Postcard Design Software- Dashboard Update
01/31/2007
This first draft has been submitted for review:
Original Version
Generally speaking the look and feel are much nicer. But not much has really changed in terms of placement. I have submitted design to the programmer and he has made the following comments:
“1. Buttons “Start Over”, “Email a Friend” etc. are removed … I did not even find hyperlinks to them. This functionality is not necessary any more ?
2. Tabs at the top “Home”, “Pricing” etc. look logical.
3. “Change Layout” hyperlink is removed … How to change layouts ?
4. Buttons for dark and light color look much better than hyperlinks.
5. I do no like the new rulers. Writing numbers vertically like that from my point of view is not a good idea. I think the present rulers are better.
6. A lot of space is taken for the new Search box. Though it is good to have a search box.
7. Bottom navigation is logical.
Honestly speaking the design could give different look and feel to the user. But I do not think it is really much more user-friendly than the previous one. All the main text editing elements are at the same places.
Generally page looks better than before. But not final. I think it still could be improved.
All this is my personal opinion only, of course.”
I agree with all points made and have composed a modified version of the same concept that I think better utilizes available space in top fold. The logic with this new version is to allow for a better user experience.
Revised Version
Summary of what I am proposing:
- Adding functions to the top 4 graphics, change layout, email a friend, add stock logo and start over.
- Remove stock logo link from current location
- Advertising and searchbox now at the bottom
- Stock Backgrounds will need a scrollbar or frame
- Although there is no graphic present we will need a graphic prompt for user to “Update Proof” when required. The current sytem uses a red arrow that in on a trigger. If there is a better idea on how to prompt user I am opened for suggestions.
That’s about it for now my overall opinion is good and I like the design tallent of the graphic developer, thanks 
Rob
Tags: colours, send postcard, graphic design marketing, postcard marketing, graphic design advertising
admin said,
January 31, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
Update MSN Programmer- Discuss Backside Design and Big Picture:
Sergey says:
Sorry. I am back
BOB says:
No probs, hope supper was good
BOB says:
Did you check email?
Sergey says:
Yes, it was good. And I had to explain to my wife why I am at the computer so late again Yes, I see the messages
Sergey says:
a moment please
BOB says:
sure
Sergey says:
i do not know … Search at the top is more usual … And making users scroll for stock backgrounds … Logo at the bottom … I would remove the logo at all andmake the new one behind the top nav buttons
BOB says:
generally do you agree with moving everything up?
Sergey says:
Honestly speaking I think the new design looks worse than yesterday
BOB says:
We can eliminate serc entirely
Sergey says:
yes
BOB says:
and remove scroll idea from stock backgrounds
Sergey says:
moving up is good idea. Removing some elements which existedd in the old design is a good idea too. Making buttons instead o links is better.
BOB says:
agree
BOB says:
so I will feed back to designer now
BOB says:
once we talk about back design
Sergey says:
Ok. Great
Sergey says:
So the first thing we are going to make for the back design is the transitional page
BOB says:
please update my with your understanding project?
BOB says:
yes
Sergey says:
at this transitional page the user should be able to select 1 of 3 options
Sergey says:
how to continue with the design
BOB says:
hopefully when it is coded the same panel is being used
Sergey says:
Teh page should not contain the elements which are not going to be used - presently it contains a lot of not necessary control elements
Sergey says:
Yes
Sergey says:
But it will be after the transitional page
BOB says:
most of the changes will occur to text placements
Sergey says:
yes. But it will be at the next page I think
Sergey says:
the transitional page will contain only options to select 1 of 3
BOB says:
right…
BOB says:
stock backgrounds (already exist)
BOB says:
custom back templates
BOB says:
upload custom
Sergey says:
If they select 1 of stock backgrounds it must be made transparent 80% at white bg if I remember correctly … I remember how to do that, maybe described it in the wrong way now …
BOB says:
correct
BOB says:
http://www.weprintcolour.com/postcard-talk/?p=6
BOB says:
Also explains
Sergey says:
2nd choice does not work presently too as expected
BOB says:
to be honest any of my coding is probably not any good
BOB says:
just for attempting to communicate
Sergey says:
I see
BOB says:
You may use any or all if you wish
Sergey says:
So actually there could be much or little work depending on which functionality we already have …
BOB says:
right
BOB says:
as I said,
Sergey says:
So making this page could take little time or a lot - very difficult to day before I really did it
BOB says:
I see most of the thought and work in how to place text blocks for user
Sergey says:
to say I mean
Sergey says:
Could we consider it like it takes 90 USD at most … Probably much less, but if it really takes a lot I would not like to work for free … If it takes much less I’ll take much less as usually … We are talking of making this transtional page and making it function only
BOB says:
sure…
Sergey says:
ok. thanks
BOB says:
also consider the way you do this….
BOB says:
what if?
BOB says:
I wanted to adapt skins (different dashboards) easily?
BOB says:
Is it logical to think about “Bare bones programming…
BOB says:
then plug into dashboard later?
BOB says:
or dashboards
BOB says:
roughly 15 pages total in current system
BOB says:
complete
BOB says:
Also…
BOB says:
http://www.weprintcolor.com/bus_card_backgrounds/real_estate/RealEstate_house.php?CompanyName=Company+Name&YourSlogan=Slogan+or+optional+text&YourName=Your+Name&YourTitle=Your+Title&AddressLine1=Address+Line+1&AddressLine2=Address+Line+2&AddressLine3=State%2FProvince%2F+Zip%2F+&Tel=Telephone%2F+Other+&Fax=Fax+or+Cel&Email=Email+Address&Website=Website+Address&textarea=&submit=Enter+My+Data%21
Sergey says:
I see. Yes, I think it is better to make it function now without skins … We will make skins later … I would not spend time for it now then. And so I’l give you a quote for it later … We do not have an admin panel for it anyway now
BOB says:
OK but please consider what I am saying here…
Sergey says:
ok
BOB says:
once we do this my business card site will use exact same logig
BOB says:
330 X 550
BOB says:
Then My label site
BOB says:
http://www.labelsprinted.com/bus_card_backgrounds/real_estate/pages/RealEstate_house.php?name=Your+Name&AddressLine1=Address+Line+1&AddressLine2=Address+Line+2&AddressLine3=State%2FProvince%2F+Zip%2F+&YourSlogan=Form+Bug+%28insignia%29&CompanyName=Company+Name&YourTitle=Your+Title&Tel=Telephone%2F+Other+&Fax=Fax+or+Cel&email=Email+Address&Website=Website+Address&textarea=&submit=Enter+My+Data%21
Sergey says:
330 X 550 ?
BOB says:
150px X 500px
BOB says:
the only difference between them is the size
Sergey says:
I see
BOB says:
otherwise…identical
BOB says:
are we better to consider this now?
Sergey says:
We already have front side design not taking it into account …
BOB says:
right
BOB says:
…
Sergey says:
I think we could change that later
BOB says:
I guess I just want you to see the big picture
Sergey says:
it would be simpler I think
BOB says:
and take it into account if it effects current programming
Sergey says:
ok. thanks
Sergey says:
yes, it would be useful to know the whole task of course. thanks
BOB says:
So I am confortable with you….
BOB says:
tell me when to pay and let’s go at the big picture
BOB says:
Sergey says:
OK. thanks. So tomorrow I am starting on the transitional page. After it is fiished we move the page where the backside will be actually edited …
Sergey says:
ok. thanks
BOB says:
right and try to keep coding seprate from graphics, if that makes sense?
BOB says:
allow for ease of future dashboards
Sergey says:
yes, but as I said we could add that later … I’ll have to make it in the same way at all the pages so presently it is not really important I think. We work at the pages containing less graphics than the pages I worked with before
BOB says:
righto
Sergey says:
May I ask you a question ?
BOB says:
sure
Sergey says:
if a user makes wrong choice at the transitional page
Sergey says:
I mean the page where the image http://www.weprintcolour.com/Uploads/013107_47K6BLZ09YC1_Card_1_back.gif?0.49149300%201170284729
Sergey says:
is displayed
Sergey says:
and which I am going to make now
BOB says:
I am not sure I follow….
Sergey says:
will he be able to change his choice later ?
BOB says:
1 sec
BOB says:
going there
BOB says:
OK to me,
BOB says:
http://www.weprintcolour.com/panelV2/V2_save_and_continue.php
Sergey says:
that is good that you do not see my point. It means we could understand the task differently …
Sergey says:
BOB says:
this is transitional page?
Sergey says:
did not open for me - error
BOB says:
http://www.weprintcolour.com/panelV2/V2_save_and_continue.php?complete=Y&p=real_estate&CompanyName=Company%20Name&YourName=Your%20Name&YourSlogan=None%20Entered&YourTitle=Your%20Title&AddressLine1=Address%20Line%201&AddressLine2=Address%20Line%202&AddressLine3=State/Province/%20Zip/%20Postal%20Code&Tel=Telephone/%20Other%20&Fax=Fax%20or%20Cel:&Email=Email@Address.com&Website=Website%20Address&bcar
Sergey says:
The system cannot find a completed card
BOB says:
After you click “Save and COntinue” from AM
BOB says:
panelV2/V2_save_and_continue.php
Sergey says:
no, after you select Design Backside
Sergey says:
at that page
BOB says:
Then user clicks item 3
Sergey says:
yes, item 3
BOB says:
that is the transsitional page you refer to?
Sergey says:
Yes
Sergey says:
Am I wrong ?
BOB says:
So it is made already
Sergey says:
But it does not work
Sergey says:
And it contains a lot of elements which have to be removed
BOB says:
currently to panelV2/V2_sside_bcard_adv_for_back.php
BOB says:
I see
Sergey says:
and the functionalty does not work …
BOB says:
I understand where youa re at now
Sergey says:
great
BOB says:
k
BOB says:
we are good now
Sergey says:
ok. thanks. Still my question:
Sergey says:
if the user makes a wrong choice at this page, will he be able to change it later ?
