Site Update: Alpha

[Aceman]

I rarely do this, because I just know I'm going to get hammered with opinions. But sometimes it's nice to show you all that I am infact working behind the scenes on a new look for scifi-meshes.com. To that end I'm going to post a ALPHA image of a design I'm working on. I say alpha becaues it's totally conceptual. I've not final on colors or look. So take that into consideration.

I would also ask that if you want to offer a suggestion on improving it.. you do so in a manner that helps me. A "I would start completely over..." comment is not going to help me. Rather tell me what you think works and what doesn't. AND THEN tell me what you might suggest.

Additionally - if you know of another site that looks pretty ****-hot.. I would love to see it so post a link so I can have a look. Maybe I can use it here in some manner. Again.. this is totally alpha.

Braces himself:
(See attachement)


Like it or hate it.. comments that help me are requested. IF you can't say anything nice.. just don't post.. your not helping make the site better.

Aceman

Link to image: http://www.scifi-meshes.com/aceman/new.jpg

[Aceman]

I might add..

I was going for hi-tech, construction, futuristic, etc.. as my keywords for the design. BTW - that logo is probably going to be the new one.. with a few tweaks I thought up over the weekend while in NY. That I can't do while I'm here.. as the PSD file is at home.

[Aceman]

also.. the site's new tag line is: "A 3D Graphics Community focused on Science Fiction" unless someone comes up with another one.

[Aceman]

If I get good feedback I will post updates to this image.

[Andrew March]

Okay, first to reply. I think the yellow and black diagonal markings coupled with the overall industrial look/feel would lend itself better to a game site rather than an art site.

I'm not sure what I would suggest as an alternative, I'll have to think more on that.

[Martocticvs]

Looks good Ace. The group column there - are you planning on categorising things a bit more per application/genre?

[nhall]

Looks good overall. Are we doing away with the famed Header? Also, is that one of SGA's images up there?

Tagline: SFM: Scifi denizens of the world unite!!!!

[Ramiel]

Ok, now work on a BETA version
I prefer our actual version of the site... That one looks too... Heavy. It's hard to explain, but the grey for the background color is too "eye-catching". A black or very dark grey color will work better. And the title/logo is also too small for my tastes...
If I will find an example of a cool-looking website I will PM you

[picard102]

I think it's important to consider the information priority. Why are people here, and how can you make it easier to fulfill their goals.
Also, the more candy you design into the site, the more you take away from the individuals art.

I'd suggest condensing the menu. Home Forums Gallery Models Store About.
Horizontally across the length of the page, under the logo and login section for easier access and visibility.

Logo                              login pass |go|
-----------------------------------------
Home Forums Gallery Models Store About

Then for each section you'd have the corresponding application display its menu as a sub menu.

Logo                                           |av| username messages logout
------------------------------------------------------------------
Home      Forums      Gallery      Models      Store      About
------------------------------------------------------------------
CP FAQ Members List Calendar Awards New Posts Search Quick Links

__________________________________________________________
|_                             banner                                                  _|
|_________________________________________________________|

Back to the home page though. Information of high priority would probably be most recent posts, featured tutorials or something of that nature, featured threads, maybe a featured item in the store gallery and meshes. Followed by the news. I think the forum stats are relevant to only a handful of people and not really so much to new members.

There is also a three column layout behind the alpha preview that is off scale with how the columns are actually displayed width wise.

I like the simplicity of the forum layout there though. But I think you'll have problems getting VB to play well with the headers first word being different colours in practice.

[MadKoiFish]

NOt keen on how the news stands out from the rest of the stuff, I hope itll only display on the root page. I'm here for the content by posters not a bot's collection of news from other sites. Since its about the meshes and art Id drab the news down some. Maybe theme it with the google add frame? or match up the google frame with the new teal colour?
A darker backdrop other than the med grey like ramiel said would be nicer maybe a pattern of some sort? To strengthen the "industrial" look? It boils down to it its mostly the akward collection of colours.


The info bar with the "home, forums, etc" looks a bit odd with the width. Maybe step it in so the logo image runs over the news? Dunno how usefull any of these comments will be in relation to the look of the rest of the site.