how much does this suck?

I am working on this design. It is far from being finished, but before I go any further I would like to hear what you guys think about it. Does this idea suck a big time or is just bad? I mean is it worth even working on or I'd better start from the scratch? And do you have any suggestions on how I could improve it? Thank you in advance for any advice and comments you may have!

http://www.designcon...images/test.gif

It is actually not all that bad! With a little work it could look really good.

I think you should add a little more depth to the metal - possibly a slight bevel? it would also look really cool if you could add a metallic texture. You should also extend the side menu lines, so that they go all the way to the edge, and also soften them down more with a more grey colour.

I like the gear and wires and stuff. Good Job!

I think it would help to decide on the big picture you want to use and then get some clues from that picture about what types of design modifications would look best.

I think you are on a good track.

As stated above, you should definitely add some volume to your interface. This would give it the little extra to make it lift off. I think you should also shrink the left navbar, which is, imo, too wide. You probably won't need that much space and you could probably scale down the typo without any problem. It would be still easy to read.

Have you tried to get rid of the wires on the left and sticking you design right on the side of the navigator's window ?

Keep it going !

Old man Leonardo was right about simplicity... And I never seem to get there...

updated version
http://www.designcon...mages/test1.gif

Well, it already looks a lot better with volume and textures. Well done for that !

I think it is easier to put more, even a lot, and then simplify. I'm personnaly stuck with the opposite problem. I never put enough stuff in what I do. Too much white, not enough of this, it lacks that ... Anyway, I'll find out how to fix that, at least I hope !

It's very nice apart from the navigations, they are a bit plain

I think you better start from scratch. Reason is simple - this is supposed to be a company website and not a Garfield cartoon collection, which the logo looks like and the whole layout adds to this feeling also. You can fine-tune it as much as you want, but the general impression is still there. Need some new concept and style for this kind of site. The company is supposed to sell motorcycles, or whatever they need to sell. I don't think the impression it makes on potential buyers would drive them to buy or order anything from it. I would certainly look at it as a fun site, would look at motorcycles pictures and leave for a more respectable looking website. Just my 2 cents. Hope you take no offense here.

No offence, php developer. On the contrary, I'd like to thank you for your comments. Constructive critisism is what I was looking for when posting this layout. Besides I know for sure that it is not the best thing I have designed. I have to admit that the layout doesn't have that much of a "corporate feel". I might start from the scratch and make a completely new layout. As for the logo, I offered the customer 8 versions to choose from and he chose this one (which is not my favourite, I personally like this one). And whatever the client says is right, he is the one who pays me for my work.

Yeah, I like this other logo better. Haven't seen other 6 though

May I comment on the client-is-always-right thing ? Sorry if I go somehow off topic.

As a designer, our role is for sure to get clients what they are looking for. But we have to be conscient that providing them with their exact needs, which are most of the time not visually intersting, is in a way, making it harder for the designers to really design. You have to guide him your way. Make sure he understands you are the specialist and you know what is good looking and what is not. Let's compare it with a doctor. When you go to the hospital, do you tell the doctor what he should do to get yourself better ? No way. You let him do his job because you know he has the knowledges. The same thing should be present in design. But unfortunatly, it is not, more often than not.

That being said, I usually get myself stuck with poeple loving not-so-good-looking or too-much-trendy-so-it-becomes-too-common stuff, and I end up by giving them what he/she ask for since I don't want to lose the money that comes in the end.

I have a dream ...

The client is not always right. No matter what anyone tells you. If the client was a graphic designer, then the client could design their own website and wouldn't need you.

Where the problem comes in is that all clients seem to think that IF they wanted to, they could do your job. They just don't have time. We all know that's bullcrap, but clients think they're just as good as you, you're just their gruntmonkey, so they can tell you to use pink instead of orange, even when it clashes with everything you've done.

Obviously the client has the final say so - but as their designer, it's your job to step up to them and say:

"Look, you hired ME for a reason, because of my past work, because of my skills, and because of my expertise as a graphic designer. It's my opinion that the direction you've taken the site is wrong, and completely negates your purpose for picking me in the first place. While I'll move forward with your concepts, because it is your dollar and your site, I would be failing you if I didn't let you know this is the wrong choice for your company, and it will not achieve the results you're looking for."

I had this very problem with my last client, http://www.aladdin-trading.com , where he tried to fight me on EVERYTHING. I changed some things around, based on his feedback, and after awhile we were so far from a decent site that I let him know I wouldn't be using the work in my portfolio. Finding this out, he agreed we should go back to my last design and modify - so that's what we did and you see the results above - something I'm quite proud of.

Don't be afraid to tell you're client they're wrong, just make sure you also let them know you'll do the work regardless. They are just making bad decisions.