Well, our beloved Sylvan Heart has been needing a new site for a long time now, so here goes.
I don't know if anyone knows this, but I have been looking at making a new site for Sylvan for some time now. I know Marlenus has started one, however due to his busy schedule (and dealing with that stupid internet company), he isn't able to finish it. So I decided to take the opportunity of the shard being down to really get cracking on it.
Here's how it looks so far:
(http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/1077/sylvantestix3.png) (http://img22.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sylvantestix3.png)
Of course it isnt even 5% done yet, however I just wanted to show you guys what its looking like right now.
Ok, basically the point of this post was to get some ideas and feedback from you - the heart of Sylvan. Remember, this isn't MY site OR Acacia's or whatever, it is yours. So say what you don't like about it (I know it isn't much yet, but you can get the general idea heh), or what you do like about it, or what you want to see from it. Staffers you should participate too!
So to start us off I'll jot down what I'm thinking so far:
-I like the green theme of it, since thats what Sylvan is all about.
-However, I do not like the background - I am currently working on this. I spent around 4 hours trying to get a background that was satisfactory, alas no luck there. So for now I just placed a very simple background.
-The banner is ok, but simple. I currently have a friend who is much more skilled than I in photoshop who is taking his time with it. HOWEVER, please, if anyone wants to have a shot at making the banner maybe we can make it into some sort of competition! Mayhap the staffers can design some sort of deco trophy for making the Sylvan Heart website's banner ;D
My Ideas for the future:
-I would like to place some screenshots of us in Sylvan together including some of our shinies and tamables. This would be placed in the "Community" section.
-I would also like to make a short promo clip of Sylvan Heart at it's best, placed through an embedded youtube video. I would be looking to take clips of us fighting some of the custom Sylvan bosses, using our shiny dragons, some of our events and also show a bit about our races.
-I would also place a "vote for Sylvan" in an easy to see place. Maybe this way we can get our vote count up resulting in more players.
Last notes
Thanks for taking the time to read through this friends - I want your feedback! It's been a learning curve for myself, but I had a lot of fun doing it. If anyone wishes to work on it as well, please say so. If not, your support is worth just as much. Now I'm going to go take five ;D
-Abaddon
Sir I salute your initiative and appreciate your choice to make us a website. I have zero ability to make and design a website but I can help with various information that needs to be placed into said website.
Consider yourself double saluted! ;D
I'm lovin' the green! ... at least the banner and buttons and general color anyway... minus the butterflies. I'm sorry, but for me... they gotta go lol :D
About the background.. I'm like you.. meh on the current. I really like faded pics for backgrounds of each section... but the over all background can be that what you have..... it is simple and that is about what ya want.
And despite that I love green... this might be over doing it on the bright neon side hehe - the button and especially the banner I love the green of... but not the whole thing hehe - btw, also love the gold Sylvan text!
Here is a site I worked on for the Fae of Sylvan:
http://www.freewebs.com/faegovernment/
I dunno that you can use it all, but I pull off a few little CSS tricks among other things ya might find handy ;)
I'm probly really much more of a programmer than I am a graphic designer. I fiddle with graphics some here and there and can do some neat stuff, but aint no pro ;) However, if ya want coding help, or are running into any scripting issues... run it by me, and I don't mind helpin' out! ;D
Oh and also, the border for the center has a neat "foresty" look that I like hehe.
Oh and also again... I've had a neat idea for an ad banner for Sylvan... it's been floating around in my head for a looong while... it would likely require flash or a lot of GIF work. I'd rather draw something up and hand it to one of our Sylvan flash gurus hehe - anyone? I'd also love helping with pics for anything including the youtube one - I can think of at least one hilarious lil pic I'd like to submitt hehehe!
Keep it rollin' dude!
Thanks for the feedback guys, I will take them into consideration.
Thane I will need help from you for the information part with details about Sylvan events and the like - my lack of experience here prevents me from be able to write any detailed descriptions. I will probably be requesting information soon, but I am trying to get down the template first before I start putting in information.
Heh, Link I'll see what I can do instead of the butterflies (bunny rabbits? I don't know lol). Just keep in mind that it will most likely not be the permanent one. I just placed it there as a placeholder for where the banner will go.
