new website

[jugglery]

Well, I will throw myself to the lions and ask you to view the website www.incapablehands.com. Click on my head (Steve Russell) to see my latest site.

Thanks,

Steve

[Stephon]

First 2 things I noticed --

Unless you're going to have the phrase "in capable hands" featured on the front page, I'd change the URL, 'cuz it looks like "incapable hands"; not a selling point.

Is the website for fans or clients? If it's for clients, you don't need the bio--people aren't going to hire you based on what your childhood was like.

(Sorry if this sounds terse--it's 2 a.m. and I should be asleep instead of online. Meh)

~Stephon

[jugglery]

Thanks Stephon,

In Capable Hands is the name of the duo juggling show I perform with my wife. That has become the "umbrella company" of the various pursuits we have become involved in. In Capable vs. Incapable - that is kind of the whole joke of the name. It is meant to be ironic. Some people get it, some don't. Some come up and "explain" it to us.

I understand about the Bio page. It is the major thing I was considering dumping or keeping. I guess I included it because I had the space and I figure it helps provide deeper background for people (and perhaps fans) who want to know more. No, I don't think it really helps sell.

I will say that my market is largely Midwest corporate and fairs. I have found that they do, in fact, like to have a more personal relationship.

But client site vs. fan site? I guess I was going for a mix.

I will certainly look more at the inclusion of the page. It is a point well-taken and I appreciate the critique.

Steve

[Stephon]

Originally posted by jugglery
In Capable vs. Incapable - that is kind of the whole joke of the name. It is meant to be ironic. Some people get it, some don't. Some come up and "explain" it to us.

Oh yeah, I got it--I'm just saying that, as the first thing a potential client is going to see, "incapable" may not be the thought you want to leave them with. Most of the corporate types I've worked with are not the most. . .flexible in the way they perceive things.

[scot]

hire a designer.

animations are pointless

too many fonts

poor color choices

photos look like crap

your face in the photos looks like a mentally handicapped guy ( i don't know which one)

background patterns, gif edges, and overall everything is 1995 powerpoint style

"Steve Russel" looks like ripley's logo. Bad for you.

All text is bold. that's bad for legibility. Contrast is not high enought

it needs to be less ugly

[Jim]

Ouch. Scot's comments may sound harsh, but I have to agree with everything he said (except for the mentally handicapped comment.)

My first thought was that I was at the web design museum and was observing a perfectly preserved website from 1997.

1. Get rid of all flying animations. (Do it. Don't argue.)

2. Next step would be to work on color scheme. It's way too 80s / MTV.

3. Then learn what anti-aliasing is and get to work cleaning up your graphics.

After that, you'd be into the 21st century and we could talk more.

[jugglery]

Well, as I said: Throwing myself to the lions.

Steve

[scot]

so you think our critiques are reckless with no regard for your well being?

were you just trying to promote yourself, or were you trying to get help?

Don't go to lions for help -- unless they're food lions.

[jugglery]

website
What did I say?

I never said the critiques were off-base. I never said I didn't want the criticism.

What I didn't say (and should have said) is thank you.

Really, I do appreciate constructive criticism. Thank you for taking the time to look.

Believe me, I knew what I was asking. I'm not looking for a fight.

But here is the deal, it doesn't help me to hear things like "less ugly". That is your opinion, and you are welcome to it. It is probably a valid assessment and I really am trying to consider what it means. It just doesn't give any direction.

That sort of "critique" attempts to break down rather than build up. It muddies up the message.

But I have no worries. I am learning.

Steve

[Jim]

Steve,

Don't mind Scot. He can be a bit of a design snob.

However, he's usually right in his design critiques.

Your site is cosmetically challenged. There are a bunch of design choices you made that make your site look dated and a bit hokey. We're not saying this to make fun of you, we're saying this because we wouldn't want you to come across as dated and hokey to a potential client or agent. Right? We're actually trying to help.

The three things I suggested earlier would certainly make your site look "less ugly."

Bouncing flash animations are straight out of 1999. You don't need them.

The color scheme is from the 80s and the graphics and fonts are 1996ish. It would help to tone down the colors (pick 2 that repeat every page to tie everything together. Then you could have a "highlight" color that you use sparingly. A three color background with different color text is not pretty.)

As for the graphics, you need to "anti-alias" the rounded images so they blend into the background color. Look at the title on your web pages and then look at the "performers.net" logo at the top of this page. Do you see a difference in the smoothness? That's anti-aliasing.

Also, I went back and took another look and your photos have a late 80s feel to them, too. It may be the costuming. You might want to get some fresh photos when you can.

It's not as bad as it sounds. You just need to do some cleanup. Let us know if you make some changes. We'll check it out again.

[scot]

well done, old softy.

[jugglery]

Jim,

Thanks for your input. I neglected to mention before that I appreciated your actual suggestions.

No jugglers were harmed by Scot's words.

Still, if you want this to be a free and open discussion of people's promo, you will want people to feel free and open to submit their examples. I would guess that one tone of discussion is more inviting than another.

But, this is off topic. The discussion of the discussion is for another forum.

Steve

[lucy lynn]

your website

hi steve,
i think its great that you try to build a website all by your own. most performers would get a graphic/webdesigner to to that job.

to make it look a bit more professional:
first of all: try to find your own CI (corporate identity)- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_identity

its important that you try to make a concept. find colours that fit best to your show. but donīt use to many colours.
take for example: red/black, yellow/black, blue/black, green/black, white/green, white/purple and so on..
these colours you can use for everything. your "stage presentaion", your costume, your website, handouts, car,.. and so on.
like this, the public recognize you esasily.

also try to work out a logo. preferebly one that includes text+picture.

also use this logo on all your performers items.

for the website:
use simple, well done pictures.
to make them fit to your website, you can frame them in your colours, change the picture a bit in a graphic program, add contrast, ..

choose 1-2 fonts that you keep using. donīt mix too many.

basciyl, keep the website simple. less is more.

if you need any help, just contact me.

greets
lucy

lynn.art, artists.events.photo.design

http://www.lynn-art.com