TrentonCS

[ahstanford]

Hello BioRUST,

I'm in the process of designing a website for an operation I recently began running out of my house. This "operation" is called Trenton Computer Services or TrentonCS.com. I recently moved to Trenton, GA and decided to start this as a form of extra income. I plan to offer computer repair/troubleshooting, graphic design, web development, virus/malware removal, etc.

I've began mocking up a version based off a Tutorial9.net version to get ideas flowing. After it's completion I intend to take my favorite ideas from this version and create a unique version with some of my own creativity.

Below is the start of the Tutorial9.net version, it's still not completed. I will post regular updates of my progress.

Click Here To View TrentonCS WIP

Any feedback, suggestions, ideas or comments would be highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance everyone.

Alex

[ahstanford]

Update: http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/782/trentoncsy.jpg

Alex

[unleash]

Looks pretty neat,

Good colours, and the dark background works really good!
The layout is pretty good too!

The only thing I think should be changed is the part that it isn't clear that this is an business site. It looks and feels like an portfolio instead of an corporate site. And it isnt clear what your services are... maybe adding a picture of an malfunction pc might work

I know this is an early version... but still maybe you overlooked it or something.

[Jacorre]

Nice clean and organized. I agree with maybe using a photo of a PC to give more of a hint as to what the site's about at a glance.

[ahstanford]

Thanks for the ideas and suggestions, guys. As mentioned in my original post, I plan to do a redesign in which I will take these suggestions into account.

Alex

[ahstanford]

Update: I've made some updates in regards to the comments in this thread. Please take a look at the following two versions (with only the placement of a picture different) and let me know which you prefer:

Version #1
Version #2

Thanks for the help guys!

Alex

[Jacorre]

I like the placement of the first one better.

[Tamlin]

Originally Posted by Jacorre

I like the placement of the first one better.

Yes, definitely. The computer that appears to be "floating" in mid-air just doesn't look right.

[unleash]

indeed, go with the first one!

[ahstanford]

Update: I've made another version of the same layout called "revamp."

Here's the deal though: As mentioned before, this design is based on a tutorial layout. So, I'm looking for suggestions on how to modify it to add originality and make this design unique.

Help me get this thing looking top-notch. While reviewing the layout keep in mind that I'm looking for suggestions of what I can improve, or can change that would make the layout more unique.

Guys, if you could please provide me with specific C&C in regards to each section of the site, it would be appreciated.

Last but not least, a huge thanks to Jacorre, Tamlin and unleash for the great advice thus far.

I look forward to hearing what you guys have to say about it. Thanks in advance!

...and finally, TrentonCS reVAMP

Alex

[ahstanford]

Originally Posted by ahstanford

Update: I've made another version of the same layout called "revamp."

Here's the deal though: As mentioned before, this design is based on a tutorial layout. So, I'm looking for suggestions on how to modify it to add originality and make this design unique.

Help me get this thing looking top-notch. While reviewing the layout keep in mind that I'm looking for suggestions of what I can improve, or can change that would make the layout more unique.

Guys, if you could please provide me with specific C&C in regards to each section of the site, it would be appreciated.

Last but not least, a huge thanks to Jacorre, Tamlin and unleash for the great advice thus far.

I look forward to hearing what you guys have to say about it. Thanks in advance!

...and finally, TrentonCS reVAMP

Alex

After writing my last post, (if you haven't read it yet, read the quotebox above first) I've decided that the background should be one of the first elements of the design to scrap that was from the tutorial layout.

Any ideas or suggestions? Take a look at Trenton CS White Edition and let me know what you think I should do with it. :-P

Alex

[Tamlin]

Hi Alex:

I'll just make it quite clear firstly that I don't profess to be a web designer, so I don't know what the current trends are - I'm just looking at this from a graphical design point of view (and as a run-of-the-mill web user).

Although the original background might have been a bit "heavy", I find the non-background a bit to sparse (especially since I just bought a new wide-screen monitor and everything seems to be swimming around in far too much space at the moment!). Maybe you could aim for something in between, like a solid pastel colour or maybe one of those very subtle diagonal striped patterns that I believe are popular in Web 2.0 design?

As I said, I'm no expert so feel free to ignore me.

[ahstanford]

@Tamlin: Well, you are on the right track there. Unfortunately, I need more specific inspiration as to which type of background to use. I'm kind of having a hard time deciding what I should do with the background.

Alex

[Tamlin]

These might help to inspire you:

Web 2.0 Background Generators

5 Best Web 2.0 Background Generator | WhirlWind

Web 2.0 Background Generator

[ahstanford]

@Tamlin: Thanks, but I'm really not looking for a basic striped background, etc. I want something custom and unique. Something that supports the layout's current direction.

Alex