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lemontea โ vectortea.com Web Design
Published: 2007-08-09 05:50:14 +0000 UTC; Views: 6383; Favourites: 25; Downloads: 167
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Description
Okay guys, before you close out this window in disgust or apathy, do me a favor.PLEASE COMMENT ON THIS WITH YOUR THOUGHTS.
I'm not interested in getting a DTF or anything. My hope is that everyone who comments, especially the people who dislike this design, will help me to make it the best design possible.
So let me explain my purpose with this layout. Currently, my layout of vectortea.com is very unprofessional. It says "I'm some kid with a website." I want to get away from the little kid with a website and move on to bigger and better things. I want a real portfolio that I can show clients.
The point of this layout is to put the layout in the background and instead highlight the artwork. By clicking on, "professional" for example, the entire "viewer" area will become a thumbnail gallery of my professional work.
Some other notes:
I'm considering adding a 1 px neon blue, green, red, or otherwise line at the top of every black bar (minus the 3 px ones) to increase draw to the top part of the website. However, this might be too distracting?
I also am considering removing the bottom most black bar with the copyright info. Does it make the site look too boxed in?
What do you guys think about the "about" copy? Any good? Or rework it? My idea was to keep it really, really simple because people hate reading. Nobody ever reads those about pages! Should I use some device to draw attention? How should I do the links? Do you think make them colored, or black with an underline (or otherwise)?
The font that is currently in the about copy is not ACTUAL text. It is photoshop's rendering of Arial -- chances are it will look quite a bit better when it's live on the site.
EDIT: Fixed a bunch of stuff that everyone mentioned. Will continue to work with it. Please continue dropping thoughts.
EDIT2: For all who complained about the font, hopefully it's now fixed. Nothing is being cut off (the vectortea font is just touching the white). Also new copyright bar that isn't so killer. Including tiny contact information.
EDIT3: There. I like it now. Hope you do too. I want to thank ยขmindfuckx for his great critique. Still, if you have more suggestions, keep them coming!
Remember, please critique this will a gusto. If you hated it, I want to hear why. If you loved it, I want to hear why.
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Comments: 165
Thanks. I tried to keep it simple so that the art was the focus.
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ok... i like the overall design but there are certain things i think need changing (in my opinion).
Firstly... the use of the dashes which act as a border and surround the images. These lines in my opinion look old and kinda tacky, there is nothing wrong with just adding a drop shadow. Borders are there for a reason, but I don't think they are necessary in this design.
I know you spoke about the type, but I think it would work better if it was cleaner (not the buttons but the actual informative text).
Also, you thought about icons for the personal, professional and tutorial sections. Icons, or simple illustrations would work better.
Sometimes i hate giving personal critiscm but I think with you at least i know you will take it the right way.
Also, maybe move the top'est' logo / type 3pnts above the line.
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I agree with pretty much everything you said here. Pretty much all of the feedback has been extremely helpful. I'm hoping to redo this thing at some time. I just need some... free time. Which I haven't had since the two days I spent making this over a year ago. Hah.
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yeah sweet man, if you need any help, i probably can help a tad in my spare time too. just drop me a note or an email.
laters man, keep it up.
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overview instead of about, thats genious, i'm gonna use that
Web Design Adelaide - Professional website and graphic design
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YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU SHOULD JUST IGNORE MY COMMENT. LOL
Because 1) I just realised this was about a year ago! 
and 2) I think my suggestion is kinda ...bad in comparison with the other ones you've gotten. Lol I kinda regret saying it. -.- Because I think it might just be the trend-bug inside of me working. There seems to be a lot of rounded borders going around nowadays. So.. uhh... yeah.
3) I now think that sharp edges with every section joined together looks more professional.
Lastly, 4) you've already done so damn much to improve this piece you should just read my comment and hide it.
LOL Gawd this is embarrassing.
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Hah! Don't feel bad. I still haven't updated the design! Hah, it's been the same since this latest preview.
I agree that rounded edges are a trend, and so I've been leaning away from them. I wanted something really distinctive. Which I got.
But, I also agree that it can become boring over a while. God knows I'm dead bored of it. My problem has been trying to think of an image that really just "fits" me. I've been working on it for several months, and haven't found anything good. We'll see.
But thank you for the critique. Every little bit counts!
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(This is a short one, I'm sorry.)
I loved it, but I didn't quite like it all that much either.
On first glance, it was great. Refreshing, good colours, nice display for the various contents, lovely fonts etc. I particularly appreciated the diagonally lined grey borders. 
But I feel that this is a page that doesn't keep me falling in love with it after a while... One might grow bored with it pretty soon.
I don't really know what to suggest that might improve this, but it suddenly occurred to me to try rounded edges instead of sharp ones? Then maybe separate the header from the "overview + featured", and that from the "viewer".
No idea how it might help, but it was just something that popped up in my head.
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you need a background image not just a solid color, maybe a pattern or gradient.. it will give the page more life
Adelaide Web Design - Professional website and graphic design
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The main point of the site was to not take away from the central content, and so I didn't use a background.
As for that website you linked me to, I don't think I'll trust it considering samples doesn't work and some of it is cut off.
