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    • CommentAuthornycreal
    • CommentTimeDec 28th 2006 edited
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    I recently put up a website www.2devious.com to promote a group of freelance web designers and developers. Before I start driving traffic to it, I would like some feedback from the community, based upon aesthetics, usability, and any comments on how anything could be improved.

    FYI, these are somethings I'm planning on adding very shortly: an articles section using WordPress, an example of a customized ZenCart, and a Live Help icon with Instant Messaging features to site visitors.

    Also, if anyone would have any information regarding what would be beneficial ways of promoting the website and our services would be great. I submitted my website to CSS Beauty but I'm not sure if it's up to the standards, and I also don't know how long their approval takes. Any ideas?

    Thanks in advance for your time.

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      CommentAuthormringlein
    • CommentTimeDec 28th 2006
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    I like the logo, creative (obvious, but different and well executed). I personally would like to see the logos' reflection be toned down a bit -- little to harsh for my tastes, it seems to be drawing more attention than you want. The goal is to have my eye hit the logo, process and quickly move to your content (I feel my eye hanging out in the logo spot way too long).

    The colors are nice, not a pink person myself, but I realize that pink is the result of a softer red and red is your primary working color -- but that is a subjective opinion, so do with it as you will. I think the white content area on grey background can work -- perhaps making the white content area can have an outer glow as opposed to an inner one? Make it seems more like the edges have a shadow, maybe make it will make it pop a bit more? Drop the bottom shadow on the white content area (at the footer), let it flow off the page as it does on the top -- looks forced the way it is now, like it was meant for greatness and got left behind. Or it is a result of a different design that didn't get adjusted with the overall concept.

    The nav bar works, I like the new trend of using two colors to simulate a gradient look without using an obvious gradient -- perhaps add pips to separate a bit? Treat it more like 456bereastreet.com does? I won't let this get too long. My last comment is about all of the content on the homepage -- way to much reading for a design/development outfit. I want to see results, not read about them. Yes words are important, but you need to grab my attention on initial load -- show some screen shots, work examples -- anything but text. I need to read to learn more about your company, but you need to give me a reason to read first.

    Just my two cents. I hope some of this is helpful.
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    Definitely cut down on the copy on the homepage. There are no images that are immediately engaging. Nothing makes me want to click past the homepage.

    I feel as though the design is primarily a mish-mash of trendy design elements: the reflected logo, the glossy navigation elements, the bevel... I don't see anything very original here.
    • CommentAuthornycreal
    • CommentTimeDec 29th 2006
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    mringlein - thank you for your constructive comments. I will most definitely add the pipes to the navbar, and also change the content of the homepage, that's a very good point. As for the drop shadow on the footer, I had initially considered doing what you proposed, but the reason why I opted not to, was due to the problem of having a footer always display at the bottom of the page, regardless of the length of content above it. Previously when I attempted to do that, the only resort was a hack to make it work cross-browser and some additional, non-semantic markup. Is there another method at this point?
    • CommentAuthornycreal
    • CommentTimeDec 29th 2006
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    adjustafresh - thanks for your comments. Again, I'll be taking what you said into account as well as mringlein regarding the homepage content.
    • CommentAuthorPettyRider
    • CommentTimeDec 29th 2006
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    100% with adjustafresh on this one. There's no identity. It's just bubbles and glows and gradients.
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    A word of advice If your going to attract designers or possible clients to it DROP THE NAME!!!
    Its to obvious that the name has been heard before, does 2ADVANCED ring a bell?
    A few years back a guy decided to use a similar name and people flamed his website till he disappeared.

    I don't like the design period! It's worst than a Template Monster template :/ sorry!

    Go to the beach, rethink the design draw something first then f*** the canvas.

    Jer
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      CommentAuthormringlein
    • CommentTimeJan 4th 2007 edited
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    Jeremy,

    What is with all the anger man? I can respect if you don't like his design -- but saying so doesn't really help him (just another subjective opinion). At least give him some advice, what don't you like it? Is it the color, structure, content, placement of elements, logo -- what? The answer "everything" isn't going to be of much help either.

    The whole thing that makes skill share so great is that we all know we have to improve -- so bashing doesn't help that much. There is a lot of talent on Skill Share and it takes some guts to put a design out there for critique.
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