thirdphase

I did a degree in Graphic Design and to some extent did ok doing my own experimental motion graphics but by the end of it, was disillusioned with the whole design-as-a-job thing and would've been happy to find a totally different career ( like being nomadic traveller or something ). Then I 'fell' into a job that a friend from college got me into. Doing 'web sites' (more like Flash presentations that were still pop in mid 2000's.) I then learned html and css front-end skills when the need arose for one job. I seemed to pick it up quicker than other people. I loved the satisfaction of getting layouts to work and translating from design to working web sites (althought found it very frustrating at times). I've always massively doubted my design skills however. It always fills me with nerves and dread when asked to come up with designs for things... The judgement, the critique, the knowing you could do better... yet my job is 'web designer'. Because I was good at the technical side of things I've managed to keep my career going this long. Somehow I got a job at a fairly popular web site as their designer / ux guy. I'd never worked on anything this big and public before and had to deal with so much politics during the re-design. I ended up being a yes-man just to get the job done and because of the crazy time constraints and that developers were waiting for design decisions before they could proceed. Now it's been released and has had very mixed feedback... some people loved it but a significant few did not love it at all. Most importantly, other designers slated it. Reading Twitter comments from other designers saying it's 'crap' etc just hurts me so much (because I know they're probably right) and I just think... perhaps I should give up? How do you handle public criticism without taking it personally?

Ok I see what you mean... the trouble is that it's a content focused web site so that's why we wanted to focus people on the artists / events and not the menu controls - but perhaps we went a bit overboard on that, if you cannot see the menu! I think you are not the first person to miss it too. I shall certainly consider drawing more attention to the menu for this next iteration

Thanks for the feedback. I will certainly suggest that we do A/B testing. I too think the genres are overkill. But the powers that be think we need to 'show-off' the breadth of coverage. I'm starting to think about having a 'view subgenres' expandable button underneath, so really picky users can see them if they want, but for most, the top level genres will be enough. When you say there is too much going on, do you mean in the header / footer / just a general feeling? Thanks very much for your feedbacks so far)

Thanks for that feedback. I assume you are on a fairly small screen if you had to scroll up and down a lot? It's a difficult balance because there are so many subgenres of music that I'm trying to think of a different way of doing the whole thing but struggling to come up with ideas really, without limiting the number of sub options...

The designer and anyone else involved should first establish the content of the web site and the aim of it. The designer should then workout the basic navigational structure and elements on the page. This is best done in pencil then a wireframing tool... I actually use illlustrator as I know it so well and is very versatile. Then the designer should get approval of all this before any visual design style is decided upon. Finally designer should mockup the pages in which ever design software they use and then work with you to decide upon what you need to get the designs and turn them into a working web site.

I think it looks fine but would suggest that having the section headers in orange and then the username 'Lee' as well in orange could be improved. Perhaps usernames 'Lee' should be in bold and underlined as they are links/

I'm from a place called Bristol in the UK... I work for the an online live entertainment guide... I have been working in the field of web design for 6 years or so. Since I am the only 'web designer' in a team of web developers, I am looking for external support and guidance on problems as there are many! I will also gladly give my advice if possible. This looks like a good forum...

I'm working on this large 'live entertainment guide' based in the UK. Please have a look at this on desktop / large tablet not mobile (there is a different version of this site for mobile ) http://www.ents24.com/hub/search Try and filter the results by genre... And then limit it to just events this weekend... How did you find the experience? I have been asked to improve and 're-think' the way this works. I think one of the problems is that there are too many options... but if you have any design / layout / user experience opinions about it, I'd be greatful to hear them. Thanks Alex

Sorry I just accidentally posted in the wrong place. I had a look at the bathroom site and think it's pretty good especially for a first effort. I would change the font on 'suppliers and installers of quality bathrooms' to something lighter in weight and more simple. Also the words beneath that strapline look like links... so perhaps make them links to relevant sections or don't have them... I like the 3 columns with ticks summerizing the good parts of the business. It's clear and informative.