Page redesign...?

[1337brian]

Any word on if a redesign is in the works for TA? (*cough* arn *cough*) Mods?
Please don't get me wrong, I love TA and I can navigate it no problem, but I do have a few suggestions on things that could improve the overall layout...

[goblues11]

Please tell us your suggestions.
I am very interested

[No Hero]

if the site wants, I can think up + sketch up something...

[1337brian]

Please tell us your suggestions.
I am very interested

Well for one I would love a way to search games, in way that has them cataloged so to speak. And then possibly from there have the forums link from those pages, or have people add to those pages, i.e. cheats, screenshots, etc... Also the forums are good, and I just found about the social groups for one, but maybe like some have suggested avatars. I know some people asked about a chat room, I for one am against that idea, but I am really just interested if arn were planning any type of TA 2.0 in the future...?

[EDIT] - Also, the link to appshopper.com has been missing for about a month now...

[Zandog]

Already approached Arn about the idea, talked abit about it with him. Even designed a site (http://zandog.deviantart.com/art/Touch-Arcade-111908825). Here's what it summed up to be.

(09:20:31) zandog: The template I showed you caught the eye of one of my coders. he has a client looking for something similar. Are you interested?
(09:22:42) Arn - TA: yeah, it's nice, but I don't see us doing such a drastic redesign in the near future. appreciate the effort though.
(09:23:48) zandog: Okay. Not that you need it, but just trying to improve your image.
(09:24:45) Arn - TA: yeah. we could do with some design polish, but it's going to have to take back burner for now.

[arn]

do people really want a site redesign? :)

I'm open to suggestions, feel free to post your thoughts.

While Zandog's design looks nice, I'm not real interested in moving towards a magazine-style design.

arn

[1337brian]

@arn,
IMO, does it need a redesign? Not really, I've been perfectly happy with TA for a long time.
Could it be better? Always...I would like a better way to search through games. Mainly I started this thread because I wanted to know if it had been talked about, or in the works, and second wanted to know what the other members would want if there were a redesign.
Also I was wondering why you removed appshopper from the links..?

[rootbeersoup]

I think zandog's is cool, but WAYYYYYY too complicated.

[Zandog]

do people really want a site redesign? :) I'm open to suggestions, feel free to post your thoughts. While Zandog's design looks nice, I'm not real interested in moving towards a magazine-style design.
Sorry boss. Wasn't trying to put you on the spot. My design style varies so you know what to do if you just want a face lift.

I think zandog's is cool, but WAYYYYYY too complicated.

It's definately a power users website design. Too complicated? Not really. It's all the same content TA currently has, nothing more added. Just formatted differently. You should see the games section, Wow, organized. A quick rundown of the vision I had involved not only the gamers, but attracting the developers even more.

Main Page:
- News. Reviews/Previews of iDev games and the hardware accessories that surround them.
- Latest videos of upcoming games and point releases.
- Interviews with the developers of these innovative products both pre and post release.
- Keeping an achieve section of all posted material divided by software and hardware.
- Coop with actual sponsors and partners who would be willing to help finance our website operations in return for good advertising through the site and it's events.

Software:
- The software section would allow Arn or any TA staff to add and users to filter games based on its category. (game type, release date, user rating, developer, comments, cost, plus more)
- The developer of the game would have the option to participate and post blogs, media and extras regarding their games, give release dates for point releases and take feedback and comments without having to surf the forum for this information. (Direct developer to gamer hub for their games)
- Media for each app reviewed and previewed (descriptions, images, videos)
- The ability to compare games of the same genre by price, rating, user comments and # of updates so gamers can make it easier to decide what game is best suited for them.

Hardware:
- Product previews and reviews of accessories related to the iPlatform.
- Featured and archived articles regarding the peripherals and their developer.
- Reader feedback of these hardware accessories with a user review, pros, cons and other thoughts.

User Resources:
- Hosting events, competitions and giveaways held and organized through TA for TA or the developer.
- Developers Q&A where the gamers can ask questions of the developers.
- User created articles that can be up for consideration to be front page material.
- Specs, tips and techniques for keeping your device running and performing smooth.
- Podcast: What's the point without one.

