for the contest MUSIC website needs new layout. Sub-pages paid for seperately after
Submitted design #5
Because of the complexity of this site, I have come with a grid-like solution, that way you could add/remove section with easy, also I believe it will be very easy and expandable for updating.
More focus was given on the design, so I'm aware that the menu may not have this labeling, so it was given as an example for how the main navigation should look.
About the logo, I still haven't got the idea for how it should look, so I made it temporary like it is now.
That's it all for now, my purpose was to design just the overall look and predict what kind of content the site will have. So, if I receive a positive feedback I will gladly make furder modification and polishing ;)
Regarding design #5
Looks great, very clean. I would try to make it flow a bit more although I love how modular it is. I would also experiment a bit with the colours and the box arrangement. Have a look at other pages on the site and see if a design like this would flow with it (in particular the page that shows the lyrics). Overall you've done a great job and don't worry about the logo and text yet.
Regarding design #5
PS: Just wanted to make sure you realized that that was positive feedback. I concentrated more on areas that could use improving than praise but I would love for a revision of this as I think it stands a fairly good chance if done right. My main areas of focus:
1) Better flow - The boxes floating in space are usually hard to do because it makes everything look segmented so maybe having one big box that encompasses the content area and then different sections/boxes within it might work better)
2) Colours
3) On the far left side menu, it might be a bit too wide because the banner looks a bit out of place. Maybe the banner doesn't need a box?
4) Navigation that's currently on the footer should be located in a better area
Submitted design #11
So far I've managed to boxes a better flow by putting a big box that encompasses all the other boxes.
About the color scheme: I stick to the grey variation, and elements in red and yellow (since the site will attract the youth it's always good to use hot colors)
About the banner to the right: I still want to keep the same padding as the all other boxes in order to maintain the unification and to simplify CSS coding. But if you insist on removing the box, I'll do it.
About the footer: I came with a solution simular to virb.com and yet bold header are attractive this period. Note that the menu labeling is just example.
Personal opinion: For a site like this, I guess more images would make the design more impressive. I know you are concerned about bandwidth, but a good image optimization always helps.
I'll think on more design details by the way!
Regarding design #11
Maybe I good idea I to change and experiment with the background (the diagonal lines), what do you think?
Regarding design #11
Looks much better. Playing around with the background I think would be a good idea. Also maybe play around with the box placement and if there's anything more that can be done to make it a bit more exciting. Also I don't know about the red links, maybe blue? Let's play around with the colours a bit.
Submitted design #19
It is obvious that I've changed the whole color theme and the main background, let me know if it works that for you.
Regarding design #19
Anyway I'm still thinking about the Sponsors segment, you wanted not to have so much padding. If I decrease the width of the right columns, then the Laederboard segment will have more padding and I'm sure you don't like that :)
So I've tried to put the Sponsors segment in the middle column, but visually doesn't look nice, at least for me.
However I'll think for another alternative.
Regarding design #19
The gradient background would be very heavy on the graphics part and it seems a bit yellow. I really liked the darker header at the top as it was before, I'd leave that. I would still however just play with the content area and the box arrangement to make it flow a bit more. (try moving the boxes around a bit)
Submitted design #33
OK, so this time I made some box rearrangements, I kept the strong colors in elements and returned the dark header as you wanted.
I'm aware of my comment in the previous revision that the Sponsors section should not be in the middle column, but now I see that the eye moves more toward the middle column and if you use CPC advertisements it may be good choice to leave it in the middle. If you don't know what I'm talking about see this https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=17954
If there is something else you wish to be changed, write me.