Layout - Rate it + rep

Right so I'm trying at the moment to continue to improve with my designing skills, as I've got some spare time. Most of my layouts tend to be OK/average but I'm looking of ways to increase the quality of my designing. So I'd like this layout rated. If its good say why its good, if its rubbish say why its rubbish. I need to know how to progress, a simple "it sucks" won't help at all. So I'd like some constructive criticism! + rep for all help. :)

Thanks,

Jay.

Heres the Layout -

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/3146/12skq0.png

Try some san serif fonts?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sygon..

Try some san serif fonts?

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OK, I'll take that into account and look more carefully at the fonts. Thanks. :D

Also use 3 base colours, 800 x 600 minimum size.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sygon..

Also use 3 base colours, 800 x 600 minimum size.

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Ok, thanks. :D

I don't like the layout much, not sure why.

I dislike the font, as Sygon said try sans-serif and use 800 x 600. The colours don't appeal to me in the slightest.

Thats just MY picky oppinion.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Xeroid

I don't like the layout much, not sure why.

I dislike the font, as Sygon said try sans-serif and use 800 x 600. The colours don't appeal to me in the slightest.

Thats just MY picky oppinion.

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Not picky, just truthful. Thanks I'll take all that into account. :)

its somewhat overpoweringly Orange/red. Also the orange text is nearing on invisble when viewed on my monitor.
Maybe choose a wider more subtle colour skeme?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 01101101entor

its somewhat overpoweringly Orange/red. Also the orange text is nearing on invisble when viewed on my monitor.
Maybe choose a wider more subtle colour skeme?

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OK thanks Carl, on my screen I can read the text fine but I will take that into account. Also I'll try to change the colour scheme. Thanks. :)

Yeh the colour isnt very nice and in my opinion you should try and make it look clean by removing some of the effects.

Needs a wider variety of colours.

Quite nice, apart front the font.
Don't like the font :P

Apart from that, quite nice.

Personally, i like it. I like its compactness and it would be good for a little site.. Mabye you could have like a page that you need to click enter and it pops up in a non resizeable window.. thats if you did sell it.

I dont like the colour scheme though, its just a funny colour lol.. a bit peachy..
I like the font and on my moniter i can read it fine

Try using some other colors rather than just orange.

I actually like it, not sure on the layout of the navigation though, other than that, its pritty good

i would rate it 7-8/10

Ok Heres some basics what you need on design

In bullet points:

• 800x600 Or more small layouts are usually bad
• You cannot use one colour through a real layout so try to use 3 or more of the same pallet.
• The fonts dont need to be too unique as in coding terms its better for plain text and in general terms using a font which is not like a default microsoft font or look slike a sanserif kind of font, makes it feel overused and overwhelming
• Try style the logo text a little and footer using layer styles to keep it not plain.
• When using shadow use just a little bit with low opacity this gives a proffesional effect.
• Use colours together which work well this is the important thing.

V nice layout but a bit too orange for my liking :P

Other than that its nice :D

kl layout

Try to use more then one color.

I hate when my eyes have to strain or it all makes a blur.

I like it, but try next time to use some different colors. Like Habbox's three base colors on the classic forum skin.

And everything everyone else said.

Thanks for all the constructive comments I received and I hope my designing skills can improve from that. Thanks. :D