Hi,

 

I've already posted about some specific wordpress stuff that got sorted but now I'm kinda questioning my complete design. I don't know If I've just got tired already after looking at it for so long or it just isn't that good, so I'd appreciate some input.

 

http://www.simonkilmore.co.uk/FFL

 

As I look at it now I just think it looks too plain and simple with just solid blocks of colour and simple text. I just don't like it and it doesn't look very modern to me. Most designs I do seem to be similar with lack of fancy graphics or anything because I'm just not skilled in that area. I went with the dark colours rather than the simple white layouts you see so often because it's a rock music site, white and pretty doesn't seem appropriate. I went with red as the other colour to match the logo (top left). Fonts is another place I'm not very creative, I just don't know what to choose.

 

Since I can code to HTML/CSS from a PSD without problem do you think it might be better to get someone else to do purely the design then the coding myself? Only problem with that is I simply can't afford to pay anyone big money to do it, it's a non-profit 'hobby' website really.

 

Thanks

Simon

If your struggling for ideas you could always check out sites like:

 

http://www.kerrang.com/ [or similar]

 

Or maybe some other similar bands sites:

 

http://www.afireinside.net/

http://www.epitaph.com/

 

Or even the foo fighters site for inspiration http://www.foofighters.com/uk/home

 

They all tend to go for a 'grungy' theme [as you'd expext], you could maybe give that a go? That's relativly easy with photoshop if you have it to hand.

 

But if you don't fancy doing it yourself you could always get a web developer to create a skin / concept for you, then you could add the code yourself. Would keep costs down and give you the opportunity to code if it's a hobby website. Maybe a nice route to go down.

 

Hope this helps

 

Snick

Yeah thanks,

 

I've been looking around for a lot of inspiration, looking at other similar band sites as you say and just general design sites like css mania and they do all just look so much more professional than I can do. I've picked up a few ideas though.

 

I think I'll start again with a blank canvas and see what I can come up with again otherwise I think I will have to look at getting someone else to do it but as mentioned I really can't afford to spend any serious money on it, I would rather have my 'average' designs, it's not like it's an important business site, it's just a fan site at the end of the day.

 

Regarding fonts is there a handy list somewhere of all the pretty safe web fonts I can use? I know you can never be certain so you use the backup generic families as I do, but a list of most of the good ones would be handy. I've also been reading a bit about @font-face and googles new font database but is using that a good idea right now? How wide is browser support?

Like the colour scheme and layout, the header is too tall, takes up too much real estate on the site IMHO. I use a book called 'The Web Designeres Idea Book' it's only a few quid from Amazon and it's very useful.

 

Ste

Yeah thanks,

 

I've been looking around for a lot of inspiration, looking at other similar band sites as you say and just general design sites like css mania and they do all just look so much more professional than I can do. I've picked up a few ideas though.

 

I think I'll start again with a blank canvas and see what I can come up with again otherwise I think I will have to look at getting someone else to do it but as mentioned I really can't afford to spend any serious money on it, I would rather have my 'average' designs, it's not like it's an important business site, it's just a fan site at the end of the day.

 

Regarding fonts is there a handy list somewhere of all the pretty safe web fonts I can use? I know you can never be certain so you use the backup generic families as I do, but a list of most of the good ones would be handy. I've also been reading a bit about @font-face and googles new font database but is using that a good idea right now? How wide is browser support?

 

I think one of the great things about a 'hobby site' is experimenting with different looks, Just play around and see if you can get it to the standard you want. Just take a screen shot into photoshop and play around with different Ideas / positioning etc... Then when your happy, apply it to your site. Maybe try adding some gradients / textures and things to mix up the block colours?

 

As far as fonts go there's a few of the most common fonts listed here if that's what you mean.

 

http://www.terinea.co.uk/blog/2008/02/01/what-fonts-can-i-use-on-my-website/

 

But it's all down to personal preference what people would describe as 'good'...As longs as it's not comic sans

 

Snick.

deleted...

So I took the advice given and used a lot of inspiration to come up with this new version (just the PSD at the moment, so an image):

 

http://s42.radikal.ru/i097/1006/cf/79c1c99f46ce.png

 

I personally think it's much better, grungy looking and just more professional. I'm happy with it, but would appreciate comments.