14 replies to this topic

[kamakazi]

I'm am not sure if this is the right place to be posting this or not. Please forgive me if this is the wrong spot as I was unsure where to post this. And before I post anything I need to advise that this is strictly for a college assignment in Screen Design and Graphics; it is in no way an intention to advise a real design nor is it to offend the owner of the site my redesign assignment is based on. I just happened to pick the current existing web site as my project simply for my love for Retro Atari stuff. Logos and any images used are strictly for educational purposes.

My assignment required students to find a web site that would be used in a 5.5 week project. The site that had picked was Best Electronics web site. The idea is to give the site a redesign that would benefit visitors (new and veteran) and business owner(s) by making the website visit a visual and functional experience that is easy to use. Until now, the work has been strictly an in-class only project; but now we are required to get real-world responses on our work. Since this project is Atari related, I thought, "What better place to show this off than at Atari Age's Forum?" I know others here (at least until Atari's recent legal attacks) share a similar interest in all things Atari.

What I am trying to accomplish is a visual look for the mocked-up web site that is just as functional and easy to use. I have had many great responses and suggestions from classmates. This mocked-up screen concentrates mainly on the 5 gaming consoles as it is all I had time for. All of this is my own work and is still getting new imagery when ideas or suggestions come to mind. Those that view the image and would participate; there are a few questions that I need answered about the design in order to complete my assignment. If you don't wish to participate, that's fine too. And I thank you in advance for taking the time to read and view this post and your participation.




Any suggestions are welcomed; but I need this short list of questions answered to complete my assignment. Thanks!

Please rate on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 being poor - 5 being excellent) for each question.

1. The color scheme works well as a whole.
2. The navigation for finding products is well planned and executed.
3. The navigation for contacting the company is easy to find.
4. I would have no problem locating items related to the console I'm interested in.
5. Some images need improvement.
6. The fonts used are easy to read.
7. Images are well placed so as not to overpower other elements.
8. Please provide comments and suggestions here.

Again, I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to participate.

[save2600]

100% pure unadulterated genius at work right here! Wonder if Brad would ever consider you giving his site a much needed facelift?

[kroogur]

kamakazi, on Fri Sep 16, 2011 3:51 PM, said:

1. The color scheme works well as a whole.
2. The navigation for finding products is well planned and executed.
3. The navigation for contacting the company is easy to find.
4. I would have no problem locating items related to the console I'm interested in.
5. Some images need improvement.
6. The fonts used are easy to read.
7. Images are well placed so as not to overpower other elements.
8. Please provide comments and suggestions here.

1. 5
2. 5
3. 5
4. 3
5. 4
6. 5
7. 5
8. Where is the section for the Atari home computers?

The "Visitors","Current Time" and "Guestbook" all seem a bit dated on a commercial website. and the Google Checkout icon is slightly overlapping the border on the bottom box as is the Paypal star burst.

[kamakazi]

kroogur, on Fri Sep 16, 2011 5:29 PM, said:

kamakazi, on Fri Sep 16, 2011 3:51 PM, said:

1. The color scheme works well as a whole.
2. The navigation for finding products is well planned and executed.
3. The navigation for contacting the company is easy to find.
4. I would have no problem locating items related to the console I'm interested in.
5. Some images need improvement.
6. The fonts used are easy to read.
7. Images are well placed so as not to overpower other elements.
8. Please provide comments and suggestions here.

1. 5
2. 5
3. 5
4. 3
5. 4
6. 5
7. 5
8. Where is the section for the Atari home computers?

The "Visitors","Current Time" and "Guestbook" all seem a bit dated on a commercial website. and the Google Checkout icon is slightly overlapping the border on the bottom box as is the Paypal star burst.

As mentioned, I concentrated on the gaming consoles as it was all I had time for. I am currently working on adding the Atari computer consoles as well for the final project assignment. Thank you for your participation!

[kroogur]

kamakazi, on Fri Sep 16, 2011 5:31 PM, said:

As mentioned, I concentrated on the gaming consoles as it was all I had time for. I am currently working on adding the Atari computer consoles as well for the final project assignment. Thank you for your participation!

I'm sorry, I did it again. I have a bad habit of only skimming the first sentence or two in a paragraph. But so far it looks worlds better than their current site.

[Cebus Capucinis]

1. 4 (The white text on grey background on top is a little hard to read, perhaps black would work better)
2. 5
3. 5
4. 4 (but with A8 added as you said you'll be at a 5 easily)
5. 4 (kroogur already mentioned the images on the bottom)
6. 5
7. 5
8. Keeping the top lines of text black would also 'block' the text with the black text above, creating a nice section on the website. Unless it's too glaringly different, I'd suggest switching the View Cart, etc. line to black text as well.

Looks excellent so far!

[rmaerz]

kamakazi, on Fri Sep 16, 2011 3:51 PM, said:

Please rate on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 being poor - 5 being excellent) for each question.

