What turns you off about MA websites?

“	Originally Posted By: aaradia That's it allright. The best part of the site is the picture of one of our advanced insctuctors in a deep one legged knee stance. Even more impressive when you know she had serious knee surgery!	”

That was what caught my eye, even without surgery that is really hard to do...
Is she single? Oh wait, i'm not, nevermind...

Nice site, sounds like a good program.

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"It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought the fool, than to open it and prove it so." KungFuTze
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." T. Geisel

So, 2 votes today with no responses?

Come on, give us your opinion!

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"Whatever the case, it proves that countless disasters can be prevented by simply assuming everyone you're working with is a moron." ~ Adam Brown, 5 Tiny Mistakes...

Public Polls, lets you know who did what and when

I don't like flashy sites, crappy sites or really any site

I prefer the actual skill and teacher's knowledge and ability to what they present on a website, anyone can say anything, but if the proof is in the pudding, is another story.....

well I think and underdone site bugs me more than and over done site.

what about this site, lets get soem feed back
Si Gung Bill Smith's Hung Ga Gung Fu

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"Just remember there's many kinds of toughness in this world and not all of them involve kicking in someone's teeth to prove a point." SammyGirl Fan Club

“	Originally Posted By: Sammygirl So, 2 votes today with no responses? Come on, give us your opinion!	”

lol, well one of those was me because i couldn't really think of anything to add. I voted for "cruddy and poorly designed" but really the biggest turn-off for me is if it's not organized. I hate seeing multiple fonts/sizes/colors, stuff not ligned up neatly, info that doesn't seem to be categorized correctly and repeats itself, etc. I don't mind flashy as long as it's tasteful and doesn't distract from the basic information, which is the real point of the site.

I dont care about flashy just give me the info...number, history, etc.

I don't like bright colours, particularly text.

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High mountains are a feeling
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l dont like 20 year olds claiming to be grandmasters and other ###**** with self grandizeing stories.

Prime Fu,

as a graphic designer, I get pretty *nal about these things. So there are a few things design-wise ( very simple things ) that would make the site a lot more visually appealing.

At the same time, the links are all present and appear to be working and I totally understand what is going on. So as far as navigation goes it's fine.

The red text on black background it not pleasant to read. Black background is just too harsh a reading environment. Just look at Microsoft Word documents or whatever. They are always on white. If you don't want to go the standard black text on white background ( which can be boring too ) then you should avoid such harsh contrasts like Red and Black. The colour gradient ( blending from red to orange ) is distracting the eyes from the logo. This is because the colour gradient is too saturated ( maybe the orange part could get more pale ( like a pale peach/orange ). The colour, font choice, and dropshadow on the school name at the top, is also detracting from the design.

A nice place to get textures and colour ideas if you aren't much of a designer is to check out some different types of paper ( they can be very subtle but all very different ). Go to a paint store and get some of those colour charts that tell you what colours work with each other.

Something designers also like to look at is eyeflow. On a site like this you ideally want the eye to start at the top left ( in left to right reading cultures ) and make it's way in a circular curving motion to the bottom right. You don't have to be too technical when designing around this, just that you don't want any links on the site to be overlooked or not noticed. So, every now and then while you design your site, you should check it out like you are someone who found the site for the first time, and just take a look at how your eyes flow over the site and make adjustments from there.

The White Dragon site is a good example of using softer, less saturated colour combinations to make the viewing of the site more relaxing.

in fact just take a look at the colour scheme on this forum and compare to the red on black design and you will understand the problem.

Sites that have loads of bells and whistles, i.e: Java script and Flash animations or embedded video are just an excuse for the page coder to show off. The emphasis should always be on clarity and speed of information delivery.

There's no reason why a nice looking design should compromise that aim. In fact a nice looking design should be the result of achieving that aim.

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Cling to nothing, except your Lego...

“	Originally Posted By: Prime Fu well I think and underdone site bugs me more than and over done site. what about this site, lets get soem feed back Si Gung Bill Smith's Hung Ga Gung Fu	”

First - it uses tables: -10 points. Tables for layout is a big no-no.

Second: It doesn't validate - there's a bucket of html tag errors on that page.

Third: it's emphasizing a visual idea at the expense of it's content. Red text on a black background is not a great combination for body text. Admittedly, the red will "advance" but that's probably more appropriate for a logo since the colour will sing a bit too much.

Fourth: I don't like the banner either, it's one PS filter too far IMO.


The White Dragon MA site is nice and clear, but a bit vanilla - could do with a nicer banner. Plus it's table free, html validates etc. Good job!

In general, a good designer will hide his brushtrokes....

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Cling to nothing, except your Lego...

“	it's one PS filter too far IMO.	”

LOL!!!

“	Originally Posted By: Prime Fu well I think and underdone site bugs me more than and over done site. what about this site, lets get soem feed back Si Gung Bill Smith's Hung Ga Gung Fu	”

Ok, speaking as your basic web surfer with NO knowledge of web design, Here is my $.02 worth.
Overall I like the site. Nice eye catching designs, good basic content, made me want to surf through it awhile. I learned the basics of the school (history, instructors. class info) without it going overlong. If I was searching for a school, your web site would put it on the "I should go check it out" list.

Two things that could use improvement.
1) Even though the colors looked cool, it did hurt my eyes after a bit. I gotta agree with the red/orange letters on black being a problem.

2) A minor thing, but for example, when I clicked on instructors, the names of the instructors popping out ABOVE in the same colors as "Home, History, etc" was not immediately clear. I thought at first "wow- he didn't say much" Then I read those two lines and it said to look above. I think something that stands out a bit more and below those two lines would be clearer.

Like how the history section has the text come readily available. I hope what I am trying to say is clear. If not, let me know and I will try again.

Take Care,
aaradia

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I must not fear.Fear is the mind-killer.Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.I will face my fear.I will permit it to pass over me & through me.& when it has gone I will turn to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.Only I will remain.F.Herbert