Flash Site Design - I need my website critiqued

Author

I need my website critiqued

RobertB52

2006-03-10, 10:15 pm

http://www.Robert-Bonner.com

Also, does the affiliate program sound good? I tried to keep it open to any and all ages, but I don't know how good it will work, does anyone have some tips for me?

Chris (mudbubble)

2006-03-10, 10:15 pm

as for the affiliate program - it may not be a bad idea, i just dont know what kind of audience it
is targeting - I think you would have to really show why somebody would want to forward potential
business to you instead of taking on the client themselves - so I assume you are not targeting your
affiliate program to other developers?

to be honest, it comes across a little like you are desperate for work - but that's just my initial
reaction. I would have gone the opposite route and pretended I had too much work, in order to make
myself look like i was in demand. Not unlike filling a restaurant parking lot up with cars to make
passerby's think you must have good food and entice them to go in for a meal.

just my $.02

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RobertB52 wrote:
> http://www.Robert-Bonner.com
>
> Also, does the affiliate program sound good? I tried to keep it open to any and all ages, but I don't know how good it will work, does anyone have some tips for me?

Chris (mudbubble)

2006-03-10, 10:15 pm

this is one of those situations where I have to question why Flash was chosen for this website? it
hardly features any features that HTML cant perform except for the very basic motion tween of your
name at the ver beginning. It's confusing why you chose flash. Typically an all-flash site is built
because the overall concept demanded the flash medium - but your site is so basic and simple it's
confusing as to why it wasn't made with simple html.

having said that, it's so simple it's hard to say anything at all. The layout is simple, colors are
simple and to comment on them would be subjective. It's very text-heavy for my taste so, i can only
recommend possibly some images? something engaging? If you stick with flash then perhaps some
transitions?

This looks more like a very basic template somebody would build during the planning stages of the
real site production process. Know what I mean?

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RobertB52 wrote:
> http://www.Robert-Bonner.com
>
> Also, does the affiliate program sound good? I tried to keep it open to any and all ages, but I don't know how good it will work, does anyone have some tips for me?

RobertB52

2006-03-10, 10:15 pm

I made this website to do it's exact purpose: be very simple and user friendly
and keep good design ethics without confusing someone with an awful color
scheme and massive ammounts of animation that annoys the user and makes them
sick of the website. What wouuld you have me do, fill the place up with google
ad's?

This website lets you know exactly where you are at all times, the
header/footer's are always in the same place and it is in no way confusing to
use. Also why I did it in flash, is so that 56k users can access the "low
speed connection" area within seconds and the page doesn't have to reload.
HTML Page's have to load up seperately each time you go to another area which
takes a while, "I had dial up once" which usually angers the user. This way,
they get to see what it's like on a broadband connection letting thing's be
very simple for them. I made this website to go outside the box, I don't like
HTML due to the fact that it's insanely cookie cutter. If you like rectangle
only website's that is entirely your deal, but it's not mine. I am a graphic
designer, not a CSS whore.

If I wanted something that's very flashy, I would not be doing it to promote
business. I find it very annoying when people make overly flashy web pages
that have to load seperately and they take a long time to get between page to
page. It's very text heavy because that is how I designed it, it is set to be
very unique and memorable. I designed it to fit a web/print based scheme,
anyone can make a Cascading Style Sheet pre-set pre-made work out of
dreamweaver, making something that is easy to use and is easy on the eye's
isn't for anyone. My website is extremely easy to use, it does it's purpose
and even though it is text heavy I would rather keep everything confined within
a small and very easy to use design element than have a bunch of worthless
graphics that do not pertain in any way shape or form to what the website is
about.

Chris (mudbubble)

2006-03-10, 10:15 pm

wow - hey easy there - remember *you* asked for a critique - that includes constructive critism that
just might not be 100% positive. Next time be specific that you only want positive reinforcement or
nothing at all. I am a believer in speaking how I feel - just being honest.
Your site is exactly what you describe it as - very simple. So how are we supposed to critique it? I
told you that's what I thought it was - simple - in fact i must have types it 6 different times.

Sorry i touched a nerve - i never intended to do that - you asked for a critique and I gave one.

best of luck.

RobertB52 wrote:
> I made this website to do it's exact purpose: be very simple and user friendly
> and keep good design ethics without confusing someone with an awful color
> scheme and massive ammounts of animation that annoys the user and makes them
> sick of the website. What wouuld you have me do, fill the place up with google
> ad's?
>
> This website lets you know exactly where you are at all times, the
> header/footer's are always in the same place and it is in no way confusing to
> use. Also why I did it in flash, is so that 56k users can access the "low
> speed connection" area within seconds and the page doesn't have to reload.
> HTML Page's have to load up seperately each time you go to another area which
> takes a while, "I had dial up once" which usually angers the user. This way,
> they get to see what it's like on a broadband connection letting thing's be
> very simple for them. I made this website to go outside the box, I don't like
> HTML due to the fact that it's insanely cookie cutter. If you like rectangle
> only website's that is entirely your deal, but it's not mine. I am a graphic
> designer, not a CSS whore.
>
> If I wanted something that's very flashy, I would not be doing it to promote
> business. I find it very annoying when people make overly flashy web pages
> that have to load seperately and they take a long time to get between page to
> page. It's very text heavy because that is how I designed it, it is set to be
> very unique and memorable. I designed it to fit a web/print based scheme,
> anyone can make a Cascading Style Sheet pre-set pre-made work out of
> dreamweaver, making something that is easy to use and is easy on the eye's
> isn't for anyone. My website is extremely easy to use, it does it's purpose
> and even though it is text heavy I would rather keep everything confined within
> a small and very easy to use design element than have a bunch of worthless
> graphics that do not pertain in any way shape or form to what the website is
> about.
>

Chris (mudbubble)

2006-03-10, 10:15 pm

"I find it very annoying when people make overly flashy web pages that have to load seperately and
they take a long time to get between page to page."

