10 Reviews4 Votes1 Favorite765 Views
Concept Reviews
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Jamie
Looking good... I quite like the blue, as I think that the elements, are working altogether, although there are certain things that I might do in order to make it fab!
The white one is nice but it's a bit too stark...
I'll add some notes...Overall you're on the right track, I really like where it's going...
I am looking forward to seeing the progression, Good Luck!
Edited for Cloud Version
Jamie, I like the blue... the cloud one is a neat idea, but I think I'll add some more notes...
Ok, so probably just being super picky, but you did ask...
*JAMIE, I'LL ADD NOTES TO THE OTHERS NOW* - 6/12/10 - I might be being picky, but I think it's less attractive than that of the other blue one!
Notes Added to Images View
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1Padding
is needed here
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2dull
this really doesn't make me go "Wow, I gotta read more!" it's more "meh, what was the designer thinking..."
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3Drop Caps
In web, not sure that I think it will work very well, and they are a pain in the but to code correctly across all browsers, especially any form of IE!
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4Orphan
GAH!
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5This button
what's with the drop shadow, or is it a BIG gray glow??
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6Space
is wasted here
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7Pull quote
utilize the space up here, and make it real pull quote
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8this line
serves the purpose, but may look better if it fades away towards the bottom, at the moment it looks cut off
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9footer
I said a FAT footer!
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10Button Length
Again, If I was standing behind you *whack!* over the back of the head! consistency is the key... Also not keen on the treatment
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11Text
looks squished, and don't bold that part and why did you start a line with "..."
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12Move this
to the left, and bring your nav items in line with logo...
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13This image
is somewhat disturbing, I am not sure why, it just creeps me out, maybe it's the smile and the eyes, with the things on her head...
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14Like the background
texture
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15Use a Vibrant orange for
"current" state and "hover" could be green
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Notes Added to Images View
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1change the current state
I say this merely because it's very distracting next to the logo...
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2button height
I am probably just being picky... but make it the same width as the banner
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3give the banner
a bit more of a wrap effect here, e.g. get an actual ribbon, and fold it that way to see how it should look, also the end of the ribbon is tapered keep the consistency
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4Nav Menu
Again, I am being picky, but I think one word with a subtle sub title would work better
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5space
move your text over
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6background
I like it, but it seems to be missing something... maybe a nice texture?
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7Headings
IMHO, I like my headings and body text to be different fonts, so I would use something like Helvetica for headings and maybe georgia for body text
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8Alignment
you're out by a pixel - :P
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9Alignment
this column is out by 10 pix or so
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10Underlines
I am pretty sure someone told me to stay away from underlines, as the color is enough...
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11Columns
Ok, I know it's a draft, but... your columns are all over the place, they aren't the same at all!
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12Arrows
Not anywhere else, so don't using them here... consistency is the key!
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13This feels squished
and out of line, put in the box and right align it
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14when you do the footer...
make it a FAT footer, and a Different color, this will help liven it up a bit, maybe the green or orange?!
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Notes Added to Images View
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1Smaller
make it smaller
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2then add this alongside logo
Also I think the other logo would work better
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3this is a cool idea
just maybe not the whole background...make it a part or even better an illustration (as you are good at this, maybe use a watercolor effect on a paper canvas background eg http://www.bestpsdtohtml.com/top-50-design-with-amazing-water-color-effects/
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Haider Ali commented:Jamie, Aaran... I love the idea of background image but it had to be great one so Jamie you need to play nicely here :)
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4alignment
If i was behind you I would slap you over the back of the head! :P
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Jamie Linder commented:
(LMAO) I keep re-reading this comment and laughing out loud. I wish I could award comments a vote up!
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5This seems pointless
I know a lot of sites have them, but I have always thought, why here?
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6Arrows
don't like them...
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Jamie Linder commented:
ahah! Pixel perfect indeed ;) Thanks Aaran! Can you elaborate on what you mean by 'blue' ? Would you change it? And since you added notes to the dark one, is that the one you prefer? Did you see the cloud concept to go with the text provided, "Miles of paperwork" ? Thoughts?? :)
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Aaran Casey commented:Have a look at the other notes, definitely keen on a cross between cloud and blue version, not so much the white
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Jamie Linder commented:
Great, thanks!! Maybe it just took a moment to post, I had only seen notes on the darker layout. Thanks again. ~ J
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Haider Ali commented:
Rock and rolla... you always win Aaran... sharp, quick and tooooo the point :)
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Jamie Linder commented:
Viderity has also provided a concept mockup, can you please take another quick look at the 4 collective concepts (they are in no particular order & are unpolished - considering look & feel, and general layout direction) and let me know which you'd choose to represent Viderity, and why? Thank you!
