Project 1 preliminary critique

[Ryan_Hartman]

Sorry im late on putting this up i had no clue how to place files.

I'd didn't want to use a basis on a link for my concepts and i've gotten my inspiration from myself.

[rmiyashiro]

Your color scheme reminds me of my favourite flavor of sour neon gummi worms. I would use a different font for your body copy. I prefer the layout with the cartoon raccoon.

[raoki]

I like the cartoon racoon one too. Its background gradient looks nice, but I think you don't need to put the boxes for everything. You can remove the box of your contact info at least. Or maybe boarders should be thinner.

[lornrocks]

I think that both of your layouts should almost be combined into one idea. The second one has a stronger composition and isn't too busy, but almost seems too simple. I definitely like the gradient on the background of the second layout more than the striped bars on the first one. The illustration is also very cute, and I like the placement. It balances the composition well. Perhaps you could add some kind of decoration or flourish to the header on that second layout to draw attention to it and separate it from the rest of the text. Maybe choose a different font or colors to really pop it.

I don't know if you drew the illustration on the second one, but if you did, it might be fun to draw some other little doodles, maybe some sort of small logo to put next to the header text, or little doodles in the boxes for the buttons. That would be a nice touch.

[KamiGurl]

So far, I'm liking your Cartoon Raccoon one! The colors work well together and they compliment your raccoon as friendly! I agree with some of the other comments, to try using a different type for your body copy.

[dnorwood]

You mostly have a nice consistent layout going in both of these. You need the whole GRC 175, Web Design and Publishing, Spring 2016 and the TMCC name/logo on both of them though. Also on both, I would do away with all of the box borders. Use the boxes, but no stroke on them. Instead try out just one or two fx on them to make them stand out. On the first one, the stripe background seems to be a little too much. It makes the design feel cluttered and the text hard to read. (Besides, you don't look good with stripes on your face!) I really like the gradient and furry critter on the second one. It would look more balanced if you either aligned your name to the left with your link boxes, like you did on the first one, or completely centered it. Your email box would also balance out the whole composition better if it were to go all the way across the bottom (on both of them) and that would also give you room to put the TMCC info.

Happy Designing!

[Instructor]

I like where you're going with your designs here, Ryan. I prefer the second one to the first because I see so few students try a rotational balance that it's always neat to see one pulled off. Go with that one.

I like the gradient background, both on this one and on the first design. Gradient backgrounds immediately establish depth and movement which can really add value to simple, clean layouts. The typeface is well chosen. I think the rounded type helps establish a sense of whimsy without being as rough about it as a lot of handwriting type faces can get. I really appreciate the rotationally balanced composition due to it's rarity and the degree of difficulty of pulling it off. I like the fox character as a presentational element. Perhaps use him to point things out elsewhere on other pages or in other areas of this page?

I think the biggest improvement you can make is to lose the boxes. I think your type choices, both in typeface and color, do a good job at establishing contrast with the background without needing semi-transparent boxes to pop the type out. The boxes create unnecessary claustrophobia, whereas without them, there is room to breathe and good margin. To establish a full spiral, move the footer information from under the fox to the blank area under your navigation and content, to the left of the fox. Maybe also try a radial gradient from the center out to reinforce the rotational balance of your layout.

A great start! It's been ages since I've seen a rotational balance composition. I look forward to seeing your finished design.

[dzynecin88]

I like your color choices and the racoon character. I agree with a previous post that the gradient in the second design is more pleasing. I like the way the racoon stands forward and I think maybe you could do something with your text boxes or background that would increase that 3D effect. I would also suggest left justifying your text in the "About Me" paragraph. It's a little harder to read centered. Overall, I like your designs.

[dbranby]

Ryan, I think it's really interesting to see a sort of retro revival theme in both of your designs, and I'd be interested to see where you take it. Like some others in this Forum, I prefer the second version for its whimsy, and am curious to see where you're going with it, too. I think it would be interesting to see a more avant garde typeface in a similar style, just to have the interesting juxtaposition between 1995 and today. The boxes/buttons are probably unnecessary, unless you're doing a parody of early web design. Keep pushing ... I'm excited to see what's next.

[kaycee_weddell]

Ryan,

Good start on your designs. The bright colors really compliment your designs. I think I prefer the cartoon character design a little more as it seems a little more pleasing to the eye with that gradient background. In your first design you lowered the opacity on your background showing the 960 grid and it messes with my eyes a little. If you go with that first design I would try and play around and see how you can fix that. I also like that with the raccoon design you're showing your artistic capabilities. I think you have a good start with these designs.