Member Avatar for AlexGrim

Hey guys, i'm sure that you've heard this a million times by now, but i'm stuck on creative ideas for a layout. I am a really good programmer / coder / dba / etc, but i almost COMPLETELY lack creativity for layouts! And we all know that no one will ever hire you if you lack DESIGN skills -- no matter how good of a developer you may be.

Anyway, i was wondering if i could get some criticism for the FLASH version to a website that i'm getting ready to remodle (due to a company name change), and also on the new HTML version that i am in the process of brainstorming layout ideas for right now. I will provide a link for the FLASH version, and links to images of the HTML designs so far, and i would appreciate any helpful criticism.

The look i'm trying to go for is "dark" "modern" "cutting edge" "technology" "professional" "industrial" etc. I am aware that it is very difficult to have a "dark" theme that people will also regard as a "professional" image, but this is something that i am pretty firm on.

Here is the Flash version:
http://Ionisis.com/flash

Here are the html images.

http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-1-2.jpg
http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-1-3.jpg
http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-1-4.jpg
http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-2-1.jpg
http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-2-2.jpg
http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-2-3.jpg
http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-3-1.jpg

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by martin5211

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The thread shows steady, helpful iteration toward a dark, tech-forward identity. The strongest pieces keep information and calls-to-action readable while using texture and lighting for depth rather than distraction. ’s texture experiments are a good direction; community comments from and highlight two consistent risks to avoid: visual clutter that steals focus, and letterforms that become ambiguous when treated as purely decorative.

Actionable checklist to move from mockups to a professional, usable site:

  • Start content-first: define the single top task (request a quote, contact, portfolio view) and build a simple wireframe that makes that task obvious.
  • Logo and typography: deliver the logotype as SVG, test at favicon and mobile sizes, tighten kerning so no characters become ambiguous, and pick a clear type scale (base ~16px, stepped headings).
  • Contrast and legibility: ensure text meets WCAG contrast targets; use the WebAIM Contrast Checker and follow WCAG 2.1 guidance.
  • Textures, imagery, motion: apply low-frequency textures and reduced opacity so they provide mood without masking UI. Avoid autoplay audio, keep animations subtle, and provide static fallbacks for small screens.
  • Performance and formats: use compressed, modern image formats (WebP/AVIF), lazy-load below-the-fold assets, and prefer CSS effects where possible to reduce weight.
  • Quick validation: run 5–6 lightweight usability sessions early to catch major clarity issues before full build (see Nielsen Norman Group on small-sample testing).

Flash is no longer a viable platform; migrate interactions and any background motion to HTML5/CSS3 with accessible markup and proper mobile fallbacks (see Adobe’s Flash end-of-life notice and the MDN video docs for implementation patterns). For affordable polish, consider a short contract with a UI designer for a style tile + responsive header, or use vetted UI kits as a starting point and iterate with quick user tests.

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Member Avatar for AlexGrim

The target market is small businesses, and personal / side businesses. I've had one client that i got from other work that i was doing elsewhere, and i decided that i want to continue working for myself, which is why i started this, but i'm starting to realize that --despite how well i may be able to program and code things, i may not have what it takes to "design" things...

I have been looking at what others are doing for a long time now, and bookmarking all the websites that i feel i can use for inpiration and guidance. I've tried so many ideas with Gimp (linux's photoshop), but nothing comes to any satisfactory results. Here are some more of my blunderings:

http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-4-1.jpg
http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-5-1.jpg
http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-6-1.jpg
http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-6-2.jpg
http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-7-1.jpg
http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-7-2.jpg
http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-7-3.jpg
http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-7-4.jpg
http://Ionisis.com/images/Layout-7-5.jpg

Member Avatar for AlexGrim

I have been seriously considering paying a freelance designer for front end *design* work, as i could handle the xhtml css php mysql js, etc, but the problem is finding one that is decent at design, and who doesn't charge an arm and a leg...

I'm still not going to give up on trying to improve my own design skills, though. I KNOW that eventually i will realize where i'm going wrong, and be able to think past it. For example, i am trying to create a "dark" and "futuristic" feel while maintaining the "professional" aspect. Well, it is not that it cannot be done, it is only that i cannot *envision* how it *should* be done, and so i end up creating disasterpieces.

For my personal websites, it would be almost adequate enough to literally "rip off" an existing design, and then modify the hell out of it until it becomes essentially "my own", and suits my needs and tastes; but for the Ionisis site, this could not be done, because i really cannot find a really *dead on* example of what i am envisioning.

Hell, even my own personal sites (see signature) lack design talent. I *hate* this damned "designer's block"! :(

Anyway, thanx for the tips.

Member Avatar for AlexGrim

By joe, i think i've got it! I came up with this by FREAK accident. I was trying to do something almost completely different, but it kept going in a direction that i didn't want or like... until i tried experimenting with *textures*! :D

I'm still *sure* that there is more that i can do for it before i start coding it, but i thought that i'd just throw the "work in progress" out there for some critique along the way. Thanx all.

Member Avatar for peter_budo

This is looking good, but I would recommend it for a gaming site rather then business site. Try to simplify it, graphics should enhance the information content you trying to pass on your visitor.

Member Avatar for MidiMagic

Wow!

But the name of the company is ambiguous, with one character indeterminate to the eye.

Member Avatar for AlexGrim

"with one character indeterminate to the eye."

I'm not sure what you mean?

Also, I meant to say that i updated the link to reflect the version of the image. I also updated the image itself (). That version is Ionisis-1.0, and i am now working on version 2.0 which is completely different, and more contemporary. I can't wait to get enough of it done to ask for criticism.

I also made a version of 1.0 (0.6) that can be used as a wallpaper: http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Ionisis-0.6?content=88807

Thanx guys; i'll be back later with a screenshit of 2.0 :D

Member Avatar for peter_budo

I would go with first one as logo and company name nicely stand out not like in second. If you want to use the 3rd you need to put more opacity on the city view. Well that is my opinion.

Member Avatar for Jen0608

i like the first logo as well. its formal yet catchy in a way.

Member Avatar for AlexGrim

i like the first logo as well. its formal yet catchy in a way.

That's funny, i deleted the images in those linx a long time ago; so i'd be interested in hearing an explanation on this one.

Btw, i've already come up with a better design that i will definitely be using. It will be a few weeks before the new site is finished with the new design as well.

Member Avatar for martin5211

made me remember Doom III and Paul Verhoeven's Starship Troopers.

Fonts are too big, that could make me move away from display, the background movie is pixelated. Use much Action as you can, like dynamic loading.

The site have a resemblance with glass and/or spatial images - holograms, perfect match for a gaming community... I think the sounds and music doesn't fit together well, unless a metal GUI (like some grunge, metallic or B&W textures, screws, rivets, dirt, engineering drawings, industrial photos, etc).

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