I've just had a good long sleep and come up with an idea for the background - faded parchment with perhaps a watermark of an oak tree.
I also agree with you that right now it is TOO green :P Hopefully some light brown parchment will clear that up.
As for the border... hehe thats my thanks to whoever created the current Sylvan website. I grabbed a little bit of the background it had and played around with it on photoshop.
I can't really help you out in the flash thing, since I don't know much about that (I don't know much about web design or photoshop either but hey, I try :P)
All righty, I'll go work on it some more now
Thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you! It is looking good for a start, and here are my ideas.
Might try a brown general background with green buttons and banner. It might make it pop a bit more.
I agree with a voting link definitely need that up there.
We have a list of events with descriptions on forums under either shard basics or announcements, you could get info from there for events listing.
We could set a time to get a GM or a vet tamer help you get some stills of Dragons and such, or even better, run a pet wars and get you there to photgraph winners with their pets and their trophies
Personally, If you want to do an oak tree, I'd rather see one of the large white yew trees.
That's about all the suggestions I have for now.
One final note, I am one voice please give no more weight to my comments than you would any other based on my GM status. Thanks.
Of course Myrick, I treat everyone the same regardless of status :P
I am currently working on something that might be fantastic if it works, or could be a complete disaster hehe. Either way I'm having quite a bit of fun right now! I will take everyone's words into consideration and thank you for the feedback
After many hours here is a screenie of a second shot at it:
(http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/681/round2mj9.png) (http://img518.imageshack.us/my.php?image=round2mj9.png)
I still hate the background heh, but it will have to do for now. Im thinking of putting a big yew tree as Myrick stated to the far right (theres actually a decent bit of space there, I just cut it out to make the image smaller). However I need one of the staffers to take a screenshot of it since I can't get the full shot of it without the leaves and braches going transparent.
Just for you Link - no butterflys! :P
I also added a book type thing with a page marker showing where you are navigating (right now it's set to "Home"). The little dog earred end of the page (top right) is where I'm HOPING I can somehow make it so it flips the page over. If not all this effort has gone to waste bleh :'(
Bah I am exhausted now, I think I'll take another break lol.
Keep up the feedback! Its YOUR website!
maybe the Yew tree on our "oldish" site might help?
http://www.sylvandreams.co.uk/
BTW, nifty book idea.
*thinks about the page turning thingy...*
Is that suppose to turn to the next page of the site... or the next part of the home page (or w/e page you're on)? It shouldn't be much more than an image map link.... or even simpler, a regular image used as a link and stuck up there in that corner.
BTW, butterflies netted - cool hehe :D
Hmm yeah, if only frontpage would let me set the layout in the picture properties lol.
The yew tree in the old site was good, but Myrick suggested a white yew tree (like the one in the druids grove) so I'm trying to put everyone's suggestions into consideration.
As for the book thing, it is quite small so I doubt I can fit all the info in there, which is why I need to be able to turn the pages heh.
I still gotta go clean up some of these images - the edges are looking rough lol.
Oh well its a new day - so work work!
here is some constructive critism for you and some advice
Simple is always better.
remember that on websites peoples Eyes naturally start on the right and move counterclockwise (this is why you see most ads placed on the right side of websites) So you want to have the most important information on the right side.
Always use a solid color background. Graphics loading are time consuming and they are usually the sign of an amateur ( NO OFFENSE MEANT)
If you can avoid frontpage. It makes you lazy and MS attaches a ton of its own code on the backside which causes problems later. Try NVU its free and alot better You can download it from cnet download.com etc or dreamweaver is a good authoring program for beginners but has a lot of power to it that as your knowledge increases you can start using more and more of the addons and kewl toys
if you are using frames. trash and start over using Tables.. frames will give you headache upon headache and they are not used anymore.
those are a few tips with that said I think your doing a fine job. I might suggest in this case, Since they already have a Joomla site(sitting in limbo) that will make it very dynamic that you concentrate more on a Theme and maybe some really kewl graphics, Ideas of the different areas needed. Once those things are made or decided Adding them to joomla takes no time at all.
Yeah I started off trying to use joomla but it just caused way too much grief. You need like 50 programs just to get it set up then you need another 50 just to make it look good lol (I got apache and PHP set up, but MySQL just decided not to work heh). I was looking for something simple and functional, but it seems I have gotten carried away heh - still working on it right now.
