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www.dcdesign.bitinet.com
Hey, sorry about that, see if this hits the mark. Now I know Im in for it!!!
I think Im going to be busy?
Thanks list
Dave C
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www.dcdesign.bitinet.com
Hey, sorry about that, see if this hits the mark. Now I know Im in for it!!!
I think Im going to be busy?
Thanks list
Dave C
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I like the simplicity of the design, and the links are intuitive--my biggest gripe would be the intro page -- they're generally frowned upon, where good design is concerned -- thanks for the skip link, though--I hate when there's an intro and no hope of skipping it ! :-)
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Hello Dave,
Looks good, except theis no difference in the mouseover and mouseout for your animation link.
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This is all just my opinion and preferences, although I may state it like facts below. Just think about it.
I find that the intro, demonstrated a whole bunch of techniques, but wouldn't impress me to hire you. "Here is my message", prompted me to say to myself, Of course it is, who else's message is it. Just forget that part, it's too slow in any case. The squeeze your budget was good in that it illustrates your point. You have not shown very good use of a color theme. A bunch of effects on a white background doesn't "move me" to hire you.
On the first page, your four boxes look to me like you don't know how to use tables for layout very well. The white space on the bottom left and right, and top right is oddly placed. How about making the words appear beside the photos instead of under them.
The meaning of the puzzle, is not apparent unless someone mouses over it.
Website design page.
The page is missing your Dave Cotton Branding, which is one of your best designs. Once on the page I don't have any label on the page to tell me where I am.
"NOTHING DOWN HERE" this seems quirky, I'd remove it.
You have the following two statement on the design page.
If I build it will they come?
Why do I need a website?
The "I" in the first case is Dave Cotton and in the second case is the customer.
The first one is too brash, ie conceited and you have not given any indications why they will come.
The second one is followed by a pencil where the client can put their text. That is irrelevent to the topic, which is really the paragragh on the top right. But who would know. People need to know instantly, not go through some searching. So move the Title on top of the text it relates too.
The theme of the "website design" page, should be to explain web design. Why you need webdesign doesn't fit into the theme of the page. It is, in scope, above webdesign as a large level abstraction. Make that topic a page of it's own.
What you show on this page is a collection of design elements.
Navigation Bars, you put your best nav bar the little blue button, hanging under gold bar under the Headings and buttons location instead of under Nav Bars. You put the pencil which I personally find repulsive under the Navigation bars. Dave I am not trying to hurt your feelings, I wish you all the best. I hope you appreciate my honesty which is intended for that purpose. Let me get back to the theme at hand. I also find that green color of the verticle menu under the pencil ugly, and therefor again "I am not moved".
The big picture, I'm talking around is theme. Look up theme in the dictionary please, become very familiar with what it means. This is what is weak here, and you need to sort out. You would easily choose the theme of all the design elements for your client if say they had a fishing lodge. The theme for your own page, is a much more difficult thing to peg down. Here are too more points to illustrate theme. Repeating from your flash intro.
1. Each message used a different flash effect, they didn't follow a single theme, and they were all different colors, instead of using the color in a consistent way.
2. On the top of your design website page you have 3 blue bars. None of the content below that follows the layout illustrated by the blue bars.
Check out color picker pro for some nice ideas about putting colors together. Your colors are unique, but they don't say, I'm the best without words.
I think by just good/bad luck I picked on your worst page, I like most of the other pages better.
I would put your Dave Cotton from the top of most of the pages onto your intro page instead of what you have there.
"The presence of a website has more benefits than first appreciated. Not only does it just look good on all your stationary, " you have a grammar problem with this statement, as it not the website that goes on the stationary, it's the web address. Frankly, that is a minor point. Move it to the end and work with this idea. A domain name for your company is easier to remember than a telephone number if a prospective client loses your business card, or sees your company vehicle on the highway.
Those who cannot do teach. Best of luck.
One more thing, take this out "After serving a five year apprenticeship as a Toolmaker at the GEC Stafford,"
You put it number one on your resume, sortaspeak and it's irrelevent to this work. I prefere this page where all the page contents appear on the light orange background. I also like the little blue line compared to the thick blue lines, it's more stylish and less boxy. I didn't read everything, but that's twice I've spotted that your put the most insignificant items first.
