Neverside

Feedback please

Hey everyone,

I'm just working on a web design layout in my spare time, I might use it for myself or sell it. Either way, it's not done yet, and I'd like some criticism and comments (good or bad... preferably bad) on things that you like or that you think can be changed/improved/added. Note that I haven't played with fonts or changed hyperlink styles yet, so don't nitpick about that stuff too much. The URL follows. Thanks in advance to anyone with something to say!

http://www.dynamikdesigns.com/beta/

P.S. Please include your browser type/version in your reply, most of the pages validate but not all yet (just copied+pasted old code in some places).

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AEL Solutions: Design and Consulting Services

Last edited by dynamikdesigns, April 9th, 2004 06:34 AM (Edited 1 times)

Browser: Mozilla 1.7beta/Linux

Now, in regards to the site. You can't post for a review, and then ask for us not to "nitpick" about stuff as basic and essential as font styles and hyperlinks. That's simple stuff, and most of that consists the FIRST things I style when I code a site. So, in the effort of redundancy, STYLE YOUR TEXT.

I'm also not a big fan of this.. water droplet stock art.... thing. Yes, it might make your color theme, but frankly, it seems SO typical and SO..... stock, that it just detracts from the little credibility that your site DOES project. (note on that: dynamik?! what were you thinking? were all the good domains taken?)

And then you have the usual assortement of new-site 404s.

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i appreciate the feedback, but like i said, i'm not yet FINISHED with the text styling. next, the name dynamik was created by someone else, i never asked for your opinions of the company name. third, please point out the 404s, all the menu links seem to work... if you're talking about links out of the portfolio, then that's fine i know they're there. also, regarding the stock art, i just didn't want it to look as photoshoppy as you find most sites looking today. i'm not tryin to be on the defensive, i appreciate you tearing the **** out of it if you have any suggestions on CHANGES in regards to what you don't like, i'd love to hear em.

thanks for the brutal honesty, i just wanted to clear up a couple things so nobody else posts "yeah exactly fix the text and the name"

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AEL Solutions: Design and Consulting Services

Last edited by dynamikdesigns, April 9th, 2004 06:24 AM (Edited 1 times)

404: http://www.dynamikdesigns.com/beta/cpaneldemo.php, link in the Services section.

Here's a start: get rid of the gross font that you use for "DYNAMIK DESIGNS Web Design Studio".. I hate those pseudo-gothic fonts. Same goes for the Courier lookalike on the splash page. >_<

And really, though you might just be "avant garde" by going all anti-PS-style, in a web design firm, I'd prefer to see massive skill in the usage of Photoshop and site creation than calling it "old school" to mask your inability.

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Sometimes, however, simpler is better. I don't need to complicate my site with intricacies, i'm trying to keep it sleek and simple. I have sample work that I show clients to give an idea of my skills and abilities as a designer. And I hardly see how a sun and water are "old school"... Thanks for the font tips, I was thinking the same thing with the title.

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AEL Solutions: Design and Consulting Services

omg lol

Firefox / Win2K

I would lose the splash page, there seems to be no need for and the requirements are very modest anyway. A quick trip to websiteoptimization shows your site coming in at about 3 seconds on a 56k connection. Unless you plan on dramatic content changes, the splash page is not required.

You said not to mention style issues, so I won't other than to say have some fun with the site and punch it up a bit. Peace.

Except that in reality, and this is the harsh truth, prospective clients aren't looking for a reason to like you. Far more talented web designers are like dirt; they're everywhere. So unless you grab them IMMEDIATELY with an incredibly good front page, they're not going to be on your site long enough to see your portfolio. We might look at the entire site because we're reviewing it, but from the mindset of a client, nothing here grabs me in, and I'd immediately leave and look for greener design pastures.

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Okay I really don't want to turn this thread into an "argument" cuz I'm a little bigger than having fights on the internet. I will say one last thing to you trig, and after that, I don't care to hear anything unless it relates to possible changes on the site or feedback (which you already gave). Last thing that I'll say is that I've been doing this for over a year, and my site's purpose isn't to attract clients. I get clients on my own here in my city, through business contacts and meeting with them personally to show my portfolio (which isn't all listed on the website). A site is just a place that people who have my business card can go to check out what we offer, what we're about, and get an idea of the kind of work we do. Personally, I don't care what you want as a client, because I'm not trying to find 15-year-old designers to work for, I've got a much different target market in mind for my business. Thanks for your comments, anyone else who would like to comment on the site, please do so. Thanks.

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AEL Solutions: Design and Consulting Services

trig's right ... but i didnt even bother goin further than the main page.... looked at it... didnt like it... closed it :/