1. The color scheme works well as a whole.
2. The navigation for finding products is well planned and executed.
3. The navigation for contacting the company is easy to find.
4. I would have no problem locating items related to the console I'm interested in.
5. Some images need improvement.
6. The fonts used are easy to read.
7. Images are well placed so as not to overpower other elements.
8. Please provide comments and suggestions here.

Again, I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to participate.

1. 3
2. 5
3. 3
4. 5
5. 4
6. 4
7. 5
8.

For item #1, I like what you have at the top of the screen but I'm not feeling the blue and red borders.

Items 3 & 6 tie together: on your grey graphic I did not see the menu bar due to the white text on grey. Otherwise, the font size and colors are good on the rest of the page.

Item 5: I'm thinking the Atari Authorized graphic shouldn't be separated from what looks like to be awards in the bottom left hand corner.

I can't pinpoint why I the navigation for the console areas does not look right. The text is fine because it's descriptive and the graphics are fine. I don't know if it's the contrast of the white background against the grey graphic at the top or what.

Be it as it may in any event as I digress, it looks like just some tweaks here and there.

Hope this helps.

[kamakazi]

@rmaerz Yea, I have to agree with the color contrast. I simply ran out of time before I could play around with other ideas. I would like to change the navigation consisting of "View Cart" and the others into 7800-style push buttons. Time consuming but it can be done. Like I said, I simply ran out of time. I can work on it in the meantime and post the changes here. But I would need feedback on the first image only

To all others; thank you for your participation and feedback. It is greatly appreciated.

[kamakazi]

Worked a little on the top navigation. This will be used for final project assignment. I'm still working on the rest of the layout. I have an idea on how to add a left navigation that will include all those in the main content area as well as those that are missing in an Atari-style. Gotta keep that flavor right? Unfortunately my printer went kaput on me and won't do anything. I'm going to have to do a web search. I need a few more feedback answers on the original design though before I can complete my assignment which is due tonight. But here is the reworked top navigation most were saying needed work. What do ya think?

And to give a better understanding, the colored outlines were only suppose to be used as an outline until I could find a theme I liked. This was to help me keep content separated and from running into one another. Again, I simply ran out of time between assignments. I am working on adding all consoles including A8s now .

[Cebus Capucinis]

YEAH! I really like that! That's a great idea!!!!

[kamakazi]

OK...final update on redesign theme. I used a cartridge end label image (thanks to Carey85 who posted a Frogger Loaner Cart at http://www.atariage....37#entry2373637) and redesigned the left navigation (even though it is not real ). I also tried to spruce up the main content area a little. I'm having a hard time trying to work with this area. But I like how the footer section turned out. A8s are now included!




Since most of us here are Atari fans and love grabbing Atari carts...I thought that making the left navigation (in the left sidebar) appear as game carts might make it more enjoyable. I tried to give it the black and chrome appeal found on the 2600jr, 5200 and 7800 consoles. I tried to use the 2600 woody appearance, but it has been used before (best of luck to Atari2600.com).

[kamakazi]

Last update, then I'm going to wait about an hour to see if there are anymore responses before I compile the data here for my assignment. To those who are going to participate, the questions to be answered must be on the first image at the top please.

rmaerz mentioned that they felt the Atari Authorized image shouldn't be separated from the awards. Cebus kroogaur mentioned the Visitors, Guestbook, and Current Time elements seemed out of date for a more modern web site layout/design. While they may seem out of date, they can be valuable information to the designer, owner, and visitor. The guestbook can be eliminated; sites that have those are seldom used by visitors anymore (from experience on a few live websites I've created since starting college). So, in this design it was eliminated. The visitor counter needs to be replaced with one that counts a visitor only once. The one there now counts per visit; even when the same visitor refreshes their page or hits the back button. Lastly, there is a purpose for the current time element. Since the business is stationed in the Pacific Time Zone; and since they ship practically worldwide; this would help the visitor know whether the owner was open or closed during their visit. So, that element still has a purpose even when it seems outdated.

I would like to personally thank each and every member here, whether you simply followed the post or participated or both. You have helped me complete my assignment. I also shared this with a few "friends" on Facebook and got no responses of any kind. So those that posted and viewed this topic proved to me something that I already knew: Atari Age members are the best bunch you could find on the internet, hands down! Thanks again! And enjoy the images. I do have the nerve to present this imitation proposal to Best Electronics as freelance work; but I have no knowledge of Java yet. And I'm not 100% certain that they use it. I know HTML and CSS; but then there's the time frame to complete the redesign if it was to go into motion. I just hope that if he sees it here that he takes no offense to the work as it is purely for educational use only.

Edited by kamakazi, Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:59 PM.

[Cebus Capucinis]

I don't recall mentioning that. kroogur mentioned it.

[kamakazi]

Sorry about that Cebus. My mistake. He is right...kroogur mentioned it . To error is only human.

[kamakazi]

save2600, on Fri Sep 16, 2011 5:03 PM, said:

100% pure unadulterated genius at work right here! Wonder if Brad would ever consider you giving his site a much needed facelift?

I've thought about it . I'd do it for an Atari Jaguar and Tempest 2000 Game Cartridge But I would do it freelance as well.