Thursday, May 27, 2010

Choosing the layout

Guys, the more I think about it, the more I realize that the original layout won't work.

First of all, I've had multiple people go on the page and NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND GAMES. This is errr... pretty much unacceptable.

Secondly, the page will have more and more games... hundreds, and eventually thousands. Remember how two years ago the site only had 3 games? They can't all be on one page.

I think realistically, option 3 is really the only option. Thanks to all of you for your awesome feedback. I don't know what I was thinking trying out that second version without consulting the blog ;)

I'm gonna go with option 3 but it's not polished yet so I'm open to suggestions on it. For example:
- is the current colour scheme ok?
- should i replace the flowers in the logo with dolls?
- what should be added or removed from the section on the bottom of the pages?
- any other features you'd like to see? how bout in-progress pics of dolls as I work on them?
- more or less categories? which ones?

50 comments:

  1. I think the new layout looks good, just make sure that you have a category for classic doll divine games :)

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  2. I vote a different color scheme, just for something different (I know the site will pretty much be entirely different) I think you should put links to the categories at the bottom of each page. Wow, it's been two years since I've been going on this site...

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  3. Yes! Links to the categories on each page makes a lot of sense. Good idea!

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  4. I definately think this version is the best! I also think a category for the Doll Divine dolls would be a good idea, they're generally the ones I play the most so being able to go straight to them instead of through all the other categories would be great.
    Personally I find everything else fine, though a new colour-scheme would be fun.

    Aris

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  5. I really love the colourscheme as it is now. But perhaps it would not be bad to chance it, since you change the rest of the layout as wel.
    For the categories I was thinking there allright now, except that some games I would not put in some categories, and I think you're kinda loosing the point of categories if you put games in different categories at the time... I just think that 'fashion' is a bit of a weird term, I just don''t see the Hogwartsmaker as 'fashion'. (Also counts for warrior and pirate).

    I do think the flowers should stay!(Unless use change the colourscheme, white-pink with for example darkblue/yellow/green/orange/something look rather weird... but a replacement should be found!

    I did like the possibilty to go to games by the bottom, but when your having more games the would become kinda impossible.
    I think the in progress is fine as it is.
    PS: love your work:)

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  6. Love the new layout, but I suggest instead of having all the games displayed (especially in the fantasy section) on the front page, have three preview pics under each section and then a link to another page which contains all of them. Of course, I know this could be pricey, so I really don't mind whatever layout you choose.

    x Madi

    (So excited for pinup maker btw! :D )

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  7. I like the current colour scheme, but I think that maybe a graphic facelift wouldn't be a poor idea. The flowers are pretty, but they don't say much about DollDivine as a unique entity, you know?
    Also, in-progress pictures would be awesome.
    Other than that, I think the third layout design is great. I really look forward to the changes!

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  8. NOOO!!!! The original is amazing and all you need is to add a page for the new games, or have a seperate couple of pages for DollDivine and other-website games! Please back to the original! Keep the flowers! Please, Ola!

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  9. I think in-progress pictures would be great! Also, I think the flowers would look good. Maybe a blue color scheme would be nice. I love blue. :) And if you do change the color scheme, I think a picture of blue flowers would look better. I think the changes will take some getting used to, but they're great! I love Doll Divine!

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  10. I'm glad you liked my idea! I agree with Voyagefan, a blue color scheme would be good, blue is one of my favorite colors. I was wondering, who's making the pinup maker and the elven fashion? They look really good, I'd love to see some their other art!

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  11. I like the current colour sceme, I like the flowers, and I generally like your mock up of the third option, but I still think shange the font (it doesn't look that professional in the mock up) and if you have the pictures with them, have them smaller.
    Other than that it's good, but I still prefer the in progress bar at the top than at the side.

    ~Ali

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  12. please show in progress pics of dolls!!!! i do like the colour scheme (kind of lolita, don't you think?). i like the flowers for the logo. can't wait for anthro!

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  13. i dont really care if you change the background or not. I know it will look great either way! Are you going to change the preview pics of all the dolls? maybe you could have a contest or something and use the winner's doll. i like idea 3, but i think you should change the font. i dont think it matters if you put the same doll in different categories. I know you will do a great job either way!

