2 practice layouts - feedback?

[Mentor]

Well as most will know im awful at layouts, so in an attempt to fix this ive been playing about in photoshop.

So far ive completed two test layouts, and feedback on ether would be greatly appreciated, tips, criticisms etc

Layout one: Nature

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Layout two: unnamed

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personally i much prefer my first layout, but what does everyone else think?

Thanks for anyone who gives feedback

[Oni]

Very nice, although im not to keen on the buttons on the first one, it looks abit dated. On the second one I like the bottom blue bit which is a slow gradient but not the top blue bit.

[VPSwow]

I prefer the second one, its more "classy". However i dont think the split gradient works at the top. It should be like the bottom.

Both look good though

[Oni]

The white line surrounding the blue box is too pixely, id get rid of it.

[Joltersoft]

Nice layouts, mate.

[wewt]

The first design is much nicer. The only thing I would point out is the curve at the top it's anti-aliased too well. Also, when using dummy text, try not to use anti-aliased text as you obviously can't use that when the site is live unless it's coded in flash or you're planning to use it as images. The second one I'm just not really fond of. Other than that, good work.

[YouFail]

The first design, in my opinion, is an 'outdated' style. I don't really like the buttons, as wewt said the curve at the top isn't exactly great. Saying that I do like the colours.

As for the second design; the drop shadow used seems like a very 'un-professional' effect, it doesn't look good, try lowering opacity. The top banner doesn't work well with the split colours. In my opinion it's too small a design and overall it just 'does not work'.

Thanks,
Rich

[myke]

Wow! That first one rockssss!

[Mr.OSH]

The first one is fairly nice with the exception of the buttons with don't really "go" with the rest of the layout, as already stated. The concept of the second one is good but the outline and glow effect in the background ruin the clean effect of the layout. Overall bother are fairly good, in need of a little work but as for 2 practise layouts, not at all bad. Well Done + rep.

[L!nK]

Hey there,

The first one looks really good and proffestional, i think if you carry on and making those sort of layouts, you will be able to get some good money for them .

As for the second layout, I'm not really sure, It's not eye catching I don't like the second one, but good try.

+rep