks seem very crushed in the keyboard especially with that black pencil there. And hey maybe a little splash of brown from the pencil end might be kinda nice... Like a minimalist amount of colour in an otherwise black and white design.
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Peter Karsai commented:
Thanks for your review. Please check out the new version if you can!
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Nothing. This is a template so this definitely would be replaced by the user's own logo.