Ask HN: Ok done with our website. But Look and feel is developerified.

#1

Post by retrofit_brain » Tue, Jul 26, 2011, 8:10 PM UTC

We got done building our site but it has developer looks. How to find a cheap way of improving the look and feel? What sites/designers have you guys looked at to improve the look. I know many people on hacker news suggest hire a professional, but where to hire a cheap and reliable professional?

Re: Ask HN: Ok done with our website. But Look and feel is developerified.

#2

Post by gspyrou » Tue, Jul 26, 2011, 8:24 PM UTC

You could purchase a template from Themeforest http://themeforest.net/

Re: Ask HN: Ok done with our website. But Look and feel is developerified.

#3

Post by retrofit_brain » Tue, Jul 26, 2011, 8:25 PM UTC

gspyrou wrote: post #2

You could purchase a template from Themeforest http://themeforest.net/

i should have mentioned. Our UI is GWT and not sure if custom template would work.

Re: Ask HN: Ok done with our website. But Look and feel is developerified.

#4

Post by mattvot » Tue, Jul 26, 2011, 11:30 PM UTC

Can you define developer looks? Might help to see the site.

I'm not a designer by heart, but I just look at other sites in the same market for inspiration. Most of the sites I design come out looking pretty good. It's all about prioritizing. Take a look at this amazing post Allison House: http://thinkvitamin.com/design/how-to-arrange-interface-elem...

Re: Ask HN: Ok done with our website. But Look and feel is developerified.

#5

Post by retrofit_brain » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 2:30 AM UTC

mattvot wrote: post #4

Can you define developer looks? Might help to see the site. I'm not a designer by heart, but I just look at other sites in the same market for inspiration. Most of the sites I design come out looking pretty good. It's all about prioritizing. Take a look at this amazing post Allison House: http://thinkvitamin.com/design/how-to-arrange-interface-elem...

Thanks will look and will definitely post the URL once we iron out the last few nicks.

Re: Ask HN: Ok done with our website. But Look and feel is developerified.

#6

Post by Dramatize » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 4:14 AM UTC

Maybe have a look at http://siteinspire.com/showcase I found this site to have a good collection of well designed sites.

The main area to work on is typography and navigation layout. If you have nice typography and an easy to use navigation, you'll be 90% of the way there.

Another tip is to never use #000 for your text. Try using a dark grey.

Two sites I like the design of are: http://www.thrivesolo.com/ and http://www.bestmadeco.com/

Re: Ask HN: Ok done with our website. But Look and feel is developerified.

#7

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 2:44 PM UTC

retrofit_brain wrote: post #3

gspyrou wrote: post #2

You could purchase a template from Themeforest http://themeforest.net/

i should have mentioned. Our UI is GWT and not sure if custom template would work.

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Ok done with our website. But Look and feel is developerified.

#8

Post by retrofit_brain » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 5:07 PM UTC

Dramatize wrote: post #6

Maybe have a look at http://siteinspire.com/showcase I found this site to have a good collection of well designed sites. The main area to work on is typography and navigation layout. If you have nice typography and an easy to use navigation, you'll be 90% of the way there. Another tip is to never use #000 for your text. Try using a dark grey. Two sites I like the design of are: http://www.thrivesolo.com/ and http://w…

Thanks, yes looks like Typography is the most critical thing. Any pointers for typography?