Way better! Personally I'd prefer not to have the blurred green. Either have all trees as the background or find a different transition from the photo to the graphic logo
I like it! I don't see it as harsh, though when it spreads across a wide screen it is a lot of green blur. Still good though, and I like a change now and then. Plus I suppose I'll admit I may be one of the few not entirely in love with the regular design...seems a bit broody to me. I like the idea of just rotating through seasonal pics/designs. A summer looking pic like this one and then the fall foliage Jim mentioned (starting 'round the time of the equinox maybe), etc, maybe changed out that way just four times a year and a new spring/summer/fall/winter pic each year. I think I would have just moved the logo to the left and kept the pic as it was. I know, continuity is great, but as long as the logo stays the same (and maybe the banner font) there's your continuity and at the same time something new and fresh.
Just read the last post.... Nathan I would be more than happy to help you with this! I have done quite a few websites myself with this implemented. I could even mock a few up in a small flash movie for you? Flash is sexy.
I know its a tall order but if you can ever get a classic, 1st gen, 2nd gen and maybe even a Clubby or Countryman in the shot that be great. Seasonal roation works well too. Perhaps that could be a member contest. Submit a photo and have members vote (quarterly not monthly) and the winner gets picked for the next header :idea:
I like the old header...gulp...better... Don't hate me It works on Motoringfile because the site lends itself to that format. Motoringfile also takes an artsy edge to the header using closeups, and the like... Motoring Alliance has great colours as is! Don't change for the sake of changing...
Actually, if Nathan can get the rotational thing working, maybe we could set it up so members submit photos which we can add to the line up. I like the idea of changing things up... Especially with such a diverse group. I love the classic Mini, so one not being there is not a planned thing. Just don't have any good photos of all in one place yet. Like I said earlier, I am working on it! So far as Flash goes, it is sexy, but it is also a pain in the arse. Especially for search engine stuff and compatibility across platforms and monitor sizing issues. It is also not the easiest software to use -- especially since they deem it necessary to rewrite Actionscript every time they release a new version... :frown2: That is why the green blur is long. The images are on both ends, and the center is a filler that stretches across the gap, no matter the size of the monitor. If you have a widescreen monitor, it will stretch for days... :lol:
We also need to keep in mind that we don't want to break things for BlackBerry's and iPhones. If a requirement for Flash does that, then I'm not in favour. Nice photo John!
This one is nice, even though there is no MY MINI in the line. I do like the old one better, because it was clearly MA. I noted it right away in your sig on the sewing site. Sometimes having something that can be reconized at a glance is a good thing. Jim
Ok, I'm looking at it a little more critically now. I still like it much better than the original (the original was ok, but too dark, and a little too cartoonish for my poor taste). I love the picture idea, but looking at it, it's a bit out of proportion, specifically it's too wide for the height. I went back and looked at the MF banner, which is pretty much perfectly proportioned. On the new MA banner, there is a big expanse of green in the middle--in fact, one could say, "how more green could this the be?" And the answer is none. None more greener. Seriously though, the "business end" of a header IMHO is the middle--and the middle is empty. I hate to say it, but it kind of reminds me of the sewing site banner, with the ends swapped. If this banner was compressed in width, and the height raised to about the same as MF banner (this may or may not be easy to do depending on the web page layout), it would look better. There wouldn't be that broad expanse in the middle, and you could put something on either side of the banner to fill out the top border if need be. Another thought would be to move the MA thingy on the right to the middle, and then put a picture on either side of it. Then the MA banner is front and center, and it allows you some creativity. The banner could stay the same width (although I still think it's too narrow, and a little more height would fill it out nicely). Or you could put a picture on one side, and the members login, or search function on the other. Lots of possibilities. Oh well, sorry for the long winded post, just got to thinking--I really like it the way it is, don't want to sound to critical, just thinking of ways it could potentially be better.
My idea (this is for Nathan and everyone!) is to keep the MA shield in the same location, no matter the header. The font, if it is deemed necessary, can be the same also. No biggie from my end either way. I really like the idea of "This is MINI country" and showing off the cars that make this club great in their "natural habitats" -- that being wherever y'all drive 'em! So take shots. If you wanna share them, get them to us. I was going to do another for fall, which is approaching all too quickly. We can do holidays, events, etc. Nathan can say yea or nay to any or all of this, but those were were my thoughts. Thanks for the feedback!
On further thinking I would ditch the "This is MINI country". I think it detracts from "Motoring Alliance" text.
Johngo, that was another thing I forgot to mention--I'd make the font for the letters the same as the font on the MA shield. That would tie in better.
Hey cct1, The reason the center is basically empty (and too green! ) is because it is designed to stretch to fit. Websites are, by nature, a pain in the butt because there are dozens of ways to do different things. Most sites have header graphics that are either centered with a texture that is a pattern or a "stretchable" graphic of some kind on either end that will automatically fill to fit any size monitor. On a standard res monitor, it is very small or gone altogether. On a widescreen, it will appear, as in this case, to be a whole lotta green... Although, I could make it WAY more green. Kermit would be proud! Not sure if it helps or not, but there is the reason. Thanks for the comments!
Yeah, I don't want to sound too critical--I really like the banner, if it stayed just like it is, it's still pretty damned good.
I like it. Sometimes the standard white, gray, navy, and black gets a bit much. A splash of green is welcome. Check out the rotating headers on this site (keep hitting F5): Tufts University Cross Country / Track & Field