MK5 Golf GTI
General => Testing and Forum Suggestion Box => Topic started by: Betty02 on December 14, 2010, 03:38:24 pm
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Created a new topic as it isn't really a suggestion, well it is and isn't lol
Out of pure noseyness how often is the theme here change? Nothing really wrong with the current one but to me just looks ever so slightly dated? I have had a play in photoshop to try bring it up-to-date without too many major changes! If nobody likes it then meh it was fun designing!
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg403.imageshack.us%2Fimg403%2F9304%2Fforumxo.png&hash=9e6c9acd12c41ab92d920570bae777b9e5adc0a9)
Direct Hi-Res link - http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/9304/forumxo.png
Also how about an xmas banner? Maybe add some snow to it?
Thanks!
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I approve that.... the VW badges work really well! :happy2:
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I like it! :santa:
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:congrats: :congrats:
Love it.
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Been having a play today, it looks crap due to using free hosting so the adds knock everything out of line but if you scroll so the banner is at the top you can see everything is aligned properly!
Also install the Articles/How To mod I was on about in my other suggestions, can be seen Here (http://wiiflash.100webspace.net/index.php?action=articles)
and Demo forum can be found Here (http://wiiflash.100webspace.net)
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I'd be very disappointed if the colour scheme changed unless there was still the option to keep the existing one.
I find the red and black theme very warm and welcoming and don't like the standard VBulletin pale wishy-washy dull as dishwater themes of many forums.
THE EXISTING THEME WORKS EXTREMELY WELL - DON'T MEND IT!!
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The demo site/them I made has kept the red and black theme as I like the way they work and feel it's part of the club so shouldn't be changed!
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The demo site/them I made has kept the red and black theme as I like the way they work and feel it's part of the club so shouldn't be changed!
....Agreed :happy2:
So, why change other parts? Do you think that any of the existing functions need improving?
Most of us don't want to see adverts at the head like your example.
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Betty have you tried discussing this with the current mods that run this place first, I appreciate that you are trying to help out and you clearly have some good experience and skill in this area, my only concern is you have rocked up on to a website that a few dedicated people spend a lot of time designing building and maintaining the site and it might be worth consulting with them before ploughing ahead with re-designing the place.
Not trying to be funny it would just be good to give them the courtesy to comment before putting it out to the open forum, like asking permission to re-design someones house before painting new colour swatches on there walls :wink: :drinking:
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The demo site/them I made has kept the red and black theme as I like the way they work and feel it's part of the club so shouldn't be changed!
....Agreed :happy2:
So, why change other parts? Do you think that any of the existing functions need improving?
Most of us don't want to see adverts at the head like your example.
Don't really know just things to me looked a little dated? Not saying that this will stop me nor others coming here was just a suggestion.
You wont see the advertise like in the head of the forum, there will be no adverts at all as the site is add free thankfully :jumping:
Betty have you tried discussing this with the current mods that run this place first, I appreciate that you are trying to help out and you clearly have some good experience and skill in this area, my only concern is you have rocked up on to a website that a few dedicated people spend a lot of time designing building and maintaining the site and it might be worth consulting with them before ploughing ahead with re-designing the place.
Not trying to be funny it would just be good to give them the courtesy to comment before putting it out to the open forum, like asking permission to re-design someones house before painting new colour swatches on there walls :wink: :drinking:
Not discussed with anyone really as I said above just posted it in here as it is really a suggestion. if something goes a head then great, if not then that's no real issue no sleep lost :D
I don't mind the time designing as I work as a part time designer/coder so knocking this up hasn't really taken that much time or been very difficult so if it is lost time then I suppose to me and others it's no real issue.
I take on board both your comments though and not trying to be a dick saying this current design is sh*t and doesn't work because - It isn't and it does. Just the way I see it (and a few others by the looks of things) keeping things up-to-date can help. There would be no change in anything all the links etc would all work the safe, posting would be the same no major changes that would force people to stop coming/posting - Just a design change.
Anyway see what gets said/done, if nothing then hey worth a shot :D
Once again guys cheers for the comments!
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I wasn't trying to rubbish the time and effort, frankly the design you have knocked up is great and I can tell you have some skill by how quickly you managed it :drinking: This site isn't my baby and I have only been hanging around since end of last year. It was just my feeling that the guys that run the place could be up for your ideas and help, just if it was me I would appreciate a heads up before first. :santa:
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I wasn't trying to rubbish the time and effort, frankly the design you have knocked up is great and I can tell you have some skill by how quickly you managed it :drinking: This site isn't my baby and I have only been hanging around since end of last year. It was just my feeling that the guys that run the place could be up for your ideas and help, just if it was me I would appreciate a heads up before first. :santa:
....Exactly that ^ :happy2:
The same goes for the forum stickers thread.
SteveP is the man to contact.
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I think all the brand touch points need to be more consistent. There seems to be a plethora of different car stickers, none of which truly reflect the brand identity of the forum online.
