3D layout - no tables opinions please

Wow, it would have taken a while to figure out how to make al of the 3D effects!

Wow! I'm glad I don't have to keep up with all those borders. Very imaginative and if not unique, at least rare. I especially like the 'product shelves'.

I'm not that infatuated with the stark colors, especially all the black. For a business site it seems a little harsh, garish even. Perhaps it would have been enough to establish the color branding in the banner and just hint at them elsewhere.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am not paid the big bucks for my design skills. So take my comments with a grain of salt.

cheers,

gary

I think that I would have to agree with KK5st that the overall look is a bit harsh and would probably benefit from a softer black in the main body and just establishing the corp colors in the header .It may well help with the 3d effect to have some softer shades.

Interesting design though

Hugo.

Topic Moved from "Layouts" to "Site Checks"

kk5st

What were you referring to with the 'product shelves'?
I don't get the big bucks either.. in fact web design is not even my primary job.. but thought our current site (also my design) needed an overhaul

Hugo and kk5st I am beginning to agree with your ideas on the black being garish and harsh...
Any suggestions on how to change the color scheme?
I like the layout and the black red gray for the menu items..what do you think about those?

I'm not locked into red and black in the header..I could even go with white there..

As I am color scheme challenged any ideas for changes in the color scheme would be greatly appreciated

rmfred,
Just for a different take on things try these slight changes ( not intended as anything wonderful)

 
#wrapper { background: #3D3937;} 
 
#contents { border-style: inset; border-color: rgb(34, 51, 68) rgb(17, 17, 17) rgb(68, 85, 102) rgb(119, 136, 153); border-width: 0.7em 1em; margin-top:13px;} 
 
.rightside1 { border-style: inset; border-color: rgb(17, 17, 17) rgb(119, 136, 153) rgb(68, 85, 102) #394756; background:#4E6174;} 

Sorry about the hex colors, my colors are pretty horrible was just trying to get a bit of relief in there bring out the 3d a bit more, have a play around ; didn't go very far with it but it may help inspire you to do something better?

Hugo.

Hugo; thanks for the suggestions... I'll give em a go and see what happens...

Like I said don't expect anything I was getting distracted a lot and would have spent a lot more time trying blends and getting a bit of variance in the borders etc, but it is time consuming .
I thought that if you didn't already have some of these links that they may come in handy for color scheming / inspiration.

http://www.meyerweb.com/eric/tools/color-blend/

http://wellstyled.com/tools/

http://www.easyrgb.com/index.html

http://colormixers.com/mixers/cmr/

http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html

Hugo.

Hugo;
I had the last 2 links but not the first 3... I'll have a look, thanks

Made a few changes...
http://www.redhorseoil.com/test/rho1.html

what do you all think now? Still too dark? Any ideas on how to make it better?

It's starting to look better lighter but you've lost the side borders on the content div, keep working on light and shade .
Oh and the top nav seems to have broken in FF.

Hugo.

Hugo

Should the BG be even lighter? What do you mean the top nav seems to have broken?

thanks

I don't think I would go lighter with the background .
The menu splits in the middle?? maybe it's meant to .

Hugo.

It is supposed to split in the middle

oops, sorry :oops:

Hugo... no apologies required