Header (no coding) - $300 - June 10th

[nevadabadgirl]

Forum Username: realmplus

Type Of Contest: Website header design (no coding), with a possible $200 for a new vector logo

Contest Title: Website header

Contest Deadline: June 10, 2009

Prize Amount: $300 (guaranteed by DC for header), possible $200 bonus for vector logo

Please view the PDF file at www.nevadaprodesign.com/kava.pdf for pictorial examples.

Make KAVA.EE current header (+layer) more professional-looking. You can redesign the whole header or just improve the current one. You can rearrange the location/positions of items. But keep in mind that users have got used to current header...so changing position/logic of items and add value in terms of usability, is risky.

MUST-HAVE ELEMENTS OF THE HEADER
● A – logo (i do not have vector version of that log – it was probably made in Paint-like program...font is Verdana and the dot is red .
● B – main menu (menu items are „tvguide, movies, series, personal tvguide, login“)
● C – search box (replaced by login box, if user wants to log in and presses „Logi sisse“)
● D – Channel and channelgroup select + layer
● E – Day selection / header (must include one-letter day name + day number) – click on menu items – movies, series title replace the day
selection
● F – random quote
● G – advertising space (width = 100%). You can see the header with advertising area on the next page.

● Advertising space is only displayed when it is booked. Otherwise the area is hidden to make the site more user-friendly. You can see the site
with an ad space here: KAVA.EE

VARIATIONS OF THE HEADER
1. DEFAULT VIEW
2. USER LOGIN MENU (BEFORE LOGGING IN) – user has clicked on „Logi sisse“ (translation: „log in“). Search box is replaces by username + password box.
3. MENU AFTER LOGGING IN – there is text „Welcome {username}“ and close button. Also search box as on default menu.
4. USER HOVERS MOUSE ON „100+ ...“ - a layer appears with channelgroup and channel names that user can select.

WHAT I EXPECT
● PSD (no html/css)
● VIEWS
○ default view
○ user before login view/box (look how tv24.lt has solved user login – it is an option) – can be as layer
○ user after login view (username, logout button)
○ channel/channelgroup selection layer

WHAT I OFFER
● 300$ for header
● if new header design requires a logo redesign then +200$ for the logo (total 500$). Designers please note: The $200 is not guaranteed by DC.net, and is ONLY for a vector version of the logo. If you create a new logo in a raster version, the $300 prize only applies. ~V.

I know that usually first a logo is designed and then later that logo is put on header... I cannot do it this way, beacuse for me it is important that logo looks good on the header...i cannot say if a logo is good without the header around it...so that is why i need header + logo together.

COMMENTS
Similar sites: telkku.com (click on titles), tv24.lt, tv.nu, tvguide.com, tv.com, tvguide.co.uk. I like the kava.ee most as it is clear and simple.

Search box: look how tv24.lt has solved search box (icon for button)...that looks pretty good

Login box: tv24.lt has used a good solution, also telkku.com has used a similar concept (layer) – but current solution at kava.ee is ok too, it is simple.

[Dragonfly]

OK, I'm in.

[Dragonfly]

Does Kava mean something in special? I'd like to know this to see what I can create around the logo too.

Thanks

[realmplus]

"kava" means "guide" - as in "TV guide".

[.:FMD]

Heres my first shot at it.

I kept it the same just freshened it up a bit. I figured since the website itself isn't really going to change, why not spruce it up a bit and keep it so people can recognize it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...der/KavaV1.jpg

[Jopicasso]

is there a maximum height for the header?

[realmplus]

Originally Posted by Jopicasso

is there a maximum height for the header?

The smaller the better.

[.:FMD]

Any feedback? or should i give it another go?

[realmplus]

Originally Posted by .:FMD

Heres my first shot at it.

I kept it the same just freshened it up a bit. I figured since the website itself isn't really going to change, why not spruce it up a bit and keep it so people can recognize it.

can you post the header in larger resolution...i don't really see the details of the menu.

