ZoomConcept Reviews
Minor Problem It's great the you have a clear call to action, But it doesn't work here. It draws too much attention and disrupts the flow of the design. -
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Madhu Sharma commented:When I view the page, I feel that my eyes should first go to the navigation and logo. However, the call to action disrupts this, so I kind of feel a bit confused. It's not a major problem, but it does add a small amount of friction.
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Cedric Ruiz commented:
Oh, yeah, I know what you mean there. I think this is just too important to miss, so it has to be first.
I think the search box has been given too much prominence, espeically as BSJ doesn't strike me a site where people will do a lot of searching. Serious Problem I really like the way you have done the testimonials. It keeps things clean and stops the layout from getting over cluttered with text. But... I'm not sure if people will go to the effort of mousing over the thumbnails. There isn't really anything to entice them to hover over. Try experimenting with using different images. Perhaps using people with big happy smiles (i.e. to subtly convey the benefits BSJ offers) might make them more enticing. I like the strong grid structure of this layout. However, I think the Icons are too big. Try also placing them in B&W, so their colours don't disrupt the design. -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
What icons do you mean? The menu? The social icons? They're all the same size...
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Madhu Sharma commented:
I mean the company icons (Mc Donalds, Nike etc)
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Cedric Ruiz commented:
Oh, lol. The logos might be a little big, I agree. I'm just waiting on feedback from the client too but I'm changing small things as I go
Critical Problem You really need to use this space to communicate your message with impact. Otherwise, you will have gone to all the effort of generating a clean layout for no purpose. New Idea I like the hover effect of the icons. But I think leaving the 'up-state' as blank doesn't work. It causes the navigation to have too much space around it which makes it feels unbalanced, especially when placed next to the logo. -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
I actually feel the other way around about this. I tried leaving all icons, fading them a little bit, etc... but what you can see now is what I thought it worked. I want to keep it simple, no clutter... What do you suggest here?
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Madhu Sharma commented:
Maybe try having the icons in a pale grey. Then, when you hover over them, they turn orange. (it's just a suggestion, it might not work).
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Cedric Ruiz commented:
Yup, just tried that. It doesn't quite work, because the icons are not at the same distance one from each other. They are centered according to the text and the lenghts vary. What's the same is the padding between text elements.
Summary:
This site is quite nice. The site has a strong clean layout. The orange colour scheme is good and helps to add interest without being overpowering. I really like the animation effects. They add personality without being distracting.
There are a couple of niggles which spoil the design (please see my notes for this).
The site does have one pretty major flaw: It's not clear exactly what Boston Summer Jobs has to offer students/employers. What are the unique selling points of the programme? How does it work? I'm guessing some of that information will probably be added to the jQuery carousel at the top. However, I think that information is a bit too important to be buried in a carousel. You really want it to have impact, to convince the user that Boston Summer Jobs is worth their time. You might even want to establish two sections on the front page, (one for students, one for employees), so your audience can quickly go to the messages aimed at them.
Ultimately, this website establishes a strong clean white space. But it doesn't use that white space for anything. Having a strong clear message will allow you to harness some of the white space you have established. Without a strong message, you run the risk of the white space working against the website (by making it feel unfinished and incomplete).
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Cedric Ruiz commented:
Thanks for your comments. I can't really change the layout since I already got the approval for it. I can however modify design elements and reorganize them. So maybe I'll look into what you said about the search bar. Thay want to integrate a "latest tweet" box somewhere and this might be the right place.
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Minor Problem possibly change this icon for employers -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
Yup, I think I might have to change it after all. I'm still waiting on feedback from the client...
I think a footer is needed -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
I tried putting a simple line above it but it didn't quite work. Any suggestions?
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Rebecca Perry commented:could you make a fat footer similar to orange in the header maybe?
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Cedric Ruiz commented:
I'll try that! Can't really do anything big without hearing what the client has to say.
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Cedric Ruiz commented:
I ended up adding the line. You're right, it looks kinda weird, like stranded without something. What do you think?
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Rebecca Perry commented:
the line helps... coincidentally, #3 testimonial is my maiden name...lol
Critical Problem excellent hover effects! :-) Summary:
Hi Cedric - Excellent work. I really like this site. Madhu did make some valid points however. So I won't re-cap on too many of them. I also think there needs to be a small blurb on the home page explaining a little more what the site is about. I also agree with the white space. I love the crispness of it, but there should be a footer. All the jQuery effects are done very well. I really like the right nav on the about page. The icon used for the employers hover could be something else though. First thought that popped in my mind was suitcase rather than briefcase.
