1. I would make the text just a bit darker gray to make it easier to read. Or I might reverse it so that the text was black and it grayed when you mouseover.
2. The eye likes to see text that lines up on a horizontal line across the page... Also, I would put "get connected" on top and move the less fun "conditions of use" to the bottom. Mainly because the eye scans across the top first and looks for something to do right away. So what I would do is arrange things like this, making sure that the items that are across from each other line up on a rule:
------------get connected------------ about our hotspot------coverage map our disclaimer ---------connection donations other hotspots---------cool spain links ----------conditions of use-----------
Oh, and one other thing... put a banner centered at the top that says "Plaza Wireless" or whatever you are going to brand your service so people have some words to go with those cool semicircles radiating from Casa de la Panader�a.
Posts: 1069 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 10 December 2002
Looks good to my eye. I like the cleaness of the page and the 'radio waves' are perfect. The central GIF immediately explains what it's all about, and makes you want to explore. I hate those fancy web sites that are a web designer's dream but a user's nightmare. I came across one the other week that just turns me off . It's http://www.donana.es/ Just far too fancy an opening page - don't you think ? :z:
Posts: 236 | Location: Cadiz Province and Sussex England | Registered: 07 October 2002
It's nice and clean Jer and quite functional. Thumbs up!
My personal preference for the Title setting of a web page is the main site name (in your case multimadrid) followed by the secondary topic, in this case Plaza Wireless. Otherwise those that bookmark it won't get a particular useful bookmark descriptor.
The WiFi graphic on the far right somewhat unbalances the design since it is more colour saturated than the gray graphic and menu items. If you could fade it out and balance it with a similar graphic for something else, perhaps the mm logo, on the left side it would add a bit more professionalism to otherwise excellent design.
- Roland
Posts: 289 | Location: Madrid via DC via Mexico via ... | Registered: 01 August 2003
I definitely would feel more comfortable with symmetry, even though you say you like breaking the 'linear rules'.
But for me, the symmetry thing is important. It looks like you have accidently failed to make them balance. I know you haven't, but that's just my immediate impression.
I like the radio waves and the way they are in contrast to the old style print of the plaza I think that looks really good.
Jo
Posts: 137 | Location: Holmfirth, UK | Registered: 25 May 2001
I think the very professional and highly informative comments above could scare some folks (like me) away from trying to say something, cuz it just won't measure up! Having said that, I know you want "regular joe/joelle" comments, so...
I like it because it's simple, nice and clean. I do think the text seems to be "floating" a little aimlessly around the graphic which would perhaps be fixed by lining it up as Mariposa suggests, or perhaps by adding a frame. I also agree that the corner graphic stands out a bit too much and unless you really want people to focus on it I'd dim it a bit.
ok ok... I am not a webdesigner which is why I didn't not respond to your intial plea. But if it's the average joe response that you are looking for, here it is...
Love the old/new graphic in the middle. Very cool incorporating the mm colors with the radio waves.
Rollovers are great, very user friendly, clean. Follows the great KISS (keep it simple stupid) model.
I agree with Roland about the WIFI logo. It kind of stands out like a sore thumb. The idea of counterbalancing it, either on the upper or lower left side with the mm logo would be keen.
My only original comment is this.. how about making the graphic clickable which takes you to shots from your plaza cam?
Great job jer... then again, after all your improvements over the years, we wouldn't expect anything less of you. (Ok, take out the pin and pop your head, I know I just inflated it! :jeje: )
Jo, thanks, i appreciate your need for the linear logical menu but i am gonna go against the grain since the people who will use the wifi service will (or should) be somewhat wifi internet savvy, i am confident that all will go well with the design.
ok, with Jules and Chica's vote i'm gonna either greyscale that color "WiFi" logo or do away with it completely.
Chica, we on the same "onda". i was planning on linking to the plazaCam somewhere on the site but still unsure of how and where to place the link.