I agree 100% and that is not what we are talking about here - when flash is developed right - there
is no waiting between pages because often there are no different "pages" - a good user of flash
would use loadmovie to load in content on user demand in a way that would minimize download times.
But again, that was never the topic of this thread. I questioned why you chose flash because it is
98% static and 98$ text. So it begs the question why Flash. That was the only point I raised.

Don't go to public forums asking for a critique and then lash out when someone doesn't praise your
design and development skills.

Sorry man but I never intended to get you all wound up. I've given a lot more negative critiques
(and very positive ones) in this forum and the original poster in almost all cases has taken it as
constructive criticism.

again sorry - i will bow out of this thread and hope you receive overwhelmingly positive responses
from here on out.

RobertB52

2006-03-11, 3:14 am

I was merely replying :-p You did not touch a nerve, there is no need to bow
lol. I was just trying to explain what I was doing so you understood.

On a lighter note, I just finished two posters for the upcoming video game
Hitman: Blood Money.

http://www.Robert-Bonner.com/HBMPosterAlbino-LZ.jpg

http://www.Robert-Bonner.com/HBMPosterAlex-LZ.jpg

Chris (mudbubble)

2006-03-11, 3:14 am

nice posters!

oh good - i just read your response wrong then - i hate when that happens.

******************************************

RobertB52 wrote:
> I was merely replying :-p You did not touch a nerve, there is no need to bow
> lol. I was just trying to explain what I was doing so you understood.
>
> On a lighter note, I just finished two posters for the upcoming video game
> Hitman: Blood Money.
>
> http://www.Robert-Bonner.com/HBMPosterAlbino-LZ.jpg
>
> http://www.Robert-Bonner.com/HBMPosterAlex-LZ.jpg
>

RobertB52

2006-03-13, 6:29 pm

Sorry amgio, you have to be over the age of 8 to join this forum.

RobertB52

2006-03-14, 3:16 am

You create a movie clip of the effect you would like, put the actionscript for
the button to be...

on(rollOver) {
_root.Overlay2.play(1) }

You have to name the movie clips under the 'Instance Name' seperately for each
button that you want animated. You can have them be transparent at the start,
and fade in when the movie gets going or what not. I do not see much of this
around, so yes you can have it. I learned how to do this here to be honest, I
did not learn this on my own. Simple actionscript 4tw!

unilooney

2006-03-15, 6:18 pm

If possible, I think the "about me " page would benefit from having a scroll
bar rather than having to click onto a completely different page, especially
since right now it breaks mid sentence. It wouldn't have to be a big one, maybe
something visible but descreet around where you currently have the "next page".

That's my two cents.

my_tennessee

2006-03-15, 6:18 pm

I have had a quick look because I am looking at doing this Flash Cv which has
to be interractive and possibly go online. Looking at your site was usefull. I
thought maybe you could have done a little more with the background. But who am
i to juge I am a novice.

Good work

T

a30n

2006-03-15, 6:18 pm

Yeah, I agree with unilooney. It would be a lot more user-friendly if you put
scroll bars instead of ?next page? buttons. To me, it was kind of confusing,
especially when you click next page and the previous page button appeared in
the same place. I would move it to the left or something so people will
actually know when the text is over.

I like the menu on the bottom. I think it is quite professional.

Also, I would agree Chris (mudbubble) that the simplicity is the first thing
one notice. I would put some pictures or graphics or whatever but text, because
text only makes me feel like I was reading my college books (not that I don't
like to read). But it just bores the site visitor to death, and I would not
want to visit this web again since it is just reading. But this is and
advice/personal opinion.

Overall, I think the web is professional enough, and with a few edits it will
become even better. Hope this forum helps you RobertB52.

Peace, a30n

RobertB52

2006-03-16, 6:18 pm

If I made scroll bars, the text would be default 12pt arial... It's very very difficult to format text for those scroll bars, I'll look into it.

RonnieFizz

2006-03-16, 6:18 pm

Okay dude listen here...this is what you need
bg color make that a gradient so it catches attention..
your text a little smaller....and please with the font man.!!!
menu button-very unique in the bottom..but make them a little smaller--and add
rollover effect.....real ones( you know..colors make more flashy..!)
-your pictures..look eiher you make them scroll..or maximize it onrelease..or
something becasue first of all the idea for them to load is annoying mostly
when it opens another window...

I mean i could go on for days..but understanding that you are new to flash....
I would say this last 2 things.....If your user didnt have flash player-it
would be a waste for them to download it just for that....
I mean if you have the chance look at dreamweaver and you can get to do that
same site in 2hrs......(HTML like he told you above.)

NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS THIS WAS A GOOD SITE >>JUST COULD BE BETTER>>> WHY
I SAID THAT>>BECAUSE IT WASNT UNTIL NOW I HAD TO GO SEE WHAT WAS THE SITE ABOUT
!

unilooney

2006-03-18, 3:15 am

Re scroll bar:
Since your text isn't selectable, if the worst came to the worst you could
always make the range of text a masked movie clip and make buttons scroll the
movie clip up and down. I wasn't thinking of the usual big scroll bars on the
side of the page but small push buttons...

RobertB52

2006-03-18, 3:15 am

www.Robert-Bonner.com/Robert-BonnerSnow.swf

Tell me how that snow looks, it reminds you that you're still in flash but it
doesn't throw "OMG I CAN MAKE SNOW" in your face. I think it's subtle but not
overwhelming.