ZoomConcept Reviews
Summary:
S.
Great work man! This is really inspirational and I love the layout, especially on the link that you gave to Prashant…
I think you could tweak a bit more and give it the extremely cool factor, maybe add some rubbish like band poster or tickets to the background, and fix the grid a bit, have a look at www.pinterest.com they do a similar style…
One other thing that springs to mind is the typography, I don't think it's working for this site, personally I would probably use a less blocky =font and give it some sidewalk flow, try Bello Pro, and experiment with some other fonts, have a look at http://www.losttype.com/
Good Luck!
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Emma Simpson commented:I love Lost Type - you don't half love those thick modern scripts :) (I'm a bit keen myself and use them lots) Have to say now I've seen the Sidwalk site full size in the browser, I'd like to see another font for the main head etc - this doesn't quite have the strength and impact - needs to be a bit heavier weight but I like the contrast of a really strong square blocky modern font against a more delicate serif. That Franchise is really tasty but maybe a bit too retro for this Sidewalk project.
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Emma Simpson commented:
when I say 'this' I mean the font currently in the site and not Bello Pro which has enough impact to punch Rocky I, II, III, IV and V out the ring...
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S. Preston Chuhon commented:
Ok, Comic Sans it is than...
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Emma Simpson commented:
:D
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Minor Problem on mockup.jpg 1 Redudant. I wouldn't put his on frontpage, I'd only focus on artists. 2 I'd not place this on the frontpage too. 3 Background is cool but this cut disturbs me a bit. Any chance to make it as a pattern? Shouldn't be so hard to fake it. 4 This area looks crowded to me, I'd definetely add more padding. New Idea on mockup.jpg 1 This look quiet cool, but every artist section is using too much space, you have only 8 artists and it's needed to scroll quiet much already. I'd use this big picture for a details page where you can learn more about artist and so. Please refer to my mock how I think you can gain more space and in result adding lots more artists without needing to scroll a lot. 2 Maybe keeping this on the "details" section I suggested? the map is way to small to see anything. Is it the QR code big enough to scan? Summary:
Hello S. Preston,
This is looking really really good, I think layout can be optimized a bit though.
Please refer to my notes for further feedback. I'm also attaching a mock, hope you don't mind.
Take my review as an opinion of course. Some others members will point you some other ideas and you can grab what you think is useful.
Good work, keep it up!
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S. Preston Chuhon commented:
Thanks. I'll be totally honest this is the prototype which will get shopped heavily. We only shot the first two artists, so I wanted to focus on the two operational videos for our investors. Your layout looks way better. I'll be using something like this later on when we secure the funding and the artists. BTW, I forgot to mention, I plan to use the masonary plugin like Tumblr so I plan to play around with the dimensions and let the masonry re-organize the elements.
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Prashant Dubey commented:Hey Eze, this layout looks crisp and much organized, thats what I recommended in my review too.
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Ezequiel Jaime commented:@Prashant - Thanks!
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Ezequiel Jaime commented:
@ S. Preston - I have checked out the URL you gave to Prashant and the way the layout re-organize itself depending on display size is really cool. I have raised up a bit my review for that, very well deserved.
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S. Preston Chuhon commented:
Thanks E. Hard to show UX in a jpg. Thanks for your feedback.
Attached Files:
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Summary:
Hi there S,
There's lots that I like about your concept. As soon as I saw it, the wpshower theme, [Imbalance came to mind][1 which is listed on lots of 'best designed free themes' lists.
The main problem I have with this concept is the similarity in tonality between the images and the background which means the images don't have as much impact as they might. I'd put them against a much paler background although I like that it's obviously the sidewalk that they're against, maybe just really knock it back.
The other thing which I find distracting and not so attractive are the code scans for the mobile. I wonder if it's possible to link these in a pop up lightbox window - kind of click here for your code as they're really distracting visually from your main focus of the band/singer/musician/comic.
I do really like your treatment of the type and icons in the Collaborate section but again the block is blending into the dark grey of the background and my eye is getting distracted by the code scans either side of it.
I do love your treatment of the type at the top bleeding it off the top and left. I also like your choice of serif font to contrast against it. Lots of lovely stuff - just needs a bit more work to clean it up, improve contrast and visual clarity.
