Beyond Buzz: design needed for marketing blog - Guaranteed $400 in Web Page Design

Held by terrellm

Summary

Status
won
Status Comment
Congratulations to the winner, silverfive studios!
Entries
52
Prize
$400
Details

A closer look at this contest

Created:
Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:34:06 +0000
Ends:
Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:34:06 +0000
Modified:
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:01:15 +0000
Last Feedback:
Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:22:35 +0000
Comments:
32
Designers:
17
Feedback:
100%
Brief Summary

Marketing blog needs a professional, positive, and energetic design. We are open to your ideas and input.

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Showing 1 – 50 of 52

Showing 1 – 50 of 52

Discussion

  1. Welcome to the contest. I have held many successful contests in the past and look forward to another great contest. You can expect prompt and clear feedback from me. I will be giving feedback at least twice a day.

    User
    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:38:34 +0000
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  2. Hello, it said in yourbirief no stock photo's, so you don;t want any photo;s at all or will you provide photos yourself?

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    atrox
    Comment Date
    Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:58:19 +0000
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  3. No photos will be needed. Let's stick with graphics and styles instead.

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    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:30:25 +0000
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  4. Hello terrellm,
    I do have some questions.
    The chosen design will be for a blog. For which blog engine will it be? Wordpress?
    You say you want 2 column. Do you want this based or unbased
    If based. Do you want it plain xhtml or based as theme for the "wordpress" blog.
    Furthermore:
    If I understand right. You want blue and gold. Whiche type of blue did you have in mind? Flock Blue #4f9cef, beta blue #0aaafd,Photobucket Blue #247fe or Flickr Blue #0063dc.And for the gold. Would you really like gold color or more plain color like Jotspot Orange #ffbf23.
    if you would be so kind answering my questions I would be delighted to submit a design.
    Thanks in advance,
    Robert Muller
    Rwdweb Creative Studio

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    mullerrwd
    Comment Date
    Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:19:09 +0000
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  5. Ooh before I forget. Do you have some site designs you specifically like? As guideline, this would be really helpful understanding what you really want as design.
    Thanks

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    mullerrwd
    Comment Date
    Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:20:40 +0000
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  6. I am really forgetting some questions. Would you like web2.0 alike design, is this what you mean with fresh.

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    mullerrwd
    Comment Date
    Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:23:12 +0000
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  7. "We need an uncoded design for a new blog. This is a business blog that will be read by business owners ". Sorry did not read the brief carefully

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    mullerrwd
    Comment Date
    Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:31:29 +0000
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  8. Responses to questions...

    Q: Do you want it plain xhtml or based as theme for the "wordpress" blog.
    A: I am just asking for the uncoded (PSD file with layers). It will eventually be in wordpress

    Q: Do you have some site designs you specifically like?
    A: Not really - we are really open to the entrants at this point

    Q: Whiche type of blue did you have in mind?
    A: I am thinking of something darker like #003366

    Q: Would you really like gold color or more plain color like Jotspot Orange #ffbf23.
    A: The color you mentioned is nice - an energetic orange / gold :)

    Q: Would you like web2.0 alike design, is this what you mean with fresh.
    A: A contemporary design as long as it has a professional appearance. It will be focused on business owners rather than consumers

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    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:58:52 +0000
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  9. Hi Terrell,

    You say no photos, but graphics are ok... can you define the difference (in your opinion :-)

    It's a bit hard going in without much information.... Would one of the columns be for the main content and the other for articles, previous posts etc., like a typical blog format?

    Will this be more of an info site for business owners, or more of a 'sharing' type site, where biz owners express views, helpful tips etc.,

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    Nadia P
    Comment Date
    Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:04:44 +0000
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  10. do you have logo?

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    huiragubi
    Comment Date
    Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:07:22 +0000
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  11. Q: You say no photos, but graphics are ok... can you define the difference (in your opinion :-)
    A: Graphics are fine. A photo can be acceptable if it communicates the message of the blog

    Q: Would one of the columns be for the main content and the other for articles, previous posts etc., like a typical blog format?
    A: The two column format will follow the traditional blog format. Our copy will be on the LEFT. The articles, links, photos, etc. will be on the RIGHT.

    Q: Will this be more of an info site for business owners, or more of a 'sharing' type site, where biz owners express views, helpful tips etc.,
    A: The main emphasis of this blog is to help business owners, CEO’s, and any one with marketing management responsibilities to cut through the BS---the latest buzz and buzzwords---and focus on what really important

    Q: do you have logo?
    A: No, we don’t have a logo. We need a logo created as part of this blog...

