Sneaky Preview of New Look MSE masthead

PNPSUKNET

been blunt as a webdesigner myself, it looks like a template the current one looks more prof.

ScarletBea

The font of the titles is huge!!!
Other than that, quite good

Maddie

At first glance it looks great; neat, tidy and modern. Several comments though;

- I also don't like the 2 shades of green very much. I think it would look better if you used the same green as the LATEST MSE NEWS heading.

- I don't like the Home button. I think it should say Home rather than just be a pic. Also the pic at the moment looks kind of rounded, so that its hard to tell what it is.

- I think the forum button should be bigger and easier to spot. I can understand that you want the main site to be, well the 'main' bit of the website, but it being so small will just confuse people who are looking for it.

- Also the speach bubble in this button looks odd for me. I see it as a bubble icon in a square on top of the button rather than just being part of the button.

- Your picture is better but could be improved IMO. Your expression on your blog pic looks much more friendly and helpful. Its also wierd how you can only see a tiny bit of your shoulders, like your head only just fits in.

- I think it would look better as Cards & Loans, Deals & Vouchers etc. (I realised this has not changed).

- I'm getting picky now, but the text in the search box and the drop down menu for main site/forum etc does not look the same in terms of size and spacing, which makes it look a bit messy

- I think the items in the grey row would look better if there was a complete line separating them rather than just going half way up.

- I've just noticed there are now 2 search boxes. Would the lower one be going? In that case have you got to fit 'powered by google' in the top panel?

I'm using I.E. v6 if it helps.

ifonlyitwaseasier

have to agree that the green is a little "startling" apart form that not too bad, personally i prefer the layout of the tabs as they are but it's horses for courses

bylromarha

Looking at it as if I've never visited MSE:

Initial reaction is the green is grim, but after having it up 10 mins, I'm now liking it. I like the 2 tone header as it emphasises the "free to use" more. Also like the highlighting tabs.

The footer of the page - is that still supposed to be the old green as it is on my screen?

I agree the page does look quite muddled - not sure how I would receive it as a new user as there doesn't appear a clear path through or an obvious place to start looking through things - sorry.

Having looked now, after scrolling, I can see "where do I start?" in small writing. Personally think this should be straight there upon opening the home page without having to scroll to find it and made bigger if possible.

Maddie

I agree bylromarha, there is so much packed into the home page, probably just a fifth of it would be enough to bewilder a first time visiter.

How about going for a ultra minimalist home page with 'where to start' and links to other parts of the site.

....In fact I've just noticed that in the top initial bit there are two separate places to sign up to the newletter alone. Surely this isn't necessary?

littlemissfrugal

really dont like the green at all it burns the back of my eyes dont think the different colors for the tabs is very good either much prefer one color but the illuminating of them is great. And the forum button NEEDS to be bigger. It does look a bit templateish but that doesn't bother me as much as the colors soz

sparrer

Being just an old fashioned girl I don't see need for change, as in if it aint broke why try to fix it?

However a change has obviously been decided on and in time we'll get used to it, but oh! that green! It's :eek:. Won't tell you what it reminds me of but it' snot pleasant!

Please use the original green, much more acceptable.

beautiful_ravens

I think the green is too limey and garish. I also prefer the look of the graduated colour change.

I have always had a problem in the past finding the 'forum' tab, and its still not very obvious, I had to look for it again!

I like the new left allignment of the heading.

I prefer the original Martin picture, more friendly looking, I think its the lighting and the position - him looking straight out at you is a little bit agressive!

Kadeeae

I like it much better, seems crisper and clearer to me...do like the old photo better tho!

Using Mac/Snow Leopard and latest updated Firefox.