2 Concepts - 1 Site
jesscampbell (79 points) | Fri, 2006-09-01 19:31The top (blue) concept was originally designed a month or so ago for a sports company in town whose ideology is based around becoming a happier person by integrating certain enjoyable sports into your life, and thus helping the world. ie. Go kiteboarding on the lake, rather than using a motorboat to tow a wakeboard. Or, take a longboard, trikke, or electric bike to work rather than the car.
Most of the sports they focus on could be considered "different" in the fact that they aren't widely recognized, at least in Saskatoon. For instance mountain boarding, sepak takraw, slacklining, trikkes, freeline skating, among others. So the idea is to bring attention to, and educate people about these sports.
They replied to the blue concept with a no. They wanted something more natural, less trendy, and more of a personal feel. One request was that there was some sort of circle theme, or navigation put into effect to bring forth cyclical and round symbols (seasons, life/death, earth & sun). The new guidance led me to the yellow/green/brown one.
I'm interested to know what you think of the two in comparison.
Personally I enjoy them both...but for completely different reasons.
PS. The ernie and bert thing is just a placeholder (obviously) until we get pics of the two owners. I thought it was funny, so did they.
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is SO much tighter. The flow and balance are so much better, as are the colors. Dig it...really good work.
And I like the Bert and Ernie too...my Baby boy noticed it before I did.
Ya know , I do agree with the bottom design being the better of the two, but I am just not diggin the whole burlap sack background what so ever. Nothing about it ties in with the sports theme for me.
www.dakeat.com
I think that both layouts do not work, both are difficult to navigate, and both are not friendly on the eye. It seems like you are imitating a style, rather then being the style. Also, i really do not like the logo at all.
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Graphic, Web and Logo Designer from Pittsburgh, PA http://www.davidpcrawford.com
The burlap idea spawned from a think session between myself and one of the shop owners. He mentioned a few things that he thought might give the design "the look" that he desired...being more natural, and home grown. I mentioned adding some textures or patterns in there somewhere, and he thought that maybe a canvas or burlap look might do the trick. And here, I believe it does. It's subtle, and compliments the look of the ragged squares in the concept.
Also, I've noticed in their shop that a lot of things are presented on either burlap, wood, or natural looking stuff like that.
Working with this particular logo on this particular concept was difficult. I know that they wanted to achieve a more natural, less trendy feel, but had trouble distinguishing that from the logo.
Looks like Century Gothic, or something along those lines...and that, to me, screams minimalism, trendy, and chic. Regardless, it's what I had to work with...so I used the color as a starting point.
DPC. What do you think could've helped?
But in regards to the burlap, I still think there is a much better route to be found here. It has absolutely nothing to do with sports and seems completely arbitrary. I think of potatoes, agriculture, holloween decorations, craft time when I see burlap. Just about everythign Other Than sports. I understand where you are trying to integrate the repeetition of squares and all, and potentially the look of the shop. But if the end result does not make sense to or confuses the user (as in my first impression when I first saw it), is it really that great of a component?
All I could think as I looked at the rest of the design was "what the hell does burlap have to do with any of this?". I think there are going to be other people as well that it keeps from really letting get into the whole experience of the visit. If you want a more natural look and feel I would suggest getting more creative with the background and using something that is tied to the industry, they are out there waiting to be found. For example, the scarred up wood of a half pipe, a cross section of a surf board, the unfinished bottom of a skateboard deck, etc. These are things people will be able to identify with without having to had visited the store to "get it". Even if they are somewhat abstracted, they are still going to be better than burlap IMO.
In regards to the rest of the site, I think the direction is working, but agree with a comment above in regards to the middle wheel / navigation being confusing. If I were the end user I would like the navigation to be ever present and always in the same spot. Waht happens when I click to another page, do I lose that wheel nav all together? I feel like it is not even 100% obvious that it is a navigation point. Remember that when designing for the web it is ideal to account for the lowest comon denomenator.
I hate to bring up the burlap again, but my only other issue is the lack of contrast between master container and backgroun in some spots, for example the upper left hand corner. I think the core direction, colors, typefaces, etc are working here for the most part. It is just the couple things I addressed that I think if changed could make this site/design reach its full potential
www.dakeat.com