Pre Migration Most liked posts in thread: New Site Header Design - Your Thoughts?

Ok, here goes.

If one is to pursue excellence, then half baked won't work. I believe the founders of this site are in the pursuit of excellence. The banner is not helping that pursuit.

The cars are on the wrong side of the road because "I had to mirror the image to get the cars heading the "right" way.".

That's lame.

Then don't use the image. It's wrong and looks amateurish. Take it down and place an image there that is both professional and excellent.

The "green blur" is not working for me. Looks like plain filler. Reminds me of guacamole.

Thanks for asking.

....Les

 

I'm thinking it's a work in progress. Further tweaking and improvements are being worked on. I see lots of feedback and work being offered with Nate asking for input. Don't think its finalized yet. Keep the faith

 

At least we are asked our opinion. I can think of at least one other site that would not give a fiddler's fart what we think.

Mark

 

Heh heh.....I, too, am a work in progress. With a lot of work done and a modicum of progress realized. And I know I'm not "finalized yet".

I like the idea of random banner changes tho. That sounds pretty cool.

Geez, maybe there could be one with some wood smoke drifting across?

....Les

 

Did we also mention the time and pics are donated?

If you have pro shots, please send them over.

I was driving (quickly I might add!) on a mountain road snapping pics through the windshield (no passenger help here!). Not a bad effort, if I do say so...

So, stop complaining and send some pics! :cornut:

 

I agree Mark, and that's why I said "Thanks for asking."

....Les

 

Ahhhhhhh..........

Subi forum????:lol::lol::lol:

 

I got a fall photo that may work. Not the full image, which is why it did not make it on the sewing site calendar many moons ago. I'll post it when I get home.

Mark

 

I'm not complaining, Nathan asked for my opinion. It would be complaining had he not asked.

I'm not a photographer of any sorts. But Mrs. Moreorless is and I don't recall ever seeing her driving quickly down a mountain road snapping pics through the windshield with no passenger help, putting herself and anyone else on that road at risk and then bragging about it. Nosireebob, nope.

But I am a woodworker/cabinet maker as a side business. And I have turned down commissions when I have determined that I do not have the skills required to create a product/item with excellence.

And seeing as how you brought it up, when I do donate my time and materials I apply that same pursuit of excellence as if they were a paying client.



....Les

 

Thanks Les.

 

Maybe the cars being on the 'wrong' side of the road is a tribute to their British heritage

 

...or better visual balance & composition.

 

This sums up allot to me. Again. As an idea the banner is great. But it's far from the level I expect for MA. There is no make art button. So if it takes a month to get the banner right. Then that's what it takes. But it doesn't go live till it's done.

 

I think everyone offers great points.

Nathan and a few others are only trying to improve, and if someone is willing to try to work on this, whether they have the skills allotted to complete the task or not, we should only thank them for their efforts. If you think its amateurish or resembles a certain type of vegetable, fine, keep it to yourself!

Nathan have you got a chance to mess around with that tid-bit of code for the rotating images?

 

+1,+2

 

The issue here is that we're talking about Art. Art is subjective rather than objective. No matter how much we discuss something and try to refine it, some people will like it & some will hate it.

The idea of having a graphics discussion thread where people can present potential new designs & refine them is OK - but don't expect it to actually resolve anything. In fact the longer a discussion like this progresses the more polarized the opinions will become.

Perhaps having a poll before posting new graphics/layouts? That would allow people to express their opinion, as well as measuring the overall feeling without focusing on the extremes of opinion?

my 2c

 

Actually it may be art. But it's hinged on design and brand identity.

Those things while they are art are much more specific. It's not as subjective as you might think. While to the masses it's "ooooh pretty" or not. It's a much bigger undertaking behind the scenes.

It's hard to sum up in type with out writing a novel.

Basically it's why there is a distinct difference between art school and design school. Sure they over lap. But are night and day different.

 

Objective or not, takes into consideration its fellow MINI'ers whom are working on this as a side project. When we talk and express our opinions we need to take into consideration peoples feelings.

 

Rule of thumb: Don't ask for opinions unless you're ready to hear whatever comes back!

The blur totally doesn't work for me either. I think the blur is much too abrupt. I suggest a gradually increasing blur to the end of "country", then fade into a solid color starting from that point. The photo isn't wide enough to support a blur stretching across half the page. Another suggestion is to make the photo "wider" by enlarging it. Let the closest car get cropped off at top and bottom. MotoringFile does this a lot with photos in their header, with good dramatic effect.

While I'm in a critical mood, I'll also say that I think the Motoring Alliance logo is so stiff and formal. If you show it to someone and ask what brand of car it represents, MINI would probably be the last they'd think of. I like the motoring|underground logo for capturing the offbeat, rebel nature of the car.