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Hi Jamie,
I am falling in love the first one (Viderity-06.png)...
Background treatment is awesome... I envisage it as magnitude of the Viderity, having no boundary and use of the sky showing the infinite attitude, however, I would love to see a more creative and engaging image used in backdrop. Also, I think you may try 2 - 3 images in backdrop which may show alternatively, check the http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html for live example.
I think Michael and Aaran provided nice comments in regards to the alignment, typography and copy; however, I would love to see some something coming to life with the backdrop image approach. I like the white and blue background as well; however, I think that doesn't show the out of the box approach.
Hope this helps.
Thanks, Haider
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Jamie Linder commented:
Viderity has also provided a concept mockup, can you please take another quick look at the 4 collective concepts (they are in no particular order & are unpolished - considering look & feel, and general layout direction) and let me know which you'd choose to represent Viderity, and why? Thank you!
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Haider Ali commented:
I like the treatment of the texture in blue and I think I would love to choose from Viderity-07.png and Viderity-06.png... most preferably "Viderity-06.png"
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Hi Jamie,
I love the cloud one. It suits the nature of the company and has a touch of humor as well.
The others haven't left me much to comment on but I just wanted to say that I think you should use the other logo in a single color.
Other than that and what the others mentioned I think it's fantastic. Keep it up.
Regards,
Reyaah
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Jamie Linder commented:
Good call ~ the other logo has more of an 'airy' feel to it too. Still trying to peel myself away from those bold fonts, how I love them so!
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Jamie Linder commented:
Viderity has also provided a concept mockup, can you please take another quick look at the 4 collective concepts (they are in no particular order & are unpolished - considering look & feel, and general layout direction) and let me know which you'd choose to represent Viderity, and why? Thank you!
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Hopefully this isnt TOO short, Aaran always beats me. overall these are all solid designs, very professional, easy to understand, and easy on the eyes.
HERE WE GO!
Notes Added to Images View
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1Liking the font and rollover state!
Looking good! so far!
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2Move the search down
float that on the right, I think you should just do a white background with no borders, and an orange search button
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3Is this the logo you have to use?
I personally dont like it, but thats probably not up to you. Float the logo to the left, and give it some top and bottom breathing room!
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4Like the blue, not the background
The colors you chose are spot on, but i really aint diggin the pattern back there. I dont really have any ideas, maybe just a grungy-less-liney one?
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5Image unfit.
doesnt really work with the layout of the site, makes it have a more medical feel to it. http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-6080713-businessman-and-transparency-sheet.php I think would work better.
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6text looks squished
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7big D isnt working
normal text is fine ^^
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8float these buttons next to eachother.
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9get a shorter one. grey
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10make THIS blue.
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11nav links?
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12float this to left.
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13phone #, contact info.
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14white to grey gradient
a short one.
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15grey to white gradient
short, I think it will look nice.
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I prefer the dark blue version over the white.
The colors are well balanced - and quickly establishes a visual hierarchy that's easy to follow. The font treatment is pleasing - and is professionally crafted.
Visual Strength - the banner tells a good story. It would be interesting to see the copy become more persuasive (perhaps using social proof - as the persuasive norm). In other words - influence prospects by saying ("Be like other Strategic, Creative and Tech Savvy thinkers...") Social Proof - People will do things that they see other people are doing. For example, in one experiment, one or more confederates would look up into the sky; bystanders would then look up into the sky to see what they were seeing. At one point this experiment aborted, as so many people were looking up that they stopped traffic.
I think the "Resources" module is leverages the Commitment and Consistency norm by asking for information from the user 'before' providing the whitepaper. It makes the whitepaper more valuable - and demonstrates the users first commitment in the conversation process. *Commitment and Consistency - If people commit, orally or in writing, to an idea or goal, they are more likely to honor that commitment because of establishing that idea or goal as being congruent with their self image. Even if the original incentive or motivation is removed after they have already agreed, they will continue to honor the agreement. For example, in car sales, suddenly raising the price at the last moment works because the buyer has already decided to buy. *
Don't forget the power of testimonials to support your Service offering. Whether the intent of your banner is to weave a business case/success story as a testimonial -- or provide a vignette of a client testimonial, users find those compelling when establishing "trust" in your website. Also, providing some credible organizational affiliation or awards are huge trust markers (typically seem in the Footer area - which I know you have not completed).
In my opinion, all of the design elements are solid. Now it's time to make the copy more persuasive for your target audiences.