Some comments i can give:
1. searchbox: maybe try to make that more part of the menu. Right now it is simple input box...look at the search box at tv24.lt - something in that direction.
2. popuplayer with channelgroups/channels. I don't see it in too much detail - but i don't like the blue background of channelgroup names too much. Less rounded maybe. But i also cannot see the details too well...

[.:FMD]

Originally Posted by realmplus

can you post the header in larger resolution...i don't really see the details of the menu.

Ok, I was having a problem uploading the file because it seemed to be too big and went over the websites restrictions. I can probably try uploading individual pieces to the image so you can see.

Originally Posted by realmplus

Some comments i can give:

2. popuplayer with channelgroups/channels. I don't see it in too much detail - but i don't like the blue background of channelgroup names too much. Less rounded maybe. But i also cannot see the details too well...

Ok what color would you prefer behind the channels group background?

Originally Posted by realmplus

can you post the header in larger resolution...i don't really see the details of the menu.

Some comments i can give:
1. searchbox: maybe try to make that more part of the menu. Right now it is simple input box...look at the search box at tv24.lt - something in that direction.

I am assuming you are suggesting to remove the button and almost make it kind of embedded into the menu bar correct?

Feel free to PM me with any responses!

[.:FMD]

Header with Channel Group and revision of search field.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...eaderCG_r1.jpg

[.:FMD]

The Header with Log In Layer

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...eaderLogIn.jpg

[Jopicasso]

Please find here my design
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/u...sso/header.jpg

I still have more options for the logo
Thanks

[Dragonfly]

I'll be submiting my proposal at the end of the day...

[Dragonfly]

Here are my samples. I'll submit the channel layer sample tomorrow.

Default view

User login menu

Menu after logging in

Please let me know if I'm in the right direction.
Thanks

[realmplus]

FMD:

# I just was not able to see the details. Now i see them. This search box is much better.

Jopicasso:
# i do like the simplicity of the loginbox and highlight of selected menu item.
# but overall, i am not too fond of this design - maybe the design it too overwhelming - users come to see the content...design should meld in nicely.

Dragonfly:

# L do like the dayselection + quote block - i like the background, the highlight of selected day. I like how you separate the backgrund of weekday and week number. Nice and clear and simple. VERY GOOD!
# Love the login button (key icon). VERY CLEVER DETAILING! Why on earth I haven't thought of that before

# i don't like the logo
# the menu feels quite dark...can you somehow make it lighter
# can you make a matchin channel layer? If you somehow use the concept of dayselect meny i think it could be great.


I am extending the project until 8.06.2009. I see elements i really like. But i don't see a full concept i can use.

[realmplus]

FMD:
# the red line is a bit overwhelming
# i like the channelselection layer much better. Again, it is simple, but it does not seem to match well with the header, you did use the same fond and font color, but it somehow seems as if it was not from the same patch.

Ideally i'd see that the header + userlogin popup + channelgroup popup feel as one.

[realmplus]

Dragonfly & to all:

I left the designs open on my screen and had to come back and repeat one thing.

That icon for search and login that Dragonfly came up with is the kind of approach i am looking for in header design.

It is ok, if users come to the redesigned header and almost do not notice the change...it shouldl meld in with the content - but if they look more closely, see the small improvements. Small icons instead of submit button take less room on the screen and they meld in nicely - less elements/clutter. right now loginbox is 3 elements...with Dragonfly improvements, i can be done to look like one element.

So i am looking to add CLEVER details that make the header simpler, add value to the user. Users probably don't get any value if i change the design completely , because they have to GET USED to the new concept - but if i manage to make those small changes that add value, then this probably the best path forward.

[Dragonfly]

My revisions

Lighter colors

Channels layer matching the header styles

I'll be working with the logo

[.:FMD]

Here are my revisions

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...aHeader_r2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...erLogIn_r2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...eaderCG_r2.jpg

I chose blue and red to give you 2 different options. You said you wanted it to tie in with the header and the header colors are blue red and white so I figured this may work.