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So far, i like it a lot!
But i am not sure about the font for "vectortea"...
I mean, i can read it no-probs, but maybe others have probs with that? what was your feedbac so far?
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Everyone else disliked it too.
The next version will look different, that's for sure.
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Well, i didnt say i "dislike" it... i like the font a lot...
Its just, that maybe people have a hard time reading it. Other than that, its awesome...
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Well, I know I'm late, but here are my comments:
Being a designer myself (well, I'm not a pro, but still I have some knowledge of design and programming) I absolutely dislike complex websites. One thing your website has that is good is not being filled with tons of information, eye hurting colors and the flashy effects most of the website now use.
I only have one comment regarding the Professional area. It is not bad at all, but the bottom area can be a little complicated to read due to the mix of text and images.
I would suggest (I know you are happy with the results, but... 
Well, that's it. I have nothing else to add because I really like the layout.
Good job!
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Yeah, I debated this myself, but ended up picking an option with less scrolling. In future revisions, I'll probably make the viewer area much larger to fix this problem.
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Do What you think its nice to do.. and when you feel satisfied .. others will feel the same thing too
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Hah, I wish! I was happy with it but people have continued to rag on it for about a year.
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It is very clean and professional, minus the font you chose for "VectorTea". It's completely random and messy compared to the rest of the skin. I think it would look better as a nicer Serif font or the thin text used in the topic headers you are displaying.
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Yeah, that's pretty much what every single comment has said. In the next version, I'll 86 the font.
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ive tried sites like these... they just dont get visited... unless you update them regularly... and spend most of your life on it.....
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The idea isn't for regular visits. It's a portfolio to show to clients when I'm proposing a job. I have deviantART for updating and spending my life on...
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just saw your site very creative works you have there, and as a fellow designer I would like to give you my opinion
ยทI think you are going to the right direction about the sections but maybe you could come in handy a bit more of a corporate identity, as a graphic designer you should have one as well!
watching your portfolio you seem to like more colorfull stuff so, why don't merge them with the "professional" side of yours? (:
ยทI believe it lacks a bit of structure for example in gallery i believe it should have something a bit more simple(web design isn't that far from editorial but it's also more free), also
ยทI can't get to the menu of your portfolio without scrolling up/down I believe that's a bit confusing I would say forget the iframe thing and let things flow. The menu should stay visible all the time.
Pretty much that's it hope you find my opinion useful cheers!
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Hrm, I like my little blurb. There's not much more to know about me. And, I don't want to merge personal and professional because they're so different in styles. I don't want people getting my little drawings confused with legitimate work.
Could you elaborate on your third point?
And yes, I agree with your comments on the menu system. In the next version, that will be included.
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about the iframe? sure
I believe iframes work in specific cases such as small content or related info/graphics to the section itself, the way you have the portfolio at the moment leaves a "stuffed" feeling of having to put all that info in one little box inside another box which is the template and then realize about the other box (the navigation window) and the way the thumbnails look it gives a messy look inside the frame, like myspace when browsing users with all those different sizes
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I agree that it looks a bit stuffed, but I can't think of any other way of doing it without making the layout an endlessly scrolling thing... which I wanted to avoid. On the other hand, there is still a lot of scrolling.
But it's actually not an iframe; it's a scrollable div. If that makes it any less disgusting.
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haha well mentioning divs, then you are on the good way of designing with css? maybe on your next layout? that would rock
cheers!
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I originally intended to do it all with some fancy CSS, but the need to get it done with meant I left the mock up in place. The next version should be.
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I dont like the "vector tea" bit up the top, It seems very out of place and dosnt really 'flow' with the design. The dull colours really bring out your artwork, but id prefer to see it as something that really catches your eye as an innocent website browser. So a nice smooth combination of Pink or orange links would look good, or a bright blue. or make something really snazzy and eye catching for the logo.
Just my critique, might not mean anything
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Yep, that's pretty much what everyone says about the title font. I'll fix it in the next version.
The people who see my site are going to be clients and interested parties, so I'm not concerned with catching their eye with the layout itself, so the blacks and whites keep it simple and focused.
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I really love the background colour of the site. It's a soft colour, which is easy on the eyes. I mainly like the big art pics on the front page. It makes the page more attractive and showcases your art. It looks great, mate. Very nicely done.
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Oooh, desgn! I've done so much yearbook and typography stuff this year so I will so jump on this. I don't know what other people have said yet, but here are my thoughts.
I really like the basic layout here, it's very clean and nice. I would NOT change any of the layout now - it IS clean and professional and easy to navigate - just mess with a few little details if you still want. The font that you picked for most of this goes well with the clean colors and all that. I agree that the "vectortea" at the very top doesn't really fit - but only because it appears in one place. In order to keep it, you need to repeat it somewhere else (ie incorporate it into the three category boxes on the bottom). I would also move it over to the right so it is above or slightly to the left of 'graphic design' since all of your other headline and titles go there.