Nice work!!!
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Jamie Linder commented:
Thanks so much Michael! I've a few more approaches coming soon (got to go take my kids to wrestling practice shortly, so it'll be later this afternoon). Per your comment regarding the credibility elements, I have those set aside, since I think once the design elements are solid, they should be fairly simple to build a footer around.
Great insight & review. Thanks again!!
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Jamie Linder commented:
Viderity has also provided a concept mockup, can you please take another quick look at the 4 collective concepts (they are in no particular order & are unpolished - considering look & feel, and general layout direction) and let me know which you'd choose to represent Viderity, and why? Thank you!
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Michael Rawlins commented:In order of visual appeal: 1) Viderity-02.png - I like the power, the visual hierarchy and playful color balance. 2) Viderity-05.png - Crisp, compelling and professional (but somewhat predictable) 3) Viderity-06.png - well designed, tells a story (but everything is floating...) Doesn't match your stated target audience (Gov't business Management) 4) Viderity-ContestDesign.png - I really like the footer. The body of the page seems very dark (and doesn't have fluidity in the visual flow)
Hope this helps.
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Jamie Linder commented:
Thank you Michael, for taking the time to once again review this concept. This will be very helpful for the revision direction. Thanks again!
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Jamie Linder commented:
Michael, I made some updates to #2 and called it #7, what do you think!??
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Hi Jamie
I liked the version 06.png to be too good
meets the requirements with a soothing color and excellent imagery signifying your purpose too!
What I don't like is the button that says Learn More and beside it, a white background with text. This resembles the search field with default text and looks like it is the Site's search feature, where as in reality it isn't!
This one is the best, I guess!!
all the best
cheers
Prashant
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Jamie Linder commented:
Thanks Prashant; the learn more buttons' color is quite off, I'm with you on that! Still have lots of work to do on it I think.
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My comments are annotations on the pictures. I think you should use Viderity-02.png. The dark blue background gives a solid professional feel. Most of my comments for improvement are therefore on this screen. On the others I state why I don't think they should be used.
Notes Added to Images View
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1Much better case study and explanation
very egovernment relevant, a major government client and text that explains what Viderity did. Really good.
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2Ah ha, I now understand what contracting with us meant!
Ok I now understand what contracting with us meant. Either you use Viderity's services as a client or you are a sub-contractor to Viderity providing services for them. I think that "hire a ..." and "Become a ..." are both too wordy. Why not just "Clients" and "Sub-contractors". Under each you could have a drop down relevant to that group e.g. portal, hiring a ..., becoming a...
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3This is a great call to action
I like this - this very eye catching coloured text box now leads to something.
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4Good main services only
Like this, main services only with a link to the page lisitng all of them. If the item is not their, then the main services list should set the context for what you do leading people to click in the hope that "if they do this web stuff then I wonder if they also do?".
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5Still too male WASP
However I don't like the picture on the other slide which shows a woman presumbly going through an experiment with wires connected to her head - lloks a bit acdemic.
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6Quality logos here
Put the quality logos here such as 508. However they need to be a lighter colour than on the other slide so they stand out against the dark background.
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7Services now matches
- the text on the header menu bar. Good ties these two elements together.
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8Conclusion use this with one condition
I think that this is the best design but a) change the picture b) contracting header menu items should be Clients and Sub-contractors or Providers\Suppliers. Although I think that Viderity needs to test the wording of these items with potential users from both groups.
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Notes Added to Images View
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1All white background does not work
- as the content text gets lost in a sea of white. The human eye needs boundaries to scan between, on a wide screen, with all white this will be the edge of the VDU which could be 22" or 24" inches wide.
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Notes Added to Images View
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1Don't like
This picture looks like two psychology major's putting a woman through a lab experiment. Show users in a workshop discussing a design or a persona projected on a whiteboard, or a card sort session, or a concept workshop. Viderity should have some photos here?
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2Don't like
Academics have expertise; Consultants have the wisdom and practical application to turn expertise iton action defined in clear services which add value to the client's proposition. So use Services.
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3I think both sides need their own menu item
I think it has to be split into "Clients" and "Sub-Contractors" or "Providers\Suppliers". I think that both areas are so big on their own that they need their own heading and route in. I think that Viderity needs to test the wording with sample users from both sides as to which headings work best.
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4Logos need better contrast
I like the logos being here, helps civil servants who are doing a check box exercise (e.g. 508 compliance yeah, check lets look further). But they need better contrast with the back ground to be more visible. Make white.
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5Make both the same
For consistency and visual tidiness make both the same; white on orange has the highest contrast and readability.
