Unsure..., :/ Options

[theerinkal]

I'm unsure of what to do with the headers to my updated Scenic layout.

I already submitted this but it got rejected & now I'm working on it and I'm seeing what I can do to the layout to make it look better.

The "reviewer" of this layout said that I needed to give image credit & work on the headers. I have image credit but I don't know what I should do with the layouts. I don't understand how the person thought they needed some work.

Preview

EDIT:: I've updated the layout & Screenshot.
Screenshot:

click to enlarge

This post has been edited by theerinkal: Jun 1 2009, 12:30 AM

[brooklyneast05]

i dislike that the photo has a white border and the content area has a black border. i don't like the black anywhere though because there isn't any black in the picture/background and it's just making stuff look heavy. you could have just as easily used a grey from the background. it looks like separate pieces, maybe becuase there is really nothing tying the background and content area/picture together. also all the blue bars/text, those colors should be pulled from the picture in my opinion. that bright neonish blue doesn't look good to me, it looks out of place because it's not even the same hue/shade/whatever as the blues in the picture.


not saying that if you did that you'd get accepted because it's still not much. a lot of details make it look sloppy though.

[theerinkal]

If I was going through the queue, I would have rejected that layout, too. It looks like you just through a navigation on the image and put a content area next to it. It's nothing impressive. You should really work on your graphics more. I really haven't seen any improvement from last time when everyone said to take a break and try new things. It looks like you're doing the same stuff again. And most layouts get rejected for victorian-looking backgrounds and that looks like a victorian background to me. I really don't see how the background is supposed to fit in with the masthead to be honest.

I just chose a background that was black but had some kinda design on it. I'm using my other layout as a template for this layout. I didn't want there to be much change so that I could have 2 of the same style layouts.

You're right, I didn't put much work into this layout. It only took me 10 minutes to make because I'm using a "template". The only way I, personally, can improve is by posting stuff on here and getting criticisim and comments. That is the way I improve on anything I do, from school to sports, I have to have criticisim and comments to improve; it's just the way I am.

[brooklyneast05]

You're right, I didn't put much work into this layout. It only took me 10 minutes to make because I'm using a "template". The only way I, personally, can improve is by posting stuff on here and getting criticisim and comments. That is the way I improve on anything I do, from school to sports, I have to have criticisim and comments to improve; it's just the way I am.

like everyone has said...this is what's wrong with your stuff, and it shows by how little attention to detail there is.

[theerinkal]

i dislike that the photo has a white border and the content area has a black border. i don't like the black anywhere though because there isn't any black in the picture/background and it's just making stuff look heavy. you could have just as easily used a grey from the background. it looks like separate pieces, maybe becuase there is really nothing tying the background and content area/picture together. also all the blue bars/text, those colors should be pulled from the picture in my opinion. that bright neonish blue doesn't look good to me, it looks out of place because it's not even the same hue/shade/whatever as the blues in the picture.


not saying that if you did that you'd get accepted because it's still not much. a lot of details make it look sloppy though.

Okay, I'll see what background I can put on there to make it look less heavy and I'll change the color of the border of the content. I will also see what shade/hue/whatever I can make the links and header text.

like everyone has said...this is what's wrong with your stuff, and it shows by how little attention to detail there is.

I look over & over my layouts/graphics before I post them on here. It really takes me only 5 minutes, but I take the other 5-10 minutes to look over my stuff. It's not like, I don't care.

You aren't improving at all. Honestly, I haven't seen any advice taken according to all the stuff you've been posting lately. It's like you're putting everyone's advice on a bookshelf and you just keep doing what you're doing.

I think I have improved a little since I took that break. I mean, I'm choosing fonts better and I've downloaded TONS of fonts & brushes.

I don't see how any of the advice that you guys/gals have said can be applied in this layout. Please explain.

[brooklyneast05]

I don't see how any of the advice that you guys/gals have said can be applied in this layout. Please explain.

how do you not see how everything i said can be applied to the layout? i'm straight up talking about this specific layout and specific problems in my post.

i dislike that the photo has a white border and the content area has a black border. i don't like the black anywhere though because there isn't any black in the picture/background and it's just making stuff look heavy. you could have just as easily used a grey from the background. it looks like separate pieces, maybe becuase there is really nothing tying the background and content area/picture together. also all the blue bars/text, those colors should be pulled from the picture in my opinion. that bright neonish blue doesn't look good to me, it looks out of place because it's not even the same hue/shade/whatever as the blues in the picture.
not saying that if you did that you'd get accepted because it's still not much. a lot of details make it look sloppy though.

