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First Flash Website
- Thread starter ConnectionFX
- Start date
Soldato
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I closed it as soon as it started making noises without asking whether I wanted noises or not.
I'm really not a fan of flash websites as they almost always choose form over function and I'm afraid this one is no exception.
As mentioned above it uses sound that cannot obviously be turned off.
Browsing on a netbook I have no idea what the website is for until I scroll down, there is a LOT of wasted space with that dystopic city graphic.
The 'executables' section on the bottom left of the main panel is completely obscure, you have no idea what it is until you hover over it.
The text is difficult to read mainly due to it being very small and low contrast.
The 'tooltip' that pops down when you hover over the nav takes /aaaages/ to be populated, you can at least speed that up easily.
The options on the nav are also pretty obscure, 'Knowledge' what's that? A KB? Where to do I go to find pricing?
Add on to that the second nav bar further down and you have a very confusing navigation experience for the user.
Make the nav bars much more obvious, different colours, higher contrast, easier to read, whatever.
There is a lot more I could suggest but.. I'm sure other people will add their thoughts..
As mentioned above it uses sound that cannot obviously be turned off.
Browsing on a netbook I have no idea what the website is for until I scroll down, there is a LOT of wasted space with that dystopic city graphic.
The 'executables' section on the bottom left of the main panel is completely obscure, you have no idea what it is until you hover over it.
The text is difficult to read mainly due to it being very small and low contrast.
The 'tooltip' that pops down when you hover over the nav takes /aaaages/ to be populated, you can at least speed that up easily.
The options on the nav are also pretty obscure, 'Knowledge' what's that? A KB? Where to do I go to find pricing?
Add on to that the second nav bar further down and you have a very confusing navigation experience for the user.
Make the nav bars much more obvious, different colours, higher contrast, easier to read, whatever.
There is a lot more I could suggest but.. I'm sure other people will add their thoughts..
My first impressions are thus:
-Everything is far too small. It makes it very difficult to visually navigate the page as there is no hierarchy of elements.
-Kinda cool...but the design is a little dated. That style was pretty popular a few years ago but things are opening up a bit now.
-Noises without users requesting them are annoying.
-Everything is far too small. It makes it very difficult to visually navigate the page as there is no hierarchy of elements.
-Kinda cool...but the design is a little dated. That style was pretty popular a few years ago but things are opening up a bit now.
-Noises without users requesting them are annoying.
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Just to let you know this is not finished and still being designed + my first website in flash. thanks for the pointers. its something i have to work out..
Sounds, yes ill fix that asap.
style dated? damn even website are being drawn into a fasion statement lol. can you give me some examples of a non dated websites for reference? i would be interested to learn what makes a good website rather than what makes it bad...
Do people want something real simple when they visit a website... i do have a problem with over complicating things
Sounds, yes ill fix that asap.
style dated? damn even website are being drawn into a fasion statement lol. can you give me some examples of a non dated websites for reference? i would be interested to learn what makes a good website rather than what makes it bad...
Do people want something real simple when they visit a website... i do have a problem with over complicating things
Soldato
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I agree with the above.
Dated, way too small and the sounds are horrible. The only sites which can get away with sounds are ones for films/bands and even they have an immediately visible option to mute sound.
For examples of more up to date designs, check out this. They also have a flash section.
http://creattica.com/css/latest-designs
Dated, way too small and the sounds are horrible. The only sites which can get away with sounds are ones for films/bands and even they have an immediately visible option to mute sound.
For examples of more up to date designs, check out this. They also have a flash section.
http://creattica.com/css/latest-designs
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Yeah, I didn't mean to be harsh at all, just had a proper carp day today
It's design - what do you expect? FWA is good, although some of the websites are a bit random. Look at your competitors, whoever they might be.
Yes, absolutely. A website's front page is like the front page of a newspaper. It's primary function should be to signpost and sell. If you aren't doing either of those, your website isn't doing its job
Given how hard I personally find Flash to work with, I think you've done quite a good job but do try and make things a bit simpler and less abrasive on the user
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Soldato
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Clean, simple, easy to use, easy to read, uncomplicated and instantly obvious what the site's about/for.
