Comments on: FREE Lucky Dip Draw – Comment and Win

By: Kaiserlino

Kaiserlino — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:22:44 +0000

Hope it’s still open…
Have learned a lot from this site…
Thanks

By: brian

brian — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:01:37 +0000

I love the site it provides some great info but the site dould maybeuse some more graphical appeal it just seems to simplified.

By: David Devine

David Devine — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:17:15 +0000

The one thing I can think of… is that maybe there is too much white? At the top of pages it doesnt seem like an issue but when your scrolling down there is a notable mass of… well whitness. Doesnt help when you have a head ache… or hungover hehe. Joking aside I’d maybe widen the colour palette… maybe introduce a texture or something. This is all cosmetic, overall this site is my one stop shop for all things Graphical.

Keep up the wonder that is Just Creative.

By: Siva

Siva — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:25:51 +0000

Hey Jacob! I’ve been a keen reader albeit a quiet one :). The website totally rocks. The content is very relevant to any designer out there. The articles that you write and the guest posts are perfect :). some improvements may be a bigger font size and a background colour that is not so hard on the eyes :D. some of us are nocturnal and work in the dark (w/o any light in the room) so adjusting to all white can be a bit painful lol!

By: exitstencil

exitstencil — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:17:21 +0000

the only thing that bugs me is your photo – you look like Jamie flippin’ Oliver!

By: icang

icang — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:34:18 +0000

well, whats this site lack of eh ? humm come to think of it, the design is not so special , the contents already good enough, but i’d like to see more article bout study case, like whats really happenin in the real world, problem , tips, trick n something like that, so i can really know whats happenin in this “wild” world
anyway,thanks 4 the chance of winning :)

By: modemlooper

modemlooper — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:21:16 +0000

this could have been a tweak my CSS contest :) modemloopers last blog post..MoPhoTo Is For Photographers

By: modemlooper

modemlooper — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:15:54 +0000

I like everything except two things. The main page of articles are just too long. An excerpt with graphic would be easier on the eye then clicking through to the full article. Sometimes I find it hard to see where the next article starts.

I actually only read this blog from rss because of this.

Second, the sidebars are two close to the same size. I think it would create greater interest to have the left sidebar wider than the right. I think the same size is causing blindness for those links as the banner ads on the right are so much more vibrant and distract from left sidebar.

modemloopers last blog post..MoPhoTo Is For Photographers

By: Michael Buckingham (holy cow)

Michael Buckingham (holy cow) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:17:46 +0000

I like that you are giving things away for free…I don’t like that I don’t SEE enough, I’d love to see the blog be a bit more pleasing visually.

By: Shaun R

Shaun R — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:44:32 +0000

In general, your website is nice, clean, and simple. Though, I think the top nav is a little *too* simple. To me, it just doesn’t fit in right with the layout and isolates your logo (which is great) too much from the rest of the page.

By: Chad

Chad — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:34:45 +0000

I’m a regular (but silent) reader of your site. My favorite article you’ve ever written, is the “Ultimate List of Blogging Heading Templates”! Whenever I submit an article to Digg, I usually reference that post! Guilty as charged!

By: Alyssa

Alyssa — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:43:50 +0000

The content is excellent. What could be improved:

3 Column layout. Your award-winning logo is awesome, however, the actual body of the page is so overwhelming compared to it (so much text and links smashed together). I think the content would be better represented through a 2-column layout.

P.S. Homepage to my site is blank as I’m going through redesign. Cheers!

Additionally, I will be leaving on a trip the evening of July 20th for 3-4 days, so I hope you give us some time to claim a prize if we win!

By: LaurenMarie - Creative Curio

LaurenMarie - Creative Curio — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:26:32 +0000

Hmm, you're going to have a lot of feedback to sort through when you get back, Jacob! What I don't like about the design: too much going on. More unity in the ad area (same sizes, only 1-2 sizes) would make it look less cluttered. There are tons of links on both sides, too, and it's a bit overwhelming. Fewer links in each section would be benefitial (5 at most, imho). Perhaps some of the content can be moved into a footer as well? What I'd like to see in the content: tutorials. It would be interesting to see a cool new effect that you discovered or how you work in particular programs. I would also be interested in reading about your inspiration for a project. Like present a final project and show where the inspiration came from. LaurenMarie - Creative Curios last blog post..Understanding Photoshop Smart Objects & Layers