[theerinkal]

how do you not see how everything i said can be applied to the layout? i'm straight up talking about this specific layout and specific problems in my post.

I didn't see that post until after I posted that.

[theerinkal]

Downloading fonts and brushes doesn't mean that your stuff is going to get better. You can download every single brush and every single font in the world and you're stuff would probably still look the same. You can do so much with so little. It's not about the brushes and fonts, it's about how you apply them and what you do with it. It seems like you're slapping stuff on templates.

THIS is the only layout I've done that with. The other layouts I've done I started from scratch.

AT LEAST I'M TRYING. Give me a freaking break, GEEZ.

[none345678]

There's no black anywhere in the image so it should not be in the headers, Try a light gray instead like e7e7e7.

[theerinkal]

There's no black anywhere in the image so it should not be in the headers, Try a light gray instead like e7e7e7.

How how does it look now?

[digitalfragrance]

As long as it takes only 5-10 minutes to do any of your designs you are not going to improve. You are not paying attention to detail, if that is the case.

Regarding your post, the colors in the content area are all over the place! The blues don't match the blues of the image, the black comes out of nowhere, and it looks like you didn't design a thing. All it looks like is an image that you found online, and the slapped on content and navigation.

Sure, that's is harsh, but I find it frustrating that I've spent some good time reviewing your work, only to find out that you spend 10 minutes creating some of it. It feels like a gigantic waste of my time. Also, you haven't regarding anyone's tips about taking a break, the rule of thirds, or Fibonacci's spiral. You really need to sit down and spend about 5-6 hours on your next design.

[none345678]

I think it looks better, I would also suggest not to use the blue you used for the 3rd header, it's just very unattractive. Try using the blues that are in the background rather than in the image.

[brooklyneast05]

for real, that's like 3 of us now who have said you need to pull your blues from the image and you still aren't seeming to get that.

[theerinkal]

I think it looks better, I would also suggest not to use the blue you used for the 3rd header, it's just very unattractive. Try using the blues that are in the background rather than in the image.

Okay, How about now?

for real, that's like 3 of us now who have said you need to pull your blues from the image and you still aren't seeming to get that.

She said to pull it out of the background not the image.

[karmakiller]

I pretty much agree with other people have said. You need to take your time on your design.

Even though you may not want to hear what I say, I'll say it anyways. It looks like you took an image off the web, put a border around it and then added a box for text.

Throughout creating layout images you'll find that there are some things that are easier to work with than others, and that will probably effect your image choice. For example, I think that working with images of people is easier than working with images of the sky. But that doesn't mean that you can't play around with layers to get the look that you want for the image. Spend some time in your image program and see how you can improve on the image. Slapping the word "scenic" on it isn't going to cut it. Maybe move the image above the text area, so that it is easier for you to create a border without having to put a border made of color around it.

To me, the setup looks awkward. The text area is small. If you moved the image above the text area and centered the layout then maybe it wouldn't look so sloppy. It feels like you're trying to shove a bunch of stuff into the text area when the text area is very minimal.

[theerinkal]

I pretty much agree with other people have said. You need to take your time on your design.

Even though you may not want to hear what I say, I'll say it anyways. It looks like you took an image off the web, put a border around it and then added a box for text.

Throughout creating layout images you'll find that there are some things that are easier to work with than others, and that will probably effect your image choice. For example, I think that working with images of people is easier than working with images of the sky. But that doesn't mean that you can't play around with layers to get the look that you want for the image. Spend some time in your image program and see how you can improve on the image. Slapping the word "scenic" on it isn't going to cut it. Maybe move the image above the text area, so that it is easier for you to create a border without having to put a border made of color around it.

To me, the setup looks awkward. The text area is small. If you moved the image above the text area and centered the layout then maybe it wouldn't look so sloppy. It feels like you're trying to shove a bunch of stuff into the text area when the text area is very minimal.

If I were to move the picture ontop of the text area then that would make the layout look very rectangular and weird.

Here's a screenshot of when I did that:

click to enlarge

I think it looks really weird but that's just my opinion.

