Graphic Design Contests

**00Bolt** · 09-08-2008, 01:24 PM

Hi all, I havent been to this site in years, but I remember back then there were a bunch of guys that were very helpful in designing my first website.

I used to own a retail store (trophy and awards store). I created my own website with Frontpage and Dreamweaver. I know NOTHING about code or webdesign in general to be honest.

Basically what I did was find a site that I liked the overall look of, then copied the source code and changed the colors, links, photos, etc.. to my liking of my trophy store. Because I dont really know much about this, I didnt have a shopping cart or very good google search rankings. I basically used this site as an "online catalog" for my existing customers.... It worked great for me.

Well its been a few years and I sold my business and now work for a new company. But I continue to do a few jobs on the side. Since I no longer have a retail location and do a little different products, Id like to redo my website.

Here is what Im looking for:

1. Id like a site that looks up to date, possibly something Mac or Apple looking. Maybe black background.
2. I have a PC and Mac, but whatever it is, Id like to be able to update/change things myself.
3. I want a frontpage and one product page created. And I will copy/duplicate that product page throughout the website for myself for all my other products.
4. Id like a shopping cart

probably some more things but not thinking right now. Im not sure what something like this will cost, but Im on a tight budget. If you are good at this and think you can design/create me 2 web pages to get my site going, please get with me on a timeline, prices, ideas, etc...

btw, here is my current site (remember outdated), but basically I want something like this but fancier with shopping cart and new products.

www.awardsandbeyond.com

**00Bolt** · 09-08-2008, 01:39 PM

in fact, i know its kinda cheesy, but I really like the apple site

something simple like that would be perfect. I wouldnt have as many poducts on the sides though....

frontpage of my site to look like this: http://store.apple.com/us
product page to look like this: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/hom...ne?mco=MTE2NTQ

i dont really want any flash or anything like that, and mine would be stripped down alot.

**angele803** · 09-08-2008, 02:53 PM

Will this be a contest, or are you looking for someone to freelance this to? If you are looking for bids from freelancers, I need to move this to the appropriate section.
Thanks!
-Stephanie

**thehuskybear** · 09-08-2008, 03:07 PM

Hi, I would be glad to help you out. My prices are competitive. But I do need to know if this is a contest or if you want a bid. If you want a bid, you can send me a PM and we can discuss the details. You are welcome to check out my portfolio at my business site (in my sig).

If this is a contest, I would like to participate, but it would be best if you set a price.

Take care

Sam

**00Bolt** · 09-08-2008, 03:16 PM

well I guess Id like to make it a contest?? I dont know, what would be better for me? If I did contest, and I didnt like anyones contribution could I decide not to have a winner?

what would be going rate for contest for something like this vs. freelance?

**thehuskybear** · 09-08-2008, 04:03 PM

Well, if you want to do a contest, one thing I can say is the more you pay, the better work you will receive.

**00Bolt** · 09-08-2008, 05:04 PM

Okay, lets officially make this a contest. If Im doing something wrong here, please let me know. Id like to pay $150 to the winner to create me 2 pages. Id like to choose the winner in 2 weeks. So deadline is Sept 22nd.

Here are my requirements:

1. Like the look and feel of something simple yet modern. Very professional looking like the apple.com site. Although I am not going to have as many links as their site. I wouldnt even mind the background color being black. I will create some example links, etc of what I might use and post later.

2. I want a shopping cart. I know nothing about shopping carts, so I want something simple like paypal, etc that I will be able to keep site updated on my own in future.

3. Because I am only paying for 2 pages to be done, I will have to create the remainder 100 pages or whatever there is. Again, since I know very little about web design. Id like it done simple so I can use Dreamweaver or something similar to "drag and drop" the remainder of my site on my own. Not really wanting any css, flash, etc stuff that I wont be able to do on my own later.

4. Something I did a bad job on my first site, I want to this new site to pull up well on google and other search engines, so this might just be some advice more than anything?

5. I have given an example of what I like, but I am open by all means. This is a contest, so use your own creativity and surprise me.

Again, if I am not doing this right, please correct me. I will pay the winner via paypal. Thanks again!!!