Developer: (Private)?
- The developers hub for exchanging freelance and studio information, resources and job openings.
- Tutorials and techniques for developing on the iPlatform and it's peripherals.
- News lettering to the developers and industry happening and trends.
- iDevelopers Group meetings, notes and functions.

Forums:
Wow, why change the forum?


@arn,
IMO, does it need a redesign? Not really, I've been perfectly happy with TA for a long time. Could it be better? Always...Mainly I started this thread because I wanted to know if it had been talked about, or in the works, and second wanted to know what the other members would want if there were a redesign.

[dannys95]

No offence but I think it was Zandog's looks magazine like. Me no likey. Sorry; its good but no thanks.

[1337brian]

Wow Zandog, I think it looks nice!

[dsMediaLabs]

Here is a simple design update that would be pretty easy to implement based on your current layout.
http://dsmedialabs.com/images/forweb/touchArcade_Hm1.jpg

[dannys95]

@dsMediaLabs that looks awesome!!!!:eek:

where's arn?!! implement this NAO!!!

[TheOnePb]

BEA utifull!:)

Wauw.

[rootbeersoup]

I like zandog's look better... But I think the site needs to has some sort of emphasis on the iPhone part. So that new users will know it's an iPhone gaming site

[pablo19]

Which one is Zandogs? the one above is pretty cool, It'd be nice to change things up a bit here:D

[Zandog]

Which one is Zandogs? the one above is pretty cool, It'd be nice to change things up a bit here:D Although, I do like dsMediaLabs as well. Anything to make the site grow.

http://zandog.deviantart.com/art/Touch-Arcade-111908825

[pablo19]

WOW! I can;t believe how much work wen t into making these. I prefer Dsmedialabs for now, but as the site grows and more news come out Zandogs should end up taking over. just awesome:eek:

[dsMediaLabs]

Awesome site design Zandog, i agree with pablo19, as the site grows more information will be needed, and come-on now, TouchArcade is most surely gonna grow... It Rocks !!!

[pablo19]

Awesome site design Zandog, i agree with pablo19, as the site grows more information will be needed, and come-on now, TouchArcade is most surely gonna grow... It Rocks !!!

but as it is now, I believe your desing should be implemented before Zandogs. The site does need to grow but I don't want to have the same news on the main page for more than 4 days, which I think would be likely. If Zandogs desing is implemented arn and blakespot will need some help IMO.

[Zandog]

Awesome site design Zandog, i agree with pablo19, as the site grows more information will be needed
Don't be surprised if Arn approaches you for a redesign. Your work doesn't completely change the web scape like mine and It's got a elegant way bout it. Definitely an improvement.
If Zandogs design is implemented arn and blakespot will need some help IMO.
I thought about that and I know Arn made it a major factor in deciding if he wanted to go with a redesign. I'm sure he's thinking the same thing. Right now he's far to busy to get something like mine going and he'd need to have a reliable, dedicated and intelligent staff for article writing and graphic content. The rest of the site would run itself as outline in my post (http://forums.toucharcade.com/showpost.php?p=83894&postcount=9). I guess I'm a big presence type of thinker when it comes to steering a community and its content.

[PeterM11]

I personally think Zandog's redesign is beautifuly done and nice. I would like it a lot. i understand that if there is a redesign it wouldnt be like that but i say dont completely rule it out.

You should choose your favorite ideas and have us do a poll to see which ones are liked the most!!!

[Future777]

This site is perfect. It doesn´t need a re-design.
I love the accessibility and speed, this only works with a slick design like TA has.
However the new logo&font from dsmedialabs is the best proposal here :) (IMHO)


cheers
Future777

[pante]

i love touch arcade the way it is.
for example look at iphone games network.com - they changed design, and now it looks maybe more professional but there's definitely no spirit in it.

arn, blake and all the guys - leave it the way it looks now. perfect.

[TheOnePb]

i love touch arcade the way it is.
for example look at iphone games network.com - they changed design, and now it looks maybe more professional but there's definitely no spirit in it.

arn, blake and all the guys - leave it the way it looks now. perfect.

