Design with Africa theme

[haaki]

Hi,

 

I have worked a lot on creating an Africa Theme Design for this blog: http://www.theafricatravelblog.com

 

I would love to get your precious opinion on this design!

 

What is good? What should be improved?

 

Suggestions to changes?

 

Thank you very much!!

[Axeia]

I'd use CSS sprites for the mouseover as currently the mouseover effect is delayed untill the image is retrieved from the server.

Don't think I like the blue links, they don't seem to fit in with the rest, maybe make it the same maroon'ish color as the text at the topleft?

Speak of the text top left... I'd make that link back to the homepage for easy access.

[nrg_alpha]

The colours certainly work well (as in the green bg and the yellow main GUI panels), but could perhaps use some more vibrance and punch - more on this in a bit.

 

- I feel the top menu could use some spicing up (perhaps the same goes for the entire GUI). As it is, it feels too plain IMO. I'm not sure if it is the font choice, or the simple rounded corner panels, but it looks like perhaps explorering different aspects of both.. try different web safe fonts and maybe instead of those panels, some other graphic that is more associated with Africa? Just throwing some ideas out there..

 

- On the previous note, perhaps having a look at some templates for ideas. I'm not suggesting you use one of those templates, but rather have a look at those travel templates for additional graphic ideas.. From the get-go, I am seeing ideas like: adding some photographs of places in Africa, adding more colour (as mentioned from the start). Currently it feels dull.. but looking at those templates, it doesn't take long to see how brighter / saturated colours can make things look more lively. Have a look around at some of those.. I'm sure there are things that will catch your fancy and get the imagination running

 

- As Axeia mensions, The header 'The Africa Travel Blog' graphic should be a link that points to the home page (I am guilty of not doing this with my site as well.. but it is common practice / expectations to do so).

 

- I would validate your markup and css.

 

 

 

[haaki]

Thanks for great constructive qritique!

 

Questions:

1. You both agreed (and I agree) that the top left logo/text should be a link to "home". It's now a background image, because I can't make it show up when I try to use the <img src="images/logo.png" alt="The Africa Travel Blog Logo"> in html, I just get the alt-text. And that's why I can't make it a link. Any suggestions to why this happens?? -I'm sure it's just a silly little thing..

 

2. Do anyone know of other websites with similar design, where I could get some inspiration? I will take a look at the templates you suggested nrg_alpha..

 

 

Axeia:

I actually tried to do something like the css sprites, but it never really worked out. I had problems with making the background show properly (I had never created a button with hover effect until last night, so I am still a rookie). But I will read the link you provided, and try some more. I also agree about the link colors, fonts, etc., they are all just temporary. Thanks for great feedback!

 

nrg_alpha:

Thanks for a lot good inputs, I have appreciated your advice for my other travel sites before!

 

As to the spicing up, I totally understand what you mean. I really like the simple look it has now, but I am still not satisfied because I am afraid it is too boring, and I want it to be interesting! I will definitely add some pictures at some point: There will of course be pictures in the posts, which will lively up the whole site, but I would also like to incorporate some pictures into the main design. Maybe in the header. I am just very uncertain of how to make it look good and natural.

 

And yes, at some point I'll have to validate the coding, and Im dreading it.

 

 

[akitchin]

you know, i actually quite like the simplicity of this design. the button links at the top could do with a bit of sprucing font-wise, and as axeia mentioned, maybe a simpler and faster rollover would be better (what about just an underline?).

 

one thing that is bothering me is the right bar's contents being aligned to the center. it's VERY difficult to read content that is centered like that - it may need some playing with in terms of padding and positioning of the content (it probably looks goofy being purely left-aligned), but i definitely think you need to address that.

 

otherwise, refreshingly simple design and good colours.

[haaki]

akitchin:

 

Thanks! I really like the simplicity too, but might just add something little to make it a bit more interesting. I will work on the buttons, maybe make the hover color different, or make some other effects. And when I find out how to make it work right, I will make a faster rollover.

 

I haven't worked on the sidebar at all, that really needs work. But I will have to look around, at the moment I have no idea what to do with it. So, suggestions are received with love!