By: Sumesh

Sumesh — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:33:57 +0000

Ok, here goes:
1)a compact header to push the content more to above the fold.
2)a 2 column, slightly modern (though I hate overly glassy looks) theme with smaller fonts.
3)Less ‘white’ whitespace, and perhaps a border for the content container and a darker background (to let our eyes focus on content naturally).
4)Removal of last three widgets on left sidebar (category, recent posts etc.)
5)A more visible, attractive feed subscription area, “About” area pushed lower.
6)square ads (rectangular ads with no margin in between, ugh!)
7)differentiate content from the digg badge, the stumble upon links etc. (which are part of meta).

Sumeshs last blog post..Forget what probloggers taught you about regular posting

By: Victoria

Victoria — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:13:51 +0000

It would be nice to have a translation of the blog to spanish =)
I’m from Mar del Plata, Argentina, and I’m a graphic design estudent. I understand almost everything you post (or at lest I think so, hehe) but I know a lot of people who would love to read a blog like this in spanish and have too little english knowlegment.
So… that’s the way I propose to improve your blog.
Have a nice day!
And thanks for keep doing this, is really useful =)

By: SE7EN

SE7EN — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:45:16 +0000

I try to tell myself not to be evil by commenting with different name/mail to increase more chance to win hehe :P I really want some cash or logo/header design. lol

Add some points (that already mentioned)
- I wonder why there’re too many people with grey face avatar. Maybe it’s time to move away from MyBlogLog avatar to Gravatar?
(or WordPress built-in random avatar)
- I don’t like the way ads are placed too. it’s not attractive. in some sites that place the ads properly, I tend to click more.
- You have so many categories. I think it’s ok, but is it possible to merge some categories? as Jeffrey said, too many choices => choose nothing
- may add next and previous post under single post
- I really love the logo and the way it is placed.
but if you want to make some change, I suggest that make it smaller and place on topleft to save space, and move your intro and about to the top right
- I’m ok with the pink color scheme (you can tell from my avatar, I love pink. lol)
- JC as your name and site name is so cool. lol

hehe I enjoy reading other people’s comments too, to adapt with my site.

Enjoy your Hong Kong trip. I want to go there some day too. I live in Thailand :wink: I’m your silent reader since the very beginning. (don’t remember how I found your site. via designfloat maybe)

By: manau

manau — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:33:23 +0000

Hey !
this blog is amazing but here what I dont like :

- the font size, style and color in the left slide
- there is not enough photoshop tutorials

that’s it :)

By: Tharique Azeez

Tharique Azeez — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:33:13 +0000

I like everything in JCD but, how about making your header image height little small… Now it takes more space there..

Best smile,
Tharique Azeez

By: teo

teo — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:14:48 +0000

great resource man! thanks for this opportunity!

By: Chaitanya VRK

Chaitanya VRK — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:20:34 +0000

Hi Jacob,

A very clever attempt to get worthy feedback!

A couple of suggestions,
1. The font in the Left Side Bar is larger than the Right Side Bar. Its occupying more space and making the blog look heavily packed.

2. Re-arrangement of items is required in the Right Side Bar (including sizes and colors), to bring an overall clean look-and-feel.

The quality of content is just awesome. All stars for that.

Thank you for the opportunity.

P.S. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist to mention this)The site is not looking clean, as it used to be earlier :(

Chaitanya VRKs last blog post..30 FLASHeff patterns for FREE download

By: Jess Hindmarsh

Jess Hindmarsh — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:20:54 +0000

I love Hong Kong! But in relation to the blog I think you definately need to review how you present your content.
- Maybe you could categorise a little more on the home page so things are easier to find.
- I’m not a fan of that right hand colum impeding the reading space either.
- I think you should create a funky as background to go behind a white box containing the info so it feels a little more contained & colourful breaking up the text and whitespace.

Keep up the good work, I’m a big fan of the content!

By: Jesica

Jesica — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:53:57 +0000

I like the current design. It is clean and easy to use…however, I’d like the website to more inline with the current logo. Right now it might be too clean.