You could also really play it up, put a lemon in your header! put a cup of tea! I have no specific font in mind, but definitely something sans serif, maybe just a bolder weight of the other header font you have would work. Then, it wouldn't be as hard to introduce it into other places in the site....yea, I definitely think that choosing one font/font family and just using the different weights to differentiate would work the best.
I might suggest doing an outline (off to the side/behind the 'a' in 'vectortea'
My vote as to the little 1 px lines at the top is NO! At least, not on the main page....maybe in the other sections if you have a color assigned to each, in order to better differentiate the pages. You'd need more than one pixel to make that difference obvious, though.
I would also suggest making your links a different color or at least bolding them! Actually, DEFINITELY bold them. (although I understand if you haven't formatted or done the HTML yet) It makes it soooo much easier for the reader. I might also bold/link to the names of companies you list in your 'I have worked for' section, those are your references, make sure they get seen! At the same time, you don't want every other word to be bolded.
I do agree that something seems a little off with the copyright at the bottom....although I'm not 100% sure what. I might take it out of all caps, just to make it less of an eye sore and easier to read. You could just maybe put it in black text without that second gray box...I might also suggest shortening the info there, just saying "copyright clay, see 'about' for info' if you wanted to drastically reduce it. Another idea that occured to me was moving it above the dashed gray line, but then it would interfere with the uniform border around those three sections....bah, you'll just have to experiment with it.
....I wrote a lot more than I thought I would, but I hope that helps! Of course, all of that is my own, personal opinion. Hope it helps! :] (I also hope its easy to read, this would be my "stream of consciousness" critique...sometimes I thought of new stuff as I went along! I also tried to list as many ideas as possible. This is how I revise with people in real life.)
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I was the editor of my HS yearbook. Yeah, we rock.
I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the vectortea logo. So many people suggest so many things. I've always liked it, but apparently I'm the only one. I'll try to sort that out at some time...
As for using my lemontea side of things, I want to keep that as limited as possible and instead appeal as a designer. The site itself was made for a portfolio for clients to look over, so I'm afraid if I get too cartoony they'll be put off.
I got rid of the 1 pixel idea in this version, and with all the complaints I got, I don't think I'll replace it any time soon.
The information bar at the bottom also tried to use this method: keep it clean and simple. Although, from the feedback, apparently people would like it to stand out more. Yet, I don't really think the information is important to a majority of people, but rather displaying all the essentials that I would need. I can't think of any way to shorten it, besides take out my e-mail, because it's all stuff that I have to say regardless.
The site you're actually seeing there is the final version of 15 different revisions, but I figured I would leave the deviation up as ongoing criticism. This summer, I think I'm going to overhaul the entire thing with better CSS. When I do that, I'm going to pool up all these suggestions and see what I can do. For now though, you can see how the site actually works right here: [link]
And, for your reference, here was the starting point: [link] -- so quite a few changes!
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EIC this year...w00t w00t! [insert high-five here]
Haha well those were all just ideas that came up at the time...and now that I see the text formatted, the underlining really does make a huge different. So, great success there!
Haha, its really interesting to see how just a few little things make such a big difference....you've done a very nice job! :] A few pixels here or there won't change that.
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Yes. Everyone has said that. Like, maybe 80% of the comments.
What do you suggest I change it to?
I wanted it to stand out, but apparently I need it to fit in...
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Well, I've used quite a few during the mock up stages of the site.
And I've tried various colors. Everything I do people complain about it.
Not sure what font. Any suggestions specifically?
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I sure haven't! I'll search it out now.
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hey, before i comment here i checked the vectortea website. now i want to say really what impressed me in all of this (sorry if some of the things i am saying will be a repeated ideas for you)
1st of all i loved your avatar.. and it was the main motivation to me to check your profile here.. this is the 1st time I am checking your profile.
I found the tea bag and the lemon are so impressing and its becoming sort of your brand now if any1 reminds me of those i will remember your profile directly .
so my suggestion here.. when i was checking your website i was waiting to see the favicon
and i was expecting to see a lemon or a tea bag. so the one you had it there right now makes me feel a bit disappointed.. it sounds usual and not unique..
well please take it as a personal suggestion .. maybe you can ask about it and see how others are thinking about it. anyways thanks for reading! 
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Ah. Good suggestion. And simple too. I'll add it to my to-do list.
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Personally I love the layout 
I may be one-sided, but I never liked complicated site with too many features [I often get lost and confused]
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This actually looks pretty awesome man.
But I must say your header and footer should be reworked.
The font in the header isn't really flowing in nicely with the clean/fresh look of the rest and seems really heavy.
In the footer you should make the (c) statement more crisp (I'd suggest a sans-serif font at 9-12 pt and no anti-aliasing).
I am very happy about you putting the tutorial on it.
The tutorial you made, is just great. You were my inspiration to start using my photoshop since I thought your tut had a nice outcome. I didn't really do vectors, so I might check it out again (of course with your tut, maybe now it makes more sense ^_^).
But nice layout man, just one more question. How do you imply on using the "featured" box?
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Thanks for the critique. I'll take this in mind when I do revisions.
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I dig the design of the site, and the colours you used, but there is something kinda bugging about the font you used in the header. It looks almost like an after thought, or that you ran out of time. You can do a better header
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