Hope this helps a bit
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Prashant Dubey commented:
I think I agree with Emma over the Code scan stuff. I too felt that somehow they are eating up all the damn attention. I realized only after i read your review LOL But i felt that uncomfortable thing when I saw the concept.
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S. Preston Chuhon commented:
Thanks. I'm tweaking the code scans now. Your comments are so correct about the color mixtures. I felt something was off but you've articulated it perfectly. Like!
I've already linked it in other posts, but I cannot really show the UX that I plan so here's the link of the work I'm doing... http://sixsix8.com/sidewalksessions/ Let me know if this works better?
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Emma Simpson commented:
Much better. Just need to sort those code scans parts and clear them out of the screen on first view if possible.
On your social media block - it may be worth burning in the background slightly just behind the icons just to give them a little more contrast and help lift them and give them a bit more punch. Good luck with it all
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S. Preston Chuhon commented:
Yeah, to be honest, the code scans are totally useless on a website. They are only there so our pitch-dude can show the investors and wow them with it. I'll probably take them completely out when we go to the production version. Tx
Imma gonna burn it in. Perfect! You're one smart cookie!
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Critical Problem on mockup.jpg 1 This is the area you need to be Innovative by making it free, as its very tight and menus are not properly visible. Also, the fonts can be smartly made normal and bold for easy rading, incase you decided to have no spacing between the words. Have a try. -
S. Preston Chuhon commented:
Check this link out. Now resize the browser (to simulate a tablet or smart phone) http://sixsix8.com/sidewalksessions/
That's why it's tight!
Summary:
Hey Preston
I liked the idea of locative technology used for these music groups. Thats very unique and offering the QR code scan for mobile is "coool"
I think the layout is simply awesome.
In fact, I loved the background, unlike my freind Eze! But I agree with Eze, that the artists are taking away the premium space. May be is it because there are only 8 right now, LOL!
But I like the concept shared by Eze, for making it look more crispier and concise.
Rest, looks awesome. All the best!!
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Prashant Dubey commented:
Oops, I guess the area I marked was not properly rendered!! Well, I was talking about the area of logo, just for your clarity.
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S. Preston Chuhon commented:
Thanks. I'm hoping this will take off. We have some very interesting investors that want to see this!
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Rebecca Perry commented:Prashant! nice to see you again! :-)
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Prashant Dubey commented:
Hi rebecca, thanks for the note...been very busy ...missed CF a lot, so am back!! Thanks again!!
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Minor Problem on mockup.jpg 1 Content panel competes with too many other strong attention grabbers. Most likely will not be read (you can conduct a usability test to quantify) 2 Competes with strong visuals on the page. The social media icons draw attention - but could be as effective in a fat footer Critical Problem on mockup.jpg 1 Too far below the fold 2 type treatment to weak for a navigational bar Summary:
Conceptually - very nice design work.
- Strong grid
- Imagery triggers mental model for type of venue and and energy
- Call to action (CTA) - share with social media, and locate with map and QR Codes are clever.
Opportunities to enhance:
- Explore taking away a few elements - whether the message (and meta-messages) become more clear. One example of 'lack of visual clarity' is the Collaborate panel. It competes for cognitive recognition with all of the other messages. The design does not place a visual hierarchy to messaging (but cognitively, the pictures win out). If you perform a 5 second test on this screen you will more than likely see that outcome. If this was the intent - then rock on!
- Scrolling is always bad on a landing page. There are clear winners and loser when there is content below the fold. Since there is such debate on the topic - I offer a good article that addresses both sides. Generally speaking, you may explore placing a fat footer in this design provides a container for information that can be presented on many pages (a way of creating an extensible canvas). This may break some Wptheme conventions - but, will provide users with a more predictable 'anchor' for persistent information and CTA's
Think Conversion!:
- What do you want the user to see first? Research proves that the more attractive people photo are in your design, the more attention will be focused in a visual scan of the page. I encourage you to leverage that to strengthen your meta-messages.
- To increase your chances to convert a visitor into a follower/joiner you must leverage some concepts from psychology -- Priming and framing to shift a visitors mental state into a buying pattern.
- Leverage the psychological effect of color for the overall design, to help place people into the 'buying mindset' http://dustinbrewer.com/understanding-color-in-design/ Black may be the wrong color...
Conclusion:
This is a very well crafted, professional looking design. My review makes a different argument.
I urge you to 'dig a bit deeper' to meet the site visitors on a non-rational/subconscious level. Think about what will capture their attention in 3-5 seconds, and influence them to engage.
Cheers,
MichaelR
Positive Feature on mockup.jpg 1 The design is clean, minimal. Yet, it has a stylistic edge. That reflects well with the content. 2 Good hierarchy of information. The leading, hierarchy etc works well. New Idea Center your design
Is their a reason that the design is aligned to the left? Perhaps it would look better centered.-
S. Preston Chuhon commented:
Yes, it's aligned left because of the masonry jquery plugin so it adapts to tablets and smart phones.
http://sixsix8.com/sidewalksessions/ (resize your browser to see)
Summary:
Looks professional. Doesn't need to much tweaking in my information. Perhaps you may think about making the layout more horizontal rather than vertical so that users can avoid too much scrolling.
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S. Preston Chuhon commented:
Becuase it's indie music, and all video websites are landscape, I tried something new. I've now reduced the size of the boxes so there's more visable. Thanks!
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Minor Problem Left alignment
The main content should be center aligned in my opinion.Minor Problem on mockup.jpg 1 This border is too thick. I think that these images/boxes don't need border at all. 2 Add more space here (move the boxes down). Serious Problem on mockup.jpg 1 Don't let the grey box overlap the chin of a pictured person. They don't look good with it. 2 The thick black line between two boxes looks accidental. I would make the background lighter here perhaps. Positive Feature Photography
I really like your photography, it's consistent in colour and nicely cropped.Colour palette
I'm not sure about the background pattern (it's a little distracting), but the palette is nice - harmonious and goes well with any other colour.Summary:
Lovely idea. There is a lot of style in your design and the choice of photography. Good luck with the project.
Minor Problem on mockup.jpg 1 Im not sure I like this empty space Serious Problem on mockup.jpg 1 I like this but id put a link somewhere saying what QR codes are and where to download a reader. By not putting the url that the code links to you may be limiting your users. Summary:
I like this idea and the site is something I would use.
Minor Problem on mockup.jpg 1 Are people really going to use this? I really don't know, I am a very techy person and I usually just ignore them. Positive Feature on mockup.jpg 1 Love this concept of the website. Bold design and it works well! New Idea on mockup.jpg 1 Not a big issue but is there any better pictures of a sidewalk? Summary:
Like it, both the website design and idea of the site. Keep up the good work! I love good design and a good idea, not just one or the other.
Positive Feature on mockup.jpg 1 I like the clean layout of each image and their locations. Other on mockup.jpg 1 There is some backlash on using QPR. Make sure you're committed to it. Minor Problem Consistency
In terms of usability, switch "Collaborate" and "DAN MANGAN" horizontally. So Artist are together and Info is together. User will get used to find info in the right rail.Archive
Now you have 7 artists. But, where should I go to look for more?. Assuming for example the site has a long time online, would you include archive? Are you showing always only 7?Positive Feature Nice
In terms of design, I can tell the right away "The Four Principles of Sound Design" are covered and that by itself is highly positive (Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, Proximity). Overall, It looks very good, clean, simple. Congrats.New Idea Collaborate
Even though you have a well defined section for “Collaborate” I would consider adding it as a link in the global navigation at the top. That way you can expand and explain in a separate section the specifics/logistics of collaboration. And then once convinced, contact you. See example here: http://kaidesign.ca/branding/qr-code/attachment/qr-code-sample/Emotional design
Consider introducing a small element of emotional design. There is software that allows you to create QR codes with a small picture in the center or others where the black squares/rectangles make fun forms. (looking still professional) you could explore the option and see how it looks.
Thank you. I wanted to fix the grid, but I had a specific request to include landscape blox. *sigh
I'll take a look at the typography bit. Maybe test out Bello Pro.
Cheers