don't be afraid to be brutal. I am looking for honest critiques. thanks.
this is just a picture. I plan on having the top part of the header ( the black bar ) stretch all the way across the browser. http://www.wilsonwrites.com/mockup/
Despite being able to turn almost any PSD into a validating, cross-browser friendly web page I am no great shakes as a designer but you asked for it, so here goes. My first impression was, literally, "Where do I start?" Everything on the page is screaming out for my attention all at once and consequently no part really grabs me and says "Begin here". I really think that you need more of a visual hierarchy. The top nav needs to contrast more with what is around it, I didn't realise it was the navigation at first. Does the site search really belong in the "about me" box? The problem with having two equal or almost equal columns is that it is not clear which is the main content, which should I read first? This article http://thinkvitamin.com/features/design/how-crap-is-your-site-design/ is now almost two years old but it is still one of the best I have ever read on web design and will hopefully explain, far more eloquently than I can, what I mean. I apologise if I seem a bit harsh but you asked for an honest critique, and you are, of course, perfectly within your rights to disagree with everything I say, as is everybody else. Whatever you do good luck with your site. :)
Yeah I agree with the above - it is too big - the max width of any page should be around 900px to accommodate low res displays. Also I think the bright blue is a tad over-powering so I would tone that down.
this is just a picture. I plan on having the top part of the header ( the black bar ) stretch all the way across the browser.
http://www.wilsonwrites.com/mockup/
the blue is a bit bright and could be sore to read, I would tone it down a bit.
I dont like the blue titles on the black background, I think your blue nav bar should have a bit of room, and not that bright blue
I would have more space between the bottom of posts and the footer.
Have a good image for the wilson writes, like a good script font
your home blog etc should have more space, or highlight a break in-between with a pipe |
just my thoughts though
My first impression was, literally, "Where do I start?" Everything on the page is screaming out for my attention all at once and consequently no part really grabs me and says "Begin here". I really think that you need more of a visual hierarchy.
The top nav needs to contrast more with what is around it, I didn't realise it was the navigation at first.
Does the site search really belong in the "about me" box?
The problem with having two equal or almost equal columns is that it is not clear which is the main content, which should I read first?
This article http://thinkvitamin.com/features/design/how-crap-is-your-site-design/ is now almost two years old but it is still one of the best I have ever read on web design and will hopefully explain, far more eloquently than I can, what I mean.
I apologise if I seem a bit harsh but you asked for an honest critique, and you are, of course, perfectly within your rights to disagree with everything I say, as is everybody else.
Whatever you do good luck with your site. :)
I decided on the blue because the person I am designing for says she likes blue. can you elaborate on what you think I should do with the nav?
Apart from that it is a nice site.