The scrolling for the images on the main page does not work very well. I had to fight the scroller back to the start, and when I finally got to the piece I wanted to see, it auto-scrolled to the next one again.
Also, they haven’t properly set up sIFR. Before the sIFR file can load, the headline flashes in its original font before sIFR takes over. There’s a display: none missing in one of the css files to prevent this.
And on the topic of sIFR, in my mind this is not the right situation to even use the technology. sIFR is meant for dynamic headlines. Because the page section headlines are static, they should have used images. The proper place to use sIFR would be in a blog situation, for the entry headlines. However, their blog design is simply a free WordPress template.
The subtle fades for the work section is nice, though I wish there was more consistency in the layout of the page.
Actually, I believe you get a slightly better SEO benefit from using something like sIFR even on static text, because the text actually exists on the page and not just in ALT tags. It also makes it selectable usually, which some people like to do when reading.
I agree with Pat. I had a difficult time controlling the image slider on the homepage . After discovering it’s actually Flash, there’s really no excuses for it to be that awkward to navigate . Otherwise, it’s clean and easy on the eyes. The highlighting in the portfolio section is a nice touch.
The Flash is a massive failure. The first thing a potential client will see on your site is a buggy slider? Not exactly the best way to get the ball rolling.
sIFR for Helvetica? I love that typeface, but it’s hardly worth using sIFR for. If you’re going to add the overhead of Flash + JS, at least make the typography distinct.
Go back to basics and consider the end user, design is great but the team that put together your code need to relise there is an end user!
There are many ways of creating good documentation, but perhaps the best is to read what you have written from different perspectives. Open up your documentation, and try to use it to figure out your project. If this is difficult, go back and edit or rewrite. Remove anything that is confusing or unnecessary, make sure everything is there that is needed, and then when it seems good, ask a php user that DOESN’T know your project, or even a non-programmer to read it and use their reactions to tailor the documentation.
13 Comments
I like the portfolio page, good subtle use of jquery in the highlighting of the pieces but other than that, not terribly exciting or indeed inspiring.
Good, solid design though. Well done!
The scrolling for the images on the main page does not work very well. I had to fight the scroller back to the start, and when I finally got to the piece I wanted to see, it auto-scrolled to the next one again.
Also, they haven’t properly set up sIFR. Before the sIFR file can load, the headline flashes in its original font before sIFR takes over. There’s a display: none missing in one of the css files to prevent this.
And on the topic of sIFR, in my mind this is not the right situation to even use the technology. sIFR is meant for dynamic headlines. Because the page section headlines are static, they should have used images. The proper place to use sIFR would be in a blog situation, for the entry headlines. However, their blog design is simply a free WordPress template.
The subtle fades for the work section is nice, though I wish there was more consistency in the layout of the page.
Overall, an ok design, but not spectacular.
Actually, I believe you get a slightly better SEO benefit from using something like sIFR even on static text, because the text actually exists on the page and not just in ALT tags. It also makes it selectable usually, which some people like to do when reading.
text can exist on the page when images are used, too. just use header tags and use css to replace the text with an image. simple.
I agree with Pat. I had a difficult time controlling the image slider on the homepage . After discovering it’s actually Flash, there’s really no excuses for it to be that awkward to navigate . Otherwise, it’s clean and easy on the eyes. The highlighting in the portfolio section is a nice touch.
This is actually… pretty bad, frankly.
The Flash is a massive failure. The first thing a potential client will see on your site is a buggy slider? Not exactly the best way to get the ball rolling.
sIFR for Helvetica? I love that typeface, but it’s hardly worth using sIFR for. If you’re going to add the overhead of Flash + JS, at least make the typography distinct.
I really like the design of this site. But I agree with everyone else that some of the functionality should be rethought a little bit.
@dude – I don’t think it’s loading for you. It’s a slab typeface of some type (I don’t want to go back to look at what it is).
@Pat – you’re looking at a different font my friend. Click the about section.
@dude: this is what I’m seeing:
http://www.quicksnapper.com/patdryburgh/image/untitled-0001
Upon second look, you are right. They are using sIFR for Helvetica in the introduction text. And you’re right, that is a bit unnecessary.
Go back to basics and consider the end user, design is great but the team that put together your code need to relise there is an end user!
There are many ways of creating good documentation, but perhaps the best is to read what you have written from different perspectives. Open up your documentation, and try to use it to figure out your project. If this is difficult, go back and edit or rewrite. Remove anything that is confusing or unnecessary, make sure everything is there that is needed, and then when it seems good, ask a php user that DOESN’T know your project, or even a non-programmer to read it and use their reactions to tailor the documentation.
yup! intelligence meets imagination! I loved it.. great work..
Nice site. Simple, easy to read, clean, good use of Flash.