Comments please

Stinkie · 27 Aug 2008, 19:39

Thanks for help Stinker, English may not be your native tongue but copy writting is your profession.

Was my profession. In any case, when (and if) you rework the text, write it like you would write a post for this forum. When I read your posts here, I can hear a voice (so to speak). That's something the text on your site is lacking. A personal touch. (At least in my opinion.)

It may sound strange, but it really helps to say what you want to write out loud. Do that until it sounds good. Then write it down. Then check the structure of what you wrote. Then spell check.

Things to keep in mind:

use short sentences
keep the amount of commas to a bare minimum
don't use adjectives unless you can't do without them

In other words: K.I.S.S.

Frederik · 27 Aug 2008, 19:44

@solo said:

Now the big question:
If indeed I find a template I like, how in the name of * pick a deity * do I load it and will all my info be lost?

No - of course not... <-- genuine wink
You add the text and the path to your images etc. in (depending on the template) either a .txt- or .xml-file, which you easily can edit in i.e. Notepad...
Then you upload it all to your web-server using i.e. FTP and voila...
No need to be hard-coding anything in such templates...
(Although Swish may be a little challenge, it's something anybody can figure..)

You can check out Fletch's Gallery here ...

If you can type something like the below example taken from a .xml-file:

<Text>
<caption>You'll notice that I mainly use SketchUp for modeling. There's a good reason for that. SketchUp is a fast and very efficient tool. Using it allows me to work both fast and cheap.</caption>
</text>

<image>
	<filename>image1.jpg</filename>
	<caption>Image 1 description</caption>	
</image>
<image>
	<filename>image2.jpg</filename>
	<caption>Image 2 description</caption>	
</image>

Then you can make a website with Gallery et al, by selecting one of the Dynamic templates...

boofredlay · 27 Aug 2008, 20:21

First of all... fantastic stuff

I cannot comment on how to create a site but here are some general comments for what it is worth:

Under a couple of the pictures in your Renderings tab you have forum member names listed. Some people seeing your portfolio might not know of Tomsdesk, Stinkie, the SCF or even what PPB2 is. You might just list their full names, that is if they will give them to you. (Now I am afraid to use the wink... thanks Chris )
Some times you say "Rendered by me" and other times "by Solo". I would not use "me" or "solo", or even "Peter Stoppel". It is your site so obviously the renderings are by you. On your home page you have the statement; "A collection of images created by Peter Stoppel".
I would just give a nod to those who have contributed. Ex. "Houses modeled by Tom Stinkie."

@unknownuser said:

I am by no means a furniture designer but recently played around with a few ideas,

Don't sell yourself short with this statement. Just because these have never been physically built does not mean you are not a furniture designer. These are some of the coolest furniture designs I have seen in a while.

I hope this helps you.

Stinkie · 27 Aug 2008, 20:41

Eric's made some good points!

As far as my name is concerned, Pete knows what it is. He can use him if he likes to. Though that'd be unwise, as the model I provided him with, was a tweaked 3D Warehouse one. Never gave it much thought, but as Pete's now upping his game, webby wise, it may be a good idea to give credit where it's due.

Edit: Wait, I just remembered. The bathroom I got off the Podium forum. Can't remember who made it.

solo · 28 Aug 2008, 02:11

Thanks for the comments guys, I will certainly use the advise to better my site, keep an eye out for the changes in due course.

goon of doom · 28 Aug 2008, 02:36

While I find the content VERY good without doubt there is some very well done imagery to explore. That is the good bit.
The counterpoint is #1 . The solo's space logo. childish. #2. I felt like I was being spamed with the registration page.

Too many great pics to pick a favorite but I liked some of the airplanes. Would love to see a Northrup YB-46 flying wing done in your style. Some of the furniture was interesting some of it would not work at all. Of the rendered structures I loved allot of it and some of it did nothing for me.

The work overall was very refined and clearly done by an expert The logo was done by someone other than a creative. Which leads me to doubt you.

GoD

solo · 28 Aug 2008, 02:47

Thanks for your input, I liked the contrast of the logo which I believe is an improvement over the template one. This is the kind of comments I require so I will consider your point and work on a new logo tomorrow.

