Wip: Website
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Anime Encyclopedia Join Date: 2002-08-08 Member: 1111Members, Constellation
Anime Encyclopedia Join Date: 2002-08-08 Member: 1111Members, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">.Manga//Review</div> Ok for Uni one of the assignments I have to do is create a website. Everyone else in my class has gone effect crazy and most look fugly.
The theme I choose was a review site on my fav topic anime. Down the side you have links to reviews for Anime (Cartoons), Manga (Comics), Anime Music Videos, Orginal Sound Tracks(Music), and Art (Art books). After I've submitted it I'm gonna get to work on developing this futher as a review site like this is something I've been wanted to do for years.
This is my mind set when I started developing the page
1.) Rollovers, sounds and gif animations are evil
2.) Minimalism is god
3.) Unless it is done properly, most website images get distorted when resized, thus a universal web site ratio (I'm using 800x600) is needed and I don't have the time to do it properly.
4.) Not a huge website, but one that can be easily navigated from a menu that can be seen at ALL times.
5.) You don't need a huge amount of effects for a website to look sexy.
Just download the zip below, extract and open up Index. Click on the logo to continue. No content atm because I'm working heavily on the buttons, logos, etc.
Comments plz
The theme I choose was a review site on my fav topic anime. Down the side you have links to reviews for Anime (Cartoons), Manga (Comics), Anime Music Videos, Orginal Sound Tracks(Music), and Art (Art books). After I've submitted it I'm gonna get to work on developing this futher as a review site like this is something I've been wanted to do for years.
This is my mind set when I started developing the page
1.) Rollovers, sounds and gif animations are evil
2.) Minimalism is god
3.) Unless it is done properly, most website images get distorted when resized, thus a universal web site ratio (I'm using 800x600) is needed and I don't have the time to do it properly.
4.) Not a huge website, but one that can be easily navigated from a menu that can be seen at ALL times.
5.) You don't need a huge amount of effects for a website to look sexy.
Just download the zip below, extract and open up Index. Click on the logo to continue. No content atm because I'm working heavily on the buttons, logos, etc.
Comments plz
Comments
I may come back to this when I have more time.
I got a mad teacher, his aesthetic taste is superb. He's real big on simplistic designs and dislikes sites being cluttered with useless junk like roll-overs, animations, etc
Yeah I'm working with iframes for the middle section. Should be extremely easy to pull off. Call me old fashioned, but I prefer the style of frames as opposed to using a CSS method.
I MAY work on another version that stretches to the users screen dynamically, but atm its Javascript ahoy (It's only for an assignment for the time being) Closing the first window is simple enough, but my personal preference is leaving it open. I'll discuss it with my teacher a bit.
Thx for the feedback
Looks a tad empty at the moment, but I guess not having any content can do that. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
<ul>
<li>You use a different font on the Enter.jpg than from the main page, it caused my brain to need a retake.
<li>Your files all end in .htm. This is not the HTML standard, it would be nice if they were changed to .html.
<li>You use <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR> to 'center' the image on index.htm. It would be much better in terms of resizing if you made a 100% by 100% table, then set the valign and halign to center, and put the image in the middle.
<li>Your design has no focus. It looks decent, but with the large menu on one side, the title, and the sword (I think its a sword) at the bottom, it means your eye has nowhere to start looking. Some of the best sites draw your eye through the design, and through the information, rather than just letting it sit there.
</ul>
Now addressing your points:
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->1.) Rollovers, sounds and gif animations are evil<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I disagree. Sounds, Rollovers, and gif animations, when used <b>correctly</b>, can enhance a page quite a bit. people going over the top with such things is evil, not the things themselves, they are but tools. An old site it maybe, but <a href='http://www.2advanced.com' target='_blank'>2advanced</a> use sound and animation beautifully.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->2.) Minimalism is god<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
For some people, yes. Some people like 'toppings'.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->3.) Unless it is done properly, most website images get distorted when resized, thus a universal web site ratio (I'm using 800x600) is needed and I don't have the time to do it properly.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Once you have a website that resizes dynamically, and fits within every screen, it is so much easier to insert content. When designing the NS manual, I created it so that it would resize vertically depending upon the amount of content, but it still does not fit on some screens, and may be too small for others. Sometimes you must draw the line between compatability and vision (for instance NS itself not running in software mode).
