Graphic Design Contests

**tehfincheh** · 02:30 PM

Contest Closed

Hey guys, I've managed to squeak my way to 20 posts in order to post this. Hopefully there's some interest, but we'll see how it goes!

I understand people are probably reluctant to answer contests from new posters, but I will be around to leave plenty of feedback and input if there are entries here.

Anyway...

Background Info:

I have a forum (http://www.ukkliq.com/forums), and I'm looking to develop a main site which acts as an online resource for news, features and blogs. Incidentally, the forum will need skinning after this project too so if anybody does vB skins, hit me up.

The site is aimed at UK-based 16-25s who are interested in non-mainstream talent. It could be unsigned artists, street magicians, aspiring politicians...whatever. We want to have blogs, features and news on the hottest new talents in the UK. A sort of underground online magazine dedicated to uncovering new talent.

Outline of Requirement:

I'm looking for a template which has that glossy independent feature/news look. I can't imagine that there'll be too much graphical invention in terms of fancy shapes and stock photos. I've noticed that most of these sites rely on a well constructed layout and thumbnail images.

An example being http://www.soulpurpose.co.nz/

The colours are a little too dark for my liking on that site, but I like the way that it's organized. I especially like the sidebar on the right with the poll and space for adverts.

I expect to be updating the content a lot, so it's more a question of functionality and simplicity, with a few graphical flourishes to jazz it up.

I'm particularly interested in CSS and will pay an extra $50 to anybody who can design the site to work from that rather than tables.

Color scheme
The example above was a little dark, but I do like the use of black in places. As long as it's complimented by light colours. Given the theme of the site (UK Kliq), preferences goes to red, blue, black and white.

Type of design (i.e., banner, logo, layout)
As I said, CSS layout gets an added bonus of $50 ($300 overall). Otherwise, standard HTML. I will need a logo, but whatever fits the theme. Creativity welcomed!

Desired size (i.e., height, width, file size)
Not too bothered. I like the size of the example site though.

Desired file type (i.e., vector, psd)
PSD.

Prize
$250 for standard HTML with tables. $300 is the designer can make it CSS based.

How prize will be delivered (note: Most designers prefer PayPal)
PayPal. If the designer requires another service, I can arrange that.

End Date
4th May 2007

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Optional:

Desired font
Anything with a magazine-ish look. Once again, I like the use of font on the example site. But feel free to use your creativity.

Location for graphic
There should be room for one large image, similar to the example, a feature story spot. The rest is flexible either way.

Inspirational website or designs
http://www.soulpurpose.co.nz/

Other relevant information
Site areas are to be decided, but if you're doing a navbar, I suppose holding links for "Feature", "Events", "Opinions", "News", "Forums" and anything along those loines. I don't mind going in and editing them myself.

Anything that I've missed, please chase me up. Post here and I'll be checking back regularly, a few times per day. I can also be grabbed at tehfincheh@gmail.com, or on the UK Kliq forums under the same username. Shouldn't be an issue though. I'll be dropping by regularly and posting around.

Thankees, all.

**Kiz** · 04-20-2007, 01:27 PM

i will be designing and coding this soon.

i pm'd you the info i just need a lil more details for the layout

**Tropica** · 04-20-2007, 01:42 PM

looks fun, will enter something later

**Kiz** · 04-20-2007, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tropica

looks fun, will enter something later

lol your in every contest lol

looks fun tho im out peace

**Tropica** · 04-20-2007, 03:51 PM

lol not every one, only the ones i have ideas for!

sorry tehfincheh back on topic

**Tropica** · 04-20-2007, 04:28 PM

here is an idea, hope i'm along the right lines, can be changed, feedback appreciated

**tehfincheh** · 04-20-2007, 05:04 PM

Wow, quick response! Thanks Tropica.

I like what you've done and it does have that very distinct Web 2.0 modern feel.

It's nice and stylish. I like the background design and fading. Although as I mentioned, there's going to be a lot of content on the site so I don't know if big text and spacey content boxes would allow me to make full use of the packed content.

As much as I like the modern Web 2.0 look, I'm not sure if it blends with a magazine type purpose. If you go back to the example site, it's very...classical...and the focus is on blocky layers looking tight and compact. The text is pretty small and boxed off in to lots of different panes. I like that scattered messy magazine look. Most developers hate it, but it showcases as much content as possible.

