I redesigned my site recently. I think it looks simple and precise.

http://www.deoxdesigns.com/

Some issues I should mention that I do know of.

1.) The logo still has Alpha transparency. I noticed this on my brothers computer using IE.
When I created the logo, I had forgotten that IE doesn't support Alpha Transparency.
Next time I am on my computer, I plan on making it a GIF with transparency.

2.) The faded border around the design does not have corners.
The way I use to do it in Paint Shop Pro can't be done in Photoshop. Which is what I use now.
I had a good deal of time to figure out how I should do it. Now I know.
What I will do is create a rectangle border type, and then slice it up.

Thats either it or all that I can remember.

There are probably minor things I overlooked. One opinion of my own is not enough to make a good design.
Also, Bits of HTML may be dirty. That comes from the templating of the DeoXMS system and bits of IPB.

Of course, there will be someone who just flat out, does not like it. Thats ok, it happens.
I've always been about simplicity and not having all sorts of Great deal of graphics as many sites do...

Thanks,
Chad

what if i told you that i still think it's not simple enough?

Certainly understandable.
But how far is to simple?

Some may think its to simple.
The menu, in my opinion needs to be thought out more. Its to cluttered.

Is that what you mean by the simplicity issue?
Or is there more?

Chad

I think there's too much commotion going on with that site if you want to get business from both inexperienced and experienced internet visitors.

...I unfortunately don't really have any ideas or suggestions on how to improve it.

I like it, except for the header. I'm not sure what I don't like about it, it just looks wrong to me.

The overall colors/color combos aren't very pleasing to the eye. Maybe if you had a little more contrast and less going on it would look better.

I looked over it with what you suggested and I must say, I do agree.
I have Spring Break this next week, so I will make improvements then.
So, here are some questions:

Question One
With the colors, is it the general colors themselves?
Or just the contrast with them?

I'm wondering if I should change out the colors completely or just play with them a little to get the right contrast and such.

Question Two
Also, with all the commotion as malikyte said, in summary, what areas of commotion should be worked on?

Question Three
The tabs in the header. They are GD handled. Does anyone know a better alternative?

I'll post back when I have made changes.
If I get motivated, it might even be tonight.

Chad

#1. Well, it's both, really. I'd say overall it just needs more contrast and a couple better color choices.

#2. I think the commotion is mainly caused by the lack of contrast and the fonts all being very close in size. There could also be a little more emphasis on the 'seperation' on the news posts... They run together if you skim the page too fast (visually)


Edit: And I think the '+' and '-' buttons on the right menu aren't necessary. They're pretty cool and fun to play with, but overall they just add to the clutter.

http://validator.w3.org/check?verbose=1&ur...eoxdesigns.com/ he W3C validator doesn't like it...

CSS.

I've been tossing around blue hues with gray hues. What do you think? I've always wanted blue. I also thinking orange. If done right, maybe a combination of Blue, Orange, and gray?

The emphasis on news seperation. That has been a problem with me since day one.
On the main skin for the software its running, its done quite well. But I never done it well with my site skin.

The plus minus thing was actually a test. They weren't even suppose to be on that skin, but I needed to show my team.
The official skin doesn't have it yet or at all.

Nothing really needs it with the software except the Admin CP.
I've been meaning to get rid of them. Just never got around to it for some reason or another.

I'll work on it tonight and keep your suggestions in mind.

Thanks,
Chad

I know about the CSS, thats the easy part.
But what I meant was the PHP backend to it.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Chad

The top menu text font is not nice.

GD Standard Font. I know, its ugly.

Chad

All you've gotta do is work out what page they are on and give that page a different CSS class to bring it forward/highlight it.

Yeah, I had it that one once. But it was not "Auto"
Meaning, if I had to change the tab text or something, I had to edit the PHP, rather than just some HTML stuff.

I'll work something out.
I am going to "copy" my live site to my local computer so I can "mirror" them.
So whatever is offline is online as well. Except for news post, cause I am not copying that the forum data. Will work out the same though.

Updates will be more efficient that way.

Chad

Ok, I did a little updating to the skin.
Some basics were just taking into consideration.

Still needs work and still needs to be fined tuned in the areas addressed here.
However, its one step closer to achieving what I want.

The stupid Javascript for the menus were removed...
The news is seperated a little better, but still needs work.

The commotion issue still needs to be worked but I did fix the logo for IE.

Other than that, I think thats it.

[EDIT]
Almost forgot. The tabs are still crap.

Chad