[rickysaurus]

How about you take out all those blue bars in the background, and let the white border of your image blend in with a white canvas.

[theerinkal]

How about you take out all those blue bars in the background, and let the white border of your image blend in with a white canvas.

Okay, Check it out now.

click to enlarge

Like that? I think it looks weirder because the content area blends into the background but I'll just see how it turns out.

[manny-the-dino]

Change the font you used for "scenic" for sure. And be more discrete with your watermarks. What if you add a like blue fading into white gradient for your background? Iono.

[Maccabee]

Of course white looks worse. Just that choice of background was awful. It too square. Next time, I suggest spend at least an hour.

O and on your edit, the header, is way to tall. People will have to scroll so much. Try mimiking another website. But don't submit it, and then try and make your own design. You really aren't taking any of our advice. Even if it's not annoying others, it's annoying me how you post new things you made in ten minutes in the showcase booth everyday. How is someone supposed to critique something that took you an hour. Making a layout quick doesnt make you look skilled, it makes you look lazy.

Golden rule: work harder.

[Mikeplyts]

I agree with Nat. Try using a white to blue gradient background that goes down vertically and the reason it looks weird centered is because the image is tall so adjust the height of that. Change the font that says "Scenic" too. Otherwise, it's alright.

[emberfly]

EDIT:: I've updated the layout & Screenshot.

If that's the updated version, then why the *censored* are the headers still black? o.o

[theerinkal]

Change the font you used for "scenic" for sure. And be more discrete with your watermarks. What if you add a like blue fading into white gradient for your background? Iono.

What watermark? If you're talking about the "© marinshe" on it, like I said in the start of this topic, the reviewer said I had to give credit to where I got the image and that's what that is.

Of course white looks worse. Just that choice of background was awful. It too square. Next time, I suggest spend at least an hour.

O and on your edit, the header, is way to tall. People will have to scroll so much. Try mimiking another website. But don't submit it, and then try and make your own design. You really aren't taking any of our advice. Even if it's not annoying others, it's annoying me how you post new things you made in ten minutes in the showcase booth everyday. How is someone supposed to critique something that took you an hour. Making a layout quick doesnt make you look skilled, it makes you look lazy.

Golden rule: work harder.

Okay, I'll take what you say into consideration witht my next layout.

I took like 3 months for a break and didn't post anything in the showcase booth so don't say I post things everyday. This was going to be the last one. GEEZ.

Not if the layouts I make quick are REALLY good. I'd rather be quick and really good than really good and REALLY SLOW.

I agree with Nat. Try using a white to blue gradient background that goes down vertically and the reason it looks weird centered is because the image is tall so adjust the height of that. Change the font that says "Scenic" too. Otherwise, it's alright.

Okay. Check it out in about an hour and see how it looks then.

If that's the updated version, then why the *censored* are the headers still black? o.o

If you look at the time that I edited it then you'll figure that part out.

[digitalfragrance]

Not if the layouts I make quick are REALLY good. I'd rather be quick and really good than really good and REALLY SLOW.

That's just it. There is no such thing as "quick and really good." Good things take time, as evidenced by the plethora of critiques given to you on a design that took 10 minutes.

[karmakiller]

If I were to move the picture ontop of the text area then that would make the layout look very rectangular and weird.

I thought you were going to edit the size of the image

Are you making your layouts in Window's Paint?




edit: The live preview is extremely misaligned.

[theerinkal]

I thought you were going to edit the size of the image

Are you making your layouts in Window's Paint?

I am editing the size. I'm working it out right now.

No, I make them in GIMP.

edit: The live preview is extremely misaligned.

I'm editing the layout that's why.

________________________________________________________________________________

I have updated the layout. Here's a screenshot:

click to enlarge

This post has been edited by theerinkal: Jun 1 2009, 12:30 AM

[Firiath]

Not if the layouts I make quick are REALLY good. I'd rather be quick and really good than really good and REALLY SLOW.

Are you serious?
You call that really good?
It's basically text slapped onto an image. There's no evidence of you even ATTEMPTING to blend the text in.
The background doesn't fit the layout AT ALL. The colors might match, but it looks very unprofessional and it doesn't even look nice because you made it repeat so there are random ugly bars of blue going down the page.
The banner is way too big for the module below it.