**00Bolt** · 09-08-2008, 05:26 PM

Ok, here is some of the wording that I want. This is real quick so when time comes to finalize this it may change a little. But this is general idea...

On top menu bar: Home, Store, Orders, Artwork, About, Shipping, Contact. Delete the search bar

On Left menu bar:
Delete the Apple Store and search bar
Delete the Shop Mac, etc.
Popular Accessories:
Awards: Crystals, Trophies, Plaques, Acrylic, Medallions, Ribbons
Gifts: Photography, Pens
Engraving: Badges, Signs, Plates, Part Marking
Custom:

Delete entire right menu bar

This just real quick and threw this stuff together. You guys are the proffesionals. If you need any photos, examples, etc... refer to other trophy store websites online or my old one www.awardsandbeyond.com

**thehuskybear** · 09-08-2008, 05:31 PM

I'll try to enter my concept later this evening.

**MrNova** · 09-08-2008, 08:18 PM

So do you just want a layout, or does it have to be coded too?

**andrei155** · 09-08-2008, 10:09 PM

I'd like to suggest the following:

Select the winner based on the design, rather than the code. Meaning that after the contest has been won, the design should then be coded. You should, however, only choose winners that are willing to code it afterwords.

This reduces the workload on us.

**thehuskybear** · 09-09-2008, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrei155

I'd like to suggest the following:

Select the winner based on the design, rather than the code. Meaning that after the contest has been won, the design should then be coded. You should, however, only choose winners that are willing to code it afterwords.

This reduces the workload on us.

I second that..

On another note, it looks like I won't be able to get something made up till tomorrow evening... hopefully... Got some other work I have to get done first.

**katesrobyn** · 09-09-2008, 03:36 AM

I am in ...

**00Bolt** · 09-09-2008, 10:21 AM

well like I said, I do not know anything about code. So when I do decide a winner and that person gives me the 2 pages, I will have to create the remainder of my site by "design" mode in Dreamweaver. Basically I will just be replacing text, links, pictures to make each page basically the same, but with different info on it.

So with that being said, I will have to ask you to make the code so that I can do what I need to do in the future. As for showing me what your concept is, it can just be a jpg or something for all I care

**andrei155** · 04:43 PM

Yes the website would be coded, but It would be best if you choose the winner before the coding actually begins. This way each designer doesn't have to go out of his way to not only create a design you don't like, but also code it? This is making the losers doing more work then they should.

Instead, you should just choose winners based on their design, and then the winner could go ahead and code it for you.

Also, what is the name of your website, and do you have a logo?

**00Bolt** · 09-09-2008, 06:14 PM

www.awardsandbeyond.com

dont really have a logo per say, so if you create one that be fine by me.

just design for now is fine. code later

**thehuskybear** · 09-10-2008, 02:03 AM

Ok, here is my first attempt. If you like the direction I am going, I will create the products page. Please let me know if there is something you would like changed. If you don't like it at all, give me a reason so I can make a better attempt.

Concept 1.0

**00Bolt** · 09-10-2008, 09:59 AM

Ok, please do not take offense to this, but Im not crazy about it to be honest. Here are things Id like differently.

At top where you have logo, Id like a bar up there with different links. Like Home, Store, etc... Again, like apple site

The links on the right is different to me and I think Id perfer it on the left.

The section in the middle with the pictures is sorta what Im going for, but I dont like the blue background. I know half the problem is the pictures have different colored backgrounds, but Im going to try and get photos with white backgrounds and what a "cleaner" look... and again, like the apple site

And not to sound like a broken record here, but like the apple site, I like how they have multiple sections of those photo parts. So I might have a top section with newest items or something... then staying in middle of page like that, have top awards with photos of a couple different awards... then another section with top engravings, etc... kinda like apple site has

one thing I do really like is how on that crystal piece you have a shadow under the photo. Not sure if that photo just happened to have that or not. But how hard is it to add a small mirrored look under photos? Not sure if it will look good, but my iphoto does that and I think its kinda cool..

**andrei155** · 09-10-2008, 09:49 PM

Here's my go

:

**00Bolt** · 09-11-2008, 08:13 AM

now Im diggin that one!!