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    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:22:09 +0000
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  12. OK we are caught up on feedback now. I would like to add a little more clarification:

    The masthead/upper part of the blog is the most critical. It should appear unique and set the tone for the blog. It must incorporate the title and tagline. Rather than seeking out a simple Wordpress template and using a basic logotype, we wanted to have this contest to create a unique design that communicates our message.

    The main emphasis of this blog is to help business owners, CEO’s, and any one with marketing management responsibilities to cut through the BS---the latest buzz and buzzwords---and focus on what really important. The design needs to help set the stage for this message.

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    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:25:41 +0000
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  13. Ok we are caught up on feedback.

    I am assisting a colleague with this contest (it will be his blog). Earlier this evening, he provided me with a site he liked: http://www.usaa.com . It is a website rather than a blog, but it has a nice balance between modern/web2.0ish while maintaining a professional appearance. It also has a nice use of colors and accents. It could use a little more energy for what we are looking for.

    User
    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:49:42 +0000
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  14. Thank you very much, this gives a perfect guideline of how you want it.
    Thanks.

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    mullerrwd
    Comment Date
    Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:33:20 +0000
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  15. Ok I'm caught up on feedback.

    It seems like we had some stronger entries and revisions in this round.

    As mentioned earlier, the masthead/header is an essential area because it gives the site its unique personality and separates itself from a generic template. Some entries are using graphicy background (gradients or patterns) which can work and others are using photos. I am open on the use of photos and icons, however, please make sure they are relevant to the blog and its audience.

    Another way to think of the blog's goal is that it will provide "focus". With lots of buzz words and lots of information available today, this blog will help its readers understand what is important to the success of their business.

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    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:22:42 +0000
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  16. Ok I'm caught up on feedback. If there are any questions, let me know.

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    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:58:45 +0000
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  17. Anything you want me to change? Or give a try?

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    atrox
    Comment Date
    Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:10:45 +0000
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  18. I would really like to see rating, so we know are positions a bit and know what we could change.

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    mullerrwd
    Comment Date
    Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:12:45 +0000
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  19. I agree with mullerrwd, rating would be good.

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    Pifa
    Comment Date
    Sat, 19 Apr 2008 01:11:25 +0000
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  20. I have left feedback, eliminated older entries, and rated the remaining entries. I will be around this weekend to continue providing feedback.

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    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Sat, 19 Apr 2008 15:42:13 +0000
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  21. Ok I'm caught up on feedback. The contest ends in less than 24 hours, so I will be checking in more frequently. Thanks!

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    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:53:43 +0000
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  22. working on a entry

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    silverfive studios
    Comment Date
    Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:19:58 +0000
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  23. 3 hours left and we are caught up on feedback. I'll check back in again before the contest ends.

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    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:26:50 +0000
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  24. 3 hours left and we are caught up on feedback. I'll check back in again before the contest ends.

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    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:26:51 +0000
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  25. 1hr left and caught up on feedback. Ill be checking in 30 minutes before contest ends.

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    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:24:20 +0000
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  26. Ok the contest has ended. We appreciate all the artists participating. My partner and I will go over all of the entries and announce the winner in less than 24 hours. Thanks!

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    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:07:24 +0000
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  27. Nice contest everyone, congratulations silverfive.

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    mullerrwd
    Comment Date
    Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:09:42 +0000
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  28. thanks!

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    silverfive studios
    Comment Date
    Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:10:10 +0000
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  29. Nice work Silverfive, congratulations. Compliments to the CH, we received a lot of feedback...

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    Pifa
    Comment Date
    Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:29:06 +0000
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  30. Congratuations to silverfive - he has received his winnings and I have received the artwork. Also congratulations to Nadia P and manilabox on being runners up. Also, a special thanks to all of the contestants who entered.

    This was a challenging contest because it left a lot of things open to artist interpretation. In the end, there were three of us that chose the top 3 designs (the ones rated 5 stars) and ultimately the winner.

    Things we liked about the winning site:
    - Clean and simple 2 column layout with plenty of whitespace
    - Use of blues and the orange (created the energy)
    - Emphasis on the title and tagline

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    terrellm
    Comment Date
    Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:14:14 +0000
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  31. many thanks, great contest! :)

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    silverfive studios
    Comment Date
    Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:34:01 +0000
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  32. Congrats Silverfive - thanks for a good contest Terrell, your detailed feedback was appreciated :-)

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    Nadia P
    Comment Date
    Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:38:43 +0000
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