Unfortunately these are all things that make sites good, and which yours fails with on every aspect.
You've obviously put a lot of work into this but you need to take a step back and put yourself in the shoes of the end user. Your logo is tiny and I didn't even realise there was two navigations until someone pointed it out, and even then it takes me a while to realise what Root/Profile/Knowledge is. I see what you're trying to do, but as has been said about the site as a whole it's a little dated and people want information fast - they'll scan your site for the standard "About" link and it'll take people a while to work things out (if you're lucky: they may just leave).
I usually get inspiration from just looking at the most popular sites around - Google, Facebook, Twitter, BBC, etc etc. Although not content-related, their all unbelievably simple and easy to use (even though their content/functionality is complex) and there are many lessons to be learned from them.
Unfortunately these are all things that make sites good, and which yours fails with on every aspect.
You've obviously put a lot of work into this but you need to take a step back and put yourself in the shoes of the end user. Your logo is tiny and I didn't even realise there was two navigations until someone pointed it out, and even then it takes me a while to realise what Root/Profile/Knowledge is. I see what you're trying to do, but as has been said about the site as a whole it's a little dated and people want information fast - they'll scan your site for the standard "About" link and it'll take people a while to work things out (if you're lucky: they may just leave).
I usually get inspiration from just looking at the most popular sites around - Google, Facebook, Twitter, BBC, etc etc. Although not content-related, their all unbelievably simple and easy to use (even though their content/functionality is complex) and there are many lessons to be learned from them.
I think what everyone else here has said rings true.
Unfortunately, as nice as having a flash site is, it has a time and a place. Its a shame as you have obviously worked hard on it, but I don't think it will do your business any favors.. and your entering what is already a damn tough market.
Oh and that crash of lightning sound effect sacred the living ****e out of me at 1:10 in the morning
Unfortunately, as nice as having a flash site is, it has a time and a place. Its a shame as you have obviously worked hard on it, but I don't think it will do your business any favors.. and your entering what is already a damn tough market.
Oh and that crash of lightning sound effect sacred the living ****e out of me at 1:10 in the morning
Soldato
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gosh that lighting sound scared the crap out of me and my other half. not much new to input that other users haven't said.
Ooh, that's just mean
I'm afraid that I agree with what's been said here: for all your admirable Flash work, and for all your effort you should be commended, but by making an entire site out of Flash you're putting all your eggs into 1998's internet basket.
Yes, it's visually dated, but the layout is cohesive and organised, and if that's all your own work - i.e. not derived from a template - then all is not lost.
My major concern is that the site suggests that you intend to make a business of web design. Making websites entirely in Flash indicates that you don't understand the web enough to be offering such a service.
Is this a study project/assignment?
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it was all my own work... but im affraid all is lost... i wont be trying to do it again! my design style is obviously dated and im not going to waste any more of my time doing things that look rubbish.
Thanks for the comments
Time to move on i guess.
Soldato
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Soldato
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Bad attitude, no one is pro the first time they do something. Why are you giving up so easily?
Soldato
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Yeah, what they said.
Just because your first attempt isn't great don't give up. It takes years of practise to get to a good standard at anything.
You should have seen my first website
Just because your first attempt isn't great don't give up. It takes years of practise to get to a good standard at anything.
You should have seen my first website
Oh god I feel really guilty now 
Don't give up man! You've done really well with what you set out to do, it's just that what you set out to do was... ah... unfashionable.
Websites these days are really all about usability and simplicity.
I reccommend reading through Web Design From Scratch as really your mistakes are conceptual rather than relating to your skill or amount of effort!
Don't give up man! You've done really well with what you set out to do, it's just that what you set out to do was... ah... unfashionable.
Websites these days are really all about usability and simplicity.
I reccommend reading through Web Design From Scratch as really your mistakes are conceptual rather than relating to your skill or amount of effort!
Yeah, what they said.
Just because your first attempt isn't great don't give up. It takes years of practise to get to a good standard at anything.
You should have seen my first website
Just checked, my first website is actually still online - hosted by geocities even after about 7 years
Can't believe it tbh.Not that I got chance to see the site, but all flash sites never really work imo. They are always hard to use, have annoying sound effects and animations. Don't give up!