New website for Fabrik

[David]

Well, of course, I hesitate to do this but in the spirit of open debate...

I recently completed a new website for Fabrik (http://www.fabrikuk.com), a firm of Landscape Architects and designers. We plan to add some additional components to the site over the coming months, but the site is live and public.

Do let me know what you think - a chance to get your own back. :D

[rob]

My turn first!

I automatically wanted to click on the fabrik logo when I was on the home page, hoping it might take me somewhere.

People - itchy trigger finger again would like to be able to click on the polaroids and see more info about the staff.

What We Do - might just be my eyes but the left hand box blends a bit too much for my liking

All in all though I like it, even the pictures that I didn't prefer in the class last year! The work well with the boxes etc around them!

Rob

[Mia]

Why is there no logo except on the home page?

And aren't page titles important for SEO? These don't seem terribly descriptive, plus there are no meta tags...

Otherwise the design feels both clean, elegant and yet welcoming - ah, and nice Google map.

[David]

Why is there no logo except on the home page?

And aren't page titles important for SEO? These don't seem terribly descriptive, plus there are no meta tags...

Otherwise the design feels both clean, elegant and yet welcoming - ah, and nice Google map.

My original design for the site had a logo at top left on all pages and although I argued my point, the client decided it wasn't needed. However, I sneeked a logo onto every page in the roll-out at the bottom. It's a curious decision but they definately wanted to go minimalist and considered the logo surplus to requirement.

The page titles matched their printed brochure. I think they're OK in most places, especially as one drills down into the site, where they are more specific. Again, a client requirement. Meta tags are yet to come - the project is not yet complete.

I like the way the Google map fits in - one of my better ideas.

Designing a website for a firm of designers is a tricky business as they have very firm ideas of what is required. What you can't see are the arguments I won. Initially, they wanted the navigation in a different place on each page to suit the image used!

[James]

I'm a great fan of photography in web design so I really like the visual appeal of this site David.

Now I am managing web design projects for a living, I have learnt quickly that it is the web designer's job to educate clients about the knock-on effects of some of their design requests. But often they insist: we hear what you're saying but we want it that way. In which case I back off, it's their site, they're paying the bill - and I've made the point.

Sometimes their insistance can have a negative effect on SEO - that's their choice. But there is no reason why any visual design cannot be made accessible.

[Patricia]

I agree with the others regarding the images, it really works well. I, too would have preffered the fabrik logo to be a link but you can still find your way around anyway...

[David]

We tend to take it for granted that SEO is important for every site but there are situations where it has a low priority. In this case, I have built the site for accessibility and as a platform for SEO (originally, they wanted a Flash site but was able to demonstrate the advantages and flexibility of a dynamic PHP site). But, the objective was not to build a site that was discoverable via search engines but as a showcase for existing clients or potential clients that needed some background and for co-consultants. Essentially, it was an exercise in credibility building for those who already know the firm rather than to attract new clients. In this particular sector, it's very unlikely that a new client would use the web to find a consultant. Despite this, I will be reviewing all the page titles etc. and making a few tweaks. The site is currently going through it's first post launch review and we are replacing some of the weaker images that we used as placeholders. I'm also working on a new "sketchbook" site component, which should be more fun.