I Need Website Help Please

[DoubleC]

My partner and I have been going around and around about this. She started our site but never got much beyond the template. I changed it because she's been too busy to work on the site and used a sketch of hers. She said it looks like a 5 YO designed the site. She doesn't want her sketch on it because she said it wasn't finished. I said the whole reason I liked it was because it conveyed so much in just a few pencil lines. I said since Google is doing this to help small businesses how could we be all about different when everyone and his cousin that's ever seen a horse is using this template. I said it was her sketch and belonged to her and if she insisted I'd take it down as a background, but I would find another pencil sketch free on the internet because I didn't want a standardized template.

This may seem trivial but it is really at the root of what we want from the company. I know you're probably thinking...if you can't agree on this, what WILL you ever agree on. But actually she's one of my best friends and we do agree, just not about this. And the people I've had look at the site like it, but then again they're biased. So if you could just take a second to vote, I'd be so appreciative. Cheryl

[bison]

Hi Cheryl,

I voted for the template, although like you I am not a big fan of templates. I use Go-Daddy for my web site and I can put my own background into their template. I bought some images from istockphoto.com and arranged them to suit my needs, along with some other elements I created. The reason I didn't vote for the sketches is;

1. Your partner said no to using hers...that'd be good enough for me.

2. Customers expect a certain amount of "polish" on a website. Different is good and a refined sketch can be used pretty effectively (I did one for my wife's children's theatre company here: Scissortail Children's Theatre Company it's the bird in the banner. If the sketch is not refined, it may make potential customers think that the product is not refined and they may keep searching.

A web presence is an important element today, so I hope you all can get one up and running soon. I'd love to see it when it's done.

Dave

[DoubleC]

Hi Cheryl,

I voted for the template, although like you I am not a big fan of templates. I use Go-Daddy for my web site and I can put my own background into their template. I bought some images from istockphoto.com and arranged them to suit my needs, along with some other elements I created. The reason I didn't vote for the sketches is;

1. Your partner said no to using hers...that'd be good enough for me.

2. Customers expect a certain amount of "polish" on a website. Different is good and a refined sketch can be used pretty effectively (I did one for my wife's children's theatre company here: Scissortail Children's Theatre Company it's the bird in the banner. If the sketch is not refined, it may make potential customers think that the product is not refined and they may keep searching.

A web presence is an important element today, so I hope you all can get one up and running soon. I'd love to see it when it's done.

Dave

Thanks so much Dave for taking time to vote. I told Lacey that whatever results I got here I would agree with. I really don't expect my friends, even if they aren't aware of it, to disagree with my choice, LOL. So I'm going to leave the poll over a few days and go with the results. BTW

[Cogs]

Although I voted for the sketch, at this point I prefer the 'shadow' pic of the cowgirl walking along side her horse, (or something like it), as you main graphic identifier. The sketch is cool. It's original, it's interesting, it has mystery. Perhaps you could agree to use it on a different page. Perhaps she would be inspired to finish it (we would have never known it wasn't finished if you hadn't told us). I like it, and if she does a revision of it, it could be the primary logo graphic. I think original artwork is always best.

Good luck!

Bill

[DoubleC]

Although I voted for the sketch, at this point I prefer the 'shadow' pic of the cowgirl walking along side her horse, (or something like it), as you main graphic identifier. The sketch is cool. It's original, it's interesting, it has mystery. Perhaps you could agree to use it on a different page. Perhaps she would be inspired to finish it (we would have never known it wasn't finished if you hadn't told us). I like it, and if she does a revision of it, it could be the primary logo graphic. I think original artwork is always best.

Good luck!

Bill

Thanks Bill. I told her the whole reason people like her sketch is because it conveys so much in a few pencil lines. She said, 'it's not even a jpg, it's a scan and anyone can tell that.' ROFL, I'd like to know at what point you look at that wonderful sketch and say, 'don't be silly, it was scanned.' Well ya gotta get it on the computer SOMEHOW, LOL. I think if enough people agree they like it, she'll quit being so stubborn, but I'm not saying that so people will vote for it. I honestly think if people relate to what she's sketched she'll grumble a lot but say OK. Thanks so much Bill, too, Cheryl

[particle]

I like the photo in the template. It's simple, peaceful, and I love the color. I wouldn't worry too much about "everyone and their dog" using the same template. The chance of stumbling across someone else using the same template is probably pretty slim...

If you like the sketch, let your friend modify it until she's happy with it if she's willing to do so.

The last sketch (Crazy Horse?) is too busy to me and indicates you'll be selling American Indian products, not "Cowgirl" stuff.

[benlilly1]

This template is not bad but I don't like templates either... I like the drawing because it's simple and original. I know what she's saying about not being happy with it. Sometimes you just know when it's right and when it's wrong! I don't like the last one. Too much going on.

I made my website on Yahoo sightbuilder www.buttskinz.com .... EASY TO DO! I also use (picnik.com) to adjust photos and add fluff. They also have an area that you can take a photo and transform it into a pencil drawing. You might check it out.

All in all, I would take the pencil drawing and have her finish it. I do like the cowgirl inside the horseshoe. Good Luck

[Rhide]

I also voted for the template.

#1 reason being, it's her artwork, so she can decide when and where it is used

#2 reason is the professional appearance the template gives ( I also agree with the peaceful look particle mentioned)

Best of luck with your business.

[Chavez]

Hi!

I voted for the girl, just because I think the sketch is amazing and it will make an easily recognisable logo. It's got character and it would be a shame not to use it for your website.

I must say, however that I don't see how you can build a whole website around it. Building a website from a template will save you time and make your website look professional - something that's very hard to achieve unless you're a pro in web design. Having used a template as a base for the website does not stop you from using the sketch for a logo.

Open up your photoshop (or if you don't have it, use Gimp (http://www.gimp.org/)), play a bit with contrast of the sketch to make it look more "finished", scale it to a logo size and stick it onto the background of your choice.

A couple of examples attached - apologies for screwing with your partner's artwork but I thought my post would make more sense with them.

If you spend more than 30 seconds playing with contrast I'm sure you'll get the desired balance of sketched/finished image.

Good luck with your website!

Original size

Scaled down for logo

Edited January 1, 2012 by Chavez

[Greystone]

find a way to polish / smooth the lines of the art work, it looks great,,,

if enlarged it will need, "" little work""",,,ihmo

GREAT logo to identify your company

factor it in to a site template and go,,,

best of luck David