I need your monitors! And feedback, if you don't mind =)

Updated: Issue is resolved, thank you very much!

Hey fellas, I've got two versions of my design site online now, and I'd like to get some opinions on which I should use.

Version 1. I made this one very purple. I like purple. However, it has recently come to my attention than many monitors display this page MUCH darker than my own, so much so that a significant amount of detail is lost (e.g. the small octopus background tile) and the colors also appear much more vivid (almost hot pink in some spots) than on my own screen. It has gotten me worried to the point where I hesitate in giving my site link to potential clients.

Enter Version 2. I did this very minimalistic redesign to counter those problems. Very light, more desaturated colors, and so on.

Feedback on the designs would certainly be very welcome, but mainly I'm looking for your reaction to how dark (if at all) V1 is, or how well V2 accomplishes the minimalistic layout I set out to create.

Your help is very appreciated!
Thanks!

Edited by purple, 08 August 2008 - 05:19 PM.

Hi, Purple -- love your logo!

I've looked at your sites and the background colors look fine to me on Site 1. I can see how they could be a problem though. Can you lighten them a bit or are you afraid they will look too pastel?

I prefer Site 1 to Site 2 if you simplify Site 1 a little.

On Site 1:
~ I find your categories difficult to read on the gold background (What is Purple Octopus, Innovative Designs, Web or Print) Maybe make that print a solid purple color. Also, can you move those category titles closer to the top of the gold background? There is about 1.5 inches of blank space there which is pushing your text off the screen. And I think the main text should be in black or dark gray not the purple/pink colors. It would be easier to read if the text was not purple. The purple background would then be your accent color. Too much emphasis is no emphasis; I think we can tell that purple is your favorite color without all the text being purple.

~ The gold background doesn't do your logos any justice. Adaptive Network Solutions is very hard to read. I think the logos would be represented better on a neutral-colored background.

~ I wish I didn't have to scroll down on each page to read all of your text, too. That's just my preference though.

Hope that makes sense -- I know you weren't asking for all of that.

Thank you very much, KHDZN!
And just for a complete picture of where you're coming from, what screen resolution do you use?

V2 is too empty compared to V1. On v1 you need to darken the colors of some of the text so it is readable. I tested it on serveral screens. Depending on the setting of the screen the background looks dark purple or looks almost black. My laptop got Hue on which is set on print colors so it looks like black and probably if you would print out your website it would look like that. On unset screen it is purple.

I like v1 more cause it is more filled and less empty but just need to change the text colors to a much easier readable one.

Thank you very much, KHDZN!
And just for a complete picture of where you're coming from, what screen resolution do you use?

My screen is set to 1280 x 800.

Thank you for your help, both of you!

Here's what I'm coming up with based on what you've said: Link

Ok, this is just my opinion so take it or leave it.

Good: You have a definite style that looks good. The Purple octopus is well done.

Needs work: The middle part with the description doesn't seem to match the rest of the page. I like the parchment look but it needs to be crisper and more detailed to match the rest of the page. Also the font is to computer and needs to be switched. Think about floating the center part a bit with a shadow and possibly adding a few more graphic details to the description part. I'll post an example in a bit.

Thank you for your help, both of you!

Here's what I'm coming up with based on what you've said: Link

It is much easier to read now.

[ATTACH]5246[/ATTACH]

Small suggestions are:

1) Make the parchment match the logo with more detail.
2) Add a shadow to the parchment (description) to make it stand out from the background more.
3) Change the font of the description.

Saw it at the office on a mac ad looks purple and now of a laptop and looks kinda grayish. There is no good or wrong but would advice stick with the colors you like on you computer. Advice to check it with a mac cause they have better color driver for their screens then on any other pc.

steplat, thanks for the input. Looking again at the paper in the new version, I have to agree, it looks dull. I appreciate you taking the time to put together an example to illustrate your point.

chung, thanks for the advice!


EDIT: thanks for the help on this everyone. I've updated the original version to my liking and I'm very happy with it.

Edited by purple, 08 August 2008 - 04:39 PM.

It's probably too late now for my input but mainly I wanted to say I love your site design! I love the purples and black and the paper color, all works well together!
Oh, and btw, love all the logos in there! Very sleek! What apps do you use out of curiousity?