Ask HN: Review my start-up: Customized Graphics • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Review my start-up: Customized Graphics

#21

Post by jbenz » Tue, Sep 08, 2009, 7:11 PM UTC

ivyirwin wrote: post #3

I really liked the intuitive nature of your design work space. Rarely do you see a DIY graphic/layout space that is easy for the general end user to use. I was trained as a designed to use Illustrator and I feel like most online tools try to emulate the Adobe work methodology. But with your approach you have made it easy for everyone to understand the basic tool set of move, rotate, and scale. Well done.

Wow, this is music to my ears. Thanks for the kind words. I've spent many hours sweating over the design center, trying to make it robust enough to offer a lot of options, but simple enough for the beginning user. This is a delicate balance, as you can imagine. Right now I'm worrying that it is not simple enough, so thanks so much for your compliment.

Re: Ask HN: Review my start-up: Customized Graphics

#22

Post by phreanix » Tue, Sep 08, 2009, 7:12 PM UTC

The front page does seem a bit busy. The amount of copy is a tad overwhelming, but once i slow down and start reading each one, it makes sense.

I would maybe have an easy start page (your "start designing" button could link to it tho I find that button rather small), with leading questions like: 1. What would you like to print? (give hints or a drop down) 2. Choose a design.

And so on.

A Preview page would be nice, preferably one that allows you to upload a picture of your own room or wall.

Re: Ask HN: Review my start-up: Customized Graphics

#23

Post by timmaah » Tue, Sep 08, 2009, 7:17 PM UTC

jbenz wrote: post #16

timmaah wrote: post #14

The total width and height of what you are buying is not clear at all.

Yes, we are adding a (w) and (h) into the dimensions. Which brings up a question. We discussed this a lot. Should it be: a) 5 in (w) x 10 in (h) b) 5 W x 10 H inches or c) W: 5 in x H: 10 in ?

Also, it might be helpful to have an easier way to enlarge/resize an image.

For example.. the Pirate Surfer image is really cool, but by default opens to a 9.8x5.3in size for $10. What if I want this a good sized to put on my kids wall and I'm willing to pay ~$100. To get to my $100 limit I had to drag the resize and zoom alternately a few times to make it large enough. Perhaps some size defaults under the image that are clickable..

Small (9x5): $10 Medium (24x15): $25 Large (48x36): $80

And clicking those would auto resize the image in the editor?

Re: Ask HN: Review my start-up: Customized Graphics

#24

Post by rjurney » Tue, Sep 08, 2009, 7:36 PM UTC

Holy crap man, that is the most beautiful design, with the most clarity that I've just about ever seen on the web.

Reminds me of a friend's Atlanta startup, http://ezprints.com/ It scaled pretty well.

Re: Ask HN: Review my start-up: Customized Graphics

#25

Post by jbenz » Tue, Sep 08, 2009, 7:37 PM UTC

timmaah wrote: post #23

jbenz wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, we are adding a (w) and (h) into the dimensions. Which brings up a question. We discussed this a lot. Should it be: a) 5 in (w) x 10 in (h) b) 5 W x 10 H inches or c) W: 5 in x H: 10 in ?

Also, it might be helpful to have an easier way to enlarge/resize an image. For example.. the Pirate Surfer image is really cool, but by default opens to a 9.8x5.3in size for $10. What if I want this a good sized to put on my kids wall and I'm willing to pay ~$100. To get to my $100 limit I had to drag the resize and zoom alternately a few times to make it large enough. Perhaps some size defaults under the image that…

That's a great idea, and something that I've vaguely considered. For this particular design, the user saved it at 9.8 x 5.3 inches, so that's the default size in the design center. I like the idea of immediate size options, that allow you to jump between sizes. Of course, every object (piece of art, text, whatever) is a custom size, so it would have to work based on percentages somehow, and not a set number of inches. We're working on it.

Re: Ask HN: Review my start-up: Customized Graphics

#26

Post by jbenz » Tue, Sep 08, 2009, 7:41 PM UTC

callmeed wrote: post #4

First off, I think your concept is brilliant and there's a lot of potential. To me, this is one of those markets that should be targeted at women/moms (see the recent HN post on Ravelry). My wife and her friends were actually just talking about this very need yesterday ... they were looking for ways to put tree/bird designs on their wall. That being said, here's where I think you can improve the execution: 1. Make th…

By the way, BigFolio and NextProof look really cool. We'd love to recruit some photographers to set up storefronts. We're especially interested in photographers who do portraits of the local High School Football team. We think there is a market for custom Fathead-style wall graphics and youth sports. It looks like you've already tapped into the Photography market. Perhaps there is a way for us to help one another out.

Re: Ask HN: Review my start-up: Customized Graphics

#27

Post by frossie » Tue, Sep 08, 2009, 7:49 PM UTC

jbenz wrote: post #16

timmaah wrote: post #14

The total width and height of what you are buying is not clear at all.

Yes, we are adding a (w) and (h) into the dimensions. Which brings up a question. We discussed this a lot. Should it be: a) 5 in (w) x 10 in (h) b) 5 W x 10 H inches or c) W: 5 in x H: 10 in ?

(c) W: 5 in x H: 10 in

is clearest to me

Re: Ask HN: Review my start-up: Customized Graphics

#28

Post by jbenz » Tue, Sep 08, 2009, 8:03 PM UTC

phreanix wrote: post #22

The front page does seem a bit busy. The amount of copy is a tad overwhelming, but once i slow down and start reading each one, it makes sense. I would maybe have an easy start page (your "start designing" button could link to it tho I find that button rather small), with leading questions like: 1. What would you like to print? (give hints or a drop down) 2. Choose a design. And so on. A Preview page would be nice, p…

"Easy Start" is a cool idea. We've talked a lot about giving different versions of the design center to different users based on their level of "expertise". So one path would ask you specific simple questions, like you said, and let them make one choice at a time. Maybe they would be able to switch over to the "Advanced Design Center" where they can really move and scale objects, add more text, etc...

I really like the "Easy Start" idea. There is something to that.

Re: Ask HN: Review my start-up: Customized Graphics

#29

Post by paul9290 » Tue, Sep 08, 2009, 8:05 PM UTC

If I am not mistaken your site's concept mirror's http://ltlprints.com. Competition is always good and a form of flattery, as ltl has been around for more then year.

Also, a site completely in flash? I am surprised the flash haters here have not made any comments - yet. The design is awesome, but why flash - that can be psd to xhtml(ed).

Sorry if I am not positive here, just sharing what initially jumps out. Good luck - it looks to be a solid business/market!

Re: Ask HN: Review my start-up: Customized Graphics

#30

Post by paul9290 » Tue, Sep 08, 2009, 8:14 PM UTC

paul9290 wrote: post #29

If I am not mistaken your site's concept mirror's http://ltlprints.com . Competition is always good and a form of flattery, as ltl has been around for more then year. Also, a site completely in flash? I am surprised the flash haters here have not made any comments - yet. The design is awesome, but why flash - that can be psd to xhtml(ed). Sorry if I am not positive here, just sharing what initially jumps out. Good lu…

oh looking at it again the whole site is not flash. I got that impression because on first load it took awhile to load up; felt like an old time flash site for me. I'm using a Mac Mini Intel and my connection is 12Mbps down.