project 2 preliminary critique

[dnorwood]

I wasn't sure if we needed to show the original site that we are re-working, so I took screen-shots of that home page and put them together in a Photoshop document. The posting order is: that home page screen-shots, rough 1 - pages 1 and 2, and rough 2 - pages 1 and 2.
The most pressing need for this site is to add visual interest and contrast. Right now it is green...and more green, with blue text!
The best thing about it is the logo. I think she drew it herself, so it will be a constant element in whatever design I end up doing. I tried to work with that as my main color inspiration and the natural feel that I think a business with the name of Natural Advantage should have. The pictures of Linda and the store products are also taken from their website. The picture of the Truckee River and the flowers are ones I took myself.
I am not completely set with either one of my designs, although they both have elements I like.
So...have a good time with the critique, I need all of the help and ideas I can get!
Denise

[lornrocks]

The first design seems to be better than the second one. I like the flower header and the way it's laid out. Nice color choices, but that big wall of text is intimidating. Maybe trying breaking it into columns or adding photos throughout? The second one is nice as well but it's a little busy with the photo background. Although the splash page is a nice touch.

[rmiyashiro]

While both designs have a natural, healthy feel to them, the first design works better for me. It feels more inviting yet professional. The only issue I have with it is the resolution of the picture on page 2, and, like Lauren said, the huge amount of text.

[Ryan_Hartman]

I like the how you added a more broad range to the website verses it's original narrow view.
The added range of colors has great contrast that draws your eyes to the center pages.

[dzynecin88]

You've got elements I like in both your roughs and I think you did a great job giving this business a more professional look. I prefer the freshness of the yellow and green on the homepage in your first set, but the simplicity of the homepage in your second set. The text in the first one is a bit overwhelming and the second one would be more inviting. Maybe you can do some combination of the two. Hope that makes sense! Well done!

[Instructor]

I think you've got yourself a nice start here, Denise.

I like your first design a bit better that your second, despite the second one have a neat photographic splash page. I think its the use of texture and shadow giving the layout a bit more visual interest. I also like what you've done with the logo. Centering it over your content brings it to the attention of the viewer and making it look a little like a porcelain button gives it added attention as well. The type is well chosen and works with your theme. Margins throughout the design are excellent as well. I especially like the spacing between your paragraphs.

What the design could really use is more photography throughout. I think adding photos in and around the text and splitting up the text into columns would help it's legibility. Right now it's a wall of text that can be difficult to get through. Maybe do a photo top banner for every page too, similar to the one you have on your home page. Keep the shadowing and textures from your home pages on all your other pages on your website. I'd also tighten up the navigation buttons and move 'em up a a little higher than where they are now.

Good work! I hope to see this one online.

[kaycee_weddell]

Good Start! I think I am leaning more towards your first design with the flowers. It has a warm vibe to it as well as the nature feel that I know your going for. I do like in your second design how you used images for the whole background. Maybe work that into the first set of roughs. Overall I think you did a really good job.

[ravens.way]

Both designs are professional looking but I like the second one the best. The colors you used work very well together.

[gr8ful1]

I really like your first design. The colors all work well together and it feels really cohesive. I would keep the flowers in the header of your your other pages as well, you could put the picture of Linda into the body copy somewhere. I know your text is just filler right now, but I would try to shorten it in the real version, especially on the home page. Five paragraphs of info is a lot to read. Good job!

[raoki]

I really like the semi transparent box on the third layout, but maybe it's kind of hard to navigate... Does 'Enter' mean just hit the enter key or something? I like the first design as well, but I personally like the second design more so if I were you, I'd show the navigation on top of the white frame of the box