Project 1 - Preliminary Critique

[ryansegal]

Hey everyone! My name is Ryan, and these are my roughs for project one. I'm kind of a fan of the current design trend of flat, unobstructed colors. With my first design, I drew inspiration from the first link below, in more ways than just the color. The gray boxes are meant to be filled with images (of projects two and three, when they're completed), that when moused over, slide up with a transparent blue overlay and the text moving up as well--the middle box being a crude example of that concept. The heading at the top of the page is meant to look like a sort of black label.

The second design uses another popular trend of long shadows. With my name in the corner, just go ahead and imagine that those letters have the same sort of shadow the box does; I'm still working out how I plan to do that if I choose that design.

I personally prefer my first design. It has more going on without being too overbearing. For both designs, I'm still considering a different style of type for the headers other than slab serif--potentially something akin to my second inspirational website's main type.

As for the inspirational websites:

http://www.clearassembly.com/

This first website I discovered through a design forum on Reddit. What I really enjoy about the website are the nice little rollover animations on certain elements of the page. The 'Why' page also has some very nice infographic-like typography going on, which I think lends really well to the clean, contemporary aesthetic that the website gives off.

http://www.thenormanbrothers.com/

This second website is a great example of minimal web design. There's very little text on each page ('Blog' page being the exception); the main focus is the imagery, which perfectly captures the lighthearted nature of the work these guys produce. And it makes perfect sense that a pair of commercial directors should put a heavy focus on their images rather than go on and on about them through text. One thing I also enjoy about this website is the navigation and a few other pieces of each page change colors that complement the image they're using. It's a really nice way of unifying the text and the image.

[Sierragirlnv]

Hi Ryan,
I like the look of the rough drafts you created. I like the second rough for the flat design. I'm not sure if you know what I mean by that but they are all flat colors and you used them to create a 3-d effect by layering the colors in different shades. I have noticed it has been pretty popular the last year or so. I wouldn't layer your name like that though, I see you are trying to repeat the effect which is good or change the font style?
The first layout is great too. The color choices are clean and they both have visual appeal. I would like to see the images you intend to use, unless they buttons are staying blank intentionally.
Good job.

Sierragirlnv

[paula_b]

Hi Ryan,
I like the blue design overall. The colors are calming and pleasing to the eye. I would like to see some sort of image in your buttons. It feels like there is too much empty space. The gold design is cool too. I like the 3D effect you have created, the colors are a little much for my taste.

[dboudinot]

Hi Ryan,

Both your roughs definitely denote your sense of taste.

I also like the blue rough more because the way you centered the page around your picture and "about me" section; the cooler color scheme is also very appealing. If I had to change one thing, I would move the white text up from your white background a little bit because it would make it a little more legible.

The shadow effect on the second rough is also very interesting, but I would adjust the drop shadow on your name to make that easier to read as well.

[TsukimizuDC]

Hello Ryan,

Excellent work on your roughs. I love the 3D effect that you created on the gold rough. I felt like the blue rough was a little flat. If you can add some of the 3D effect to the blue rough, it will be more eye catching. Personally, I am more drawn to the gold rough, but maybe work on the colors more on that one.

Again, great job.

[justinepaigek]

Homeslice-

First of all, your designs have great color palettes and nice, clean, bold designs. (Bravo, I'm jelly of your skillz) I don't really have anything to gripe with except for a small inconsistency in your spacing with the type in the blue layout, where the links for the projects/etc are touching the white border, yet the "about me" link is not. Seeing as your name up top and the other tidbits aren't touching the border, I would probably space the links in the images apart from the borders, as well. Both have fun layouts, you could go either way and have a nice, solid website. I think the yellow one speaks more of your personality, although I do like the layout of the blue one a lot better.

[Instructor]

Looks like you have a good, clean, geometric sensibility on both your designs. Both are good starts. I prefer the second one to the first. I think the first is very clean, but a little too dull.

The second design on the other hand is very tidy and well laid out without being boring. I put most of that at the feet of that nice long shadow. It adds such depth and dimensionality to the piece. I also like the easy to read type, the prominent placement of the image and the large margins. You have good spacing without your design elements becoming to spread out and losing their unity.

A couple of things to look at. One, I'd either move the name inward and down a little bit so it's a similar distance from the edge as your navigation, image, and bodycopy is or move it over further to the edge so it slightly cuts off the to and left. Then extend your shadow along it so it looks like you papercrafted it off the edge with an xacto knife. Two, I'd make your bodycopy block justified so you can have another square in your design to balance the image.

An excellent start.

[Miasera]

These are both great designs, Ryan. Reading what you have planned for the first one, I'm all the more inclined to vote for it. Even without the explanation it has a very calming and organized effect, while the second one seems too simple and flat. Or my monitor might have something to do with it, since I do see the beginnings of a 3D effect going there. I think you can go far with either one of them, and look forward to what you have in store.

[schakarun714]

Hey, i really like both concepts. theyre both really clean and simple but im leaning more toward the blue design because there's a little bit more to look at but its not over done and its still a really pleasing design. although i do like the 3-D effect you have in the yellow design too.