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Notes Added to Images View
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1Use this format of background colour
I like the dark blue background. Gives a good background to contrast text content and elements against, gives a professional consultancy feel.
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2Don't like multi-coloured logos
I think that there are all sorts of practical reasons not to have a multi-coloured logo. Adds to expense of business cards, letterheads etc, people see colours differently so logo will not be universally recognisable across a large population, if you are working with a partner and have to use their corporate slide templates you can gurantee that part of your logo, whatever you do, will be hard to read, will look odd against their logos and colour template. I just think that there are too many situations where it will be hard to reproduce.
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3What does this mean
Sorry maybe it is my English sensitivities but Contract with Us looks too gimicky. It either seems like a miss-spelling of Contact Us or seems too pushy. Its too much second hand car selling, close the deal now, rather than professional consultancy that builds relationships over time
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4Split into two menu items
Split into: Case Studies and testimonials Resources - under which whitepapers appear.
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5Good positive picture but...
Good and positive picture about solving issues and moving work forwards but... Its too WASP male. I agree you need a professional image, too many agencies use web designers who look like they just came off a skateboard park. But your previous designs highlighted e-government and 508 compliance. So I think you need an image with more diversity.
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6I like the font and different colours
Gives a professional feel.
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7add services
Call Consulting Services (full verb noun)
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8Call Consulting Services
Call Consulting Services to match the main navigation header.
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9Not this case study
The problem I have with a case study showing Feed Stitch is that it looks as if you helped a craft fair do a website. I think you need an upfront case study which instantly says "this company\government department was huge, complex and we really helped them very quickly and professionally".
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10Just list three or four main ones
Just list about 4 main ones and have a link "Other services" or "All Services" Which goes to your full Consulting Services page. Change the main ones as needed depending on what seems to be flavour of the month for clients that period.
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11Can I press this?
This does look as if I can press it - can I? If so it should go to Consulting Services.
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12Make green button to be consistent
Make this button green to be consistent with you other green ones.
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Notes Added to Images View
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1Horrible design - do not use
The background colour gives poor contrast to the text, the pink button looks awful and not "consultancy" or professional. Too many fonts, person climbing the papers is a negative image, don't use a negative (problems) to sell you as a positive.
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2Negative image
This is a negative image of what you help them avoid. Rather use a positive picture of what the experience will be like with you.
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3Poor contrast text to back image
leading to poor readability
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4Poor contrast text
- leading to poor readability
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5Hate the pink
Might be personal but I don't think that pink works on a consultacny services website.
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6Poor text contrast
Grey text against grey-blue background makes navigation text hard to read.
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Jamie Linder commented:
Strong feedback; I love it! Thank you :) Hey, I have just uploaded a design supplied by Viderity, can you also provide some feedback on that? Much appreciated!
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Jamie Linder commented:
Viderity has also provided a concept mockup, can you please take another quick look at the 4 collective concepts (they are in no particular order & are unpolished - considering look & feel, and general layout direction) and let me know which you'd choose to represent Viderity, and why? Thank you!
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Jamie Linder commented:
Thank you for taking some weekend time to mark notes. I only had time yesterday to make some quick updates to Viderity-2.png inorder to quickly turn around 7, and I wwhole heartedly agree the pic being used is too wasp :) I'll need to spend some time surfing istock to get the image I really envision for this. Your notes are very helpful and to the point. Thank you so much again!
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Viderity-ContestDesign.jpg is the only one for me. The others are too busy and confusing. I don't really know where to look first. The guy climbing the paperwork through the clouds is heartwarming but it is an ad. It does not help establish your brand and you (and your clients) will be tired of in in 6 months (redesign anyone?)
I really like Viderity-ContestDesign.jpg. It is minimalistic, corporate, and I cannot say enough about how engaging and illustrative of what you do that image is. First of all it exudes coolness!Truly. Second, in the eye of even experienced clients, "wires on your forehead" sets you apart! It makes you think "wow! now that is usability testing!"
My only problem is the compressed Helvetica...it imparts an 80's desktop publishing feel.
Also those to big buttons should be the same size?...or completely different from each other?...maybe some clever icons? I don't know but as it is they bother and distract me.
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Jamie Linder commented:
Thank you for thoughts! They got me thinking and I haved decided that I agree with you & I don't. :)
When I added the contest png I was drawn to its simplicity just like you are. Reflecting on that feeling, I believe its because the contest png is in contrast to the busier, less polished mockups. I do like graphic / ad text; its fun and gets me thinking about usability - which is great, but doesn't have much "corportate govt staffing" feel to me. I do think the overall layout and design of this one in its extreme simplicity is nice, but I do feel as its too simple as a stand alone. I think its missing the original color, open thinking and staffing feel that was the original goal. I think that minus the fun ad graphic and perhaps the nice top navigation, it is lacking in design, value added purpose and an overall lack of newnesss in the creativity department.
