smudge designs

Ohhh now time for the ripping the design apart part huh?

I have to say I'm a bit biased because I saw your first design and this is soooooooo superior to that.
If you want me to be picky though...
I like your logo design and lettering, but it doesn't make me think smudge... I get more of an idea of ink spot. (this is really picky)

Also you're css valid button isn't linking to the "This page is valid css" page. You might want to recheck your link.

I think you're design might be a bit too much orange for my taste. Color is personally subjective though, so if you like it... keep it.

I know there's a member here who's pointed this out to other people before, if you're the only one in the buisness it sounds weird to use the terms "we", "our" and "us" when referring to your company. If you have a partner then it's cool. It would probably be a good idea to have an "about us" type page that gives backgrounds on everyone involved in Smudge Designs.

I think you're doing a good job here and every design gets better. Before long you'll be making us wonder "how did he do that".
Have fun with it all!

Quote: I like your logo design and lettering, but it doesn't make me think smudge... I get more of an idea of ink spot.

The site was originally Inkblot Designs, but that's already taken, so I had to change it. I really like the splot, and the name isn't completely decided yet, so I'm keeping it for the time being.

Quote: Also you're css valid button isn't linking to the "This page is valid css" page. You might want to recheck your link.

I had originally pointed to that page, but the ampersans in the href didn't validate, so I had to remove them.

Quote: if you're the only one in the buisness it sounds weird to use the terms "we", "our" and "us" when referring to your company. If you have a partner then it's cool. It would probably be a good idea to have an "about us" type page that gives backgrounds on everyone involved in Smudge Designs.

I have a friend that's a sort of "half-partner" he helps with some of the graphics, naming stuff, and business decisions. He also will help with a lot of marketing.
I'm working on finding a place to put a few more links, so once I find it, I'll add an about us page.

Thanks for the complements!

You're very welcome!

About the W3C validator link... just use this for your link to keep it valid

You want to check your main css again too. It's not validating right now.

I see the problems in your main css... not a biggie..

In div.breaker change clear: all; to clear: both;
In div.footer change diisplay: block; to display: block;

Keep going... you're getting there!

thanks, got it all updated!

Just a little thing, but how many proffesional sites do you see linking to the validator?

Depends on what you mean by professional? If your thinking of consumer websites not many. cos most of them aren't valid. If your talking about webdesign companies I'd hope most of them, Its one thing i do look for when i'm considering paying someone. If they can't or have chosen not to validate thier own site how are they going to ensure mine validates?

Its pretty much a geek thing validation but i consider it something to be proud of if you can get your own work to validate.

Yeah, but just a small text saying 'Validated by a banana' (or whatever) would do, you don't have to go over the top and advertise the damn site!

I would think that since part of the sales pitch for his services is creating valid code, that having the W3C links verifying his own code is very important. Every salesman need something that sets his product apart from the others... this is his.

I will say that davidjaymz made an interesting observation...

Quote: Its pretty much a geek thing validation...

Even though we understand the importance of valid code and cross-browser support, the average consumer looking for a simple site might not get it. It might be a good idea to expand on that a bit and explain why it's so important to hire a designer that pays attention to these things.

I have tried to elaborate a bit more.

Also, what do you guys think of the name: "splot designs"?

It's sounding better! If you really wanted to go all out you could have a page about Why should I care about web standards or Why is valid code important. You could explain what the difference of a valid and non-valid page is and show a couple screenshots of a non-valid page falling apart in a browser (Netscape is great for this). Of course this is really going all out and might be more than you need to close a sale.

There are a couple other things you should consider doing...
Find a couple friends who would like websites and get busy making them some (even if you're doing it for free). What you want is some more websites in your portfolio. You might have to do a few freebies for friends before you start getting paying customers.

Get someone good at proofreading to go over your text for you. If I were still in school I'd have my english teacher check spelling and punctuation and a speech teacher check readability. Don't think I'm picking on you here... we all use proofreaders.

I'm not sure about splot. I'm used to using artist terms. Splot, blot, drip, etc. are all terms you use when something bad happens. Smudge worked alright for me because sometimes you do that on purpose. Non-artists might be viewing those terms very differently though. You need to decide who your audience will be (who do you want to sell to) and use the terms that appeal to them.

I like smudge better than spolt

re: validation linking -- many professional sites of developers who adhere to standards and make it part of their business plan do because it's an industry standard. If you were part of a professional association and adhered to their tenets, you'd do the same -- such as ISO 9000 and the like

OK then, (pulls snobby face)

Wow! I really like this, the friendly tone, the informative style without talking down together with no assumption that the reader already knows -- & I like the look of it, too.

But what really stands out for me, compared with other design sites, is the writing. Very nice!

Thank you. I wrote most of it, with some help from my mother, who is a wonderful writer. She doesn't work any more, I wonder why she doesn't write a book!

Karen, in response to too much orange, I have made the background a kind of brownish black. I think it's a little too dark, so i'll continue to tweak.

i like it very much !

One more name I thought of "Merry Inkblot" Something along those lines?

You have evolved very quickly with your skills! Keep it up.

-Teemu

My sister is currently studying abroad in equador, so I may be making her a blog. My friend does graphics for the BYOND Gaming System , so I'm going to be making him a site to sell them. My neighbors homebrew for fun, and I designed them a logo, and I may do them a site. I'm also thinking about redesigning (for free) some one page sites for local businesses.

I'll be working on my portfolio, and thanks for the suggestions.

Yes, I suppose that is what I should do once my site is back up again.

maybe its just me but the site seems a little bit to dark.

what part? the background, or the content area?