Not signed in (Sign In)

SkillShare - A place to discuss Web Standards and Web Design topics

Categories

Vanilla 1.1.9 is a product of Lussumo. More Information: Documentation, Community Support.

CSS & HTML: [Closed] Bunkhouse CSS/XHTML Design Layout Help Requested

Bottom of Page

1 to 17 of 17

  1.  
    • CommentAuthorlkarolchik
    • CommentTimeDec 27th 2005
     permalink
    I have a layout I have created in Fireworks (at this point this is just one image to give an idea of what I'd like the final layout to look like). I would like to use CSS/XHMTL to create the final look. I have used CSS/XHMTL but am still new. I plan on using SIFR for the block text. The color scheme is bright, as the client so requested. Any suggestions are welcome. The cowboy is the logo the owners use.

    I know I need a header for the top image, 3 columns with possible a footer. Do I make this flexible? I am still not quite sure on the menu (the green buttons that say home).

    I would like help on the CSS/XHMTL layout and feedback of course.

    Here's the site http://www.fourteenernet.com/bunkhouse/bunkhouse1.htm
    L.Karol-Chik
    •  
      CommentAuthorramm
    • CommentTimeDec 27th 2005
     permalink
    Hi

    I think you'll need some more contrast, maybe a new color.

    What do you mean with "SIFR for the block text"?

    Anyway, try to start the layout and go back here with more specific questions about, post your progress, and i'm sure people here will help you.
    •  
      CommentAuthortsk
    • CommentTimeDec 28th 2005
     permalink
    my personal opinion is that you should consider some lighter fonts. If you are panning on using sIFR it's great, but I recommend loosing some of the boldness of those headings.

    One question though: what happens to the cowboy image on the left if the text is longer that the designated page? does it follow to the bottom or do you mean to keep it stranded up there.
    • CommentAuthorGustavs
    • CommentTimeDec 28th 2005
     permalink
    Well, did the clinet like it? Do YOU really like it? Becouse I just don't like any of it :/ You should consider something else. Take a look what other are making these days and get inspired.

    Good luck.
    • CommentAuthorlkarolchik
    • CommentTimeDec 28th 2005
     permalink
    I don't really like it...that's part of my problem with this site design. I am stuck. I have to use the cowboy, and they want that lime green color. I appreciate the feedback. I have never been so stuck on a design. Spent time last night looking at other sites, the green throws me off. Their business card as the green as a background color, the cowboy, and the text as black. On screen the green really hurts my eyes, the client wants the green used she "likes it". So I go back to the drawing board...inspiration board?

    Thank you.

    Laura
    •  
      CommentAuthoradjustafresh
    • CommentTimeDec 28th 2005 edited
     permalink
    Gustavs -
    Why don't you tell her how you REALLY feel? Constructive criticism, telling her how to make it better, rather than just saying you don't like it - start over, would probably be more helpful.

    Laura -
    I don't think the green is the problem. I'm not crazy about how the blue background looks with the green. Here are a few more issues that you may want to consider:

    • Are there only going to be four links, and how much text will be in each link box? Currently, you've just got the word "Home" in each one, and spacing is already kind of tight. Try to get the actual text for each link and consider giving them some more room.

    • Overall, there is very little white space. Things look very packed together. Try to think of a way to spread the content out a bit.

    • "tsk" made a good observation about the cowboy: will he be attached to the top or the bottom as the page content expands?

    • I am concerned about the curves. Since you are still new at using CSS to style HTML, perhaps you could ditch the rounded look. The curves would all have to be created with background images, and it can get complicated.

    Consider how the design will expand once it is populated with content. Add more spacing and drop the blue. Hopefully, that will help you get you where you want to go.

    Scott
    • CommentAuthorlkarolchik
    • CommentTimeDec 28th 2005
     permalink
    Thank you Scott...

    I have scratched that design and overnight found better inspiration. I am ditching the rounded corners and have adjusted everything. I will post upon completion.

    I don't mind feedback of any kind. My boss wants me to use the CSS/XHMTL and to go to the next level on designs now, so I have spent quite a bit of time on this and other css related sites.

    I will post an update soon.