Chris Fullmer · 28 Aug 2008, 06:02

Coming along great. I thought there was too much text at the bottom of the main page though. I'm even wondering if maybe the front page should contain itself to fit on the screen w/o having to scroll down at all.

I like the images. The one I like best is with the houses and hte mountains and the sunset. Its great detail in the models. My only comlaint is that the bright sunset in the image does not match up with the shadows in the model.

Good job though, really nice work!

Chris

PS I liked all hte genuine winks. !thanks! I'll just learn to get over it now that I know they are actually genuine

solo · 28 Aug 2008, 18:54

Okay, I compromised on the logo, is that better?

Frederick has come up with a solution for a gallery that scrolls so I hope to implement that soon.

As for the info thing, I will try reduce that or make a new page for info and inquiries.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

boofredlay · 28 Aug 2008, 19:10

There is no apostrophe in the logo. Should it not be SOLO'S PLACE, like the rest of your site?

solo · 28 Aug 2008, 19:22

<--- Grimace

Yup there should, but that font does not have that option, just a box. I could change the font and probably should as it is too ... (as goon said) childish, and I kinda see his point, but then again it's playfull and I have a whole section of playful crap and cartoon characters that work well with the logo.

Chris Fullmer · 28 Aug 2008, 19:29

Maybe its a question of how you're trying to sell yourself in general. What is the main image you want to present? It might be possible to get playful work even if you have a fairly serious logo. But if your logo is too playful, will people who want serious designs be turned off? or vice versa?

Maybe the logo switches on each page? That might be too much though and you might start losing your identity if its not constant.

Chris

boofredlay · 28 Aug 2008, 20:09

Oooo, in addition to Chris' comments.

Maybe in the playful area you could have the playful logo but it says: "Solo's Plays" or "Solo's Play" or some such thing.

Just a thought.

Dave R · 28 Aug 2008, 20:24

Pete, you have an excellent collection of work there. Very nice website.

HFM · 29 Aug 2008, 12:33

@solo said:

<--- Grimace

Yup there should, but that font does not have that option, just a box. I could change the font and probably should as it is too ... (as goon said) childish, and I kinda see his point, but then again it's playfull and I have a whole section of playful crap and cartoon characters that work well with the logo.

Another option, that could be used as a banner, is to create a logo. The way you use 'Solo's Place' now with multiple fonts [banner, watermark] is distracting. This makes it easier to change a font when you don't like it anymore.

The images are awesome btw; and I love the cartoon section !
But the site itself is too basic for the stuff you put on there.

Buy dreamweaver [if you haven't allready] learn basic html in 2 hours and create something a bit more stunning than this
[<-- this is by no means an arrogant smilie ]

tomsdesk · 29 Aug 2008, 13:40

Pete, blown away by the site and especially by the images again! Now reading other's suggestions I can't wait to see the finished product.

As to credit to others: though I'm quite flattered, I'd say there is no need to credit each image. A nod to this site as a resource might be nice, but still you did nearly all of the work presented...and easily have the skill to do the rest. Besides, wasn't the section named "Renderings"...so no need at all?

(Now if you'd care to send me high-res of the lighthouse instead...:`)

mateo soletic · 29 Aug 2008, 14:43

Pete,
Its really coming along nice.

smartsizer · 29 Aug 2008, 14:51

@unknownuser said:

@unknownuser said:

I am by no means a furniture designer but recently played around with a few ideas,

Don't sell yourself short with this statement. Just because these have never been physically built does not mean you are not a furniture designer. These are some of the coolest furniture designs I have seen in a while.

I hope this helps you.

I have designed and made furniture for a living for 25+ years. Much has been custom furniture, but years have been spent designing for mass production also. Knowing how to make something that can be manufactured economically, and be durable and practical is essential, (for commercial purposes) but it is also just an application of technical principles. Any engineering-type mind can do that with proper information and experience. What you display is mastery of the creative arena of the design process. This is something much less common and more wonderful. I absolutely consider you a furniture designer.

This is an impressive body of work. Best of luck!

kwistenbiebel · 29 Aug 2008, 22:58

I missed this thread (lots to read which I will),
but I just drop in to say that I really love the style of the website Pete, and the content is well....you know, awesome material !