Graphic Design Contests

**borzoid** · 04:51 AM

I have enjoyed participating in your contests and am now going to start one of my own for a website update that is long over due.

The current website is in ZenCart 1.2.7 and needs to be upgraded to 1.3.5. This contest does not need coding. I will be looking for someone to code and help with the upgrade after I have the design. If you know Zen Cart you can pm me about that half of the project.

The website is http://www.dogschoice.com and has done OK but is soft and doesn't "grab" the visitor or entice them to buy. So I need a new look, something cleaner, slicker, a bit more modern. I am not a fan of hot or neon colors. I also would like to break the mold a bit and would like something a bit "different" than most of the store websites out there - be creative.

This design will also need a logo with a mascot or graphical character (this is where my skills are lacking). I would like a dog character: smart and trustworthy looking but also friendly with just enough cuteness to keep it from looking harsh. I don't want anything too cartoonish and if you can make something that looks like an actual dog breed it would be appreciated. A couple of additional angles or poses would be nice for other places in the site but if that's overkill to the design I welcome your ideas.

Contest: Website template and logo with mascot character

Prize: $75

Paymet Method: Paypal

Coding needed: not for this contest but will be looking for someone to do it later

Format: PSD or PSP, the logo and mascot need to be vector images

Closing date: Saturday, Nov 4, but will extend it if designs are in-process

Other contests: This contest is not running anywhere else.

Thanks and have fun.

**Critizin** · 10-30-2006, 09:50 AM

i make something later today

**Critizin** · 11:03 AM

Here it is i dont think i got the look i was going for lol.... but the coder will know how to make it so the header and footer stretch the full page and he will know how to add more content boxes and add text to the boxes etc...

**borzoid** · 10-30-2006, 12:22 PM

Good start Critizen. A little too bright for my liking however. I'ld like something a little more contemporary. A lot of the layouts I've liked have the side column all the way to the top and make it look like there is side box navigation in the header. I have seen a trend toward having the product categories on the right instead of the left and would be interested in seeing layouts that incorporate that.

Here are a couple of templates that I sort of like the layout on:

http://osc.template-help.com/11117/index.php
http://osc.template-help.com/11117/index.php

I am drawn to earthy tones but know that it's very hard to make them look dynamic and inviting. Also I do have to consider my audience which would be women 22-45 years primarily.

For the logo, there is an S after dogs. It is not necessary to keep the paw and any ideas you can come up with for a logo with a mascot of some kind would peak my interest.

For me this contest is really about fresh ideas. I have sat on a couple of templates I made myself for a while now and need new creativity.

**Neonimage** · 10-30-2006, 12:39 PM

I might pass on this sorry borzoid.
Good luck all who enters. I will be watching

**borzoid** · 10-31-2006, 07:05 AM

If no one else is interested in this, I can stop this one and do a contest just for the logo character.

**NeoWeapon** · 10-31-2006, 07:32 AM

I can do the logo character for sure

**borzoid** · 10-31-2006, 08:36 AM

Thanks NeoWeapon. I like your work and would be interested in seeing what you could come up with. I'll wait a day to see if anyone is interested in doing the template too. If not I will run a different contest.

**NeoWeapon** · 10-31-2006, 10:04 AM

as for the logo character, do you want it to be in a digital style with a type of breed for example: such as a jack russell, a german shepard but to have that look where it was drawn?

**Critizin** · 10-31-2006, 10:14 AM

Im gonna make another template just a second

lol.... oh i make a logo to :P

**Critizin** · 10-31-2006, 10:15 AM

Those template links aint working...

**Critizin** · 10-31-2006, 10:17 AM

Got them to work is there any specific color you like?

**borzoid** · 10-31-2006, 10:51 AM

NeoWeapon - what you describe would work.

Critizen, I am drawn to earth tones but want the site to look energized and not heavy or too dark. Both of those examples have good contrasts in terms of colors and have that full page side column that looks like there is navigation inside the header block.

**Critizin** · 10-31-2006, 10:53 AM

Yep im doing earth colors wait too u see this i think it looks pretty cool.

**Critizin** · 10-31-2006, 11:05 AM

Here it is

i like it....

i didnt ad any text or content because i have no clue what u want on there and im pretty sure u know how to add text lol...

The coder once agian will know how to make more boxes etc etc..

**borzoid** · 10-31-2006, 12:12 PM

Wow, this is heading in the right direction color and layout-wise. Nice work critizen. I love the background color and the image layout is very interesting on the top. Can we change the bright green to something from a different color family, maybe a wine or burgundy color. I also think the the top box on the right would look good following the angle of the image boxes. the space between that and the column could be the log in area.

I need to mull over the logo a bit but will give my thoughts on that when I get home.

Connie