[craig1709]

Hi guys, I have been tasked with creating a restaurant website, although that's just a part of it. The real meat of it is a CMS system without using open source code (i.e. from scratch). That's the fun and relatively easy bit. I'm having trouble with the design, because I'm a developer rather than a designer.

Could you take a look at this:
http://craig1709.co.uk/j/template.php
and help me out? I know it's missing something and that something isn't right, but I can't think what.

Thanks guys,
-Craig1709

[bhandari]

the text color doesn't match the back ground image. Try something different for text color/look for some other restaurant image.

[spearfish]

The transition from the background to the red / gray needs to be smooth, and try rounding the corners.

[capty99]

i do not agree with the rounded corners assesment.

the background is harsh.

the main text isn't the easiest thing in the world to read but its readable,
the text on the right though is harder to read... there is a bigger light/dark change in the bground and it distracts from the text. maybe a slightly opaque background on that text area would give it some more differential from the color of the text.

its not a bad design at all , i just think a little more can be done with the navigation and then it will be good...

[craig1709]

Agreed on the background, I forgot to take that out. The colours have changed a bit, the red was just something to break the grey from the mockup. It should be aiming for a light, fresh feel, if a website can feel fresh.

I'm thinking something to break up the slabs of of space, some sort of imagery or texture, but I'll have to mull it over.

Thanks for the critique so far.
-Craig1709

[spearfish]

Much, much, better. I really like that.

[MarkoDaGeek]

I like the pictures idea in the background. Clean and simple, I like it.

[craig1709]

Thanks for the responses. It's definitely improved because of them. An opinion on the chalkboard would be nice and I'm wondering if there are any Photoshop tutorials on chalk-like circles or lines.

Thanks again,
-Craig1709

[hexeliebe]

Be very careful with your code. I clicked on [home] and could download all of your code. You need to shore up your server security.

craig1709, on 15 Mar, 2008 - 05:38 AM, said:

Hi guys, I have been tasked with creating a restaurant website, although that's just a part of it. The real meat of it is a CMS system without using open source code (i.e. from scratch). That's the fun and relatively easy bit. I'm having trouble with the design, because I'm a developer rather than a designer.

Could you take a look at this:
http://craig1709.co.uk/j/template.php
and help me out? I know it's missing something and that something isn't right, but I can't think what.

Thanks guys,
-Craig1709

[menusnearu01]

Thanks for your information.....
I came to know about local restaurants from this discussion....

http://www.menusnearu.com