I feel like something is missing

[jdsfighter]

Hey guys,
After a few years of my site remaining idle, I figured it was time for a complete recode. I went ahead and redesigned it and got it all coded. The problem is I feel like it is too plain, it's just missing something, but I can't place my finger on it. Perhaps you all could give me some feedback.

Programmatically it's solid, but graphically, I just can't get past the feeling.

http://www.jdhpro.com

 

[d a v e]

well nothing lines up with anything else so apart from the main content and navigation nothing looks related
don't forget to resize your logo properly

use some tints/shades of the logo in a few elements and maybe try a complimentary colour for links on hover

also if you use spacing between paragraphs don't use the first line indent (and if you use the first line indent for paragraphs, the *first* paragraph does not have an indent

try a subtle gradient or a subtle texture on the plain grey (main) background

why does your logo change to another on hover??

use an hmtl heading on each page and maybe use some colour on it

your robot looks depressed

 

[jdsfighter]

The logo was sized that way on purpose, I didn't want it to be constrained within the top bar, hence the color and entended bottom. The logo that comes up on hover is actually my old logo, and I wanted it still incorporated, and eventually am going to have a small quick nav that drops on hover.

As for the tents and shades of the logo I thought I'd done a decent job (the background, top logo, and color schemes).

For reference, when you're speaking of the size of the logo, are you talking about the top bar logo, or the one within the body.

What do you mean by html heading?

 

[d a v e]

it just feels a bit cold

the size of the logo within the body - it's resized in the html

"What do you mean by html heading? " er, really? you know, <h1>, <h2> etc

 

[jdsfighter]

it just feels a bit cold

the size of the logo within the body - it's resized in the html

"What do you mean by html heading? " er, really? you know, <h1>, <h2> etc

I knew the logo was resized, it didn't seem distorted, and my CMS I built dynamically adjusts the size of images for me.

As for headings, I figured that was your intention, I just don't hear it worded that way.

I'm just trying to figure out a decent method of making the site more attractive, colors, layout, etc.

 

[d a v e]

yeah but i'm just not sure why you don't make the logo the right size in your graphics application - browser don't make such a good job of resizing stuff and you would probably save10kb or so - not a huge deal but every bit helps

re: headings - i was just a bit ( a lot) surprised that a company offering wed design services wouldn't use headings

quick idea

 

[jdsfighter]

How about this revision? I was doodling something like this over the past couple of days, and finally got a chance to sit down and design it.

 

[Edge]

Well revision is actually a design - the first version was more like a wireframe. Blunt I know but truthful.

 

[jdsfighter]

Well revision is actually a design - the first version was more like a wireframe. Blunt I know but truthful.

With the original version, I was shooting for ultra-simplistic. Very clean, very professional, this one I feel is a bit more creative, but still neat.

 

[d a v e]

the revision is better, yes