what do you think of this layout?

[aseriouslyfunkydiva]

Hi,
Im currently re-designing our work website for my boss.
We've finally reached a design we think we can move along with - (kinda simple though but hey, thats whats she wants!)
So attached is just a snapshot of one of the pages......
Comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated guys!±!!!!!!!
Thank you!

x

[craig]

I dont think the black and white menu goes with the colored one.
The quality of the logo should be improved.
It also seems too wide and doesnt seem as though you could currently fit it onto smaller screen resolutions with having a big horizontal scrollbar.
If its what your boss likes than prob go with it or show them a tinkered version?

Craig

[aseriouslyfunkydiva]

cool -thanks -
Yeah , i dont like the menu's either but unfortunatly thats what she wants......
Okay- can i now pick your brain for solutions please?!??!?!
I was worried about the screen size. 1150x850. Im using a mac, (FYI: safari and explorer browers) so it fits in fine on my comp.
Whats the best way to check how it would disply on a smaller screen!?!?
The logo was designed in Illustrator and i saved a version for web as a GIF - i thought that wa the best way to save it.... you're right though , it doesnt look exactly the right image quality - i did try a few different formats though - GIF looked the best. Any suggestions????
Id really appreciate your response dude!
P.S. Ive now changed the cream background to a really pale grey (almost white) , reduced the width of the bulk text and added photos down th right side - so it looks a lil better , unfortunatley the new pic isnt posting properly!
thanks again
x

[craig]

Dont design for that screen size! These are the visitors to my sites, screen size -
1024x768 - 54%
1280x1024 - 30%
800x600 - 12%
1152x864 - 4%
So if this were my site only 34% would view it normally with no hassle.
People sometimes design for 800x600, but personally I just make my designs fit with a 1024x768 screen res, this way im satisfying nearly 90%.
I don't use illustrator, I use Paint Shop Pro, in this you can specify the gif quality and how much it compresses the image. I just keeo tweaking it until the file size is small enough for the web, with the image being clear! As I say, I havnt worked with Illustrator so I don't know the functions of it.

Craig

[sypher]

If the image consists of alot of colours or you want it to anti-alias (change colour on outline to fit background) then your gonna need .jpeg quality

[Legacy_Staff]

Sorry it's late but I just came across the current site http://www.hqq.co.uk/ which appears to consist of a more pleasant colour scheme and also (bearing in mind the content) much more sterile and healthy (don't know why the photo of Shelley's farm was included though).
Just wondering why you want to change the appearance so radically.

[sypher]

Im guessing the boss didnt like the old design?

[Legacy_Staff]

Hope so.
I like the one they got now.
lolol

[Albert_chu]

i think the website look good..i like the colours used because it attracts attention. however i dont think the logo relaly fits in place with the rest of the page..mayb if u put it under the colour menu and on the right hand side of the black and white menu? the logo doesnt usually Have to be on the top of the page.

[jimz]

Originally Posted by aseriouslyfunkydiva

Whats the best way to check how it would disply on a smaller screen!?!?

I know this thread is a bit old, but anyhow...

This site tests your website on a whole heap of different operating systems, browsers, resolutions etc and gives you screen shots:

http://www.browsercam.com/

You can get a free trial for 24 hours if your just doing one site, but it's definetly worth the dollars if your a web designer/developer.

I work on a mac too... nothing worse than going back to a pc and seeing ie dosen't like it all!

Cheers,
Jim.