In response to Scott's original mockup:<div><a href="http://www.fossmusicproject.org/public/images/website-mockup-3.png">http://www.fossmusicproject.org/public/images/website-mockup-3.png</a></div><div><br></div><div>Good work Scott!</div>
<div><br></div><div>So, starting with what works:</div><div><br></div><div>1) I like that things have been moved up the page. The old site was pretty, but simple, with specific information at least a scroll's length down the page. </div>
<div><br></div><div>2) Navigation wise, I would say that someone that lands here has the potential of getting their bearings quickly. The global nav is easily accessible in the upper right, along with lower level categories on the left being easily skimmed by the eye without having to 'move' the page. </div>
<div><br></div><div>3) On the old site the blog entries were pretty small, closer to tweets -- "Look a new release!" With this mockup, the space is tuned more to those types of posts. Someone can easily take in the most recent information, again without 'moving the page.' </div>
<div><br></div><div><br></div><div>As for what it can do better:</div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><br></div><div>1) I don't really like the social media icons. They seem to clutter up that valuable 'upper right' real estate. I would question how much use they will get. However, if we do decide that they belong, then I think the icons themselves need to be desaturated. These current colors are good for THEIR respective brands, but totally destroy our color scheme, and our brand. Perhaps gray/black social media icons, that regain their color with a mouse hover?</div>
<div><br></div><div>2) I would tend to agree with others that the mock-up feels busy. I think that the majority of this has to do with the font settings, and to a lesser extent, certain page elements not lining up. (I'll post something later showing what I mean)</div>
<div><br></div><div>I would submit that much 'breathing room' could be created by using a tighter editorial writing style coupled with a larger line height, and greater margins/padding. </div><div><br></div><div>
A quick example - within the 'what is ubuntu' section:</div><div><br></div><div>"Watch the YouTube video for a quick explanation of what Ubuntu Studio offers or look at the feature walkthrough for a more in depth exploration of the features available in Ubuntu Studio."</div>
<div><br></div><div>This feels wordy, and could possibly be removed or rewritten to something more succinct:</div><div><br></div><div>"Explore what Ubuntu Studio can do for you"</div><div><br></div><div> ** A link to the walk-though would be included. As for the youtube video, having that video right there with the 'play' button ready to go, is more than enough prompting for most people.</div>
<div><br></div><div>Summary : All in all I think this shows some merit, with more work needed on the actual wording, along with spacing the text correctly, and better alignment of the various page elements. </div><div><br>
</div><div>I'll throw in a little design time this weekend, once I get a hold on Scott's svg. Good work guys!</div><div><br></div><div>-- Benjamin</div><div><br></div>