Re-design.

Some comments since you asked.

The overall look is minimalist, which as you declare is deliberate...on that score, it works as you aimed.

The shout box being on the left on the front page I find distracting. Things like that offer a secondary function at best, so shouldn't clutter the important "where's the menu/options" eye line on the left IMHO

The menu being "top left but not quite" means it gets lost on first impression. The design looks like the menu ought to be found down the left hand side. It works once you spot the menu, but it doesn't shout usability. I can see that the idea is primary menu at the top, secondary menu at the left, but the shout on the home page confuses this as it's not a menu - it's a function.

The grey text on grey background will infuriate some viewers - remember that not everyone has 20/20 eye sight.

On the same score, you've "fixed" the font sizes which means that people can't express a preference over font size. This size might suit your screen/video settings/eyes, but web browsers are designed to let the view control how things are rendered...a good design will adapt to people preferences by scaleing the different regions to fit.

Other than that, I think the design holds up. Despite the comments above I think it works and looks OK and delivers on what you've set out to do...and I like the work exhibited in the gallery bit too

I shouted some stuff on your site )

same here. it took me longer than usual to find the menu, which is in a kind of wierd place. also, the shoutbox... if that was moved to the right all the way or something...

after placing a shoutout, i noticed that you didnt have symbols enabled on your site...

Thanks for the comments.

I agree about the front page, originally the shoutbox wasnt there, it was an after thought, and I dont think its working.

I will look into the font sizes, and the idea of adding more colour to menu.
On after thought some of the tones of grey don't contrast enough, but it looks good

80four - Sometimes you have to take the painful pill of compromise in the style to taste the sweet nectar of improved usability

Best of luck, and it really isn't bad already.

i agree with sput except.. the menu doesnt bother me. it could be better located, maybe, but its not lost. a different color or switch tiwh the logo? as for fixing your text style, this is not bad at all. it depends who your audience is. if you market to everyone, you want text to be flexible but remember the design must be able to compensate for people jacking the size up. sometimes you WANT the design to not flex, especially when trying to show keen layout or type bells and whistles.

i bet a few of you would HATE the one i'm building for myself

#6 - I agree...there's a lot to be said for style...my comments were just one possible way to change things looking at it from the perspective of making it more accessible and would almost certainly detract from the style. Some of my favorite web site designs are almost unusable, but oh-so stylish

Usability for the site is quite important, but then so is style...i guess ill just have to try and get the perfect balance!

Thanks for all the comments, as a result I have now updated the site.

It would be great to here what you think of this version.

Thanks
Ian.
http://www.80four.co.uk

nice, looks better.

well I wish I could get my act together and re-design my website.
Your site looks pretty good to me. Too minimalist for my taste but still good.

Hey, I was wondering, since you have Google Ads on your site, how is it going with that? Does it help in any way to pay for the site?




I am working on a news story on the use of Google ads for your website and how and where they can be placed.

Plus, in the same news story, I am going to talk about how good TextBanners.net is and how the community can use it for many things.

http://www.textbanners.net

Since I have this week off from work, I think I will get many things done... that article included...

very nice! looks tighter and with the graphic in the corner that whole area has more importaance, and thus is easy to navigate