No, that site just doesn't work anymore, because they changed the interface (beautiful), but the usage went back to about 50%.

It should just be one column with news, reviews, all in 1 column, sorted by date!

[arono]

TA rocks the way it is right now but the design of dsmedialabs rocks it would give the page a more elegant look

Ps I love that print in the word touch in the design of dsmedialabs

[iKoda]

Yeah, a new layout would be great. A new background colour could be a nicer purple. The TA Icon could be more glossy. It's endless.

[BrettArchibald]

Here is a simple design update that would be pretty easy to implement based on your current layout.

Nice-ish — but that's merely a cosmetic change with no structural changes made. So in that case I'd ask, why change it?
*IF* anything needs to be changed, it would be how things "work", not how they "look". IMO.

Zandog's is a structural change, but wowee — information overload! Aargh!... too much... don't know where to look first... can't process...

TBH, I think the site is just fine as it is now. When it's viewed on the desktop, that is.
What I WOULD really like to see is a stylesheet implemented for iPhone / iPod users to re-format the same info in a way much more suited to viewing on the small screen.
Kinda like iLounge and TUAW have — check out the links below, using your iPhone / iPod (or using the "Mobile Safari" setting under the "Develop > User Agent" menu in your desktop Safari browser - for those who have this hack enabled):

http://www.ilounge.com/mobile
http://i.tuaw.com

[G0tsk1llz]

do people really want a site redesign? :)

I'm open to suggestions, feel free to post your thoughts.

While Zandog's design looks nice, I'm not real interested in moving towards a magazine-style design.

arn

I personally like the original design :)

[dannys95]

I personally like the original design :)

I like the original but wish some things from dsMediaLab's template was integrated. Like the fingerprint on the top and the green and white or grey forum topics.

[PeterM11]

Hey, I just wanted to say that I completely love this site to death.

And I love how the forums are being split up more (e.g. upcoming games) and it makes it a lot easier to find things.
BUT, I think it makes things a bit more cluttered and now involves a lot of scrolling up and down to check forums.

I personally think that this may be causing a greater demand for a site re-design that will offer a less cluttered more polished off look to the site.

I was thinking of maybe something that would also let you change things (by having your account and signing in) such as and iGoogle page where you can move different columns around. This way everyone would be happy with the way the site looked to them, and it would still have a design similar across the board to every user. Also this could let you sign into your account from the main page instead of the forums and you could use this to post comments on posts more easily.

My idea is to post a contest for site devs or talented artists to sketch up a mockup of a new design for the site. Then the admins can narrow it down to a top 5 or 10 or something and let the members of the site to vote on it through a poll. And then maybe the winning designer could win a prize or something.

What do you guys think??

[goblues11]

Hey, I just wanted to say that I completely love this site to death.

And I love how the forums are being split up more (e.g. upcoming games) and it makes it a lot easier to find things.
BUT, I think it makes things a bit more cluttered and now involves a lot of scrolling up and down to check forums.

I personally think that this may be causing a greater demand for a site re-design that will offer a less cluttered more polished off look to the site.

I was thinking of maybe something that would also let you change things (by having your account and signing in) such as and iGoogle page where you can move different columns around. This way everyone would be happy with the way the site looked to them, and it would still have a design similar across the board to every user. Also this could let you sign into your account from the main page instead of the forums and you could use this to post comments on posts more easily.

My idea is to post a contest for site devs or talented artists to sketch up a mockup of a new design for the site. Then the admins can narrow it down to a top 5 or 10 or something and let the members of the site to vote on it through a poll. And then maybe the winning designer could win a prize or something.

What do you guys think??
I think that is a great idea

[yourofl10]

Good idea or where you can switch the CSS of the site at the bottom of the page like this:


Normal View | New View



Or something like it. I like the current one tho

[PeterM11]

Good idea or where you can switch the CSS of the site at the bottom of the page like this:


Normal View | New View



Or something like it. I like the current one tho
yeah. that would be a great thing to have at the bottom for people who prefer the current style and look.