Question

Topic: Website Critique

Please, Critique My Newly Created Artistic Project

Posted by NatashaChernavska on 6/18/2007 at 2:38 AM ET 250 Points
Hello, everyone!

It is what it is. Website Critique Experts also need some help - to see their work with someone's else eyes. So do I.

I have eventually completed the first stage of my business web project Artographica.com, I already love it very much, because it's just totally me.

I am still working on a content, there will be much more of texts in website design section, I will also add pictures to the photography section and other sub sections to the arts page. I also know that the English will probably need some editing. forgive me that, I am not a native speaker, but I will do additional editing. The first page will eventually contain some news and announcements on the left. The left column will be filled on every page with sub menu. This is the work in progress.

Here are some of my questions:

1. How do you like the image?
2. How do you like the content placement?
3. Is navigation clear, simple and easy?
4. Did you get enough information?
5. Did you like the project overall?
6. Anything you would add, remove or improve?

Here is the link: https://www.artographica.com/

Thank you!

Natasha.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 6/18/2007 at 4:36 AM Accepted
    Just a few inputs:
    Make sure you have highlighted active link for people to see where they are.
    While on "home" I clicked on "home" because I was not sure which page I was on
    Once you do that take off links pointing to themselves (once you are on "home" page there should not be a link to "home" page)
    Your Photography section opens in a new window. Very very very bad idea. Try to have everything on the same web site. The same for Arts section.

    I also would move your content a little more to the left, so it starts under Artographica logo. You have lots of space there you are just waisting.

    Hope it helps.
  • Posted by prhyatt on 6/18/2007 at 8:56 AM Accepted
    Natasha-

    Your site has a beautiful look and feel, and that is the best way to communicate your personality and your approach to your business.

    I agree with fishka regarding the navigation. One other thing I noticed is that you do not have a link to the page in the top navigation. You should add that.

    In general I would also suggest less copy and more scannable text- more bullets and lists. Do not apologize for what you don't have on the site. I think you have adequate examples of your work.

    I would be interested to see the additional text on the Web Site design page.

    You are probably already planning this, but do make sure to have several native speakers comment on your site once you finish it, and do have a specialist review your content for grammar and other mechanics.

    Good luck!
  • Posted on 6/18/2007 at 11:51 AM Member
    I like the white space, wouldn't move the copy over. I like the distressed font, it's definitely eye catching. I agree with the others on their view of the navigation, and it might help to get a copy person to review for content and grammar. I caught a typo on the first line

    >>There is only one thing I love more than arts, and this is brining joy to and creating value for people. <<

    Missed the g in bringing.

    Otherwise, you do some lovely work, and I'll keep your jewelry in mind for some upcoming birthdays!

    Valerie
  • Posted by Tracey on 6/18/2007 at 12:15 PM Accepted
    I like the images, and the entire look and feel to the website.

    I would recommend enlarging the font size of the copy; it could be a little difficult to read.

    I think the copy could use some work. If the goal of this website is to state all your services and sell them, you should write toward the reader more. Devote less copy to what you like, what your inspiration is. Not to say that's not interesting... but if I was buying your services, that's not what I care about. You can keep all the information about your inspiration, etc. in the "About" section. In the main sections, I want to see how many years experience you have, what types of websites you can create (through the examples, and in the copy you can also give details -- like, do you do any dynamic sites or sites with special capabilities?).

    The examples are really good -- can you talk about them more? What makes them special -- did the site help the business increase sales? How much traffic do they generate? Do they show up well in search engines? ... Your website visitors will be able to recognize a good-looking website, but they may not know the other attributes that make your web design services stellar. Hope that helps!
  • Posted by jpoyer on 6/20/2007 at 1:09 PM Accepted
    Natasha,

    Good comments above. I do agree that the text is on the small side. I’ve been watching my site stats for all the sites we create, and 800x600 res is quickly becoming a non-issue (much of our sites are linked from https://www.xprtcreative.com/clients.html - and you can see there is a varied group there, and even some audiences that I would normally assume would have older computers). I do like the space under the title -- our lead designer is always getting on me for taking out that extra space on my designs, so I've learned to love and appreciate it - heh heh heh.

    From and SEO standpoint, you are pretty much nailing it. And the design is wonderful -- very free and open and ... it just feels good. Navigation is great, and overall your site is really, very visually appealing. And it feels good to look at all of it.

