Above Graphic Design Website

The site is
www.abovegraphicdesign.com

:)

first question: what's the rational fora fully-flash-based site?

embedded flash can be pretty cool, but i would advise against using a fully flash-based site unless you were using functionality that adds to the site that can't be done in a CSS-based site (which can be done with some flash embedded).

your thumbnail is too small to really critique, but it doesn't look to me like anything that's there in the shell/navigation necessitates flash.

don't do flash just to do flash. create the site in the technology that works best and easiest for the user. if flash happens to fit that requirement, so be it. but if CSS will do it just as well, don't force it into flash "just cuz."

ah, ok, i can see the real site w/the link.

kill the sound, please. or at least make a really obvious "off" button for it. many people don't want you to invade their aural space. and that's especially true in a work environment. but i'd just kill it here. it doesn't seem to be adding that much, just sound effects. annoying sound effects and visual effects. all of which are the flash equivalent of bevel, emboss, and drop shadows in photoshop. don't use them just to show you can, use them when they help solve the design problem. they're not adding anything valuable here.

again, i see nothing you're doing in flash (beyond the noises and bubbles, which honestly are mildly distracting) that can't be done in CSS.

Flash aside- I agree with the above comment about taking out the sound. It is too much. A little bit can go a long way.

I am in the process of doing my own website and I understand what you are going through. I found a website via a link from someone here in the archives that has a great list of websites to check out for inspiration.

http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/design/unique-website-layouts/

Look to the bottom right for a list of other designs to reference.

Good luck!

PS- lets all keep it real and professional here please. No shouting. :)

Maybe instead of having even MORE animation added to your homepage, have a static "LATEST WORK" layout in that empty spot, highlighting your latest creative turnout(s). Bonus? You may, in turn, generate return traffic to your website, your audience knowing that it will be updated every once in a while.

And I am 101% with gwells' initial recommend--drop the sound effects. They're annoying. Especially when you've just finished having your ass (that would be WOLVERINE'S ass) kicked by a six-year old (aka TOAD) in a very aurally driven environment.

"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."
— Frank Zappa

the katana sounds!

It's nice, and yes, even though based in Flash, still is quick loading. Like Shouse said, the tab animation is a little slow, and the thumbnail...kinda small if you ask me. But I like, it's a winnah!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch Kill Bill Pt1 for the 11th time...

Leaky Penny
www.leakypenny.com

“If you do what you love to do, then you won’t do it in an average way.”
~ Angela Bassett

And the flash part doesn't bother me at all. It doesn't seem too over the top, but then again, I didn't go much further than the home page. However, I do agree with the comments regarding the sound effects whenever you roll over an image or a link. It's a bit much.

Otherwise, it's a really nice site. Good job!

because when I clicked a link I literally jumped—the sound startled me that bad.

Sac State huh? Hor-nets.

While not profilerating the comments about the use of flash, I would say that you really need to learn how to build at least simple brochure sites with css/html. It will help you out a ton if you are designing sites for your clients. In the case of your website, you could still have the motion (bubbles) while having a simpler site.

To comment on the website:

First off, I do like your logo. Very clean.

In general, I think the navigation effects are indeed clunky, and the noise has got to go. I like the bubbles, as I think they fit in nice with the look and tie in to your logo well.

The About Page:

I think you should rewrite your text to speak to potential clients from the first person. Try to make a personal connection with them and make them want to hire you. The third person perspective seems cold and impersonal which is in direct contrast to the overall feel of your site.

Other than that, I think I would just tone down the overall number of effects in the site. They just seem unnecessary and distracting.

works too slow for my taste :)

can you make it faster a bit?

You mean the animation...or the time it takes to load? The animation is at 8 Fps, which is REAALLLLY SLOW...My first flash site, so I didn't really know what i was doing...I suppose I can just change it, to say 30 FPS....? I'll look into that :)
If you mean it's slow b/c of the animation and flash, it's really actually really small file sizes..even pretty fast on DSL.

I agree about everyone's comments about the sound, it doesnt' really solve a design problem. I will look into making a site w/o flash (which is probably easier anyway!!)... I appreciate all the comments! if anyone has anymore on the design still, please let me know :) thanks!

I'm late a lot with answer but I didn't have time to read the post... so busy these days :(

I mean the animation is slow. time it takes to load is OK.