for the contest Web design for Washers, Inc.
Submitted design #2
Ok, this is my first entry. I will do whatever I can to make my entry the most liked by you:) I'm also holding off on the "image" spot for now until I can find a better image to use that isnt copyrighted. I would buy a stock photo myself, but I just dont know what to look for. Feedback appreciated;)
Submitted design #4
I hope you like the changes I made. Here is how I see it, the part with the pictures is a flash slide show that goes through a sequence of medical related photos of your choice. I think that would look really really cool! Let me know what you think. We can also fiddle around with quotes over the pictures. I think that would be even better.
Submitted design #5
Woopdeedoodah! I added the quote idea in so you could see what I mean.
I'm not really a fan of flash slideshows. It's fine on my home computer, but sometimes when I try to access them from work, they are blocked. Universities and research companies are notorious for their firewalls, I would prefer to avoid flash it at all possible.
#2: The colors are obviously from my logo. I like the green on the menu bar, but it's difficult to read. Let's try grey on the menu bar with blue when it's clicked (active tab). I'm thinking more along the lines of separate small sections on the front page for news, advertisements, updates, and a little introduction. I have uploaded eight images to get you started! Feel free to pull images with the copyright on them from istockphoto.com and if I choose your design as the winner, I would buy the images for you.
The design is still a little too simple. I want people to look at it and say, nice site. Stray a little more toward the web 2.0 style. Great start though. Look at my images for ideas!
Submitted design #7
My newest entry! Hope you like it:) If it is ok with you can I code it so we have a functional demo? I have too much spare time.
And by the way, if you need to get a hold of me my AIM is gofetchthemonkey and my MSN is xelitewowx@gmail.com
If you'd like to code it, I won't stop you! I want to provide you with detailed feedback but I'm heading to bed now. I will send you some comments on Monday. Happy Mother's Day!!
Submitted design #8
This entry has even MORE Web 2.0 hope you like it.
It will be coded! Tomorrow!
Since you were one of the first to submit, you're one of the first to get some comments!
#2: This was your first design, I think we can both agree it wasn't going to be the winner. ;o)
#4 & #5: The large graphic in both of these designs wastes quite a bit of space that could be used to present useful information. While I like the idea of using graphics to catch a potential customer's attention, it has to be in conjunction with some text! These are out.
#7: This is my favorite so far out of your group. Some comments though. Picture is still a a little too large. Let's find a way to have a couple of sections, with smaller graphics integrated. You have the introduction section, which works well, but let's try to have a news/update section, plus some info on our services on the front. Label the search bar as well. The banner has a lot of wasted space... either have our logo and name across the entire top or (even better) include some graphics faded together (blend) and incorporate those.
#8: I like the small greyscale version of our logo in the lower left hand corner! This design has gone a little too far with the reflections, especially in the graphics and the banner. Don't forget we're a maintenance company! Try to incorporate that in some way into the design!
We look forward to seeing some new designs! Let us know if you have any questions about our comments.
Submitted design #33
Here is my newest entry! Hope you like it:) looking forward to having some feedback;)
Submitted design #35
Just playing with different gradient backgrounds. here is the first background.
Submitted design #36
here is another gradient background. tell me your favorite:)
Submitted design #37
Fiddled around with a shadow and changed the background gradient again.
#7 is out now that #35 is posted! The search bar still isn't labeled and I was looking to break up the "Why Washers, Inc.?" Section into two different sections.
Did you have a reason for including the three large pictures at the bottom? Are they placeholders for something or just there?
I very much like the redesign on the menu bar. It looks much better! Can I see a version with the DNA blended into it with a lighter opacity? I think that might look sharp...
The organization is still a little off. I'd like to see a rearrangement of some sort. The pictures still take up a lot of space without doing anything. Let's make them "Our Services" "FAQs" and "Contact Us" Shrink the pictures, make them sections with room for a little text. I don't know if this will work, but the pictures just aren't doing it for me.
I meant banner for the DNA, not the menu bar! Sorry, I just re-read it!!
Submitted design #43
added the DNA. Wasn't sure how you felt about the background and the shadow so i just used them both. Working on adding another "block" to the design (specifically a Why Washers, Inc. block). I messed around a bit with the pictures and their orientation/style. Let me know what can stay, and what should go. What does this design NEED? I know I'm the designer, but in the end it's YOUR vision;)
Submitted design #45
New Copy. Played around with the services section and changed a few other things.
articulitedesigns, thank you for the redesigns! We're always glad to see the efforts that designers like yourself put forward!
Now for the comments... The pictures at the bottom are just not doing it. My wife likes them, but it's a little tough without a LITTLE text.
Let's try taking the three pictures from #35 and making them smaller. Spread them out over the entire length of the design and put some text with them. Maybe even have a few lines to the righ of the image and then continue the text under the image. Put a headline with them.
Same thing with the news items. Let's put a date, bullet statement and then a little text. Play around with the colors.
I think I mislead you with my previous comments, but the images by themselves don't work. The DNA doesn't work in the header of #43 or #45. Do you agree. I think #35 is still my favorite. Let's try some of those revisions and see where we get. Your menu bar is still one of my favorites.
What would you suggest I add to the design? I need some new and fresh ideas. I'd like to see what you would suggest because I'm an engineer and often come up with symetric designs because that is how my brain works...
We look forward to seeing your redesigns and truly do appreciate your efforts!!
Submitted design #65
Updated entry. Feedback appreciated. I'm not gonna give up!!
That's a good quality to have!
#65: Here's what I would say to you... you're a potential customer. How much time do I have to grab your attention? You click on my site... First impression... does it look good? Ok, what do they offer me. Awww.. I don't want to read all this text, not on the main page!
That first text area is very big. The homepage needs to be attractive, pictures with meaning and short to the point statements. I probably wouldn't include more than a couple of sentences at most in any of the areas.
Also, we offer five (loosely) services to the customers... you only have four boxes... that doesn't really work.
What websites do you find attractive and appealing? Take a look at those elements, see what they include on their main page.
Take some time and come at it from a different angle. We need that WOW factor from the client. This IS our advertising. Approach it from that direction.
The design IS NOT BAD, just middle of the pack. You need to distinguish the design somehow!
#65 is my favorite, but in it's current form it will not win. I'm going to start narrowning down the field so people have an idea what we're looking for and what we like. We would LOVE to still see designs...
Ok. So here is the deal. I made this design in mind with the idea of more pages with a common theme. If you want me to go all out for a homepage I will.
Submitted design #73
Hey there. Just another entry. let me know if it is getting better or if you want an entirely new design.
Submitted design #75
Played around with some ideas. And just to let you know, while I'm designing this I am careful to use only web safe fonts and colors. If you want anything different or if there is anything you like, let me know:)
We apologize for not having gotten back to you very quickly. Business has started to pick up and we no longer have as much time to leave as detailed feedback. What we would like to do is give you our likes so that you can incorporate them into future design contests!!
You have a very good menu bar. Simple, clean and effective. Could use a little more graphical pop, but very effective!
We wish you good luck in all future contest and suggest you think about how you use your infomation on the page. We wanted it to provide a little about a lot. Not a lot about a little. We needed variety too. Take a look at our top designs, that's what you'll notice.
We really do appreciate your designs!!