WriterFeed Mock-up

So I'm finally pushing forward with WriterFeed, and I've put together an almost complete mock-up of what the front page of the site will look like. However, it's a layout that you don't normally see, so I'd love your feedback on it:

http://www.writerfeed.com/mockup.php

Caveats:

- It's fairly grey right now, but that's mostly because the thumbnails are just a generic 64 by 64 image. Once the site is done, the thumbnails will add a lot of color to the page.

- I have not optimized it for mobile yet. This is only a mockup for desktop users.

- The links don't go anywhere, although you can click around in the sidebar menu.


Anyways, please check it out! As I said, it's an unusual layout, so I'd like to know if it's worth pursuing or not.

This is so cool! I really really like it, it feels so much more mature than YWS in its layout (and that's not just the colour). Are the examples of things posted there just the most recent ones posted on the site? So you could filter it to be writing or analysis or hints and tricks or links, or to be just the people you follow?

I am still incredibly excited for WriterFeed, and I really like this! I also like how the front page reflects exactly what WriterFeed suggests by its name. It's a feed- for writers.

(also not gonna lie I totally clicked on the 'Library in Dublin' link even though I know it'd be blank)

(also I want to name my first child Tristan McGillyson now)

I like the flat design, though the color scheme is too bland for my liking. I think something a little more flashy to make it seem more fun and exciting would do wonders. Maybe oranges and stuff. Maybe look into Flat UI: http://designmodo.github.io/Flat-UI/ instead of bootstrap for a css framework that's natively more colorful.

Also, I'm not too sure what communities are. It seems like they're a bit of everything really.

Otherwise, I like that it feels much cleaner and smaller than YWS. Thumbs up.

EDIT: After a little Googling, looks like flatstrap might be better for you then Flat-UI. It's much closer to bootstrap, but its optimized for flat design. Unfortunately the site seems to be down at the moment but you can get a taste of flatstrap here: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Script-o ... 9652.shtml

I don't like how the red clashes with the blue. I think you should just have blue and no red. This would appeal to members of yws as well because they are used to blue.

As a completely personal thing that follows:

Spoiler

I don't really like the grey flat bar it reminds me of windows 8. I hate windows 8.

Thanks all for leaving your feedback so far! At this point, it's really just the layout I'm concerned about since it's a type of layout that's not widely used; stuff like colors isn't important right now, and anything besides bland colors would defeat the purpose of a mock-up.

StellaThomas wrote:Are the examples of things posted there just the most recent ones posted on the site? So you could filter it to be writing or analysis or hints and tricks or links, or to be just the people you follow?

Yep! The Front Page pulls in the best stuff that's been posted on the site, and then you can go to individual communities (user-created like YWS clubs) to filter it to a specific subject. However, I hadn't planned on filtering it to just people you follow, but that's a great idea!

Communities will also be organized under sections much like YWS groups used to be. That way, if you just want to read a poem, you can go to the poetry section instead of hunting through multiple poetry communities.

Master_Yoda wrote:Also, I'm not too sure what communities are. It seems like they're a bit of everything really.

They're like YWS clubs in that they'll be user-created, meaning they really are a bit of everything. In the mock-up, though, I just made up a really long list in order to test the scroll when the sidebar is taller than the main window. But, when a user first joins, they'll be a member of just a few default communities (Welcome Mat for example).

Well, the submit links on the right seem to merge in with the ad space?
Is it possible to maybe place it on the sidebar?
I'm not sure about the usage aspects.. just a thought.

I do like the clean/flat look. It's nice.

I'm one of those who doesn't really like scrolly sidebars, so in that vein, I'd prefer if communities linked to a page with the list.

But, overall, I think it's a really nice home page/front page.