I was working on new templates for my site all of yesterday. I want to drastically change the colors and better promote several features of the site through their position in the left navigation bar.

Here is a demo of the new template:
http://www.bowlingfans.com/temp02032002.shtml

Here is the existing design:
http://www.bowlingfans.com/

Any ideas, comments?

I'm planning on:

Thanks for visiting the Design Blox forum! I took a look at both the proposed template and the existing site. Keep in mind that my feedback is part subjective and part from design experience. BTW, I love a debate! :-)

While I'm all for change, the new template is hard on my eyes with the yellow headers and black background with white text reversed out. It is not unreadable, but it is a visual hurdle compared to the more soothing blue theme on the existing site. There are color combinations that will work, and give you a fresh look, it is really trial and error when it comes right down to it.

The texture in the new themes background adds another challenge, but it would still work on other colors.

One really nice thing about the existing site is the fact that the left nav doesn't distract from the content. The real juice of your community is in the middle, and that is exactly where the eye goes. With the proposed template, my eyes go right for the left nav first.

All of this is of course very subjective. The images at the top right of the header on the new template are very interesting! I like them!

So - Can I learn how to bowl by keeping up with your community? I could sure use some help! :-)

Amanda

You're not the only one that doesn't like the new black and yellow combination I choose. In fact everyone I given a preview of it does not like it. I've seen the same color combination used on a couple others sites and liked it a lot but I guess I'm alone in that thinking. :shrug:

I wonder if I used different and lighter colors, if the new layout would work and not be so distracting. I now see what you mean about your eyes being drawn to the navigation and away from the content. That was not my intention.

I'm having lots of trouble choosing other combinations because I want to get away from the blues but I want to incorporate the brick red (#990000) I use for the headlines somehow. Anyone have any ideas?

Re: Learning to bowl. We have a beginners forum which has some very knowledgeable members answering questions. Also all the older posts have a lot of good tips and information that anyone can pick something up from. Our Expert Tips section also has some articles for beginners

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Steve
Moderator - UBB™Central's Advanced UBB Forum

BowlingFans.com™ | BowlingCommunity.com™
Sorry, I won't answer support questions by e-mail, PM, or IM.

I like the brick red too, and yes - I do think some other color combos will work with the new layout just fine.

In reference to your new template:

How about using the brick red where you have your yellow headers and have white text reversed out? Then perhaps instead of the black textured background you could try something like a khaki/beige (ccc99) and use black text on that? I think the texture currently in the black is kinda cool. It could add some depth without drawing the eyes away from your content.

In summary, you could keep the brick red and the current layout, just add a khaki and you have red, khaki and white! Wa-la! ;-)

I won't be offended if none of this catches your fancy. Oh! on another note, adding a really cool blue back in (more of a retro blue than a baby blue) could really add to the bowling theme! I'd try something like (6699cc) for that!

Good luck!

Amanda

quote:

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You're not the only one that doesn't like the new black and yellow combination I choose. In fact everyone I given a preview of it does not like it.

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I kinda like it, actually. The thing that would make it look better if you are really wanting to keep that yellow is a medium gray color instead of black. Then use black sparingly for depth. A black version of your logo on that yellow would look great.

Good luck!

Judd
Senior Graphic Designer, Infopop Corporation

Judd, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one.

It was funny tonight...I was out with a couple friends and we went to a sports bar. On their big screen they had ESPNNEWS on. I noticed their color scheme for the bottom 1/3 graphics was the same brick red/black/yellow combo. I pointed it out to a couple of them that saw my demo template and they all said, "yea well it's ugly on ESPNNEWS too."

I just can't win.

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Steve
Moderator - UBB™Central's Advanced UBB Forum

BowlingFans.com™ | BowlingCommunity.com™
Sorry, I won't answer support questions by e-mail, PM, or IM.

That is totally hilarious! I wish I were there to hear that. ;-) It is amazing how this stuff creeps into your life when you're paying attention to it. Looking forward to the next version!

Amanda

Please take a look and offer any suggestions you might have: http://www.bowlingfans.com/temp02122002.shtml
(Like with the previous demo, all the links go to the existing site.)

Thanks!

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Steve
Moderator - UBB™Central's Advanced UBB Forum

BowlingFans.com™ | BowlingCommunity.com™
Sorry, I won't answer support questions by e-mail, PM, or IM.

quote:

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Originally posted by Steven_M:
"yea well it's ugly on ESPNNEWS too."

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Hee hee hee! That was funny.

Ahh, the new color scheme is much more soothing.

Soothing is right. The only other comment would be that you can probably try a lighter shade of khaki as well and it would work too. Laptops can sometimes be an issue though so the darker is a more universally visible color.

I hope this has been helpful. Let me know if there are other things you'd like us to see!

Amanda

I really do like your site though. The red/pink combo of the Forums reminds me of a vintage bowling shirt. Think Laverne and Shirley.

Craig