i'm designing my hosting/design/domains netowrk layout, and i've hit an obstacle. i have a general idea, and a general deisgn, but something looks odd.

here's the addy:

http://www.trent-is.net/designs/design1.gif

it's very stripped down right now, because i just started it today. i like everything except for the top. the part where it says trent internet solutions network doesn't look right, but i don't know what to put up there.

(so you know, the bar underneath that is where the menu is going to go)

anyways, i would really appreciate the help. if you see any other tips you could give me, go ahead, i really appreciate it

I would suggest an image or photo to strengthen the text "Trent Internet Solutions" as it now looks too simple for a header.

Perhaps totally changing the header would be more attractive like.

www.boomhost.com/Test/design1.gif

thanks for the tips! i was thinking the same thing, but here comes the tricky part: what do i use that won't like dis-tasteful or tacky or like it's just space filler (like it really is)?

i mean, i've seen alot of sites that use things like grids and landscapes to get this space filler in there, but to be honest, going with this aproach isn't my top choice. i don't want to be seen as the type to 'follow the crowd' so to speak.

thanks for the tips! keep the comments coming!

so i've done some editing and i've come up with a few more variants to my origional design: take a look and tell me what you think about them (what you like, what you don't like, what you think i could do better)

http://trent-is.net/designs/design2.gif
http://trent-is.net/designs/design3.gif
http://trent-is.net/designs/design4.gif

this is better. though try second and the third versions with a bolder font.

this might be slightly off the topic, but I really believe that it is worth spending $100 on your business website design. It will save you a lot of clients.

Originally posted by resurepus.co
this might be slightly off the topic, but I really believe that it is worth spending $100 on your business website design. It will save you a lot of clients.

i'm not sure i understand where you are going with this one. what is the 100 dollars for? and what do you mean it will save me a lot of clients? (not trying to sound harsh, i just don't know how to word what i want to say)

6thDay,

I agree with resurepus.co, ... looks like you will not be able to design a good layout with limited graphic skills for a while until you have mastered it.

No offense, until you have full control and know the basics such as anti liasing, feather, gradient, masking, layers, effects, vector, etc. etc. you won't be a good graphic designer.

I would suggest to concentrate learning your ABCs first with whatever software you are comfortable instead of jumping the gun and going straight into designing without any knowledge of the basics which will definitely hinder your progress.

Regards

cactus: exactly what I wanted to say. Thank you.

Originally posted by cactus
6thDay,

I agree with resurepus.co, ... looks like you will not be able to design a good layout with limited graphic skills for a while until you have mastered it.

No offense, until you have full control and know the basics such as anti liasing, feather, gradient, masking, layers, effects, vector, etc. etc. you won't be a good graphic designer.

I would suggest to concentrate learning your ABCs first with whatever software you are comfortable instead of jumping the gun and going straight into designing without any knowledge of the basics which will definitely hinder your progress.

Regards

i find this highly insulting, as i know those skills. i'm not looking for flashy with my website, i don't need to use those skills to make my website. i'm doing a local thing, and it doesn't require that i make things look insanely flashy. i choose for my work to look simple and appealing compared to the sites that are flashy and complicated.

BUT

thank you for at least trying to help me, if not by suggesting i should get someone else to do it for me.

Sometimes the truth hurts and I was basing more on your design layout ... If I offended you then please accept my sincere apologises it wasn't intentional.

Regards

Oh, on a side note.. I believe that I have gained much experience and knowledge being a WHT member and there was always the experts and experience ones to help me solve difficult problems.

I would always offer my assistance if need be and not ashamed if I need help. Members of this board knows my style...


6thDay- No hard feelings dude, and sorry about any advice taken as an insult as I was not aware of my strong comments.

Regards

Originally posted by cactus
Sometimes the truth hurts and I was basing more on your design layout ... If I offended you then please accept my sincere apologises it wasn't intentional.

Regards

(i'm trying not to sound cocky or superiour here,but i don't know how to word this otherwise) i accept your apologies, and i understand where you were coming from.

i admit that it looks like i don't really know what i'm doing, but as i said before, i've got a long way to go. i won't be officially releasing my site to the public at least until the middle of the year. i want to give myself time to tweak and test against some of the better web designers in the few forums i goto (wht, httpme, voxtreme). while i welcome positive feedback, i've learned to take in the negative feedback and use it for what it's meant to be used for: making my site better.

i do know most (not all, i'm continually learning) of the skills to design graphics for websites, and the reason i typed that rash post was because i feel that you can't base your opinions on someone's abilities off of one website design. that's like judging a person by the first thing that comes out of their mouths.

i am more of a simplistic designer when it comes to websites-mainly because i'm still learning the skills to design flash sites and to make these overly flashy sites. i also prefer the simplistic designs, partly because of orginazation, among other reasons.

i do welcome any more advice you (and others) can give me to make my site better. as i said, i have a long way to go, and that's what this stage in my designing is for, to narrow down what looks good, what works, and what doesn't.
-----------
Terry L. Trent, Jr.

6thDay,

It's great to hear that you want to be.. well one of the best and rub shoulders with those skilled web designers one day and I know as I have been down that road, it was like I was a boy in a man's world when I am with friends who were better than me in web designing. I was laughed at and humilated but I didn't give up and I am now having the last laugh where my friends don't dare to even want to discuss anything about web designs with me as they are afraid that I might steal their design and produce a better one..

I have worked hard to what I am today in graphic designs and nothing comes easy, you got to search far and wide to be able to achieve your goals and by the looks of it you are heading in the right direction by asking for advice and guidance.

Flash, animation, banner making, logos are added skills that your may want to keep in your toolbox, master it well and use it wisely.

Hope this helps

Regard

Hi,

I would add some color behind the images on the left -- make them stand out from the site.....then add your content in the middle of the page.

:)