Listing the software that your have used, as familiar with, is unimpressive. Replace with "Your website is designed using these state of the art website and graphic products."
Talk about them and what you can do for them, and what you have done for other clients. Not so much about yourself. 98% of people are insecure and they think you are bragging any time you talk about yourself.
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Now that is some constructive critisism... I have seen a responce that long since somebody went off on there soap box for a while.
Dave you you thank FP-User just for typing all that! http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
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JohnR,
Perhaps you should read the "spell checker" thread in the X1 forum ... or better yet download one ... I almost feel like translating http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
FP-User,
Tell us what you REALLY think!
Dave,
Now that I've picked on John and FP-User (notice I left the little crawfish fellar alone) ... I would have to agree that everything you have read on this page is essentially correct. I hate that some of your first contact on this forum is less than overwhelmingly positive ... but you asked for the truth, and you received it. Not that your site is without merit ... you just need a bit of tweaking to stand above the crowd and make the investment you've made in the url and time spent to develop it pay off. I'm not qualified to tell you precisely what needs to be done ... these other gentlemen are. Please heed their advise with open ears and a clear mind. Use their freely given guidance as a springboard for better business, and ask as many questions as you can ... the wealth of information here is astounding.
I'll get off of my soapbox here by saying ... Welcome to TalkGraphics Dave ... hope we haven't scared you off.
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"Perhaps you should read the "spell checker" thread in the X1 forum ... or better yet download one ... I almost feel like translating " -Ed
Hi Mr Ed,
You are so right. but I haven't found one yet in this here forum. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
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I,m surprised you don't mention Xara Webstyle 4
as the majority of your graphics are from that package including your own logo.
Good luk with your business
David Scott
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Dave Cotton, Where are you? Why don't you reply? Come on buddy, you can do it. We want you to succeed and we are happy to help.
OklaEd, We are all qualified to give our opinions. When the day is done we can't make everyone happy, but some actual customers will have the same opinions as we do. Most websurfers can't do any web design or programming. Dave here has several tools that he knows how to use and I don't. People with no ability in any of these areas can still give us valuable feedback. I'm proof of that.
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Hi List
Sorry for delay in my response, been in a depression? Just kidding.
First of all I would genuinely like to thank FP User for a very frank and detailed critic. I felt you had really spent time on my site and I take on board all your constructive comments. I am certainly not discouraged or put off in any way. In fact
I feel more positive. I can approach my web design with new and fresh objectives.
You didn’t just criticise, you offered alternatives and supported your comment with justifiable sound advice and I thank you for that.
JohnR
Thank you for your encouragement. I will most certainly heed this advice. May I also thank you for your welcome and say I somehow feel as though I been through an initiation (hope I spelt that right)?
I certainly have not been put off and hope to gleam more from the experience of others
as well as offering my two pence worth from time to time?
David Scott
First of all I don’t have Xara 4.00; I do have Xara webstyle 3.0. My logo is not from Xara. My logo is the paint pallet. The majority of my graphics are not from that package either. However, I have used some of the menus and a few images that I paid for when I purchased the package. I thought that was the point?
I feel you should have taken a little more time on viewing the site before making a generalisation. The page header (from Xara) is just a page header and not a logo.
I do however, thank you for your good luck with my business.
The Prawn
Thank you for beginning the thread of returned comments and I agree the intro is a little
pretentious.
So, in conclusion, thank you all for taking the time in checking out my site and if anything else should come to mind please keeps it coming.
Dave C
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Hi Dave,
Well done, your response to the various responses is excellent.
You are correct I hadn't taken the time to have a good look at your site which I have now done.
I also sent my first response when extremely tired. The coloured ribbons in your home page heading I mistakenly thought had come from Xara Webstyle 4. To be fair I don't like any of the logos in either versions 3 or 4 and would also suggest you design a better and original heading for your home page.
Your introduction page is not to my taste until it gets to the last frame with your name,pallett
and paint brush graphic above. That is excellent and the most appealling graphic and page on your site. Your letterhead too is good.
Your logo page could do with some originals to display your capability.
You will receive excellent advice and assistance from the experts on this forum and I certainly wouldn't include myself in that category. I am to say the least, as Gary would say, graphically challenged. On the other hand I wouldn't dream of having a tatoo.
I have no doubt, with your obvious courage, you will progress and look forward to enjoying that process.
Regards
David Scott