By: David

David — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:41:53 +0000

What I Dont like / would change:
Advertising: While I understand its a necessary evil for revenue generation, there lacks a consistency for online ads from Google. Perhaps a subtle way of differentiating it further from actual content is needed. Maybe a background shade.

What I like: The vast amount of resources and opinion freely given.

What I really like: The post regarding a “Graphic Engineer”. I thought I was reading a bio. The last two parts really made me want to send it to my ex employer (now a client) and say, “see, this is what you failed to recognize while I was here!”

Graphic Engineer

By: Jonathan Mayer

Jonathan Mayer — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:38:56 +0000

Jacob, I thoroughly enjoy your blog. Well done!

Regarding “tightening up”, I think you could remove the margin from below the section headings in the sidebar columns.

And although I loves me some white space, I do think the header area could use a bit of tinkering. The logo itself seems lightweight compared to the visual heft of what lies beneath. Perhaps enclosing it somehow would do the trick?

Also, I think the search box would do well in the horizontal nav bar. It gets very lost where it is now.

I would keep the three columns, but reserve the left column for the first section only. (ie move article/content links to the right column), and then reduce the text size in the right column.

It would be cool to have the elbows in your picture extend beyond the border so that it looks like you’re really leaning on the menu.

Semi-finally, the width of the main column has a pretty good ratio to that of the sidebars, but once the content of the sidebars runs out, I’m left with way too much margin. Maybe having a flexible width for the middle column only would work well?

And finally, content-wise, I think maybe more nitty-gritty articles: things like design and business methods for very specific situations.

Keep up the great work!!!

By: Jacob Cass

Jacob Cass — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:07:26 +0000

Wow, thank you everyone for your responses. I see I have so much to improve over the coming months which I will do my best to achieve!

I am currently in Hong Kong atm and I will be returning in a few days so hopefully everything will get back to normal when I get back (after I sift through my 1000+ emails).

Hope everyone is well and once again, thank you for your responses.

Good luck.

By: United Voices

United Voices — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 02:12:49 +0000

Hello Jacob,

There are few things i would like to suggest you
1) on the top menu “Home__About__Contact me ….”, you could increase the gaping between them so that they are differentiated, like “Home ____About____Contact me ….”
2) subscribe link can be put at the far right end so that it align almost with the right sidebar
3) put the google search a little below so that it align parallel to the other two
4) i think a little gaping around 5px to 7 px gaping between the sponsor’s banner would also differentiate them rather than them looking as a single banner
5) one final, why don’t you start up a newsletter, just a suggestion

Cheers mate.

By: Phe Le

Phe Le — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:26:42 +0000

I think you should make it more colorful. You can redesign a new header and footer. Phe Les last blog post..You Suck at Photoshop #5: Select Color Range

By: Lorna

Lorna — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:15:56 +0000

I just stumbled on this site, so i can’t say too much but… it seems a little cluttered. I am not a fan of blogs, so i would prefer a more traditional web look to this website. I love the logo– alot!

By: Héctor Alonso

Héctor Alonso — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:08:12 +0000

Hola, a mi lo Ãºnico que me desagrada son los sponsors :D

Well done! greetings from MEXICO!!!

By: LAQO

LAQO — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:06:33 +0000

HI JACOB!!, WELL FIRST I WANT TO SAY THAT UR BLOG IS REALLY GREAT, IS THE FIRST DESIGN BLOG I HAD SUSCRIBE, I’M A STUDENT SO THE INFORMATION I READ HERE HAS BEEN REALLY HELPFULL, SO THANKS AND CONGRATS!!

ABOUT THE SUGGESTIONS, WELL, I THINK THAT THE ISSUES ARE GREAT, SO KEEP DOING THEM, THE THING I WOULD CHANGE IS THE WEB DESIGN, MAKING IT MORE COLORFUL, ‘CAUSE I’VE SEEN OTHER BLOGS (THAT U RECOMENDED) AND THE’RE MORE DYNAMIC.
I LOVE DESIGN, IS MY CARREER, AND I CHOOSE THINGS THAT I SEE, AND WHITE IS JUST TOO NEUTRAL FOR ME, AND IT DOSEN’T SAY “FUN” OR “INTERESTING” WICH IS THE BLOG ABOUT.
(I HOPE U UNDERSTAND MY ENGLISH LOL)
THAT WILL BE IT. CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!