Re: Jewish Community Federation of Greater Rochester

> Before I get too far into griping, here's the layout she likes:
>
> http://demo.netapogee.com/jcf/default-frame.html

That ain't class but I'm not sure how you tell a client that!  That site is
down right butt ugly!

> like and feel it's far classier than the one above:
>
> http://demo.netapogee.com/jcf/images/screenshots/jcf-new-6.gif

I'm with you.  It's hard to judge a screen shot for a lot of things but the
overall look is MUCH better than what your client has chosen.  Again, I
don't know how you begin to tell the client that though.

> Here's what I ask of you wonderful people:

With a phrase like that, you have my attention <g>

> 1.  Which do you like more and why?

Your site because her chosen design is (and this is polite) butt ugly!  I
detest the colors, hate the bumpy background and then closed the site
immediately before I assulted my eyes further!

Your site had a nice clean, appealing look, seemed to suit the subject
matter in overall design.  Understand, I've not see the actual site and have
not looked at navigation, use of language skills, etc.  It's merely an "eye
appeal" at this point.  I would take your proposed design as an overall
"authoritative" looking site - the client's chosen design gives off a
"someone's homepage who is color blind and no design talent" look.

> 2:  Comment on the color schemes for both--Do they fit the
> organization?  Do they fit together?

 I think I've covered this above.

> 3:  Which layout has a classier, more professional feel to it?

Your proposed design hands down.  The why is covered above.  But I'm going
to tell you, if you pass along these thoughts to the client, changes are you
are going to be looking for a new client, not winning the argument.  Or win
the battle but lose the war.

> 4:  If you were looking at the site for information about the Jewish
> community in Rochester, which design would be better for you to spend
> more time looking at?

I'd close the first site immediately because it does not appear to be
authoritative - from eye appeal (which can sometimes be a poor judge of
content).

>
> Any other comments for or against either design are welcome.  Please
> be civil... I'll probably forward some of these to her.

I would not forward my comments to her because I was simply and purely
honest and direct.  But it's your ball game.

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