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Jamie Linder commented:
sorry for the odd spaces, typing from a qwerty phone keyboard :)
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Alex Colina commented:In that case I am with Viderity-02. put the pic there (and get rid of the pretty people ugh!) I might tune down the colors on the bottom areas and put in a few dividing line for structure and call it a day.
Hey I just noticed VIDERITY is in Washington DC, I am Silver Spring!
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I know this is not finished but I love it! it tells me that this is a medium-big company with a lot of professionalism and creativity.
I like the left alignment and the typography style.
Logo looks much better then what they have online(and I hope this is right because I assume the company is www.viderity.com). What I don't like about it is the font ... it's strange, I like the overall look but not the individual letters, the R is bolder in the bottom right foot, the E is lighter, the D is lighter on the bottom.
The "Just Imagine" box looks very good, I have so ideas here that I think will make it look even better:
- The white part of it could look like a piece of paper in the same style you have on the stack of papers, and add some shadows here and there
- or you could give it a little bit of opacity to blend it in with the rest of the design but still keeping it bold.
What I don't like it about the box right now is that it feels a bit off because it's to bold, I know this was the intention but I think it's to much and with one of the 2 suggestion could look a bit more in the scene.
About the big stack of documents on the right ... I'm loving it, it looks fantastic but it has a problem for me, I noticed that when I get my eyes on the bottom part of the page I can focus 100% on the content, I keep seeing the stack and my eyes are drawn there, so I think a good solution is to make it even more blended on the lower part of the page, it does a great job on the header part, on the first fold of the page bot not on the lower part.
the 3 column of text "services, Case study and Resources" need a bit more attention on the typography, I know it's not finished but I'm just saying that if you do something similar, apply the same style, like you have on the header part it will be fantastic.
One last think I noticed, the left blue button "Are you a Contractor" it's hard to read because you have in the gradient to much of a white color in the left and the text color is white.
that's it, I can wait to see the end results, I hope the client takes this design because it's much better that the other ones.
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Jamie Linder commented:
Completely agree with the documents on the right. I have a few creative ideas working on seperately for the footer that will help tie that in & not be such a draw. Thanks!!
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Jamie Linder commented:
Viderity has also provided a concept mockup, can you please take another quick look at the 4 collective concepts (they are in no particular order & are unpolished - considering look & feel, and general layout direction) and let me know which you'd choose to represent Viderity, and why? Thank you!
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Ionut Resetar commented:Ok, let's start with 07 which is the new version of 02, it's better then 02, but I have only 2 problems with it :
1) the color under first class contractors, I don't think it works very well, it brakes the harmony, the one you have in 02 is better, orange is a complementary color to blue, but in o7 you have a washed yellow orange color but the blue is deep, so my opinion is that it doesn't work and you should use the orange from 02.
2) the header is empty, the 02 version has a better header, you don't need the black stripe for the menu.
Viderity-05.png is interesting, white is al most always good but this time you loos contrast and focus so in my opinion 07 is better.
Viderity-ContestDesign.png this one has a very nice layout, I loke the header and the footer but I don't like the content area, content area is better with the other designs.
Now to tell you which I like and why, I will have to chose between 07 and 06. My personal favorite is 06 because it's a bit more creative, I think it has a better balance of professionalism and creativity, 07 is more professional.
06 is brighter and white works here so it's a bit more positive and more engaging. And as I said in my review you need to polish this one and it will look fantastic.
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If I were to take a real quick look at this page (which I did), I would think that the big orange rectangle would have been the call to action. But it is either the "Learn More" button or "Browse our Consulting Services" button that is probably the intended action.
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Jamie Linder commented:
Thanks Frank, but would you say the strength of that element leads you to the call to action? It can get toned down I think, I just carried it across the designs to get a feel for colors & shapes.
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Frank Dobner commented:All I intended to say, is to make sure that the call to action button is the most easily visible thing that strikes the eye on the page.
Make whatever you want them to do become the most overpowering visual element on the page.
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Jamie Linder commented:
Viderity has also provided a concept mockup, can you please take another quick look at the 4 collective concepts (they are in no particular order & are unpolished - considering look & feel, and general layout direction) and let me know which you'd choose to represent Viderity, and why? Thank you!
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that's nice idea