Hey guys.
http://quikfox.deviantart.com/#/d2u7pct
Now, this is what I have (so far) for a redesigned RetroGade website. There are a couple things I am having an issue with and would certainly like some suggestions on how I could resolve these issues.
Please keep in mind that this is a fluid layout that has to expand and contract to a minimum of exactly 780px and a maximum of about 1300px (I haven't determined the exact max dimensions yet so it is flexible somewhat).
I've also adjusted the sizes of the display pictures for users and come up with dimensions of 300x100px.
Submission thumbnails will automatically be generated with a maximum dimension, either height or width, of 240px with a frame around the image adding 5px to each side.
The large showcased image at the top in the green bar will be generated from a selection a person makes when they select the submission to be added to the showcase.
The green search tab is at a fixed location on the screen so it'll always be in that position when you scroll through the page. You won't have to go all the way to the top or bottom of the screen to use it. The same goes with the jump to top tab on the right side.
The first issue I'm having is the advertisement spaces, I'm not entirely sure that I like how they are laid out and look, any ideas on how to improve it would be greatly appreciated.
Secondly, I'm not entirely sure that I like how the News & Announcement section is laid out. I don't know if I should move the image boxes from their current placement beside the news so that the news has that entire section to spread into. Of if I should adjust it some other way. Now, if the image boxes are moved how should they be placed since this is a fluid layout? The only thing I could think of was place the boxes as follows:
If the screen is greater than about 900px it'll be shown as such:
[BOX] [ADS] [BOX]
[BOX] [ADS] [BOX]
If the screen is less than about 900px it'll be shown as such:
[BOX] [ADS]
[BOX] [BOX]
[ADS] [BOX]
Thirdly, as some of the former RetroGade members may know, there was moderator elections every month. I would like this on the front page but I cannot figure out how I should lay that out. The issue, I guess, is should I use the person's display picture rather than their username and how to lay that out with the new dimensions of those pictures.
I am thinking about making that green RetroGade logo on the top be a fixed position so it'll be in that part of the screen all the time like the top and search tabs. Any ideas about this?
Finally, any additions that you would like to see added to this page would be very much welcome. If you want something very specific give me a little bit of an idea what you'd like to see.
With any comments or suggestions that cause me to remove or add certain parts to this layout I'll update this section and image so you can see the progress of the layout as I work on it.
I've got a nice cash flow coming in right now and I feel that I can afford to support the entire website so I need some help with designing it and getting it coded. Give me some of your ideas both in here and over on DeviantArt whatever, see what I care.