I think as a car club the opportunity exists to create a very strong brand, something that differentiates this group of people from the many other dedicated car clubs around. It will take more than just a subtle refresh of the forum theme though.
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I wasn't trying to rubbish the time and effort, frankly the design you have knocked up is great and I can tell you have some skill by how quickly you managed it :drinking: This site isn't my baby and I have only been hanging around since end of last year. It was just my feeling that the guys that run the place could be up for your ideas and help, just if it was me I would appreciate a heads up before first. :santa:
Totally understand just thought being a suggestion box all would go. I will sort a PM out though - Although the man in charge has probably already seen this lol!
Cheers Rich and RR
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I think all the brand touch points need to be more consistent. There seems to be a plethora of different car stickers, none of which truly reflect the brand identity of the forum online.
I think as a car club the opportunity exists to create a very strong brand, something that differentiates this group of people from the many other dedicated car clubs around. It will take more than just a subtle refresh of the forum theme though.
....Agreed, although I do remember an Italian company that intentionally varied its logos and it became a successful and memorable feature of their graphic identity.
I thought we'd been through all this not long ago with VC's design proposals.
But anyway, this community isn't a corporation and has a growing and loyal membership due to what it offers and doesn't actually need to look corporate.
Thinking about it, I actually like having all the variations - It shows freshness in itself.
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Good job I scrapped the idea of corporate MK5GolfGti.co.uk ........... http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/9932/forum2ep.png
Haha iJoke! :signLOL:
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Oh and the idea of bring the copyright on the site up to date that is a great shout :congrats:
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I thought we'd been through all this not long ago with VC's design proposals.
Haha, you mean mine :signLOL:
I'd disagree that a community wouldn't benefit from a strong and consistent brand/brand identity. Brands exist to engage and reassure consumers, helping them choose the product that is right for them. Whether that product is a soft drink, or a enthusiasts car club makes no difference.
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I thought we'd been through all this not long ago with VC's design proposals.
Haha, you mean mine :signLOL:
I'd disagree that a community wouldn't benefit from a strong and consistent brand/brand identity. Brands exist to engage and reassure consumers, helping them choose the product that is right for them. Whether that product is a soft drink, or a enthusiasts car club makes no difference.
....Ooops! sorry Andrew - You know what a bad memory I have.
You sound like I used to sound when pitching for corporate identity work. I agree with what you're saying but I'm only adding that I find a variation of logos refreshing and more sophisticated as a concept and afterall, a forum doesn't rely on income as a result and so can afford to be more adventurous. I'm not saying I'm absolutely right in this but am just sharing ideas.
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Haha, well I do work as a Brand Strategist. It's something I'm extremely passionate about!
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Haha, well I do work as a Brand Strategist. It's something I'm extremely passionate about!
....It's always good to hear that someone enjoys their work - It makes all the difference :drinking:
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First off there is no problem whatsoever with Betty posting the idea here. it is exactly what this section is for( as in the name )
A lot of threads in this section are people having problems operating the forums/user controls's that to me is a user fault not a suggestion. :P
As for the theme we spent literally hours and hours picking this one out, The colours were chosen to represent the main colours of GTI's we see on the roads and the layout had to be simple so people with cars not computer savvy people could easily navigate around. Yes it does look slightly dated, but it is of the age of the MK 5 and i think as our Mk5's age the forums identity keeps in kilter.
The main point though is we are not here to attract members or sponsor's or advertiser's, and that in itself gives this place it's identity and uniqueness. As far as i am concerned as long as the seller of the stickers gives a fair cut of the proceed's to the running of the forum, then there can be 5000 design's if people want. We don't need there to be a cohesive design, were people say look there's that forum again i am going to check it out, because we simply don't need new members, because we are not tied to promotion. Obviously new member's enrich the forum but it's better that they come here looking for info rather than because they saw it was a popular place.
The ethos has not changed since the first day. This forum is purely an information based web-site for owners of the Mk5 platform. Here simply for us lot to share information about faults and products. All the meets and friendship's made, is just a really great by product of people being people and as long as we keep in our mind's the original ethos then it's not to hard to keep it working well without adding problem's. :drinking:
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So you don't want a £30K branding process carrying out?
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Nope! SteveP is a multi millionaire already, have you seen what he has spent of his car's. :laugh: but more importantly he is a very straight man. He does lots and lots to help people without a thought for money, and i am sure this place is no different or it would have happened long ago. :wink:
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Yeah, I totally see where you are coming from, and agree that it's overkill for a discussion forum.
However, I do think it's wrong to associate brands solely with making money. Take not-for-profit organisations for example. Regardless of what your offering is, be it a product, or a service, and whether paid for or not, it's important that your brand represents your organisations ethos, and is consistent across all it's touch points, be that packaging, the website, or even simply the manner in which an email is replied to.
Should someone see a car sticker in passing, then visit the website and see a totally different brand identity then they're less likely to feel comfortable because there is no familiarity between the two, no connection.
Anyway, I shall stop boring everyone. I told you I was passionate about branding :laugh: