Re: FLASH: Razorplane update

[Russell E. Unger]

Andrew was polite enough to send me a link off-list.  I figured I should be

as polite and give some feedback.  While I'm at it, I took a look at Mr.

Townsend's site, too.


Let me start by saying that my own, personal site, SUCKS.  It's absolutely

nothing at this point in time, and may never, ever be.  However, I've built

an established reputation...I'm also a Creative Director (and more) for a

rather large consultancy.  None of this matters much; my clientele know my

work and know what I can do and they don't care what my site looks like.


For the sake of fairness, people should feel free to check out some of my

own work:

http://www.officeplanit.com

http://www.zaxcoms.com/officeplanit

(heavy download, not for the bandwidth weak; was the interim site for the

first link)

http://www.zaxcoms.com/nuveen/dresscode.html (client pulled the plug)

http://www.britneyspears.com (just the Flash piece...and I had NOTHING to do

with the placement)

...to name a few, so I don't go and get all high and mighty and all that

stuff and people can get offended and take shots at my work.  I don't mind;

I learn from negative feedback.


All of this being said I've got to say this:


Andrew, are you looking for a job?  You've got some very outstanding design

skills.  Some of your Flash was a bit sloppy and there were some

optimization issues that I noticed, however, your raw talent is in place and

with proper guidance, culture and some other team players to assist you in

growing your skills and sharing your skills, you could be phenominal.

Period.


Wayne...

Perhaps the Cobbler's kids are the last to get some shoes?  I liked the

preloader to your site but couldn't really sit through the rest.  Further,

your site lacks some of the very basic design principles that the world is

subscribing to right now.  Look, this isn't a slam; it's a site review.  I

don't know who your clients really are, either.  Most of mine are B2B

websites and clients that throw several millions into their sites in order

to get the best from Creative, Strategy and Technology all bundled into one.

People don't get that from a boutique and it seems to me that you may be

just that.


Last point:  No one really needs to be making their entire sites

Flash--unless that's the purpose.  Flash is awesome!  I love it!  However,

I'm the first to tell you when you do not NEED it on your site.


Andrew, you may be better served to carry the main piece as an intro and

then carry over some key elements of your design to the subsequent HTML

layers (sections), thus allowing for an easier load and easier access to

information for persons visiting your site.


Wayne, you may want to invest in a site redesign based upon the services you

are selling...and it looks as if you are selling them from your site.


Okay, one last point.  Who are these designers pulling in 7 figures?  That's

something ABOVE $1,000,000 per year.  Now, either you are full of crap, or

you're talking about your COMPANY pulling it in.  I know what I make...and I

do just fine for myself, but as a Director and someone who is considered to

be Senior Level Management, anyone in the 7 figures is either a CEO or

similar type position and that really depends upon their options/net worth.

Sure, I could cash out on stock this year and hit 7 figures, potentially,

but I don't buy that statement.


That's all for now.  Hope I'm not pissing in anyone's lemonade here.


Russ



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