Overall, very well done. please see my notes....
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Cedric Ruiz commented:
Thank you for your comments. Did you check out the form? Click the "Hire a Student" button!
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Rebecca Perry commented:
I did! super nice....where'd you get it?
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Cedric Ruiz commented:
I'm using my own plugin, http://jqidealforms.com. I'm using a beta version that I haven't released yet though.
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Rebecca Perry commented:
is this it? http://www.zurb.com/playground/reveal-modal-plugin
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Cedric Ruiz commented:
Oh for the modal window? Yes, that is it! Really useful plugin indeed.
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Rebecca Perry commented:
I love jQuery! lol
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Jessica Nguyen commented:nice design
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Minor Problem careful on the type treatments Serious Problem Banners with people head-shots are more persuasive than type treatments. This treatment doesn't work at all... -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
I'll have a look around stock photo sites again. Is an endless journey through tons of cliche photos till you find something that really works. What do you think about the rest of the photos in the slider?
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Michael Rawlins commented:think about head-shots and cropped faces
All of the photos need to be professionally shot - and should have 'big smiles'. These photos cause a bit of confusion at a lower level of consciousness (keep it simple and straight-forward) -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
This is going to be maintained by the client. I'm integrating this with Wordpress so eventually, this will be filled with not so good photos.
Critical Problem doesn't fit the design -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
I'm trying to add that "young" feeling with these fonts, as well as in the header. What do you suggest here instead?
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Michael Rawlins commented:
italics are hard to read. not sure how that equates to youthful.
New Idea Great trust markers () - but too large - and colorful. The McDonalds logo alone draws attention because it's the most colorful element on the page. Read about SNR Theory http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal-to-noise_ratio Summary:
Cedric,
This happens to be one of those sites that looks great at full resolution. It's interesting to see how the same template hangs together wen viewed as a 'thumbnail'.
The Positives:
Orange is a great anchor color. From a psychology 101 perspective, orange is a stimulating color and is used to be associated with life and health. In restaurants it is used to encourage appetite. Orange is also associated with being tropical, fresh and invigorating. Orange usually is associated with the following feelings: warmth, energy, vibrancy, the sun, friendly, intense, joy, tropics, growing things, heat, creativity, autumn, earth, appetite stimulant, and youth. When you think about orange you should be thinking about fresh oranges, sunsets and sunrises. There is an opportunity to strengthen the emotional engagement by using the orange as a tint for the testimonial photos. Think of that as a subtle connection at a subconscious level. This is key to influencing people in 3-5 seconds (that's about the time you have to grad a visitors attention)
Social Proof (testimonials are an example) is an important component of a successful landing page. The testimonials enable people to emotionally connect -- and again at a subconscious level engage in something that "people like themselves" interact with.
Opportunities to Improve the design:
A stronger banner treatment will be a critical success factor. People images (attractive, diverse students) and slick professional photos are essential. Read the research article: http://www.getelastic.com/people-in-photos/
I encourage you to place into a 960 grid (12 column).
Consider adding a fat footer to this template
All of the persuasive advice should help your conversion rates of the target audience.
Good luck, MichaelR
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Cedric Ruiz commented:
Thanks for your comments. I responded to some of them/ I'm already using a 960 12 grid, well actually, 978. I modified the footr. The client wanted to include some logos. I will try the orange tint, seems like a good idea. About the photos, is hard because I've to deal with stock photography. There ir no t photographer for this project, sadly.
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Michael Rawlins commented:
Budgets come from identifying potential return on investment. Also, budgets come from quantifying for your client how you will increase traffic and convert prospects into buyers.
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Michael Rawlins commented:
use this: http://www.humanfactors.com/downloads/roiincrconrate.htm
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Cedric Ruiz commented:
Well, there's really nothing to buy on this site, but I understand what you mean. It's unfortunate they didn't get a photographer for this project but it is what it is. Also, keep in mind that the client will be updating the site, so I won't be able to maintain a balance design all the time.
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Cedric Ruiz commented:
I took some of your advice and uploaded a new working design. I'm close to getting approval. Anything else you think I could improve?
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Michael Rawlins commented:
I really love how this design has evolved.
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Minor Problem Footer Color Needs to be litte more lighter
I Could not see it using the right color and then twitter post in the footer does not say that it is is tweetI do not think that people submitting their testimonials will upload thier photo. Rather use the text driven testimonials. -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
People won't submit their testimonials. Testimonials will be added in Wordpress by the admin.
