Graphic Design Contests

**ecd** · 05-03-2010, 11:05 PM

Hello,

I recently purchased an ecommerce template and shopping cart. I have set up the layout/flow of my site but I would like someone to design a banner and enhance the template so the colors, font, etc. work well with the banner. The site is in .asp and .css, so I am ok with whatever file sizes and types can be implemented easily in the existing template. (For example; I think the banner height should be bigger and that shouldn't be an issue to implement).

My site is www.sandlotcards.com.

For the banner I am thinking of a nostalgic theme that matches the company name; maybe an old sandlot with a baseball field.

I would also like the company name Sandlotcards in the banner along with the motto; "Traditional collecting the modern way."

Feel free to try any other ideas; old time player entering modern stadium, murial of fans watching a game in the old days, etc.

To sum it up $150 for a banner and a facelift of the existing layout, i.e. color scheme, fonts, and any other simple changes you can suggest that would make it look nice. (The .css covers the top, left column, and footer. there are also three boxes on the right used on multiple pages).

I am also going to offer a $25 second place prize.

The deadline is Saturday 5/8/2010 between 2pm and 5pm EST.

I have read about and seen some of problems you have had with scammers here. I will pick a winner as long as three designers enter (is that fair moderators?) even if I do not use any of the entries (I trust based on the work I have seen this will not be an issue).

I will try to give feedback each evening between 7pm and 10pm EST.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you.

**ecd** · 05-03-2010, 11:10 PM

One other point, nothing too cartoonish......I'm thinking more nostalgic/traditional.

Thanks.

**thehuskybear** · 05-04-2010, 02:55 AM

I will have something posted by tues

**katesrobyn** · 05-04-2010, 04:41 AM

Working on my entry. Thanks.
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**katesrobyn** · 05-04-2010, 08:11 PM

hi. i just wanna ask, if you will announced a winner even when u have less 3 entries?

**ecd** · 05-04-2010, 08:30 PM

Hello,

Thanks for responding. If there are only two (or one) entries and there is an entry that's not completely off base I will select a winner. If there is only one entry and it's close to what I hope then I will offer the second prize as well.

If my request if out of the usual let me know how I can improve the contest. Also, if anyone wants to start with just a banner and work on the layout only if they feel they're on track I'm fine with starting that way.

Thanks again.

**ecd** · 05-04-2010, 09:58 PM

Just a reminder, I have set up the layout pretty much as I like it; i.e. the catagories on the left are what I like as are the search box & mini cart on the right, etc. As far as the layout I'm mainly interested in a nice color scheme to match the banner, fonts, etc. Anything beyond that such as enhancing the link buttons on the top is a bonus. Most of this is in .css on my site right now. Hopefully that makes it simple.

**katesrobyn** · 05-04-2010, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecd

Hello,

Thanks for responding. If there are only two (or one) entries and there is an entry that's not completely off base I will select a winner. If there is only one entry and it's close to what I hope then I will offer the second prize as well.

If my request if out of the usual let me know how I can improve the contest. Also, if anyone wants to start with just a banner and work on the layout only if they feel they're on track I'm fine with starting that way.

Thanks again.

Okay, I'll post mine later ... thanks.
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**RobK** · 05-05-2010, 03:12 AM

I will give it a shot within a few days time.

Thanks.

**katesrobyn** · 05-05-2010, 12:11 PM

my entry... thanks.

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**lithium cell** · 05-05-2010, 07:09 PM

**ecd** · 09:49 PM

Thank you for the posts.

First off, if these were the only two entries I would declare a winner so the requirement for 3 entries is no longer necessary. I still hope to receive a few more concepts though.

Katesrobyn - I would be leaning towards your entry at this point. Overall, I like the banner, kind of neat to see something that matches one of the concepts I described but a lot different than I pictured. Does that make sense? Anyway I have 2 or 3 suggestions/requests;

1. I like the company name in script but it's a little thin and not as strong as I would like. I like the use of different colors to separate the words sandlot and cards.
2. The brown border/sections is too bold and seems to overtake the site. I also think it would clash with product display. I will be displaying cards with many different colors, like the blue/black one on the main page. Is there a way to create a border with less brown or a different color scheme that will work well with products of different colors.
3. Finally, and I'm not sure about this one, would be to move the black and white images in the banner slightly to the left and have a faint image of the edges of trading cards fanning out on each side and blending into the design. Not sure if it would work just curious to see if it would be a way to integrate trading cards into the banner. (Consider this optional if it's a lot of work and something we could discuss if you win).

