30 Minute Redesign #87: Tristin Khalil
30 Minute Redesign: Week 57 Vote
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Week 54: Eliza Web
This week I will be redesigning: Eliza Web.
In the space of 5 minutes I can identify some of the key strengths and weaknesses of this design, and sketch out a mockup.
STRENGTHS:
- The site isn’t too badly designed, it uses some fairly nice imagery and colors.
- The typography is generally clear and legible.
- The styling is consistent, with consistent headings, styling etc…
WEAKNESSES:
- The layout is conventional, but feels a little boring. Nothing jumps out as being that unique or eye catching.
- The menu text is difficult to read, as it’s not contrasted enough against its backdrop.
- The layout feels too narrow and restricted, it needs to be opened up a bit.
- The site lacks any real call to action buttons, and doesn’t really draw people further into the site.
My Redesign
As always, I was limited by the 30 minute time-frame, but I tried to improve upon several of Eliza Web features, adding a few design flourishes and a clearer layout that promoted content over wasted space:
MY AIMS FOR THE REDESIGN:
- I made the site more engaging and visually interesting through use of a bolder colorscheme and larger, unique logo area.
- I used larger typography (particularly for the headings) to help engage the viewer.
- I integrated call to action buttons to draw the user further into the site.
- I used more of a liquid layout structure to open up the layout. I also spaced out the content, using more white space/padding.
Before/After:
Here is a quick comparison between the original design and my 30 minute redesign. Sure, my design could be more polished, but I believe that a lot of the basic elements have been improved upon, creating a more pleasant browsing experience.
How and Why To Enter 30 Minute Redesigns
You can have the chance to have your website redesigned in next weeks post. All you need to do is leave a comment to this post with your website address and why you think it needs a redesign.
The Benefits of Getting Your Site Redesigned Include:
- Most obviously – a FREE redesign job!
- Your website gets exposure to PSDFAN’s thousands of readers
- You understand how to improve your website. This isn’t just a redesign, it’s a lesson in design principles.
- You will get emailed the .psd of your redesign and can do whatever you want with it!
NOTE: I can only accept sites with English content, as foreign language websites are simply too hard for me to work with.
So please, leave a comment today for a chance to have your website redesigned next week!
About the Author:
Tom is the founder of PSDFAN. He loves writing tutorials, learning more about design and interacting with the community. On a more interesting note he can also play guitar hero drunk with his teeth.
13 Comments:
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Would love a redesign and for a fresh new feel.
Thanks for the suggestion Michael
My website: http://www.techexplorer.in
Great job with Eliza Web, especially when you were restricted by a 30 minute time frame. I would like to have a redesign of my technology blog, TechExplorer.in. It designed like most tech blogs ought to be. I’d like to make it more appealing, spontaneous and lively. I’d like to see how experts like you would redesign it.
Thanks
Thanks for the suggestion Jal. I actually quite like your current design, but I’d love to try and improve it.
I’ve been following your “30 minute redesign” series for some time, and in most cases I’m surprised how good the redesigned sites look. Not this time, though. You are right with all the structural elements and they have improved a lot in your redesign (bold headlines, calls to action, clearer guidance for the eyes etc.). But I think the site’s main image looked better before and the new color scheme is too bold/primitive/massive. It lacks some subtlety and air. The color is too massive and dominating. The new logo looks like a school kid drawing, so that doesn’t convince me either.
However, you can’t always get it right – and not for everybody
Thanks for the series anyway, very inspiring!
Thanks for the constructive criticism Markus. Personally I thought the logo suited the site theme, but obviously tastes differ. I do appreciate constructive comments though, even if you’re not a fan of the final design.
Hi tom after i look on all your design, all are in 2 column, so do you prefer simplicity?
I do think 2 columns generally work better, but I don’t have anything against 3 column layouts. I would only advise using 3 columns if the quantity of content warrants it. In this case, 3 columns would be pointless as there simply wasn’t enough content.
Personally I thought the redesign was an improvement, but I do see what you mean about it being a little flat.
Great idea, I love the fact 30 minutes allows you to concentrate on making the most of the core functionality. Thanks
it does look better !
Great idea, love the fact 30 minutes ….too…
Great idea, love the fact 30 minutes ….too…