Need constructive criticism,

[Bassem]

I was wondering if I could get some CC on this layout. I'm new to the whole web design thing (3rd trial, never actually got this far) and I don't really have anything in mind for the site yet, just experimenting. I don't know how to organize the body yet, it depends on the content, I was thinking maybe something like a blog/portofolio type thing (articles). The "right" section with the latest articles/comments will be extended, as well as the wrap-arounds or whatever, so don't mind the sizes.

[thomasfrank09]

This blog is sort of template-looking - that is, there are many others like it. Still, I really like the color scheme you have going on here.

[jordan.]

I agree with thomasfrank09 in that it is a very typical template look. However, it still looks great and very professional. I wish I could create something half as decent as that.

[Bassem]

Really? o.O

lol - thanks!

And yes, I guess it does look "typical", but I kind of like it the way it is, simple. I wasn't going for something creative, like a bird's eye-view type of thing or something. At first, I was just experimenting with colors and effects but now that I got this far, I'm going to finish it. I guess I just didn't realize how important the body is, the fonts used, the colors, information related to the post, even the separators. Any suggestions would be great, really.

Thanks again for the feedback.

[djesteban]

Yep, I like it, but it is true it REALLY looks like a blog-only type of design (wouldn't use it for anything else than a blog).

Nice work! ;)

[Bassem]

That's probably what it'll be used for, yes. Thanks! :D

[chrisj1968]

I downloaded from my msdn account, web expression 3. what language, CSS, HTML,XHTML did you use? your work looks very tight a firm..to mean...very nice!

[Bassem]

That's just a mockup, I just started learning CSS, so just Photoshop for now. Thanks.

[Tanoru]

Something that will make it look a bit better straight away is to adjust the line-height of the text in that paragraph.

CSS is simple - line-height:1.2; - I think 1.2 is the default, I'm guessing 1.6 would be much better.

The template looks good but needs something to make it more yours. Once you explore some of the more powerful options of CSS you'll think of something. I'm jealous, I can't do graphics at all.

=)

[Bassem]

I'm jealous, I can't do CSS at all. =P This is just Photoshop.

I don't know how to make it "mine", I didn't mean to make it look like the typical blog template, this is just something I drew on a piece of paper.

[wellofsouls]

Like others have said, it looks like a very typical tried-and-true blog layout, so you can't really go wrong with this kind of layout design, but it also won't look "special" out there.

[carmatic]

as you havent actually put the page together yet, im sure that its going to be very easy to spice things up once you know more about CSS... there's a saying out there that goes something like the act of doing something is its inspiration, or something like that

[Bassem]

Like others have said, it looks like a very typical tried-and-true blog layout, so you can't really go wrong with this kind of layout design, but it also won't look "special" out there.

I've seen a lot of "special" blog layouts out there (vectors, watercolors, view angles, 3D), not sure I can go there yet, plus, I ike things simple.

as you havent actually put the page together yet, im sure that its going to be very easy to spice things up once you know more about CSS... there's a saying out there that goes something like the act of doing something is its inspiration, or something like that

I haven't actually used CSS before so I'm not really sure how it can "spice things up" for me.

I had this stupid idea, to make the body look like the HTC Hero, with the chin (I realize most people hated that but I really liked it for some reason), maybe even give it a 3rd dimension on one of the sides, add some shadow?

[RoomKid]

Looking good. I love the menu and feed button :)

[Tanoru]

The best thing to probably do would be to spend a while looking a modern websites of today and putting together a list of known techniques that are popular and work, then try them out for yourself. That's what I always do.

[buckboii]

its nice, i like it. the color scheme is nice as well.

[Bassem]

The best thing to probably do would be to spend a while looking a modern websites of today and putting together a list of known techniques that are popular and work, then try them out for yourself. That's what I always do.

I did actually, but I didn't use any techniques except for the wrap-around thing and the colors. I'm not exactly a graphics designer so I'm not sure I can do what they do. I was just messing around with Photoshop and this is what I came up with.

Any examples for "modern websites"? (other than those social networks and ugly web 2.0 revisions of popular websites)

Thanks guys for the comments.