    Here is something that bothers me though, I think your pieces of jewelry and stained glass are beautiful... but I don't know that I would have clicked past the web design stuff to get there if I was not critiquing. I would have clicked on the "Web Design" link in your front page text, and then looked at your web design samples, and that probably would have been it for me. I think the front page makes you look like a web design company. In which case, the other stuff doesn't make as much sense. .... After reading your about me page, I find you to be endearing, kind, talented, driven, artistic ... all good things (I think we'd be great friends under different circumstances, by the way!) ..... and after reading that, THEN I was able to see how it all fit together, and why you included the things you did.

    My questions to you are: What do you want this site to do for you? What is your true goal? Who is your audience?

    On one hand, it reads like a "Hire Me" kind of site, and then on the other hand, it's more of a resume / portfolio site, and though you are very close, I don't think the mix is quite there for being 100% effective for either. (more leaning toward effective portfolio site, but I think the front page would need to have different copy in that case).

    Hope this helps,

    Jennifer
    XPRT Creative
  • Posted by matteo la rosa on 6/21/2007 at 12:36 PM Accepted
    Hi Natasha,
    first of all I would like to tell you that I like very much the design of your web site, it inspires me freedom and flight, two very good and powerful concepts.

    But, on the other side, we're her to criticize, or not? ;)

    I just would like to tell you two things:

    1) The text in Home Page: two little to be read and too much to give any message, I would prefer less, more powerful text.

    2) All the images could be organized in slide shows in Ajax, always remaining in the same page, but allowing people to move forward or backward among them.

    I'm glad to have the pleasure to see your works, after reading quite all your very interesting and appropriate comments!

    Good luck

    Matteo
  • Posted by NatashaChernavska on 6/23/2007 at 12:01 AM Author
    My dear friends!

    You can't imagine how much I appreciate all your responses.

    First of all I am very glad you like the looks. I have put a lot of my heart into this work, and it totally represents my inner feeling of life. And It's nice to know that it feels fresh and free to you too. Thank you!

    fishka, you made a great point, I made links to pages currently being visited unavailable and put headers where it's possible. I also added own photography sections without redirecting to another site. Arts section will remain this way so far, until I will be able to add online shopping feature to my site. Thank you!

    valyoooo, thank you!

    prhyatt, I added About me to the top menu, even though I had to recode the header, but it was worth it. I agree with you, that's significant. I also rearranged copy on the first page, made it more "scannable" as you suggested. Moved some "describtional" copy about my artistic approach to About me section. I definitely plan adding MUCH more copy to web design section, even some kind of article storage where I would express my thoughts about better way in web design. Thank you!

    Tracey, I will be definitely adding some important info about my experience, I agree, that's important. Thank you!

    KSA, you made a great input, I appreciate it! I added some pricing, and will be adding more exact information about my services and prices soon. I will also write more specific texts about what I do. I already added some, will improve it more. I added slide shows to some photography samples, will add more photography slide shows soon. And thank you for a great idea about call to action. I have been a copywriter and I am a great one. I will do all of that for my clients, but when it comes to my own project, I became confused and hesitant. I appreciate your help with giving me a direction in some way. Thank you!

    jpoyer, I know about 800x600 and I personally like stretch sites. But for this particular design I couldn't come up with a stretch solution. This way it was much easier to create it. You can't imagine, I have been trying to come up with the image for 2 months since I have purchased the domain name! I couldn't wait any longer. I am sure I will redraw the image and will be able to make a stretch design in the future. Thank you!

    From the SEO point I am already in the top 3 on Google for artographica and Naracha Chernyavskaya, but that's not really my goal. I wish to be at least in top 20 for Florida web design or creative web design, or artistic web design. I am working on it.

    I want this site to sell my artistic approach in web design. And my arts are just a nice supplement to it. Later on I will create a separate project for my jewelry to sell it online. My audience is whoever needs a beautiful image for their website and very accurate cut picture and coded HTML with right SEO and CSS. I appreciate your input! I would like to be friends, what are those circumstances which are that different that we can't be friends right now? I will be watching you. :)

    matteo la rosa, thank you for your nice words. I wonder what size of text it's showing to you. It's showing me a fine readable size. From my perspective it would look not so nice if I increase the font size. I added slide shows for some за the photo sections, will add them to the rest soon. Takes lots of time, because I don't have a script, it's all HTML. Thank you!

    Thank you, all. I am awarding the points. You all did a great job! I wish I have put more points to this question so you could receive more.

    Natasha
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