IconBuffet | Free Icons, Stock Icons, Custom Icon Design

JBVisions on Jun 15, 2007

Cool! Clean but it needs icons, lots and lots of icons. ;-)

tamashii on Jun 15, 2007

Ima say real nice. Very clean and straight forward. Would like to see the banner change images with each page (maybe a random pic is displayed from a group of 10 or so?).

Jen on Jun 15, 2007

Visually:
Organized nicely, navigation easy to find. Header image is a bit tall for my liking, but that's a personal preference. The design also reminds me somewhat of Kubrik's design that is the default Wordpress theme.

tommythewolfboy on Jun 15, 2007

I like :) Lacking something tho - slightly too safe perhaps? :¬\
Different header image for every page maybe, would give it a bit more visual interest?

Jen on Jun 15, 2007

Hmmm I'm thinking that this alternative coloring might add some 'pop' to it.

tommythewolfboy on Jun 15, 2007

It's a cool, fun, exciting topic for a website, so definitely something with more 'pop' is good. Don't get me wrong, I like the site a lot (always a fan of clean, simple sites), but it looks a bit safe and flat at the mo' which isn't in keeping with the sport, I guess.

rudydanielle on Jun 15, 2007

It is pretty good , except maybe when you click the picture to get a bigger picture the picture should be a little more of a close up.

aaroncampbell on Jun 15, 2007

@tamashii & tommythewolfboy: I agree, maybe an alternating header...the only problem is...I need to get some more REALLY good shots. I have a couple of the truck in a drift, and one of those will probably be next to add there.

@Jen: That image feels a little bright to me, but I'd like to know what everyone else thinks.

@tommythewolfboy: any suggestions to make it less "safe"

@rudydanielle: the gallery needs a lot of work.
- I need to make it function with mod_rewrite to make the urls cleaner
- I want to generate medium sized images just as I do thumbnails, rather than make the user download the full-size image to see it at 620px wide
- Float the thumbnails better to keep them lined up even with vertical images.
etc. (the list is quite long...)

JBVisions on Jun 15, 2007

How about changing the colour of the headers to something less safe? Burnt Orange or Blue or something to tie in with the graphic?

debbye on Jun 15, 2007

i think Jen's idea is heading in the right direction, tho too "WOW!" something in between??

the whole idea of adding punch to the site, i think, is a really good idea. Offroading is not a tame endeavor, so the site should not be so tame.

btw - where are the IB icons?

& i'd like a nice set of bumpers for my civic, in a perky flat black!

bcarneiro on Jun 15, 2007

I like the layout, the navigation is very intuitive and the site is not noisy.

I have to say, I prefer Jen's alternative coloring. It looks more "alive", specially considering you have a gray background.

I also like Tamashii idea of different headers.

aaroncampbell on Jun 15, 2007

I now have 3 header images, randomly chosen. I also added a bit of brightness and contrast to them, but not as much as Jen did.

Does it help? Do you think it was enough?

mik on Jun 15, 2007

For 'pop' - I think you need a third instance of orange. There's the text links, the headlight in the photo, so add a small touch to the graphics - like a fine border between the white and the page background, and pulling the sides in so the 'matting' surrounds all sides. Or with the text in the header - not orange letters, too much and too much like links, but some text effect that subtly surrounds and enhances that text.

More individually, I never use full windows and the tall headers and wider fixed width designs don't please me. I'm not annoyed as long as I can read the main content without scrolling, but that also means I'm much less likely to look at other stuff on a page.

HTH

Jen on Jun 15, 2007

I like the rotating header images, but I think they also need to match the photo that you brightened up. :)

Jen on Jun 15, 2007

I also am thinking that a more stylized font would be nice for your title, rather than text. I rather like the font that VINZ made and think that or something similar would work well.

Stratification on Jun 15, 2007

Something for graphic interest in the header along with the photo would probably make a big difference. You've got a good framework there, it just needs a few details to really make it "pop".

aaroncampbell on Jun 16, 2007

I brightened the other 2 headers a little. Was it enough?

laurel on Jul 03, 2007

actually i like it as is, i detest sites that wear you out just trying to read them. i like content. it seems to me if you want more life to the site, put a small scrolling image gallery somewhere on the front page only, for movement. although since your gallery shots are good for selling but not exciting, perhaps just use images from 4-wheeling trips you and others have taken. trucks catching air, towing someone out of a crunch, throw in some motocross shots, whatever. also you could use some photos of people, for instance doug in the about us page. this is custom, personalized, quality fabrication and people will like having an image of the people who will be doing this for them. just because i have suggestions do not think there is something wrong with this site. i like it a lot. easy to find information, clean, non-irritating, classy looking, friendly yet professional.

heinzelman on Jul 03, 2007

VERY nice, clean yet "designed", great work

webmonkey on Jul 03, 2007

Very clean - for the header - use any shots you have and make it look like they've been run over by every 4x4 in the Rubicon...<l> I guess what I'm saying is go a little grunge! And add a splat of mud near the footer. (Proud '69 Ford Bronco rock crawler owner)

aaroncampbell on Jul 03, 2007

Thanks. I appreciate the input.

cword on Sep 05, 2007

as for the nav...you should always have the contact link at the far right...other than that, nice and clean and good suggestions by all.