I do like the clean interface but it seems sort of floaty with the layers, if that makes sense? You know how the content boxes are apart, with slight opacity and floating buttons. The ad bar is exactly what I'm after, ideal for adding Google ads and links. That's good...and the gradient background too. I think they can do wonders.

It looks cool, but for the purpose of me having to go through and add content on a regular basis, I'd like it to look busy and pressed in a little bit.

Good stuff, thanks for the rapid response. It takes me about 2 hours just to decide which graphics program to use.

**Tropica** · 04-20-2007, 05:09 PM

thanks for the feedback, i always make a dummy up in photoshop before i start to code, and work from it

so you like the background and ad bar, the colours, and menu links ok?

I will adjust the centre layout a little more

**Tropica** · 04-20-2007, 05:20 PM

here is an idea, i removed the content to give you an idea of the space, and i made it "messy" by "ripping" the page top and bottom, what you think?

**NeoWeapon** · 04-20-2007, 06:55 PM

tropica.. ur everywhere!!! haha

**Kiz** · 04-20-2007, 06:57 PM

lol thats what i said lol............every contest his in it lmao

**Tropica** · 04-20-2007, 07:03 PM

lol not every contest, just most!!! Im trying to improve my graphic side of things, its my hobby

**tehfincheh** · 04-20-2007, 07:03 PM

Tropica - I like the rip effect. That looks good. It's the little touches which really make the template for me. Stuff which compliments the content rather than distracts from it.

**Tropica** · 04-20-2007, 07:06 PM

so you like the template as it is there?

I can start adding content once your happy with the overall layout

**Kiz** · 04-20-2007, 07:11 PM

lol do you even work school? because i got on here at school and you were still here lol ever get off do you? lmao

http://bucktowngfx.com/uk/uk.html

something quick not coded yet i kinda like it but then like i kinda dont because its grungy and clean at the same time and i rather do a grunge style but oh well what do you think?

**Tropica** · 04-20-2007, 07:17 PM

yeah i work from home, own business, few staff, i dont do much work tbh, just surf lol

**tehfincheh** · 04-20-2007, 07:34 PM

Tropica - I like the template as it's coming on. Is it possible to put a toolbar under the buttoms and attach them somehow? They seem to be floating a bit. I'm not sure whether the toolbar would go all the way across, but just...underneath them, to make it look slightly more solid.

Kiz - I like what you're doing with this and the font fits in with the magazine theme well. The sidebar looks great and I like how it's sticking out at a different height, as if it's seperate from the rest of the page.

It'd be cool if you could turn the top of that main content section - the first news item to the first line breaker - in to three thumbnail images that span across. I'd like to get the right mix between text and images. Or even if the top of it was just reserved for one large feature picture.

I really like the tone of deep red.

I'm not sure if I like the way that the bright white logo clashes with the subtle chrome-ish gray of the content, and the header seems a little empty. Maybe if the ripping was black and the background dark grey? I'm not sure. Just a little bit of colour clashing going on.

I know what you mean with the clash between grundge and clean. If I had to choose one, I'd probably go with grunge and the use of that magazine-ish font.

http://www.trojanrecords.com/

That site is another great example of the gritty look. Even if three columns arent really necessary.

**Kiz** · 07:48 PM

hey you think you can draw me out the layout you want on paint? and i will make it on photoshop because right now im lost big time. like i fixed the bg and the ripping and all that but the main content its whats bugging me.

http://bucktowngfx.com/uk/uk1.html

**NeoWeapon** · 04-20-2007, 10:13 PM

eh i would put in an entry for template... but coding.. i do know basic html.. ill see what i can come across.. if not is it ok if you share alittle amount of the prize to a coder on here then??

**tehfincheh** · 04-21-2007, 06:11 AM

Kiz - For the content area in particular, I was only suggesting the three little thumbs for the top bit.

Like:

I'd draw out the layout if I knew what I was looking for! At the moment, I'm just kinda seeing what people can come up with.

To any other entrants, please don't get carried away by what I've been saying to designs shown so far - like the grunge and various suggestions.

I'm really not too fussed whether you go grunge, or chromo, or whatever. The suggestions apply to the templates that have been shown. I don't mind a completely different concept.

NeoWeapon - If you want to split the money with a coder, that's fine by me.

If any designers want to do a template without worrying about coding it, that's also fine. I'd rather see the best work that you can produce and worry about coding it later. Just focus on a plain PSD if it helps you.

Cheers.