Almost got the site coded in CSS after a complete 3 day nightmare trying to implement two backgrounds on the document (never again!)

 

Im open to all comments as to how I might improve the design/layout - the only thing I am not happy with is the sidebar won't fill the full height of the screen due to the body not having a height specified due to the 2 backgrounds (don't even ask!).

 

I've tried using faux columns and applying the background image to the html element which works fine untill the window is resized to create horizontal scroll bars, again I can't apply this image to the wrapper div due to the 100% height issue which is proving to be a major pain - but it's either that or having a massive 1600x1600 background image which is over 1meg.

 

http://ijsr32.infj.ulst.ac.uk/~B00442055.2...test/index.html

Hi

 

War is a nightmare - not this line of enjoyment.

 

The website is very dull and you need someone to write its face.

 

People will look at what I have read, and the last thing on their mind will be a bookmark.

 

That’s my honest opinion and I hope it encourages you in one area.

 

Good luck.

Kyle - it looks real good, for a dark site(don't like dark sites myself) that being said one thing that bugged me was the "latest news" on the right side of thr screen, it drew my eye away from the main part of the site right away. Aslo the distressed font you used, it is hard on the eyes light text on a dark background with out having it warped as well.

Ditto to the above!

I like the background graphics, I like the layout - just fix the font, give your copy some ooomph! and, considering it's a portfolio site... put something like a little "slideshow thingy" or something right up front that cycles through your portfolio items and links to them.

Just tweaks - it's a nice design.

Thanks for the comments - I amtoying with the idea of removing the sidebar all together, not happy with the height issue and it seems like more trouble than it's worth.

 

I'll be using the site for a bit of blogging aswell as showing work, perhaps I could just put updates etc on the homepage after the welcome section and then add previews of latest portfolio additions here included with a short description and a link to the full piece of work?

 

This would remove the need for the sidebar and give me a bit more room to space the other elements out, which overall may seem alot cleaner and less cluttered. Thought about decreasing the size of the kerb/double yellow lines also which may give me a bit more room.

 

Not 100% happy with the header either, I think it makes the website seem too much like a site selling tyres or something? I've spent most of the time getting what I thought would be an easy design with 2 repeating backgrounds to work though

 

I do want to keep the background theme, it looks much to plain with a solid colour fill and I wanted to steer away from overused backgrounds like wooden floors etc - I thought a road would be something a little bit different.