Huge Improvment, I think. Options

[funride]

I think this is way better then the past layouts I've posted about.
I did something different with the content area, text, border, coloring ect.
Tell me what you think!
And I think I should lower the scan lines?

click to enlarge

[schizo]

To be completely honest, I think it's a little worse. The images need some major sharpening, and you're using scanlines again. I suggest you stop using them all together. Find some nice textures (stay away from grungey ones...they usually result in low quality graphics) and brushes. They're overused, but hand drawn flower brushes are usually a classy touch when used right.

[none345678]

What program do you use again?

[Mikeplyts]

Yeah, not so much. The banner is too small and the layout setup isn't very good. You should stay away from dotted/dashed borders and the background color doesn't match, at all. The text isn't much either. You have to make the banner more appealing and stand out from your layout since it's basically the main focus in the design. The black wasn't a good choice either and you should definitely try out some color palettes. I also think that instead of a color background, you should have some kind of texture or maybe even a pattern or something. The scan lines still aren't very attractive either. :\

[synapse]

What program do you use again?

Hopefully not photoshop

Word of advice, if you wanna do layouts of celebs, use current pics.

[funride]

Gabbi:

I'm removing the scan lines and I'm using the flower brushes but my PS won't let me make the brush in white it keeps going to the background color.

[emberfly]

And I think I should lower the scan lines?

If you have to ask, you did something wrong.

[none345678]

yesss. What photo shop do you have?

[funride]

^7.0

[manny-the-dino]

Erm... sorry but you're going back, imo. You were doing good with your designs. I don't like the dark blue and black. And the scan lines have to go. The image quality is low and the coloring isn't so good. :/

[emberfly]

I think you should stay away from scanlines altogether

[none345678]

^7.0

Try here. I would assume that at least 50% percent of those tutorials work of ps 7 if you know your way around.

That's what good web design looks like. The reason your layouts suck is because the style your going for in general sucks.

[funride]

^ I dont like those styles.

[synapse]

^ I dont like those styles.

And no one likes the style you design in. Gotta compromise somewhere.

[funride]

And no one likes the style you design in. Gotta compromise somewhere.

Well some people like the style.
I'm just redoing the whole layout. With out scan lines ect.
I'm adding a background. Trying different coloring. Sharpening and what not then post the other version.

[technicolour]

Okay. Time to be Designer Simon Cowell.
Stop posting so many things at a time and getting uuber defensive when someone critiques you. Here are my tips for you. One, LEARN YOUR PROGRAM. Learn it backwards and forwards. Learn the many ways to do ONE THING. Surf online, surf the software websites for tutorials, but LEARN YOUR PROGRAM. Two, learn design. Learn about color, text, the elements and principles. You have to learn the rules before you can break them. Three, sit down, shut up, and actually do these things. I realize that this is incredibly brutal but you're one of the beginners who thinks too highly of themselves at a beginner state.

I'm SO SORRY for being incredibly blunt but I can't really think of a different way to sugar coat these things for you.

Sorry to spread the Cowell around but you're a beginner too. Just at least give what I said above some thought.


The whole concept is too beginnerish. An improvement would be a dramatic change and I'm not seeing one from the previous ish you've posted.

[funride]

^Okay...
any ideas for the background?

[technicolour]

No. Scratch this layout entirely. Go search for tutorials. Practice what the tutorials are teaching. Learn new techniques. Learn about colors. Learn about typography. LEARN FIRST.




Then start a new layout with your newly learned techniques.

[funride]

I've been loooking for insparation.
Fine. I guess I should just take a break.
Because thats what I did before.
I took a break and experimented, got inspiration.
Mean while I will look for inspiration, tutorials. I probably wont post in the Shocase Booth for a little while until I can start designing properly again.

[technicolour]

That is really the best idea for you. I'm sorry for being this harsh but it'll be for the better in the long run. I promise. Just learn your program and learn new things! We love to see progress. Progress is improvement and improvement is also a fulfilling thing. You'll feel awesome about yourself when you look back and go "WTF was I THINKING?!". I promise.

[funride]

That is really the best idea for you. I'm sorry for being this harsh but it'll be for the better in the long run. I promise. Just learn your program and learn new things! We love to see progress. Progress is improvement and improvement is also a fulfilling thing. You'll feel awesome about yourself when you look back and go "WTF was I THINKING?!". I promise.

Haha.
You weren't being harsh.
And I was taking your advice to a certain extent unlike Erin.
The last three topics I posted were me working to fast to get something done, that I thought were nice in my eyes but was disgusting in reality.

[technicolour]

No no, i'm not comparing any two people. What I wrote there just seemed like the things I needed to say to you so I quoted and just made bigger to stress my points.


And that's the other thing. Don't rush. Take your time. You can tell quickie designs. A quickie is NOT always a good thing.

[funride]

Yeah.
Like my last two layouts that got accepted I spent roughly 2 and half hours on.

1. Because people told me what was wrong fixed it after I spent probably and hour already.

2. Then experimented with the coding. Doing new headers, links. ect

[manny-the-dino]

A quickie is NOT always a good thing.

Well it can be.












No but really, 5stardesigns (I forgot your name >.<), seriously take Kristina's advice. She knows what she's talking about. If you want something to come out good, spend a lot of time on it. And have patience. Don't rush it.

[funride]

Well it can be.









shifty.gif


No but really, 5stardesigns (I forgot your name >.<), seriously take Kristina's advice. She knows what she's talking about. If you want something to come out good, spend a lot of time on it. And have patience. Don't rush it.

It's Nick...
Thats what I'm going to do, looking for coloring tutorials and ect.