    Thanks! Laura
    • CommentAuthorlkarolchik
    • CommentTimeDec 28th 2005
     permalink

    Okay I have revamped the look, and feel better about it. I used the Ruthsarian layouts as a basis for my site layout. I am still tweaking, and have to make the cowboy less jagged looking. Any comments or suggestions are welcome, I think this layout is looking better however. Sometimes feedback just confirms what sits in the back of our mind.


    Here's the New Look
    • CommentAuthorlkarolchik
    • CommentTimeDec 28th 2005
     permalink
    •  
      CommentAuthortsk
    • CommentTimeDec 29th 2005
     permalink
    Let's see: you ditched the sIFR method (for now ) and chose a friendlier green shade (or is it just my monitor playing tricks)

    I like this design better and I noticed you made it liquid which is a plus in my opinion. Also I like the cowboy stranded up there rather than leaving the textual logotype lonely.

    I still hope you are going to go with columns for context display and bare in mind the white-space suggestion by adjustafresh. It will give your site a cleaner look.

    I am a bit worried about that header photo though. Are you restricted to use it ? If not, please consider a visit to www.sxc.hu. It might spawn some more ideas.

    Good luck and happy coding
    •  
      CommentAuthoradjustafresh
    • CommentTimeDec 29th 2005 edited
     permalink
    Laura - I'm curious... What program are you using to code the site (I have a feeling it's Dreamweaver)? The HTML is filled with empty tags, example:

    <!-- masthead content begin -->

    <h1> </h1>
    <p></p>
    <p></p>
    <!-- masthead content end -->
    <p></p>
    <p> </p>

    <p> </p>

    All of those empty paragraph and header tags are unneccessary if you're styling the content with CSS.

    I think it's looking better. It's definitely more flexible than the last design. I agree that the header image isn't the most visually compelling photo I've ever seen. I have a feeling that it was provided by the client. Clients have a knack for giving designers bad pictures and expecting us to make them into works of art.

    In addition to a new picture (if possible) consider that if a browser window is stretched past 1140px (my screen res. goes up to 1288px if I maximize the window) the image ends abruptly.

    I think you're on the right track!
    • CommentAuthorlkarolchik
    • CommentTimeDec 29th 2005
     permalink
    TSK: Thank you for your response. No I am not stuck to that photo. I have a good sunset one and about a hundred others I can use. I did use a friendlier green and have other ideas for it, will consider the columns for the text and am considering the use of the white space. At this point am not bothering with SiFR just trying to get a look finalized.

    adjustafresh: I realize there are those empty tags. I will remove, and yes it's DreamWeaver. Do you have suggestions on how I work around larger monitor sizes? You're right about the pictures I have several to work from. One is a sunset photo with the mountain silhoutted (sp?) and a pink, purple sunset over them.

    I appreciate your feedback.

    Laura
    •  
      CommentAuthorkayloe
    • CommentTimeDec 29th 2005
     permalink
    after reading all of the comments above, and looking at the site design as it stands now... can i suggest that you opt for a horizontal, tabbed menu bar in the 'masthead'?

    i'm not sure how much info you need to fit on the page, but this can free up some vertical space for layout and maybe it will integrate into the background a bit more with contrasting/complementary colour themes in the tabs.

    there are plenty of really successful layouts that use this combination well. try looking at css reboot for inspiration or at the gallery section in this site.

    just a small suggestion from a different angle.
    • CommentAuthorlkarolchik
    • CommentTimeDec 29th 2005
     permalink
    Kayloe: I will take that into consideration...all critiques are welcome. I do look at CSS Reboot, CSS Vault, CSS Zen Garden, and CSS Beauty for inspiration.

    L
    • CommentAuthor009coder
    • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2010
     permalink
    I am working on html/css ,if you need a html and css coder
    contact with me 009coder@gmail.com
    •  
      CommentAuthoraleare
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2010
     permalink
    lkarolchik,
    I don't like to spoil your effort, but the layout design is out of time, looks like a '90 website ... and too much contrasting colours, a colour palette is highly recommended.
    If you need an experienced web designer + XHTML/CSS expert programmer, here I am. ;-)
    Contact me at http://www.aleare.com.ar

    Cheers!
  17.  permalink
    Check the dates of the original post before replying. There's no need to bump up openings that are five years old.

1 to 17 of 17

  1.