[Maccabee]

What watermark? If you're talking about the "© marinshe" on it, like I said in the start of this topic, the reviewer said I had to give credit to where I got the image and that's what that is.
Okay, I'll take what you say into consideration witht my next layout.

I took like 3 months for a break and didn't post anything in the showcase booth so don't say I post things everyday. This was going to be the last one. GEEZ.

Not if the layouts I make quick are REALLY good. I'd rather be quick and really good than really good and REALLY SLOW.
Okay. Check it out in about an hour and see how it looks then.
If you look at the time that I edited it then you'll figure that part out.

That doesnt even make sense. Did you practice during the break? Or did you just not make anything for 3 weeks? I hope you got the idea that we wanted you to practice.

[theerinkal]

Are you serious?
You call that really good?
It's basically text slapped onto an image. There's no evidence of you even ATTEMPTING to blend the text in.
The background doesn't fit the layout AT ALL. The colors might match, but it looks very unprofessional and it doesn't even look nice because you made it repeat so there are random ugly bars of blue going down the page.
The banner is way too big for the module below it.

I wasn't saying that my graphics/layouts were good. You misunderstood me. I was just saying that I'd like to be able to get really good and make like 10 layouts & 100 graphics in one day to put on my site, but I wasn't saying that I can do that now.

That doesnt even make sense. Did you practice during the break? Or did you just not make anything for 3 weeks? I hope you got the idea that we wanted you to practice.

I practiced during the break & I got the idea that you guys/gals wanted me to practice.

[digitalfragrance]

I wasn't saying that my graphics/layouts were good. You misunderstood me. I was just saying that I'd like to be able to get really good and make like 10 layouts & 100 graphics in one day to put on my site, but I wasn't saying that I can do that now.

Let me tell you right now that that is literally impossible. There are not enough hours in the day to even do one quarter of that.

[theerinkal]

Let me tell you right now that that is literally impossible. There are not enough hours in the day to even do one quarter of that.

I know. It was an exageration.

[Mikeplyts]

The update looks pretty good setup wise, but the gradient doesn't look very good. I meant make the white at the top and make go into a gradient into a blue at the bottom.

[theerinkal]

The update looks pretty good setup wise, but the gradient doesn't look very good. I meant make the white at the top and make go into a gradient into a blue at the bottom.

Okay. Look at it now.

Is that what you were talking about? Should I make the gradient smaller?

[none345678]

You should make the content area below the image the same width of the image.

[theerinkal]

You should make the content area below the image the same width of the image.

Okay, check it out now.

[markmejia]

I think you should get rid of that gradient altogether.

[theerinkal]

I think you should get rid of that gradient altogether.

Okay, check it out now.

[manny-the-dino]

I have updated the layout. Here's a screenshot:

http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv116/t...screenshot2.jpg

...but the gradient doesn't look very good. I meant make the white at the top and make go into a gradient into a blue at the bottom.

Yup. I meant something like this.

[brooklyneast05]

@theerinkal

do you think it's a layout you'd really really wanna use for yourself?

[theerinkal]

Yup. I meant something like this.

Okay.

@theerinkal

do you think it's a layout you'd really really wanna use for yourself?

No, I'd like to display it on my site for other people to use though.

[none345678]

Try and make layouts that are up to your own standers of what you look at for layouts. If you don't even like them, then what makes you believe other people will? And not necessarily theme or colors, just the all around look and quality of the layout

[brooklyneast05]

@theerinkal
do you think it's a layout you'd really really wanna use for yourself?

No, I'd like to display it on my site for other people to use though.

Try and make layouts that are up to your own standards of what you look at for layouts. If you don't even like them, then what makes you believe other people will? And not necessarily theme or colors, just the all around look and quality of the layout

[theerinkal]

Try and make layouts that are up to your own standers of what you look at for layouts. If you don't even like them, then what makes you believe other people will? And not necessarily theme or colors, just the all around look and quality of the layout

I like this layout I just don't want to use it on my site.

[digitalfragrance]

I think we should let her fiddle with the layout herself now - if we keep telling her literal things to do, her own creativity won't have a chance to fully grow. Just a suggestion...

[Mikeplyts]

I think we should let her fiddle with the layout herself now - if we keep telling her literal things to do, her own creativity won't have a chance to fully grow. Just a suggestion...

lol, Rachael.... I guess so.


*exits gracefully*