I don't like the bright white background, it's just too bright, it should be something like Sky blue and sunny looking, just like Madrid, but other than that, it's cool, a touch of color in those hyperlinks would be a good idea too I think. How about a "Rainbow" at the top of the page between the two classic m's of the multimadrid logo, a bit like a banner, or you could set it in the background as a "watermark" for example. You could have those hyperlinks waving like the Spanish national flag, using the same colors of red & yellow, if you know what I mean, kind of like an animation, and how about attaching a sound to each link, either some kind of introduction, or something more Spanish sounding, like a short blast of flamenco, for example. I think it wouldn't do it any harm if it looked & sounded more interesting, and attracting to the eyes & ears, as with amusement arcades, what gets people to play the machines? lights, sounds, colors, if those machines were plain boxes, nobody would give them a second look, they have to be attractive to attract attention & encourage people to click on it to found out what's this? what's in here/there, what does this do? etc, just having a word sitting there in plain grey is just not enticing enough, it needs to flash at them, and look sexy.
Just a little food for thought, that's all.
Saludos.
Posts: 696 | Location: Santander | Registered: 11 August 2003
When I mentioned 'linear' I didn't mean 'linear linear', I just mean symmetrical .. like the example mariposita gave.
I like the idea of Madrid sky blue as me llamo Santiago suggested. But I also like the simplicity of how it is at the moment, not too many bells and whistles.
And chica .. you can't be the average jo I am
Jo
Posts: 137 | Location: Holmfirth, UK | Registered: 25 May 2001
HI Jer. Simple yes but slightly boring also. Not wild about the white (what about a Goyesque sky)or the light grey letters as was stated before (my screen at least) I'd enlarge the panaderia, put it on the right and range the options maybe in tab buttons, or whatever you call them, on the left with your super zappy rays linking or near as, to the panaderia. That's my bit. :cheers:
Posts: 222 | Location: madrid,spain | Registered: 21 July 2002
I think it seems faded and could use a bolder / stronger font or more vivid colors to jump out at you more.
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Posts: 881 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 08 November 2002
Here's the deal. This is CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM - so don't be offended.... THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION -
I don't like it and here's why:
2 Issues (Graphic Design and Technical Design)
GRAPHIC DESIGN
As Mariposita touches on, in the West, our eyes read pages from Left to Right and from Top to Bottom.
It's no coincidence that 90% of (business) web pages have their navigation solidly anchored in the top left corner, in the leftmost column , or planted along the top of a page. Your page has 10 items equally dispersed all over the page. Each one competing for our eye's attention. There is no organization. Also, our eyes naturally are attracted to the area of highest contrast. In your case it's the black on white WiFi logo in the lower right corner...
The most important tool when designing a page (either for print or for screen) is a piece of paper and a pencil.
Unless you are a VERY experienced DESIGNER, you can not design on screen. Start out by doing several very simple thumbnail sketches. That's to say DESIGN your page FIRST, and then build that page on screen. You simply must do it this way if you want to have a good looking product.
Think of your page as small Groups, and design using those small items - and remember "white space" or "negative space". The page you have has no structure or composition - rather just the 10 items equally scattered. You aren't controlling my eye or directing me where to look - a good design will do that. Remember, you're the boss, and you can control the viewer's eyes where to go.
Instead of having the entire page be your navigation element, make your navigation element be one small part of your page. Have a look at these - http://users.rcn.com/tliberty/NavExamples/ I'd be happy to send you the .fla files (or show you where to get them) for you to use if you like any of them. Again, think elements or groups, and design using those groups.
It's good that you use a Table on the page, but basically you have an area of 800X600 with only 1 element, the table, (width=710) in the center of the page - but you can do so much more from a design perspective.
TECHNICAL DESIGN
RollOver using JavaScript It's not bad but: Javescript is fine when called for, but it's overdone here. You have over 400 lines of code to accomplish a simple RollOver navigation affect. You could accomplish the same thing using something like Flash using less than a dozen lines of code. Slower computers and lower bandwidth users will thank you.
PopUps Personally, I don't like them - Another window? Forget it - they're annoying.
Remember that Mouseclicks are important. It's asking the user to do something - and that's risky. People are lazy and impatient and unless they're really interested, they will not click - follow a link, watch a boring Flash intro... Make it easy for them and you'll be more successful. The last thing you want to do is annoy or bore your audience.
Remember the (BLINK) tag? (Mariposita?) What a fiasco. Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you should do it. I agree with Chica (KISS) Keep it simple, graphically and technically.
Again, design your page First... and then build that page. That's how the Pros do it.
Anyway, if you're still reading/speaking to me - I'll see you at Volleyball next Tuesday!!!
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