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->4.) Not a huge website, but one that can be easily navigated from a menu that can be seen at ALL times.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think the important bit is the <i> can be easily navigated </i> bit rather than the <i>menu that can be seen at ALL times</i> bit. You do not need a menu at all, so long as all of the data is easy to get to.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->5.) You don't need a huge amount of effects for a website to look sexy.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Visual effects (along with content), make up the whole of the website. A design is a visual effect, but using too many smaller effects within the design can cause problems, I agree.
But most importantly, <b>good luck and keep going</b>. You say you have been wanting to do this for a while, and I commend you for actually trying. To coin a phrase that applies certainly to me "It's not the winning that counts, its the getting off your lazy behind and actually doing some work for a change.". <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Blarg, should have put a huge disclaimer with my first post <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> Most of it needs to be reworked here and there.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->You use a different font on the Enter.jpg than from the main page, it caused my brain to need a retake.
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah I was working on it at Uni, burnt it on a disk and then found out my computer at home didn't have OCR A Extended on it so I just used Impact I wasn't planning on releasing this to the net public for a while so it all seems to be over the place.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Your files all end in .htm. This is not the HTML standard, it would be nice if they were changed to .html<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
heh yeah I'm real anal about stuff like this. Once it's done I'll rename them properly.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->You use <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR> to 'center' the image on index.htm. It would be much better in terms of resizing if you made a 100% by 100% table, then set the valign and halign to center, and put the image in the middle.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Once again my lazy behaviour shines through and I just spammed some breaks so it was roughly centered on my screen. It'll all be fixed good sir ^_^ I'M NOT LAZY I SWEAR!
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Your design has no focus. It looks decent, but with the large menu on one side, the title, and the sword (I think its a sword) at the bottom, it means your eye has nowhere to start looking. Some of the best sites draw your eye through the design, and through the information, rather than just letting it sit there.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah this is one of the areas I usually have the most problems with. The colour scheme is very dull so there isn't really a focal point that your initially drawn too.
Yes it's a sword as well. For some reason I am plagued by this obsession to place something down the bottom....
Too lazy to quote anymore....
1.) I can't argue with you there, some of my fav content comes from some uber ownage usage of these 3 things, albeit gifs are almost dead with Flash around. *wishs he could remember some of his fav flash sites, but just got home from work and is tired as hell* I've frequented 2Advanced on a number of occasions, their style is fantastic
2.) Yup, just comes down to personal preference. For this design I went for minimalism
3.) Dynamic resizing is so sexy, but as you say its about the compatability vs vision. I choose vision and went for a pop-up site thats size is locked.
gg on the manual by the by, pwnage design
4.) Navigation is essential and no discredit to you fam, but I <i>INITIALLY</i> found the manual hard to navigate and I'm sure others are of the same opinion. My design follows roughly the same flow as the manuals. The menu is always visible (Intro, data, Marine, Kharaa) and once you click what section you want you keep progressing until you find what you want. I'm also using a similar submenu to yours with the 'Kharaa Data :: Chambers: Movement Chamber' style of navigating.
5.) I could attempt a lot of visual additions, but my focus was on functuallity and minimalism rather than something with a greater aesthetical appeal. Don't get me wrong, I love really well designed sites with a lot of visual flair, but for this project I choose content over graphics.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->But most importantly, <b>good luck and keep going</b>. You say you have been wanting to do this for a while, and I commend you for actually trying. To coin a phrase that applies certainly to me "It's not the winning that counts, its the getting off your lazy behind and actually doing some work for a change.". <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--><!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thx ^_^ I'm a jack of all trades type (Lesse I can do video editing, I can map, I do graphics, I know flash, authorware and director, hell I work in a Bar to earn money, etc) , so it's time I start focusing my skills in one area and see what happens from there.
