There will be some content added to the header if you think it looks a bit plain.

 

http://www.fabfancies.cttestarea.co.uk/index.html

 

Thanks

The layout isn't the best, but it is passable. The typography needs real help though.

Love the heading made to look like icing. Not sure if I like the reflections on the home page and the out of focus cake on the right. Is it made to look as if you are viewing through a shop window?

 

On another note completely, don't you just hate it when the whole page shifts when you present a page which does not need a scroll bar on the left. For instance, when you click on Gallery on this site. Can anything be done about that?

The layout isn't the best, but it is passable. The typography needs real help though.

 

I'm afraid i'll have to agree with cibgraphics on this, the typography really doesn't do the design any favours.

 

I would consider replacing the main_img with a better quality photo as well, possibly a stock one if you don't have access to a good camera and a box of french fancies.

What in particular is bad about the typography? The photos are just examples at the moment at will be replaced. I'm a little disappointed with the comments as I thought it was looking pretty good

Font size is huge, the line height is too small and you've mixed serif with non-serif fonts.

Other than that, the design is ok. Still a bit of work to do

Ah I've just viewed it on another computer, my main font is Centaur which clearly isnt a web safe font and seems to be a much smaller font than usual (it looks better on my laptop!) Is @font-face the best way to go to get this to display in Centaur? Ive tried it once but it didn't work :S

I like the icing text maybe try a few candles ?

 

I'm not keen on the glow on your navigation, no real reason I just dont like the look of it

 

Maybe a touch more spacing on the cakes on the right on the home page

 

Now this could just be because my eyes are tired but I'm finding the text a little difficult to read on the table cloth but like I said could just be my eyes

 

Overall I like it

That icing effect was completely by accident - show that bevel emboss has a purpose sometimes!

Ah I've just viewed it on another computer, my main font is Centaur which clearly isnt a web safe font and seems to be a much smaller font than usual (it looks better on my laptop!) Is @font-face the best way to go to get this to display in Centaur? Ive tried it once but it didn't work :S

 

You could try that... though you would have to use a special format for IE. There are packages already made at font squirrel that you can use. Or you can use Cufon. I use Cufon personally.

 

As for the line-height:

 

http://www.cibgraphics.com/blog/viewentry.php?id=7 (sorry... shameless plug there)

Hey, I know it isn't the best, but maybe you can take some inspiration from a site I've done.

I think it's a great looking website.

 

However, the "above the fold" area contains only logo, navigation and photograph. I'd change that.

You could try that... though you would have to use a special format for IE. There are packages already made at font squirrel that you can use. Or you can use Cufon. I use Cufon personally.

 

As for the line-height:

 

http://www.cibgraphics.com/blog/viewentry.php?id=7 (sorry... shameless plug there)

 

What I'm not sure about with Cufon is that it seems to create a kind of Javascript image of the text, rather than selectable text itself, @font-face isn't like this right?

What I'm not sure about with Cufon is that it seems to create a kind of Javascript image of the text, rather than selectable text itself, @font-face isn't like this right?

 

Try sIFR3. You can make the text selectable, and style it with CSS.

Empek just gave me a serious case of the munchies. Must have a pastry! The photography on that Circos site is a good example of what mrchristoph should be after. Agree with the typography statements but it sounds like you're working on that anyway. Happy designing!

Empek just gave me a serious case of the munchies. Must have a pastry! The photography on that Circos site is a good example of what mrchristoph should be after. Agree with the typography statements but it sounds like you're working on that anyway. Happy designing!

 

The client is having some photography done this week so hopefully they come out well! I'm thinking with the copy just to use a web safe font instead (she has asked for Centaur) becuase it will make it much easier for everyone involved? Cufon seems to works well on the headings so I shall keep that I think but for the main text I don't like the effect.

What I'm not sure about with Cufon is that it seems to create a kind of Javascript image of the text, rather than selectable text itself, @font-face isn't like this right?

 

Its creates a VML path (vector markup language), and it is selectable and copy and paste-able. It still holds you original text so you don't loose any SEO value. I find it much better and easier to use than sIRF.

 

 

Cufon seems to works well on the headings so I shall keep that I think but for the main text I don't like the effect.

 

You would never want to do font replacement for body copy because it would cause a really slow page load no matter if you use Cufon or sIRF.

Ive updated it a bit using a web-safe font for the body. Hows it looking now?

Typography is much better, though it is still on the big side. But it is looking much better.

I never saw the original typography, but even now it seems a little too many fonts. The drop-shadows and the outer-glows make it look like even more fonts. The main body fonts look ok, but the orangey/creamy menu bar and the pink slogan look a bit odd.