ZoomConcept Reviews
Minor Problem on screen02.jpg 1 alignment is out by about 5 px Serious Problem on screen02.jpg 1 This is not a logo - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logo - read it memorize it LEARN it and then make a LOGO (I don't know why so many designers, think that their name is a logo, when it's just in a normal and boring font!)... 2 Typography - this is probably one of the ugliest fonts you could of chosen -
-
Aaran Casey commented:Ok, it is a personal preference, however in your case it's all over the place, it's the headings, the logo the nav
3 wasted space -
Nicolas Widart commented:
Can't where with this.
4 more of it -
Nicolas Widart commented:
Can't where with this.
5 wow u must tweet a lot -
Nicolas Widart commented:
Widget not enables yet.
6 why are you using the same font??? -
Nicolas Widart commented:
Because it's another site.
-
Aaran Casey commented:
Yeah but this is the thing, it blends all together, to a point where it wont be reaad
Serious Problem on screen05.jpg 1 woah look at this - should put some work thumbnails in here -
Nicolas Widart commented:
Can't where with this.
-
Aaran Casey commented:
what is "can't where with this" - what does that mean?
2 this shadow is not needed 3 This guy is too BIG! -
Nicolas Widart commented:
Yep, thanks.
4 another place that's LOST IN SPACE! -
Nicolas Widart commented:
Can't where with this.
Serious Problem on screen01.jpg 1 Lost in SPACE! -
Nicolas Widart commented:
Can't see where with this.
2 Hello I'm Aaran Casey and I am reviewing your site, this heading doesn't make me want to hire you, in fact I think....hmmm, I see all these errors on your site, so Imma go see what a real designer can do for me 3 um these are buttons? - why so BIG???? 4 I would of thought that this was obvious, however I would suggest that you make this into a banner and drape it over the image slider below Serious Problem on screen06.jpg 1 wow you love space 2 more of it here 3 and here 4 and here 5 is there a submenu under home? Critical Problem on screen06.jpg 1 this should be at the top -
Nicolas Widart commented:
Not realy, poeple share a story (article or wathever) after they read it.
-
Aaran Casey commented:
by looking at the breadcrumbs I didn't even notice that it was a story... when designing a site you have to think about the user, to me this stuff is in the wrong place as it's not after the story it's in between next and back, under a divider line
Summary:
So you may or may not like what I am going to say, but I'll be brutally honest.
IMHO this by far the blandest site I have seen for a portfolio in well ages... I'll add my notes...
Well that's it from me... I am sorry if I came off harsh, but someone had to... I think you can make this site awesome, if you need help with the design, let me know...
I have done a quick mock up of what I think will work better...
Good Luck!
-
-
Aaran Casey commented:
Hey Nick, I get it... I told you I was going to be brutally honest... I appreciate that it's your first (possibly design as well), but the only way to learn, is to get feedback, personally I don't understand this whole business of creating WordPress themes, but maybe it's because I like to create original stuff and put my all into it every time.
So, next post on here you should really think about who the target to a theme like this is aimed at and then, do a wire frame, and some sketches and really research the design a lot better...
Good Luck!
Attached Files:
-
Serious Problem on screen01.jpg 1 Bad call to action button. Needs to stand out. Summary:
I'm not a designer... I would be a customer for you, so I will be honest. If I'm looking for a designer, I would expect your site to be very slick asthetically. I'm not getting that from this site. Would like to see more creativity in this.
The blue background and green "Mysterion" example box is not working -- the color scheme is just not working.
Minor Problem on screen06.jpg 1 I don't see why these need to be included. Is this your blog? If so, then they're relevant. Otherwise, not so much. -
Nicolas Widart commented:
This is the blog page yes.
Positive Feature on screen02.jpg 1 Easy to find and large enough. I like that there's a current page state. New Idea Background Colour
It screams bland right now. For some reason men like to use variations of blue. Check out some notes on colour theory. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_theory-
Nicolas Widart commented:
I have a course on colour theory, and yes it's true that most poeple choose blue, because many poeple like it. I get your comment on this , as choosing blue might not be "unique".
-
Adam commented:I'm not concerned with unique so much as feel and vibe. If you had to break down the type of person you work with, what would they look like?
Plan on working solely with other agencies?
If you are, then this is great. The average Joe Businessowner will look at this and feel like you won't be able to communicate on his level.Lots of text?
How much do you plan on putting in there? If it's roughly the same on each portfolio piece, then leave those buttons at the bottom where they are, otherwise have them right below the end of your text. You'd be surprised how many people follow along with their mouse.-
Nicolas Widart commented:
Where do you mean?
-
Adam commented:
The "read more" and "visit the website" buttons should be at the bottom of the text, not bottom aligned.
New Idea on screen04.jpg 1 Split test this baby. Make sure you have Google Analytics or something like ClickTale to see if people are finishing the form and then start using Website Optimizer (another fine Google product, which is compatible with Wordpress to some degree :) ) to see which changes will decrease abandonment rate and increase your goal completion (i.e. finishing the form and actually getting in touch). -
Nicolas Widart commented:
Thanks for the tip. Do you mean first/last name on a separate line ?
-
Adam commented:
No, not necessarily. Split testing is a method of gauging usability. You can try putting first/last name on separate lines, but they key here is to test and see which changes act as incentives for the user to complete the form.
Summary:
The design itself is unoriginal - and unless you're aiming for the most avant garde type clients, then that's ok.
Standing out is important if you charge a premium or want to advance your career to bigger and better clients. Creativity/aesthetics, obscureness and usability are three concepts that designers tend to focus on two at a time.
No critical problems here, just a little polishing that will help you come off as more professional.
Best of luck!
-
Nicolas Widart commented:
Hi, Thanks a lot for your review.
-
Summary:
I think maybe you should not have a portfolio site just yet and maybe just keep a blog of your design projects and then if you start to get more commercial work then put a portfolio together. Right now it's just student work and doesn't fit into a professional portfolio. It looks like you're trying to make out you're something that you're not.
On the plus side you have a very clean and nicely balanced aesthetic. Could be nice if you push yourself with more projects. Try to use some different fonts and just get more creative.
Minor Problem Left alignment
The items are not left aligned, maybe they should, because you have a lot of vertical balance in this design.-
Nicolas Widart commented:
Which one? The left thumbnails on the portfolio page ? I'll check on that . :)
Positive Feature Colours
I like the colour choice, especially the background.-
Why ? personal preference ? "This is ugly" without explaning why means nothing.