So I figured in a blog where I do so much talking about things working on a website, I should at least share some information about the said site. So let's take a look at the layout revisions it took to get me to one that I was happy with. However, before we begin, allow me stress something: I detest these designs. I think they are very poorly done! So if you look at them and laugh to yourself and think "Wow, these are horrible," just remind yourself that I agree with you and that I worked hard to get something visually appealing.So, the first one! Click the thumbnail below to get a look at the full image.
This was just a first pass, I wasn't sure how big a site I wanted, nor was I even sure I wanted to tackle the project. This, I believe, was created on the first day I conceived the site. Just playing around with the design, but thrown out simply because, well, not only is it hideous, but I don't think it's very functional either.
I was a little happier with the second one:
Now, with this one, it was actually being built as the final design of the site. I wanted an overall green design since that was one of the predominant colors of the show. Looking at it now, the most significant problem with the layout is the logo! I can't believe I slapped that thing on the top of the page. The colors don't even match, which is shameful. Obviously, as you can see at the top of the blog page here, I've developed a much better rendition of the logo.
Taking a look at the menu on that design, you can see it's pretty sparse. A total of 12 possible selections, with possible submenus below those. The final design ended up using 23 selections and numerous submenus! The green was eventually scrapped too. The disclaimer at the top was envisioned to randomly display one of the disclaimers every time you come to the site. I'll admit that's cool, but I dropped it with the latest design.
Today, while I'm not willing to show you the final design just yet, I can say that it uses red, sepia, white and gold for the color scheme. Also, it's highly inspired by the look of a certain Hercules postcard I've always liked.
There are a few other things that have evolved over time, and I might post a few of those later this week. So laugh at these designs if you must, at least you're laughing!
Extra tidbit: I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I try to make most of my topical images relevant to the topic. For instance, the picture above is from the fashion show in "Greece is Burning."
2 comments:
Hey, there, Sting, while I didn't really laugh at the designs, I did kind of wonder what were you thinking on the 1st one. The 2nd one doesn't look too bad, though..
Your color scheme sounds just about right and I'm sure that whatever you choose as the final design will be great!!
I love that show and the pic is one of my favorites. At least he's wearing something different than his usual stuff. That's why I love the Norse trilogy and the Irish one. He looks so good in that dark brown leather. HOT!!!
See ya soon. Gina
Hey Gina,
Yeah, the first one is rough, but in more ways than one. Nothing was "final," it was just me fooling around with ideas. I'm sure if I decided that I liked the direction, then it would have ended up looking quite a bit better than that one. Still working out some kinks in the coding of the final layout, but I think after I finish that up, I'm going to post a picture up here for you to have a look. After all, it's not really fair for me to talk about it all the time and not show a picture.
I really liked to see Herc wear different outfits as well, but I can't complain about the yellow vest too much--I think it's really well done. I was actually discussing his wardrobe with a friend recently, and it inspired me to prepare a nice article for the final site that will detail all the outfits he wore throughout the series, with pictures! It's pretty cool to see them all side by side.
I must agree with you though, the dark leather looked excellent. I have always kind of wished that he kept that one through the remainder of the show, but again, the yellow is still pretty cool!
See ya around,
-Sting
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