Ill try out NVU now.
Thanks for the feedback - I always try to keep an open mind :P
Ahh you dont have to go thru all that headache Just download Ravenswood Its a program that runs Joomla locally for you and takes care of all the backend stuff you would normally have to install.
Ive used it when building sites that the domains are not ready for.
Some really pretty stuff. I just know I am clueless on websites and I'm spread pretty thin because of real life. I appreciate all the great work my young ones are doing for Sylvan.
*update*
I've been working on a new banner for us, since it doesnt look like my friend is going to do it (he probably will but hes just taking way too much time heh).
(http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8052/banner3cm0.png) (http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=banner3cm0.png)
I figure it still isnt much, but I reckon simple is good :P Also think the bunny is somewhat out of place heh, gotta fix that up
But then I again I could be wrong. Who wants more eye candy? Speak up!
I like that banner, but I'd rather see a more clear set of pictures or none at all. Yes, the bunny is distracting.
you can always use these pics too, make a banner from second one lol...is my shard all time fav pic.. *grins*
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj257/sulexo-2008/almostthere.jpg)
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj257/sulexo-2008/deathtoall.jpg)
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj257/sulexo-2008/battlereadywarriors.jpg)
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj257/sulexo-2008/battlerages.jpg)
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj257/sulexo-2008/fair2-2008.jpg)
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj257/sulexo-2008/feedme.gif)
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj257/sulexo-2008/fair2008.jpg)
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj257/sulexo-2008/theendoftheline.gif)
Heh those screenies are AWESOME. But not banner material :(
But you can be sure they will be put up in the "community" section where we can have screenies and stuff :P
(http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/5707/sitetest3zs0.png) (http://img11.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sitetest3zs0.png)
Been working on it again heh.
The banners still a work-in-progress until I can find some better images for it. Also trying to come up with some sort of bordering. As for the scroll it will be flexible, and will grow longer or shorter depending on the amount of info displayed on that certain page. Im also working on getting bits of info together right now heh. I'm hoping we can even have a "guilds" section on the site where we have lists and guildies can introduce themselves/post up some pics etc. and also have their own section in the forums
Hopefully Link will be able to upload some of this up onto the test site we have so you guys can have a looksies. ;D
Thats all for now folks!
Yeah the pictures are fuzzy and I'm not crazy about the font tbh. I'd rather see a larger more clear font.
Aesa you're talking about the banner yes? The pictures a bit fuzzy because I had to lower the resolution for imageshack :P
The idea on the people was that it could be anyone lol (thats why I've fuzzed them out)
However, I will work on another revised version based on this feedback. I'll see what other font I can get to make it easier to read.
Anyone have any ideas on picture-wise? I'm blank out of thoughts on this o.O
Any and all feedback is welcome.
I like the bunny. *giggle* Actually, all of these are very nice. I think if I were to rank them... the 2nd one in the post would be my fave, then this last one with the people, then 3rd would be the all green one with the butterflies. We have some of the most creative people who reside in Sylvan.
Unfortunately Acacia, the one you like the most is the most unpractical one :( which is why we ditched that attempt. It might look purty but, I don't want to annoy potential players by making them have to click like a million times hehe (because of the turning of the page).
However I will continue to work on it until something solid comes up.
Thank you for the feedback
haha I remember those screencaps. The very first 1... I am the only guy still standing LOL funny i never died in that LOL
Abba what size ya want the banner? I might try playing around with the idea
Not sure of the exact dimensions, kinda playing with that myself heh - ask link for the exact dimensions :P
Well I don't know if the "banner contest" is still up nor if it's the right size,but here's my idea for a SH banner:
(http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9570/shbanner2ya1.jpg)
Just something I put together while waiting for the shard to come up again :P
And yeah,I liked the bunny idea too,lol!
Woo hoo go Nayra! I was looking for someone to help me out with the banner lol.
I like the "here dreams shape the world and hearts join together..." Although the banner will have to be resized hehe (I hope we dont lose any quality over it o.O). Im not too crazy about the S and H in the Sylvan Heart, but I like this banner the most by far!
