Going Dark
So I put up a new layout. I still have mixed feelings about this new one as I really did love my old one so much. This is also the first time ever my site has “gone dark” as I usually work with a lot of white. There’s still a few things I need to fix up such as the visitor content pages where all the images have white backgrounds and may look weird. I also need to fix up the comment background, but for now this is it because I really need to get some sleep.
Please critique the layout as much as you want, I am a perfectionist and want to make sure it looks great on every computer. I have tested it in different resolutions and in Firefox, IE6 and Opera. Also, is the text too hard to read or just right (how’s the contrast on your computer)?
I think it’s lovely. I am not too fond of vexels and the like, but I like all the other small details a lot.
The font color is perfect. I have no problems in reading it. But I am using 30% brightness cause I can’t stand it. I’m sure it’s lighter for other people.
Comment by Regina - December 2, 2007 7:10 am
The layout is lovely, I usually don’t like vexels, but this is a nice one :] I think that that’s my laptop in the vexel too, it looks strangely familiar.
The font isn’t too hard to read either, but seeing as it’s dark in my room, I have the brightness set down at like 45% so I don’t blind myself like I do with my iPod in the middle of the night!
Comment by Katherine - December 2, 2007 8:48 am
The laptop looks very realistic! I’m glad you put this layout up, it looks wonderful. The text is fine as well - I’m not entirely sure how to put this but it looks delicate
Nicely done!
Comment by Lil - December 2, 2007 9:33 am
I love this layout! I love the green you used
Completly unrelated but browsing your gallery I saw an illustration I had once see on Vexels.net:
http://vexels.net/vexels/18305... Possible stealer?
The face is not the same so I don’t know if it’s because the image you use was available for everyone to use or if she took your illustration and just change the face…?
Anyway, your artwork is amazing!
Comment by Nyxx - December 2, 2007 9:51 am
As always I’m impressed with your layout! Your use of colors makes you seem down to earth and I’m sure your audience would agree. Also, the contrast is good on my end. I’m probably being nit picky but the coffee cup in the comments gets covered by the dark text. For instance, the “Nicely” in Lil’s comment disappears. It’s no big deal though ’cause I figured out what it said. LOL
Comment by Cori - December 2, 2007 9:54 am
It’s looking great on my wide-screen laptop, view by Firfox. Although I had groan found of your ladybird layout I have to say I really like this one. The graphic in the header especially.
Comment by kim - December 2, 2007 11:20 am
Hmm. I like the color scheme on this one better, but I liked the graphics on the old one better. Does that make sense? Either way, I really do love this layout! It’s fun doing things you wouldn’t usually do!
Comment by Meli - December 2, 2007 1:06 pm
Contrast is good, but contrast is always good on my unadjustable laptop LCD. You might want to make the dashed lines on the headers in the sidebar a bit lighter, though. They’re a nifty decoration but difficult to see.
I can’t say I’m a big fan of the tea + gradient in the comment area, though. It tends to get in the way, and might be better if it was top/bottom aligned.
Add some padding to the content area so it doesn’t run up right against the sidebar.
Other than that, pretty nice.
Comment by Leila - December 2, 2007 1:11 pm
Thanks for all the lovely comments everyone. Just so you know, it is not a vexel but a “digital painting” which is entirely different, though some of you can’t tell.
I am glad the contrast between text and background is good, I have never used anything other than white background/black text.
Cori- with the comment area, the teacup (as well as the crayons for admin) is what I need to fix, but as usual I ran out of time to fix it. It will be done tonight.
Nyxx- Woah that is an outright steal. I have reported the image, thanks for letting me know.
Meli - I totally understand what you mean. I too love this colour scheme but prefer my ladybug image. The ladybug was a vector image whilst this was a digital painting so this looks softer and blended where as the ladybug was bright and sharp.
Comment by Bobbi-lee - December 2, 2007 4:14 pm
Katherine- Thats my laptop too, its the DV-2000 HP.
Comment by Bobbi-lee - December 2, 2007 4:22 pm
I really like it. It’s easy to read and the colour scheme is great. I have to admit that I preferred your previous header though. The top-left corner of the sidebar also seems to be a little out of place. But overall, I like this one much more than your last. *adores*
Comment by Rilla - December 3, 2007 1:44 am
It looks nice, I like it.
It’s easy to read, you’ve chosen some nice colours!
Comment by Paula - December 3, 2007 7:50 am
I love it! The green is great
I think the blog titles could be spiced up a little, and the dotted border in the sidebar could be lighter so it’s noticeable.
Comment by Kaylee - December 3, 2007 2:22 pm
I love it! I love dark layouts!!! And now I don’t have to be terrified of the ladybug! Yay!
Comment by Aisling - December 3, 2007 5:19 pm
Ooh, this is a fresh change! It gives off a very creative vibe.
My only issue is the tiny margin around the top and right sides of the sidebar. That, and like Kaylee mentioned, the dotted borders in the sidebar should be a little more contrasty.
I love the coffee cups and crayons - so cute!
Comment by Chanel - December 4, 2007 12:41 am
I kind of wanted the dotted lines to be there but not there, as in really transparent. At least I know they were noticed. Maybe I will change the contrast a bit.
I actually wanted the margins there, for some reason without it the sidebar kind of floats into the dark background so it doesn’t look good. Though the tiny margin on top of the sidebar wasn’t intentional, I changed it when there was a glitch with the laptop image overlapping.
Comment by Bobbi-lee - December 4, 2007 1:13 am
Hey Bobbi-lee! I found my way here through Leila after her little plug to my site in a comment on a previous post of yours showed up in my referrals list. And I have to say, based on the layout alone, I am quite impressed! I’ve tried making a brown layout myself in the past, but it all turned out too monochromatic. I love that you put your artwork into play in the layout as well, as it reveals a part of you without us ever having to visit the “About” page. Contrast seems fine. Lovely job!
Comment by Asia - December 4, 2007 11:30 am
Ack! I loooove it! The little crayons are just too cute
Comment by Kelley - December 4, 2007 1:40 pm
Wow, I love this layout!! Everything’s so well done and precise!
Comment by Regina - December 4, 2007 6:32 pm
I LOVE the new layout! It looks absolutely fantastic. Got no ‘critique’, but perhaps for the navigation each one could have some different coloured/angled crayons when you hover instead of just the red and blue ones? Like the ones in the footer… Very sexy though, well done!
Comment by Paddy - December 10, 2007 11:00 pm