Not sure if it's just IE6 causing me issues but that 1st page confused me a bit. Maybe some arrows or words on the stripes to make them look a bit more clickable. When I 1st got to the site I thought it was broken and it took me a while to realise that the stripes move about.
Aside from this, once i'd figured out how to use it, I really liked it. The visuals look really nice, especially the reflections on the portfolio page. I agree the reflections on the tabs could do with a little less opacity, but all in all, a really nice looking site.
I agree with chazzwick, the design kind of falls apart on the contact page. It would be nice to see those fields with a bit of styling, rather than just being default form elements.
Also, I can see how it may be a bit confusing to have the initial page just be blank with the navigation tabs on the left. I would suggest maybe having it default to one of them being active. Also I think a header and footer would round things out nicely, it feels a little unfinished to me without them.
I agree with an above poster. When you first enter the site, it looks like a demo site for the sliding div technique. personally, I think a small logo would do great. You have to think from the client's point of view as well... What do you think of when you see the swoosh check? Nike. The bullseye? Target. So, even though you aren't a huge corporation like those companies, you should still give your clients something to identify you with. Then, when you get your business cards(which is a must if you're a freelancer) you can put your logo on there as well.
And also, as an above poster said, footer is important as well. Looks and is, professional. Wouldn't you put a footer on a client's site? Your own site should be a testament to your standard. Put it in your Portfolio? Not necessary, and kind of redundant I think. Unless you hired another website firm to do yours. ;) That's what I think at least. =)
Thank you all for the comments. I've been really busy these last couple of weeks, so i haven't had time to really work on the site at all. I definitely agree with you guys about the styling of the contact page, there's not much there compared to the rest. I've also considered a header and a footer, maybe with a logo that i will create. That will be something i'll have to whip up when i have free time. My girlfriend gives me flack about no header or footer, saying that it doesn't look complete, so it's definitely on my list of things to do. As per rotating everything by 90 degrees...well that would basically be a vertical accordion, which has been over used in my opinion, so i'll stick it out with the horizontal. Again, thanks for all of the comments, i'll definitely keep you guys updated.
http://www.yakamora.com/test/
I haven't finished, hence the contact page...but i should be done tomorrow. Anyways, looking forward to see what you guys have to say.
-Coop
Personally i would drop the opacity a bit on the refections of each tab as they are a bit strong, maybe that was you plan, just a thought.
:D
Funny you say that, i actually dropped the opacity from 80% to 40% (currently), but i'll look into dropping it more, see how that looks.
-Coop
Aside from this, once i'd figured out how to use it, I really liked it. The visuals look really nice, especially the reflections on the portfolio page. I agree the reflections on the tabs could do with a little less opacity, but all in all, a really nice looking site.
Also, I can see how it may be a bit confusing to have the initial page just be blank with the navigation tabs on the left. I would suggest maybe having it default to one of them being active. Also I think a header and footer would round things out nicely, it feels a little unfinished to me without them.
And also, as an above poster said, footer is important as well. Looks and is, professional. Wouldn't you put a footer on a client's site? Your own site should be a testament to your standard. Put it in your Portfolio? Not necessary, and kind of redundant I think. Unless you hired another website firm to do yours. ;) That's what I think at least. =)
My 2 cents.
Thank you all for the comments. I've been really busy these last couple of weeks, so i haven't had time to really work on the site at all. I definitely agree with you guys about the styling of the contact page, there's not much there compared to the rest. I've also considered a header and a footer, maybe with a logo that i will create. That will be something i'll have to whip up when i have free time. My girlfriend gives me flack about no header or footer, saying that it doesn't look complete, so it's definitely on my list of things to do. As per rotating everything by 90 degrees...well that would basically be a vertical accordion, which has been over used in my opinion, so i'll stick it out with the horizontal. Again, thanks for all of the comments, i'll definitely keep you guys updated.
-Coop