2 practice layouts - feedback?

[OWNAGE]

The second one is good, however the corners are mucked up! Did you use PhotoShop?

They're OK though! I love the colours on the blue one!

[Mentor]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, im kinda getting mixed messages with the first one, some saying it looks really dated, others saying they really like it.
Although i suppose both could be true, although it is an older style it does seem to work, at least in my opinion.

The second ones a more uptodate style, although theres quite a number with problems with it.

Ozzie / OpenSourceHost: what sort of button style would you suggest i use with the first layout, as i cant really imageing much else that would fitting with the style?

OWNAGE: yup i used photoshop, do you have any advice on how corners should be done though? currently i tend to just use the rounded corner retangle tool, although im not sure if thats the best method.

Other points ive noted:
- Dont use drop shadow
- Make corners more anti-alliesing
- Dont use anti-alliesing on the text
- split graditant doesnt work with number 2
- white line on blue box should be removed for number 2

[Oni]

A good tip I find for making layouts is use a dark grey background and base the whole layout on a white rectangle and add a drop shadow, it looks good. I always use it now.

[Ini]

Much prefer the first one to the second one, good work

[OWNAGE]

Hm, that tool is the one, but on your layout it looks a bit rough. An idea is:

Make the shape you want
Fill it in black
Contract by 2 (or however many) pixels
Fill in white
Contract again
Fill in black, contract the shape for the last time, and fill in white or whatever.

Should look better, I'd say, try it

[Mentor]

Ozzie: Have made note of that, thanks for the tip

OWNAGE: ok, although im not completely clear on what you mean when you say "contract" is there a tool used for this, or should i just use the edit/scale features?
Thanks anyway, will try in future.

In the mean time ive given another clean-ish style layout a go. I like some bits but not others. Feedback again appreated, loosely based on ozzies grey background tip:

Layout 3:


*Edit: i think i just figured out why my edges looked so rough, ive had anti-allising unticked on the shape tool the whole time :p

[:Edzy]

love it except the curves

lets just say, if they were rollercoaster curves, it would be a bumpy ride

well done anyway

9/10

[Ini]

WOW the photo one i love ;]

[Oni]

Good but id keep a clean background around #333333, remove the borders and make it completely square and add a slight drop shadow

[Ini]

I think the bg image suits it personally