Concept Reviews
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Let me start by saying it's a definite improvement on the previous one.
The content area looks nice and simple, but the top is a bit of a mess.
The logo really could use some breathing space. The navigation feels wrong, maybe go easy on the drop shadow, and it might work better underneath the picture, or at least not in the same blue space as the logo.
The picture to draw some extra attention is a good thing, but maybe you can find one that is a bit more engaging? Also, you shouldn't need the white borders in there. The first sentence is what should draw the attention, the other text can be a lot smaller, leaving more room for the picture and getting the focus to one point. Don't use a red button for 'learn more' next to a green one, makes it look like the wrong one to pick.
The Icons you're currently using are quite general, I don't get the overall feeling of flying.
Good luck!
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Hello again Euan, this layout is much better than the live one. But there still some things that I would change.
The white space between the text and the borders is almost 0. Try to add some space between the text and the icons and on the banner baloons (even if you have to reduce the font size here).
The menu is almost invisible, try to give it a specific space, between the banner and the header.
The testimonials area text alignment and top margin needs to be worked.
The footer section looks a bit strange for me, it`s too similar to the content area, maybe you should try to be more creative here, and instead of using links to your blog and to the latest news you should show the latest news and the last post links.
Again sorry for my bad english, congratulations for this layout improvemennt! Success :)
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Euan Ross commented:Vitor,
Thanks again for taking time to review my concept and I am very pleased you find it an improvment.
I am going to try and change the white borders over the image as it's something both you and Kars pointed out. The image is still in the early days, it was more trying to see if something would work there with a sign up button, etc and I think it does.
Comments noted on the header/menu and something I'll play around with.
The footer doesn't actually appear on this - my mistake. I am at work and can't get a new screenshot which has a basis footer that stands out from the rest of the site. I plan on showing the last couple of news headlines as well as my last few blog posts.
Thank you very much for you time, Euan
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Hi Euan, here is what I think will make your design better:
Tone down the header. There is too much going on in the area below the navigation bar and above the "How does Flying Miles help?" section. I would try making the background of that area a single color, one that fits into the overall color scheme of your design of course.
Remove the gradient background in the navigation bar. To me, the color choices you used to make the gradient are not good ones. I would also recommend using a single color for the background of this area and a nice border to separate it from the area below it. For the border, I would recommend that you make it a good thin linear gradient.
Define your footer. When looking at this site, I have no idea where your footer is and that is not a good. Your footer should always be clearly visible and accessible by your users.
Add more white space. I know this has been mentioned before, but it is an important aspect that will really improve this design. The main area under scrutiny for me is the "how does flying for miles help?" area. All that information in that section makes your site feel cluttered.
I hope my feedback helps!
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Euan Ross commented:
Jamal,
First of all thank you for taking time to comment on my design.
I understand what you are saying, it perhaps doesn't help with my choice of background picture. I'm going to look at alternatives for the text to take some of it away and leave the main text there but much clearer.
I will look at making the header a single background colour. I will then make the navigation background different so it stands out and then put a border round them to see how it looks.
Yes I know I need to do this. This screenshot doesn't actually have the footer on it (it's the only screenshot I had available whilst at work).
Thanks - I'm now aware (following my last concept) that I need to free up more space. I'll look at how I can generate more white space to feel less cluttered.
Yes - your feedback helps! In my opinion, any feedback helps - I don't design sites for a living so I am just a hobbyist trying to put together a site. Any feedback from professionals should not be dismissed and I'll be taking on board all these comments from you and others to improve the design that I will use on the site.
Thanks, Euan
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- More whitespace. Your design is to cluttered.
- Make nicer buttons. Here is a good tutorial: http://sixrevisions.com/tutorials/photoshop-tutorials/how-to-create-a-slick-and-clean-button-in-photoshop/
- Clean up the header. Make a nicer navigation bar and use a better font
- add a footer
- visually separate the different part of the site (for example, use a gray background for section one, a purple one for section 2) just an example
- add a "features" pages or something, and list only 3 features (how does flying for miles help) on the homepage.
just a few tips, good luck
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Euan Ross commented:
Thanks Eric for the commments.
Whitespace - I'm going to look at this is more detail and try to create more. Do you think that the the image (with the join free buttons, etc) is too big? I think I need to make that image clearer and take away some of the text.
I'm going to make the main header bigger giving it more space (on the other pages I'll look at putting the login/register buttons on the right hand side). For the navigation I'll make it clearer, a different colour background so it stands out.
Footer - comments above, it will be there!
Visually separate - do you mean one background colour for 'how does flying for miles help' a different colour for 'what people are saying, etc?
Yes I think that might help create more white space - after all I've got a learn more button so may as well put more features on that and 3 key on the homepage.
Thanks again for your comments - very much appreciated.
Euan
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Eric Hoffman commented:I'd purchase a professional image from iStockphoto, one that just looks great. The text i'd put into some kind of transparent box. Then two CTA buttons, with inner glow and a smaller stroke.
- yes, that's sort of what I mean.
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Okay, the design is pretty good, it's clean, but...
First, the header isn't strong enough, gradient is good, but I7m sure there are better things to make ! Maybe a pattern of sky in vector or something like that.
Then the navigation is, as said previously, wrong. Links doesn't look like links, the shadows give a strange dirty bold look... Strange. Maybe something like tabs could be good, or at least a separation between links.
Then the area with the photo... Quite a mess there, there are not so much things but its hard to know where to focus, what to look. I think this is because of the 4 separate box, I believe that a single box with all this content could be really easier for the user, give more density to the image and give a cleaner look to this part of the design.
For the last part, there are just too many icons everywhere, it doesn't help at all, its just creating a funny look, but you don't want it too be fun, you want it to be read ! First you could separate blocks to give to the visitor a direction to read, avoid the "I look everywhere but don't read"... Then maybe you should use really simple icons to keep things visual without being perturbing for the viewer.
The rest is pretty good and don't need, IMHO, changes.
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Euan Ross commented:
Thanks for taking time to review my concept and providing me with your comments.
On the header, I'm looking at alternatives to make it stand out more, create a division between the header and the navigation, and then between the main image.
Am looking at a better photo and taking away some of the text to make the main point stand out clearer.
As for the rest, I'm going to look at moving it to 3/4 key features of the site and then a link to a full 'features' page which will also hopefully create more white space.
Comments very much appreciated.
Euan
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Kars,
First of all, thank you for reviewing my site.
I am very very relieved and pleased you believe it's an improvement on the live site and I never excepted to get it right first time around!
Yes, I agree with you on the logo that it's too crowded and it's something I shall change when I get home from work. I also agree with the shadow on the navigation, I looks wrong now I see it again and it too feels crowded. Would a lighter shade of blue for the navigation bar work and make it stand out a bit more? I can play around with it and see what I come up with.
I will have a look for alternative pictures - maybe or that shows more of a plane. I note your comments on the white borders, I'll try to get rid of them. I'll focus the text on the main point and make the other text smaller. Will play around with the red button for other colours.
I can see what you mean about the icons, not really sure how I can change them, or maybe what to change them too.
Many thanks for your comments, they have been most useful