AndyB — Thu, 03 Aug 2000 23:58:30 +0000

Justin - the main page is grey because ... read the main page

Jim - I think the way the images are feathered into the one big 'experience' is very nicely done. One suggestion that you might want to think about is having a 'previous' link in the image window that opens from the large feathered images so that I can go back to a previous image instead of all the way round the loop.

Justin S — Thu, 03 Aug 2000 13:32:39 +0000

Ok, here's a review of your site Jim...

1) Why is there a little black dot at the very top of the page? I don't think that's meant to be there.

2) I like the color of the sub-pages, but I think you should try out a few different background color. Brown just doesn't float my boat. Also, why is the entire mainpage gray? I think all the pages should be the same color.

3) For most of the tables on the site I would use the same color you have in your header image. Try to keep the entire site uniformed.

Jim Shilt — Thu, 03 Aug 2000 04:20:51 +0000

I guess I'm the kiss of death for any website critique topic.

Maybe one of you guys would be so kind as to review my site.

Jim Shilt — Tue, 25 Jul 2000 20:08:09 +0000

I'd like to see the gray that you use for a background a little lighter. It tends to be to low contrast on my laptop display.

Also I would put rounded corners on both sides of the text boxes or else eliminate the round corner on the top right of the header.

I also saw quite a few color differences on the header graphic.

Other than that I really liked the site. If I ever need some 3d figures I know where to go.

Hope this is productive for you. Really impressed that you were able to get so many responses. I'll have to try the reciprical post some time.

http://www.shoutingrock.org/troop214

Megan — Tue, 25 Jul 2000 15:19:09 +0000

Okay, I don't have time to read what everyone else said, but...

I actually like the 3D buttons and the different colours used in this case. The bottom part could be done in just one colour though to make it look a bit less busy (those colours don't seem to coordinate with each other that well anyway). This is a very unique looking menu IMHO (grahpics quality needs to be fixed of course)

The 3D buttons at the bottom need to go though - it's too complicated down there and the words just seem to get lost. A simple text menu would be fine for that. I really like the right side menu with the glow effect on mouseover.

The main header really jumps out of the page, but "the creative resource" part fades back way too much. That part could just be in plain text with no special effects I think.

Don't use small black text on a dark gray background. It's very hard to read.

Overall I think it looks very good. I wouldn't worry too much about optimizing your graphics. Your target audience is probably people who either have fast connections or are willing to put up with a little bit of slowness for the sake of good artwork. This came up very quickly for me on my dial up. You could do like Scream Design and have a fancy high graphic content version and a fast plain version.

looks bad on Netscape!

Nutrocker — Mon, 24 Jul 2000 20:58:03 +0000

Yup, it certainly screw up on Netscape, worth installing and seeing for your self as there is too much to describe!

It's your tables mostly, need to check that code.

cool!

Nutrocker — Mon, 24 Jul 2000 17:02:07 +0000

Please note: I do not class myself as a web master, more an advanced home page creator!
I like it, please let me know when your site goes live

I will check it out in Netscape when I get home, I bet it does not need much code tweaking to work in old NN. I too prefer black rather than white backgrounds and for your site I think it works well.

As a potential visitor I would visit often based on what I see already.

If your gonna visit mine, be gentle with me eh

There ya go, some positive feedback for ya.

Justin S — Mon, 24 Jul 2000 15:41:05 +0000

Ok, here's an expanded review from me...

1) The logo. Like I stated before, it's very fuzzy and grainy looking. You need to increase the quality of the graphic. Also, I think you should try using all the colors you use around the site in the logo. Right now it's kinda... grey.

2) The menu. I kinda agree that you went crazy with the colors. THe first two menus that use red and blue look good, but the next one that uses teal ruins it. I'd keep at most 3 colors for the menu (or whole site for that matter) and try using those colors throughout the site. Also, the graphics are grainy and fuzzy like the logo.

3) The page. Why is the marginwidth and marginheight attributes set to 0? I think you should have some margins for the page, and can see no reason why they're set to 0.

4) The main content area. Everything is spaced out nice, but all the graphics you have are of really low quality. Especially the table curves you have. For a graphics site I'm dissapointed that all your graphics turned out grainy and fuzzy looking. Not very impressive in my opinion.

5) In Netscape. Wow, have you looked at your site in netscape. It's really messed up looking. This is not good at all. It leaves out about 15%-20% of your likely visitors. They won't be impressed.

Justin S — Mon, 24 Jul 2000 15:28:06 +0000

Ok, here's a little background before I get into my post. I came here today to TWF, and noticed that this thread had about 16 reviews since yesterday. I thought "wow, I wonder what's going on." Well what was going on was an argument between Gary Lacey and TheGraphicsExperiance. Gary thought that TheGraphicsExperiance's review was just a personal attack on his site. Gary then went on to personally atack TheGraphicsExperiances site and they continued arguing. So now I'm here...

What I've done is deleted all the posts attacking each other, and have just kept the actual review posts. If I see anymore arguing between you two you with both be banned. Please do not reply about my post in this thread, as I would like to keep it specifically about review of the site. Either e-mail me or e-mail each other privately...

Re: Looks cool

Garry Lacey — Mon, 24 Jul 2000 06:17:01 +0000

Quote: Originally posted by xrs
I really like the choice of colors used in this site. I too have a problem with the somewhat grainy images but I love the right-hand rollovers.

Overall, it looks like you have an excellent, unique site developing here. Keep up the good work!

Also, if you choose to review one of my sites, please review http://xrsolutions.com/, my latest one (still working on it).

Its becoming clear to me that the images/icons, at least a lot of them need to be completely redone. A lot of people have highlighted this. So thats something Im going to start on next, redoing those across the site.

I`ve had a bad run of reviews lately about the colours in my site, its nice to hear someone liking them. Initially I got a lot of good feedback when I trialled the colour rich nav bar and colour coded sections. I just have to keep on looking at what everyone is saying and put it together as a whole to get a feel for what most people think.

Thanx for taking the time to review the site.

Onto your site now
http://xrsolutions.com/

The penny drops why you may like my site a little! You have a black background. Very brave of you. Black is not the in colour right now is it? Perhaps things will swing around our way in a year when the white fad wears out? ehehe

I immediately got the impression the site was weak looking. But the moment I started using it my opinion changed. I love the navigation. The way you can use it from the top or bottom of the page.

There are some very small design cues in this site which I like. You website list is nicely put together. The mini thumbnail of the sites is a big favourite of mine. I think all links list should take up this approach.

Overall this site does what it needs to do and it does it quickly. Despite the current trend for very flat design I would like to see something that raised the site up a little. Subtle bevelling or subtle drop shadow work is not something to shun I dont think.

Check out any successful magazine and you`ll see both practises are used becuase they work so well within design. Inner beveling is a new look which seems to work well.

http://www.computerarts.co.uk/

check out the subtle drop shadow and inner bevel work going on (front page) in one the most state of the art and fresh looking sites of the moment.

anyway I liked your site, did I say that? Its got a nice feel about it but that little something extra would be nice to give it that instant appeal.