Website Layout (Thanks TerranRich) :)

[Nacho]

Inspired by TerranRich' s work, and how posting the layout here in CL, I decided to give my future website a go... Here it is.

It is a skeptic page debunking the most classical "misteries" in history... Why a submarine? Well... one of the most famous Spanish websites about skepticism is called "Yamato".

I want to give a marine enviroment to everything.

Oh... I have stretched the submarine's height 60%, for avoiding having so much useless space at the top, so, no need to critic that aspect.

Any ideas?

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a214/La_Lore/Submarine3.png

PNG file, just in case anyone wants to mess with the image (It' s been redouced by photobucket, though... If someone wants to mess with the real resolution, I can email the file...)

[evenwolf]

I think it looks fantastic!


The only thing my eyes argue about is whether the Submarinos text should take up that much space.   The actual content of the page doesn't begin until real low, low.  I know that you start the page where you do so that its "underwater" but maybe you can clone stamp the image so the underwater starts a little higher up.   And while we talk about the "underwater" border you might add an outline or add more bubbles to bring more focus to that fact.   I picked up on the fact that the site was underwater but only after a few minutes.   Looks great!

[Reminder]

Vaya. It looks fantastic!

[Nacho]

Oh... thanks for digging up the thread... I was going to go on with the developement in private, but, as you seemed to show interest, here is an update:

[GarageGothic]

I actually liked your old version (must have missed it first time you posted). I'm not too fond of the new, unlabeled buttons and generally find it difficult to understand what is clickable and what isn't. The link buttons at the top of the frame made it easy to quickly navigate the site, now they're located quite a bit down the page - perhaps scrolling isn't necessary, but they're definitely less accessible.

How about retaining the basic layout, with the underwater border. And use the wood and document textures for the frames inside it? I think it's a good idea not to waste too much space in the top of the screen, but the submarine DOES looks quite stretched in the new layout. Cropping the picture might be a better idea than squeezing it in like that.
The new yellow color for the text does make it stand out, put it clashes somewhat with the overall color scheme. How about using a slightly brighter gray (than the old version) for the text, and make the lower part of the font slightly bluish and adding a ripple effect to make it appear as if it's half submerged in the water?

I love your art style, but from a usability perspective the site could be optimized further.

[evenwolf]

Yeah the more monochromatic version appeals to my eye a little more too.

[Nacho]

Damn you! 

Hehe... I will label the buttons, this is still a WiP. Anyway, I will take all this into consideration... everything is in layers, so, it shouldn' t be easy to make those changes.

[Matti]

everything is in layers, so, it shouldn' t be easy to make those changes.

Shouldn't be too hard is what you wanted to say, right?

[Nacho]

Sure... thanks Matti

[TerranRich]

Can't believe I missed this thread. I'm glad I inspired you in your design. It looks great so far. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

[Nacho]

Hehe... It turned into something that is IMHO quite cool... I will hurry DM up to have something to show asap!