Very good point Jake - when dealing with a website every graphic has to load in, and when you have smiley's, pictures, buttons, frames, and then a main graphic that loads in every time you want that main graphic to be as small as possible.

Blue is doing some good work, but there is a problem with both of the ones he has come up with:

1. Animation - too big and also not in a .gif format (there actually is a file size limit on these banners)

2. The non-animated one - I have been holding off on saying this, but I don't feel it represents us. I think it represents DC and Baltimore very well, but there are a bunch of us who don't live there.

I think Jake's is great on so many levels: we have our capital represented (which really should be in anything Mid-A) and the rest has to do with nature.....basically saying: from the mountains to the ocean. We have too many different things in this area to incorporate into such little a space without animation that makes the file too big.

I'll ask again: what if the colors were changed on the one we're currently running? A light blue sky instead of the orange one?

Here's a quick color swap - might need to change the color of the letters too:

 

I like the color change Alex. I also think it represents the whole Mid-A.

Remember when I asked you last year why we don't have a separate Virginia and Maryland DC forum? Well your answer, in case you don't remember, was as follows: "We have some of the best people in all of S2ki combined into the BEST forum on the planet, why change a great group?" You sir were correct. This is a great group, with different areas, with different, and diverse things about them. Yes, the Mountains of the western parts of both areas, the oceans on the eastern sides of BOTH areas are in common, but the Nations Capital being the HUB of our area must be represented in any depiction of this group. So with all that said, I think Jake and Blue have both captured the essence of the MID-A....understanding that we can't have EVERYTHING in a banner, you must compromise somewhat. Jake could have easily added Boats to the water vs the surfer and the wave, but with the average age of this group being of surfing age, if there is such a thing, makes sense even to an old fart like me. The capital is where it should be and the mountains are on the left (west) where they should be. So in my opinion his is a great representation of the whole.

Blue's on the other hand is just plain awesome. Wish it would work in the banner format and maybe with some help from Jake they can work on making it happen.

I also look forward to anyone else's banner work. Ideas fuel, and provoke more thought, please do not stagnate others creative juices by critizing their work, only appreciate what they have done, and if it is crap, call it crap.... but remember to thank them for creating such crap... Only kidding... Call it Crap and leave it at that

 

I got lucky and landed a job right after college and never got around to doing an online portfolio. I really need to though.. but after doing the crap all day at work I don't want to come home and do it more really. Just remember man.. your work is your work.. not a personal attack on you as a person. I'm sure you've learned the art world is very harsh and critical. Well I've put in a lot of time at college and etc. so of course I'm going to be like "I'm a professional..," although I myself.. don't think too much of my own work (which most designers always are more critical of themselves more than anyone else).


I think your idea isn't bad or anything, but I'll give you my insight on some problem areas to try and help...

1. so far most fonts have been fairly default looking, I know it sounds trivial but the right font can make or break a design. There is a small book we had to read called "Stop Stealing Sheep," that deals with typography and etc. that you might want to read if you havn't already to just further help along with your schooling. I can't say exactly what I'd do to change it but that seems like one area to focus in.

2. The Cars being cut out, good idea to incorporate them into each changing scene but they seem kinda just copy pasted on top in a sense.. some sort of depth or more juxtaposed might help them fit in better.

3. File size will be pretty big for that much info unless your doing it all in flash where as a .swf file is usually pretty small. I deal with the print world so the web I try to stay away from unless absolutely necessary for the time being for a lot of this animation type stuff.

Again.. not trying to be a dick.. just trying be helpful. You can let it go in one ear and out the other if you like. Just offering some insight.

 

Can't please everyone... and I'm doing what is being told for me to do. So if you can come up with something to add feel free to chime in.

 

Just to see if I can satisfy everyone...

Is it at all possible to have one banner on for like 4 seconds.. then it sort of bolts to the left and disappears.. then the new banner comes in from the right to the left and appears.. then disappears in 4 seconds .. (repeat process)

****DISCLAIMER****
I would like to reiterate that I am clueless when it comes to all this web design stuff, so if what I suggested is all retarded then just disregard. I'm just a guy with a license and a S to drive. But I do enjoy a nice picture!

Peter

 

What about using some of the video that you and April were working on at Marks house at Mod Day?!?!

 

Not in that fashion, but everytime you view another page in the Mid-A it can cycle to a different banner - the same way you see a different advertisement everytime you click a new page on the open forums.



Pete.

 

 

YES

Now that she critized your work you can release those puppies...

Like this:

 

she'd kill me.... literally.. i value my life