Sergey says:
e.g.
Sergey says:
he selected a stock background
Sergey says:
and later desided to upload his own image for a background
BOB says:
yes
BOB says:
will system allow for this?
Sergey says:
and he is not at this page, but at the card design page …
Sergey says:
That is what I think … Do we need a transitional page at all … I have to think about it and give you my suggestions I think
BOB says:
Go back and modify this card
2. Design another postcard.
3. Design the BACK SIDE of this Postcard.
4. I am done, I wish to get postcards printed.
5. I am done, I wish download the professional file only
BOB says:
Are important
BOB says:
options
Sergey says:
I see. I did not look at them yet …
BOB says:
now…
BOB says:
I was just thinking about this
Sergey says:
yes ?
BOB says:
in AM we add to the bottom these choices
BOB says:
Remove the “Update proof and Save Card and Continue
BOB says:
insert buttons with same choices
Sergey says:
Go back and modify this card
2. Design another postcard.
3. Design the BACK SIDE of this Postcard.
4. I am done, I wish to get postcards printed.
5. I am done, I wish download the professional file only
Sergey says:
these choices ?
BOB says:
Except 1
BOB says:
Go back and modify this card
BOB says:
No need
Sergey says:
Ok. I see. I’ll look into it tomorrow. I have to look at the choices and then I would be able to give you a quote … So the current work will be postponed - I ahve to do the buttons 1st I think …
BOB says:
OK
BOB says:
sure
Sergey says:
Only then we could move to backside design I think
Sergey says:
ok. thanks
BOB says:
yes agree
Sergey says:
thanks.
BOB says:
welcome
BOB says:
adios amigo
BOB says:
Sergey says:
Have a great evening !
BOB says:
u2
Sergey says:
thanks
Sergey says:
adios amigo
Sergey says:
BOB says:
cheers
Sergey says:
cheers
Sergey says:
bye-bye
Jake said,
January 31, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
I actually like the look of the first one better. But also can see what you are trying to accomplish with moving functions up in the top fold. What purpose does the search have? If I can search for logos or backgrounds, find one I like and click it to choose it then it’s a good idea. How ever if it takes my out of my session then it’s not relevant to my design and may result in a lost visitor.
Toronto Cruises said,
January 31, 2007 @ 6:23 pm
Think that the template looks good! Cant wait to see the custom label and card designer in action.
admin said,
February 1, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
MSN- Discuss Method to Proceed with Back Panel:
Sergey says:
Hi Robert! Could we possibly talk now ?
BOB says:
SUre
Sergey says:
Yesterdey you said you’d like me to transform the links
Sergey says:
1. Go back and modify this card
2. Design another postcard.
3. Design the BACK SIDE of this Postcard.
4. I am done, I wish to get postcards printed.
5. I am done, I wish download the professional file only
Sergey says:
except 1.
Sergey says:
into buttons at the AM page
BOB says:
It was a thought…yes
Sergey says:
Presently if a user clicks Save and Continue by mistake
Sergey says:
there is link 1.
Sergey says:
to return back to editing
BOB says:
yes
BOB says:
do you think it would cause confusion?
Sergey says:
Under the new concept how the user would return back to editing front side if he clicks 1 of these 4 buttons by mistake
BOB says:
the whole idea?
Sergey says:
Users often click buttons by mistake
BOB says:
right
Sergey says:
Yes it could cause confusion
BOB says:
you see how when you enter back side there is a small thumb of 1st card?
Sergey says:
yes
BOB says:
A small button under “Modify”
BOB says:
?
Sergey says:
we could see the designed card in the popup window
Sergey says:
ok, what if the user clicks other choices ? We have to have something like that everywhere ? It could make the interface less user-firendly I think…
BOB says:
Ok, let’s go with transitional page then
BOB says:
agree
Sergey says:
So we leave the page order as it is now and I begin to work with the page we discussed yesterday, right ?
BOB says:
correct
BOB says:
keeping in mind some of the other things we discussed for the future
BOB says:
e.g. other sites
Sergey says:
OK. If you change your mind, please tell me this by e-mail. I’ll check e-mail 1st thing tomorrow before doing anything …
Sergey says:
Yes, of course
BOB says:
will not change mind on this
Sergey says:
I’ll keep them in mind, though the system will not be universal now yet … 1st thing we have to make it working …
BOB says:
need to move forward
Sergey says:
Ok. I see.
BOB says:
sure, makes sense
Sergey says:
thanks
Sergey says:
OK. So I’ll begin to work on it tomorrow
Sergey says:
Good night to you!
BOB says:
ok, good
Sergey says:
thanks
Sergey says:
bye-bye
BOB says:
cya
Sergey says:
cya