New Design Brief

**Man1c M0g** · 09-13-2009

Hey peeps! We are in the midst of commissioning a redesign and would like your opinions on an early draft! The following screenshots are all variants of the new members page. Let us know what you think...

**unleash** · 09-14-2009

I like the last one best. I think the gallery thingy and the layout of the "user stats" and "about me" is best in that one.

For the rest I want to say, neat looking redesign!! Maybe the banner is a bit busy, I think you should calm it down a little... Or maybe its the background that makes it so busy... but for the rest its really neat!

MoodsR4Cattle · 09-14-2009

I like #3 too. Nice design! My only thought is the top is a bit too "girly", not neutral, but the font is cool.

**tichnak** · 09-14-2009

May I present myself as one of the new owners of the site, my Name ist Michael Marcovici, RATTRADERS.COM (artmarcovici), we follow the discussion on the new design and I would also like to hear from members what other improvements they sugest.

ahstanford · 2 Weeks Ago

The first and third of these concepts are the strongest, in my opinion.

The first is well balanced but I believe the third presents the information in a better format. My vote is currently on the third one.

But, I do have one complaint about this design... the navigation's text feels very.. outdated? The text feels over-stylized. Overall the design feels great, is well organized and aesthetically pleasing. Great direction. I would just give the navigation style, not format, some reconsideration.

Alex

**unleash** · 2 Weeks Ago

So are there any updates to tease us with?

*smw* · 1 Week Ago

The designs maintain the same organization, and structural concepts BioRUST has kept for quite some time now. I just don't feel the layout represents BioRUST very well. It just doesn't look like the same web site.

While these new design ides are clean, and easy to work with.. It just seems a little cheesy for BioRUST.

I like the second design the best out of the three, but in the long run I think it'd be better to design something similar to the layout being used now. The only thing is the fact that the colors get a little boring over time.

The new layout is definitely more colorful, but it doesn't seem to fit BioRUST's personality.

These are just my opinions..

ahstanford · 1 Week Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by smw

The designs maintain the same organization, and structural concepts BioRUST has kept for quite some time now. I just don't feel the layout represents BioRUST very well. It just doesn't look like the same web site.

While these new design ides are clean, and easy to work with.. It just seems a little cheesy for BioRUST.

I like the second design the best out of the three, but in the long run I think it'd be better to design something similar to the layout being used now. The only thing is the fact that the colors get a little boring over time.

The new layout is definitely more colorful, but it doesn't seem to fit BioRUST's personality.

These are just my opinions..

smw, I must disagree with you. As someone who's been around BioRUST through a few versions, I can feel the similarities with the new design in some ways. In the ways I don't, I'm glad, because it seems this new version has some added personality. I definitely think it could use some work, but generally speaking, I think it's a great direction.

I will say that it feels slightly heavy and over-graphical, and the navigation could use some work, as mentioned. But overall, this is a nice, fresh new feel for BioRUST. In my opinion, BioRUST needs this revamp.

Alex

*smw* · 1 Week Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahstanford

smw, I must disagree with you. As someone who's been around BioRUST through a few versions, I can feel the similarities with the new design in some ways. In the ways I don't, I'm glad, because it seems this new version has some added personality. I definitely think it could use some work, but generally speaking, I think it's a great direction.

I will say that it feels slightly heavy and over-graphical, and the navigation could use some work, as mentioned. But overall, this is a nice, fresh new feel for BioRUST. In my opinion, BioRUST needs this revamp.

Alex

ahstanford,
I agree it's a nice direction. It just seems a bit heavy like you said. I just have always admired BioRUST for its simplicity.

These new design ideas definitely do a lot more for enhancing how the content is viewed.

I'm sure I'll change my mind when it gets released. (I've been around for a few versions myself, and this site just doesn't seem to be as lively as it once was..)

**unleash** · 1 Week Ago

smw,

That the site isnt as lively as it once was, isnt 1on1 linked to the layout and design. A lot of members moved on, some stayed. But the problem is that there arent many new members coming in.

About the design, yes its heavy on the graphics... but I think that it looks great! This is an graphics forum right? The one thing that I dont like is the background, but im not going to repeat myself over and over again

But Mog, updates?

ahstanford · 1 Week Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by unleash

smw,

That the site isnt as lively as it once was, isnt 1on1 linked to the layout and design. A lot of members moved on, some stayed. But the problem is that there arent many new members coming in.

About the design, yes its heavy on the graphics... but I think that it looks great! This is an graphics forum right? The one thing that I dont like is the background, but im not going to repeat myself over and over again

But Mog, updates?

unleash is right. Personally, I'm a fan of lighter sites, but this is a graphic forum so it's completely appropriate.

Alex

*smw* · 1 Week Ago

I never said it the problem was layout related. The problem is more update related. I never should have said anything in the first place. This section of the forum is for opinions on the new design, and it should be kept that way.

I apologize.

ahstanford · 1 Week Ago

@smw: I hope I didn't offend you. I was simply trying to bounce thoughts back and forth. I agree with you in some ways - it's a new look for BioRUST, it's overly-graphical for my preference, the forum needs more activity - but overall it's a improved direction. We must remember this is simply an first viewing, and some of the issues we're discussing just may get addressed before the fat lady sings, if you will.

*smw* · 1 Week Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahstanford

@smw: I hope I didn't offend you. I was simply trying to bounce thoughts back and forth. I agree with you in some ways - it's a new look for BioRUST, it's overly-graphical for my preference, the forum needs more activity - but overall it's a improved direction. We must remember this is simply an first viewing, and some of the issues we're discussing just may get addressed before the fat lady sings, if you will.

I agree, it's too soon to make any rash decisions opinion wise. I'm sure it will enhance how the community is viewed. The layout looks more oriented to how the content is viewed.

Background is a bit tacky though.

It's just seems too graphical to me right now.

**Tamlin** · 1 Week Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by unleash

smw,

That the site isnt as lively as it once was, isnt 1on1 linked to the layout and design. A lot of members moved on, some stayed. But the problem is that there arent many new members coming in.

Actually, looking at the site stats log, there have been 680 new members registered over the past 2 months. However, there have only been 180 posts and 29 new threads created in the same period (and some of those will have been spam). The "problem" isn't that there aren't any new members - it's more that they're not contributing to the forums.