(Side note:: Thinking of doing a video for NS on the side.....)
My biggest problem I can tell you right now is my lack of commitment, I am a lazy **obscenity** and have trouble seeing projects through properly. I need seriously adjust my attitude in this area =/
You should see some of <i>my</i> in progress work, its messier than a mud jacuzzi.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->heh yeah I'm real anal about stuff like this. Once it's done I'll rename them properly.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ah yes, people have different ways of working. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Your design has no focus. It looks decent, but with the large menu on one side, the title, and the sword (I think its a sword) at the bottom, it means your eye has nowhere to start looking. Some of the best sites draw your eye through the design, and through the information, rather than just letting it sit there.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah this is one of the areas I usually have the most problems with. The colour scheme is very dull so there isn't really a focal point that your initially drawn too.
Yes it's a sword as well. For some reason I am plagued by this obsession to place something down the bottom....<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I would suggest leaving the bottom blank. If you really need the sword, put it up the top somewhere, forming an arc for the viewers eye that encompasses the menu, the title and the sword. Theres nothing to see or do down the bottom of the page anyhow, why draw attention to it?
Points 1-3 are all subject to the designer and the design of the site. I cannot offer any tips for anyone designing on these, the best I can offer is feedback. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->4.) Navigation is essential and no discredit to you fam, but I <i>INITIALLY</i> found the manual hard to navigate and I'm sure others are of the same opinion. My design follows roughly the same flow as the manuals. The menu is always visible (Intro, data, Marine, Kharaa) and once you click what section you want you keep progressing until you find what you want. I'm also using a similar submenu to yours with the 'Kharaa Data :: Chambers: Movement Chamber' style of navigating.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
To be honest, I find the manual hard to navigate. It was the case of either putting in a giant menu (which Jeff Paris, who offered quite a lot of feedback, did not want at all), putting in an expanding directory tree (Windows explorer stylee), which was also considered to go against the design that Jeff had in mind, or just having links everywhere, and a web of information.
The latter was chosen because it fitted with Mr. Paris' writing style, with the current position givn by the 'Directory path' up the top. It works well enough to not put people off the manual entirely, but I shall someday go back and add easier methods of browsing the information.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->5.) I could attempt a lot of visual additions, but my focus was on functuallity and minimalism rather than something with a greater aesthetical appeal. Don't get me wrong, I love really well designed sites with a lot of visual flair, but for this project I choose content over graphics.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Good content is always a more than adequate replacement for graphical niceties. I was just judging your flat design, not your website, I can see that inserting content would make it a lot fuller.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Thx ^_^ I'm a jack of all trades type (Lesse I can do video editing, I can map, I do graphics, I know flash, authorware and director, hell I work in a Bar to earn money, etc) , so it's time I start focusing my skills in one area and see what happens from there.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Don't worry, I still havnt specialised. I chose a Univeristy degree which will teach me computer science, whilst still learning graphic design in my spare time.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->My biggest problem I can tell you right now is my lack of commitment, I am a lazy **obscenity** and have trouble seeing projects through properly. I need seriously adjust my attitude in this area =/<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What I call "90% syndrome". I am struck by the same thing, I work until 90% of a project is complete, until it is good enough to fool a few people into thinking that its going to be ready very soon.. then I drop the project entirely and never come back to it. One thing that the NS community (doing ns_eclipse textures, designing the NS manual, and a few other NS related sites) has tought me is that you learn a lot more when you are working to a specification. School projects are pretty good for this though, so good luck, and don't give it up after you have submitted it.
I suck with flash....
oh yeah *bump*