Project 1 preliminary critique

[smartinez33]

Hi, Here are my four preliminary critiques layouts I want to try to make simple and easy to read in computer and mobile size. For the first lavender background layout, I want to make the design to make it pop out with the colors. Also, I add shapes on the texts so the viewer can see and easy to read and have negative space in the middle. The second layout for the background theme is fall, which I use the gradient to match the colors of the leaves and use the low opacity for each box. Then add my self-portrait to show on the home page.

The two websites show tips about how does web design work and I understand of how important to navigation, site management and designing an ideas to create on web design.

https://www.format.com/magazine/resourc ... esign-tips 
https://digitalagencynetwork.com/web-de ... ght-about/ 

[NalaniN]

Hi Sandra,

My love of the outdoors makes me love your background photos. I also like the gradient coloring in the photos -- it makes them even more interesting.
One thing I thought might be improved is that, to me, things feel a little too rigidly partitioned. You maybe could see how some of the blocked off areas look with a gradient fading from a color to transparent rather than the complete rectangles they are now. Or experiment with different shapes like you did with the buttons of your second layout.

[cwalkerdesign]

Hello,
I wanted to post on your designs. I absolutely love the fall leaves but I am bias. Fall is my favorite time of year. I also love the functionality of the design much better than your second design. The placement of your text is user friendly.
The second one however even though it is just as pretty it doesn’t have the same flow as the fall leaves design. At least not to me.
Great job
Charmaine

[katyroses]

Hi Sandra,
I like both designs. I do like more of the warmness of the Fall one. However, in your second design, I liked how you did the circular buttons and the fonts you picked. I would combined elements from your second design into your first design. Good job!

[Brandon_P]

I like your second design the colors work well with each other. But you may want to change the font on your header it just doesn't go with the rest of the design.

[Abused Oreo]

Hey Sandra both designs look really good! I have to agree with the others that the fall one is a bit stronger. The colors really stand out and make the page look beautiful. It's easy to read and navigate. The only thing I would think about playing with is positioning of some parts. I feel like you could move the picture of yourself to be in the center. That way we know what the site is about and eliminates the awkward emptiness it has in the middle. Also if you could make they type just a little bigger that way it is much easier to read

[itsdrrlcarden]

Hello,
I think your colorful design works better, but I think the "about me" part is too crowded and seems to pushed over to the far end. Maybe making it more of paragraph will make it more readable. The font is working well, but maybe playing with hierarchy of everything could make the design better.

[tandyg]

Hi Sandra,

Thank you for posting both these layouts. The colors are soothing with both. I like the orange with the first layout, but the lavender background seems more fun. I hope that considering the image of of back ground, it could relate to the colors being used. Not sure, just being critical. I look forward to your final choice. These are both great.

[Instructor]

You've got some good strong theming here, Sandra. I like your first design, the fall themed one, better.

I like your choice in background photo on this design especially. It softens the website and gives the whole thing a gentle fall feeling, which seems appropriate, given that this is a fall class. There's a nice little sprinkling of green in it too. It gives a little sliver of hope and works well with the browns and reds. You use transparency well here too. I like the transparent light top bar. It does a great job framing your content and it's opaque enough to provide good contrast. Your dark nav bar works extremely well for the same reason though coming from the opposite way. It too is just dark enough to pop your buttons. I like your color choices as well. You, by and large, went with your fall theme and it works. Your font choices work together surprisingly well. I especially like your script title/headline/navigation type. I was concerned your serif type would be too bold for your bodycopy, but it seems to work fine. Your navigation is easy to see and use.

I'm not sure you need to use transparent boxes behind your content and links. I think the type will show fine against your background image. If not, you should be able to pop it off with a little bit of drop shadow. Instead of having you navigation as a series of buttons on your computer layout maybe have it be a transparent vertical bar. It works well already as a horizontal bar on your mobile layout. You could then move your links over to the right, under your picture. If you are going to use buttons make sure to vertically align your words. Right now three of your buttons have their word pinned to the top. On your mobile design, the baseline of the buttons doesn't match. Make sure it does on the final version. I'd also recommend using the white version of the TMCC logo, so TMCC's horrible lime green doesn't clash with your nice design.

Good effort!

[adriannageo]

I really like the first one's image with the fall leaves but I think I like the second rough's layout better, maybe try combining the two?