I am not being able to make out the purpose of this section. It should have some graphical button instead of More >> Critical Problem How it works should have been there as people may not use the site without knowing how it works and how it will benefit them. -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
I dont understand what you mean here really...
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Minor Problem These are pulling a lot of focus for me: maybe dial them back to the same color as the inactive bullets under the slider? -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
Done!
With font-face support there is little reason to use images as text, and since it would be the first text of the document, offers a strong SEO opportunity -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
You're right. I need to do this as a font rather than an image. I was just lazy...
Positive Feature Love the rollover treatment here: this is why CSS3 will render flash unnecessary! New Idea I think these would look tidier if they were stacked vertically. -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
I tried that already, they don't look as good. It looks like the grid is broken...
Other The intensity of the bold white text is pulling the attention: is this the intended focal point of the footer? Summary:
Excellent use of white space. Nice color choices.
My notes are minor and nit-picky.
Great work.
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Cedric Ruiz commented:
Thanks. I've uploaded a new image an a coded version of the site. http://spacirdesigns.com/bsm/
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Minor Problem This is a nice idea but I would keep in mind that any student under the age of 18 will need parental consent to post their picture. Make sure you follow those guidelines to avoid any lawsutis. Is this a picture of the mayor? I would think it would be better to have pictures of people working and being productive. The mayor's summer Jobs Program is clearly highlighted. I don't think you need to make it look like a political poster. -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
Yeah, this was the clients request. The next 3 slides are photos of students and employers. Check the website. The screenshot can't show all the details.
Positive Feature The navigation is unique and interesting. It is easy to determine what you are trying to achieve with the site. Summary:
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Cedric Ruiz commented:
Thank for your comments. I will check with them regarding the age issues.
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Minor Problem Can work on the menus. The white space in the area is too much. Work on blocking the sections. It looks clustered and of equal importance. Distinctive colors or design elements can separate the sections and give rightful importance to each area. Head shots work better and you can accomodate more testimonials. and it will create balance to the right side of the section which has square thumbnails. Serious Problem Footer needs to be worked with lighter colors. The tweets section can be worked on better, Probably placed somewhere in the white section of the website. Positive Feature Nice color combo. The warm orange and caribean blue provide a balanced yet fresh look Summary:
For a jobs website, the layout has a very corporate look. Check out some of the major job sites like Monster.com and implement some of their features in your design. The concept of the website is good but it can look much better.
Minor Problem When I was on the live website the links felt a little low. Maybe consider moving them up a little. Positive Feature I agree with the other reviewer. Very good call to actions. -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
Thank you. I think so too.
New Idea Will students also be looking for jobs on this website? If so I think it would be nice to see which companies are hiring. -
Cedric Ruiz commented:
This is oriented more towards employers but there might be some coming to the site. We're going to have testimonials from students also. The companies hiring will be in the Honor Roll section. The 4 companies in the home page are actually hiring, they're the top leaders.
Summary:
I think overall it is a very nice design. Will like see it with more content.
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Gustavo Fusaro commented:very cclean minimal and user friendly
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Minor Problem this looks a little squashed, almost like it was an after thought I would have expected this to autoscroll Positive Feature I love the roll over effect, but it looks a little "odd" when you only have one showing Again, I love the effect you have created here, but there is no indication that I could hover to find out more New Idea A trick of the eye - It appears that the faded stipes are shorter here due to the wording overlay Maybe consider moving the main CTA to under the banner Summary:
Overall, I really like the concept and the live demo allows for those little extras to be shown that will make the site stand out.
However, some of the extras need a little more though around how to encourage usage without impacting ont he design.
Summary:
Looks good, I think the header and nav are very effective. and the slideshow adds a much needed hint of dynamism. The only real criticism I have is that I really dislike the image bottom right!
Thanks, Nath
Positive Feature Good Images
Images are good and I very much like the layout planningMinor Problem i think it needs spacing Positive Feature I like this building here, it occupy the space. It makes the space useful. New Idea add a bird... Summary:
over all the design is good, very clear , easy to navigate and good color choice.
Other Looks good
Looks good I think, but I would add a fat footer in the bottom using the same orange layout as in the top part. There's some contrast missing in the footer part.Minor Problem The repetition of the text "Hire a student" in the button and the text feel strange Serious Problem I expect more explanation on this page. What exactly are you doing? New Idea How about adding the name and the beginning of the testimonials. It could make things more concrete. Summary:
The overall design is ok but I feel that there is not enough content on the page. It feels empty and lonely. I would like to see more text and content explaining things here. It should give me reason to stay on the page.
Disrupts the flow? What do you mean?