Currently working on site stuff right now ;D
;) i think it looks great, agree about re sizing, and the h on heart too. but i do like the bunny there...lol
Well I tried to find a "leafy" font but trust me,that was the best I could find to give it some fancyness,since I can't really draw something from scratches lol;as for resizing it's no problem,just tell me how do you want it and i'll work on the psd project,I always kept them for later adjustments when required :P
if I find a better font I'll try and reshape it....and glad you liked it :D
Hmm, you could probably crop some off the top and bottom bits of the banner. Length-wise it seems ok to me. I think I was working with something like 750 by 170 (pixels). Also you could probably make the Sylvan Heart text a little smaller and it would still be easy to see (remembering that on a site it would still look pretty big).
Since I dont have the actual file myself, you would have to play around with it a little bit to squish the height down a little bit.
I think the banner is absolutely amazing, Nayra. Beautiful!! You did a wonderful job hun.
Missed you by the way * hugs *
:D dont ye love it when shards down, we get so much done, LOL. thank gawd it's up. anyways...here's another shot at a banner, 750 x 150. was done mainly coz i think last one was better but with this type writing for sylvan heart bit.
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj257/sulexo-2008/sylvanheart.jpg)
Resized and restyled :P
(http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1561/shbannerridvs7.jpg)
Let me know.....
*hugs Serenity*
Love the new H Caly. I think we've got a winner! Great job.
That is TOTALLY awesome Caly!!! I love it!!!
A shot I did at lengthening the banner with in game pics.I had to resort on npcs,too since lack of willing models,so bear with me.
(http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/9981/shnewbannerlt4.png)
Whoa that is very cool - I'll be willing to model lol, just didn't see you take any screen shots of people :O
But its looking very good! I look forward to see what comes next :D
Got dibs on greenies place :P
*clears throat* I be thinking Thane and I should find our way in there somewhere. Cool looking.
laughs yes the two heads of sylvan definently should be in ther *magnifies screen* gah why is ther always a white dot on my mask!
I think we should put the staffers on sides of the banner. Very nicely done
The original idea was to put staffers in the banner,and maybe a couple of players to fill in.unfortunately,I couldn't take the right screencaps,but hey,I can always modify that (which in fact I strongly hope to do),this was just to show how the thing could come out.....glad you somewhat like it.
If I have cooperation from players and staffers I may try and do the final version of it :P
Thanks mostly to Link,which came out with a very clever solution,I was able to tweak more on the banner,and we finally got this that seems the right size:
(http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/2540/shbannerextended2.png) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/shbannerextended2.png/1/w739.png) (http://g.imageshack.us/img509/shbannerextended2.png/1/)
This is still not the definitive one,but I thought it may be worth to show what the progresses are and going toward to,since the website is yours :)
Let us know!
I totally love it!!!
Great job Deedlit, the "having people on the banner" idea was cool, but not the most practical (people getting offended as to why they aren't on the banner/people on the banner leaving the shard etc.)
Overall, doing great!
I agree with Myrick. It is beautiful. I love it. You did a great job hun * hugs tight *
Thank link for that,I would've never come out with that if it wasn't for his idea on it :P
Glad you all love it :)
i think it is great also keep up the good work guys.
*grins and goes back to tweaking with Nayra*
No, this project isn't dead.... just slow due to those who are working on it being busy... and due to me taking a while to get this stuff uploaded somewhere... sorry about that.
Anyways... here are three versions of the banner so far.
http://pioneerontheprairie.com/images/SHBanner/index.htm
Please enjoy :)
The truth is Link wore me out..... *lits a cigarette and then coughs since she doesn't smoke*
Let us know which version you prefer the most,it was highly debated *laughs*
(and he still refused to include the shaded one I like...lol!)
Are those banners supposed to look different? I only see one banner three times.
The banner is the same but the effects on it (regarding creatures mostly) are different: the middle one is the plain one with just some shading; the first one is embossed and the third one is sorta engraved. There was a fourth one in which I tried to blend creatures more, but Link said they weren't much visible,so meh.....
Up to you :P
I thought I included the shaded one... do you mean the one with transparent characters? Gah! Too many versions floating between my computers... three computers and my thumb drive... countless copies and versions lol