Shelley: Great looking site, unique as always, like most of your sites are.. looks to be a great place.. Are you looking to make some money from this too?

If I could rep you, I would. :p

very nice outcome w/ style2

good balance of color

my fav is blue/gree which should be your default; mainly because it's more of a neutral color (won't scare visitors away)

the biggest problem I see...

This is a business site right?
You are trying to sell your products/services right? (I know that a lot of your stuff is free ... but I'm guessing you want to make money don't you?)

A custom index page would go a long way...

• A great way to tell the whole world what the site is about
  • easier for visitors to learn about the site
  • showcase what is new (free or commercial)
  • promote your services
  • good for SEO

Now, about your design...

First of all, I love the peek-a-boo smiley on the forum category separation. It shows your creativity. However, that's where it ends. Besides that, I don't see your talent on the design.

Since this is a graphic site, I recommend creating a new page background...
take the "Register Today" image and what you wanted to convey in it a step further ... use the smileys on the background and create a community atmosphere - give them life.

The idea is that you want to draw your visitors in and hopefully take action.


Besides the lack of your creativity (your talent) on the design, there is no focus. Right now, my eyes are drawn to the "Register Today" image. (some may think that is good but it shouldn't be the one and only focus)

In fact, I find it difficult to focus on what is important which I'm sure you'll agree are the forum title links. That whole area is too busy and the contrast between text and background makes it difficult to read.


I hope this is helpful. Good luck on your endeavor.

Although I myself prefer the pink I have to agree with you which style should be default[/i]. I'll be making the blue default and if anyone person wishes "style blindness" they can always switch to the pink. Blue being default it is.

Because I get so much requests for custom work I thought try this out has a commercial/freebie site. I know people prefer free and I am all too happy to provide freebies but this also brings people to the site that grab what they want, leave and simply not create an atmosphere. I said I wouldn't make this mistake again and with the increase of people requesting for custom work I thought see where it goes. It either flourishes or 6 months from opening I simply close the site down which I will expect and not get my hopes up. A smiley site s something I always wanted to create because it allows me to go wild in what I can create which brings me to certain points you made about the creativity. Your absolutely correct, I think it does lack that creativity therefore I will look into re-touching some areas that can possibly transform this.

With regards to a showcase for services I have an old javascript viewer which I had on another forum script which will be perfect for showcasing services, and smiley packs which I plan on integrating in the green (navbits area). It worked great on my other forum software and should compliment the forum nicely and draw visitors eyes to the important info on index which I have to also agree is lacking.


Thanks for the critique princeton it's appreciated and hopefully I can stop pussy footing with the design so much and introduce the elements that are needed which are lacking.

Again, thanks for the critique I think this was a big help and an eye opener. :up:

Just have to say, on style 2 the blue one, I love how you have that smiley hiding behind the title_cat.

God I love this site! Amazing design, I hope you make a darker layout though because it hurts the eyes being so bright! Especially since I work night shift and am awake during the night :(

Do not change the design this is easily the most beautiful design I have ever seen just a shame the skin wont be released for public to use ;)

Just amazing I have been visiting the site for awhile now any idea when we can be expecting the grand opening?

Rick

Hopefully around the end of the month when I finish up the winter theme and posted some packs which are near completion.

Shelly I know this probably isn't the right place for this but can you tell me how to add the little icons next to usergroups and names like you have on the bottom of your forum like the little want next to the moderators and stars next to VIP users that's beautiful and would make a great addition to my forum.

Wooooooow shelley! The winter theme is SMEX! That design is so sleek :D
Btw the look you have to seperate the forums I have a question is it an <hr> break? How did you get it to look like that? Unfortunately when I do the <hr> break it doesn't blend in with the background that nice.