Lithium - I'm not sure your design hits what I was looking for. I like the antique type background image but the banner isn't quite what I was looking for. The font is nice as well but may not convey the image of ecommerce. Also, be careful of the photos, I would be hesitant to use the image of Babe Ruth as it may be property of MLB (not sure though).

Thanks both for the entries.

**lithium cell** · 12:09 AM

Kept the grunge look, changed the font and make the layout more slick. I also ditched the copyright images.. even if you dont use any of my images give me some feed back on the work itself. Any would be great! Thanks

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**katesrobyn** · 05-06-2010, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Katesrobyn - I would be leaning towards your entry at this point. Overall, I like the banner, kind of neat to see something that matches one of the concepts I described but a lot different than I pictured. Does that make sense? Anyway I have 2 or 3 suggestions/requests;

1. I like the company name in script but it's a little thin and not as strong as I would like. I like the use of different colors to separate the words sandlot and cards.
2. The brown border/sections is too bold and seems to overtake the site. I also think it would clash with product display. I will be displaying cards with many different colors, like the blue/black one on the main page. Is there a way to create a border with less brown or a different color scheme that will work well with products of different colors.
3. Finally, and I'm not sure about this one, would be to move the black and white images in the banner slightly to the left and have a faint image of the edges of trading cards fanning out on each side and blending into the design. Not sure if it would work just curious to see if it would be a way to integrate trading cards into the banner. (Consider this optional if it's a lot of work and something we could discuss if you win).

Hi, yeah... we can integrate the cards to the banner, and other request edits... I'll be working on these, I will post it in a while.

**thehuskybear** · 05-06-2010, 02:12 AM

I still have some work to do on it, but let me know if you think I might be heading in the right direction:

**katesrobyn** · 03:58 AM

Here's new edition... we can put sample cards in the banner, if you have available pics. Thanks.

**ghiavolu** · 01:39 PM

I would like to enter this contest if i may. (I`m already working on this for some time, i hope i`ll be able to finish.)
Thank you !

**ghiavolu** · 05:48 PM

Please check my design (note i even made a new favicon):
Thanks for looking.

And some more nostalgic versions ....

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**ecd** · 08:23 PM

Hello all,

This has shaped up to be a good contest. I will leave feedback for each entry as promised. If there is anyone thinking of a late entry please keep in mind I think these entries are all unique and the feedback I give to one has no bearing on the others chance of winning, so please be creative. The four entries all have merit and I appriciate the effort.

Katesrobyn - Thanks for making the changes. There's not a lot I can add at this point beyond what I have already. The one thing is the brown is still a bit much. Would the background color (the antique paper look) like lithium's first entry be softer or work at all?

Lithium - Thanks for another try. I liked the second banner best (the non-grunge) but I don't think this would work for my site. If I were dealing in newer products (i.e. modern cards and unopened boxes) this would be my preference. However, I'm going for a traditional collector of vintage cards so this just won't work. (Take solace, a few collectors I questioned liked it the best).

Husky - I think you're completely on track. I really look forward to seeing the finished product. I'm curious to see how the side bars blend in. Also, I like the logo, would you be able to add the motto "Traditional collecting the modern way." I'm not sure if that would clutter the logo, just curious to see how it looks. Very nice design and liked the tape too.

Ghiavolu - Nice look and it's interesting to see a design with more color. I'm not sure I can add a lot here except I think the designs have a little too much green, they don't quite hit the nostalgic mark even though the pictures on the banner are along those lines.

One question for all which I couldn't find an answer for in the sticky posts. Can you tell me what the process is for implementation works once a winner is announced. I assume payment is first made but then how are files/graphics/setup handled. As I mentioned, my site is in .asp/.css and my concern is difficulty of implementation. Are the mock ups easy to implement in css and does the winner usually help out if minor issues arise, i.e something doesn't fit or needs tweaked, etc.?

Thanks again.

**thehuskybear** · 05-06-2010, 08:45 PM

Thanks for the feed back. I may have some time tonight to do some more work on it. I will make sure to add your motto and post the final design when I finish.

As far as implementing, most designers (I'd assume) would help you implement the design. As for me, if you choose my design, I will prepare the css and will be glad to help you on the implementation. It looks like as long as the layout structure doesn't differ too much from the template your using, it will be just a matter of uploading the images and making sure the template calls new design's css