[Terl]

Hi everybody,

I just launched a new design for http://www.redkettles.org , and am looking for some contructive criticism from fellow designers. Any comments are welcome.

Thanks

[mitchell_pgh]

Nice, what did you use to make it?

Anyway, the ONLY thing I didn't care for was this image.



I don't care for how the text fades from side to side... Anyway, Nice site...

[godzookie2k]

ahhhh so nice to see decent use of serifed type on the web, so refreshing from the helvetica crap. I don't really like the whole cheesy gold looking gradient behind the type mask thing myself. (that goes for all gradients behind type masks) but I can see how you might have *had* to do that. Nice stuff, site works well, UI works effectively. I think you might want to consider using black for the text on the rollovers on the left, or another color other than grey. there isn't really alot of grey (or any) on the site as it is. I'd like perhaps to have the buttons on the left match the color scheme on the buttons along the top. Speaking of which, the little red lines dividing the text buttons along the top are a little too loud, I think black wouldn't intrude on the gradient as much and would still be effective. Then again, black and that red color are pretty close and who knows how that might look on a dark ass PC monitor, so thats your call.

Whew, I'm done.

no wait, last thing. Sans serif on the buttons? why? IMHO it makes them a little mis matched from the rest of the (garamond is that) typeface scheme.

Nick

[Terl]

Mitchell, I used GoLive 5 and Photoshop 6 to create it. You mentioned you didn't like the fade on the Be An Angel gif. Is it overkill? Perhaps a solid black?

Godzookie, your right, the gold type w/ mask is cheesy. I'm unsure in what other way I could approach it. I think your also right about the red vertical lines, black would be more subtle. Good idea.

As for the sans serif on the buttons, that decision came after trying several serif fonts, and finding that they weren't as readable as I wanted. I thought it was a nice contrast to the larger serif type. Maybe I'm wrong.

Mark

[jaisun]

Terl: Nice work indeed! I've always been a fan of well used gradients...adds and element of grace and sophistication. You've used them quite nicely.

I have to agree with the black to red fade on the 'Angels' graphic. A solid color would be more effective. Black might work...

It would be neat to see the 'Heroes & Angels' graphic in two solid colors as well (gold and white perhaps?)...but it I think it works as-is.

The last thing: the type/copy on the buttons (left) and the nav bar seem just a little soft (blurry). However, the effect could be caused by my monitor's resolution (1152x870) or the fact that it's is only an entry level 21"...dunno.

Anyway, the site is great! I wish you much success (with a portfolio piece like this, you shouldn't have much trouble)

[slipjack]

The left hand nav seems a teeeny bit scrunched... but not much else to complain about. Very clean and consistant. Having the pull-down menu jump to the bottom of the page on the stories seems a bit clunky. I'd put it somewhere up top so it didn't move around.

Great job.

[Terl]

Thanks for all your comments guys, I appreciate it.

Mark