    Luna ))

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  14. i hate the 3rd layout so much OLa, i'm sorry. the categories are massive and in your face and the pictures on them come up all ugly and pixelized. i really can't stand it.. i think the 3rd layout looks the least professional and would prefer the 2nd one over it (but of course i'd prefer if you kept the website the same as it has been). i'm not happy with the changes, please don't make anymore, i don't want to be completely turned off from the site.

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  15. I think its way to complicated the way it is now. Maybe you could make the first page your games, and then a second page titled as the other games that you didnt make/help make. Anyway, my little brother cant wait for the dragon game. He always sees me play your games, and then one day he saw that and always asks when it will be done. Keep up the good work, and cant wait for the new games!!!!!

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  16. Wow, it's so weird. OLa, don't change it, and definetly dont change the colour. Flowers are fine! When you do have hundreds of games, then you can change it, but it's fine, honestly. Why are you changing it anyway??????? There's no problems!!!

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  17. - is the current colour scheme ok?
    - should i replace the flowers in the logo with dolls?

    I don't think, dolls would look good on a Logo or something this kind, but a new colour sheme and other folwers (or something else) would look nice.
    Also I think the current pink/purple colors give your page the image of some "little girls" page

    - what should be added or removed from the section on the bottom of the pages?

    I don't know if anyone uses this google ads ting (I don't), but having all the languages listet up on the main page would be nice.

    - any other features you'd like to see? how bout in-progress pics of dolls as I work on them?

    Hey, that would be really nice.

    - more or less categories? which ones?

    -Folk and Historical
    -Fantasy
    -21'th century
    -animals
    -fan art

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  18. A new picture for the anthro maker!!! *flails around*

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  19. I think a change of scenery could be cool, I know a lot of people above me said blue which would be nice. I think you should keep the flowers, again it looks nice (of course with a change of color if you change the page color).

    Can't wait for the new dolls!!! :)

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  20. Do you think you could put your dolls/collaborations in different sections that the ones from other sites except for the animal maker section?

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  21. I like the color scheme mostly because it's just familiar. Too many of the sites I frequent have been changing their layouts and it's kind of weirding me out. >.O But I'll get used to it eventually, so I guess it doesn't really matter.

    I like the third option (index 3, is it?), but I also think it'd be nice if you had a section for your dolls, and then a section for the other dolls.

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  22. I like the layout you have it set to now (: (index2?) I just seems more clean to me. And a change of colour scheme would be nice. Blue would look really pretty. :D I ♥ your work! Can't wait for the anthro maker!

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  23. I agree with the comment above. Oh, and OLa, can you return the list of your dolls at the bottom of the page? It means that after you play a game, you just scroll down and select another rather than go back to the homepage again and again.

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  24. BRAINWAVE! Keep the colour scheme! LOL don't know what came over me... I've been weirding my friends out recently xoxo

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  25. I love your site pretty much how it is but it would be awesome to see in-progress pictures of the dolls you're working on. I personally don't think you should change it because it gets confusing when people change their sites too much, but even if you do I'll still love your site ^^ Can't wait for the anthro maker!

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  26. Guys, go and click on the 3rd sample again! OLa changed it and it looks awesome! :D

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  27. i think the colors are nice but could change the layout of ur sample is amazing and i vote for it and u should keep the flowers bc it keeps elegents to ur page

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  28. Hi! Like the new scheme!

    btw I love all of your games and can't wait for the new ones to come out!

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  29. Ooooh, new sample! It looks great! :D

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  30. I love, love, love it! Perfect! I love the section for DollDivine only games too, I think that's a great idea.

    Two things,
    1) in the 'Fashion' category, it says the games are 'media-inspired', i.e. same as the 'Media' category, so I think that's a mistake..
    2) Maybe for the DollDivine only games, you could make a wee picture of that at the side too? It just comes up at Fantasy at the side.

    But that's it! I think it works well, I love the pictures for the categories. Also, maybe Warrior Maker could also fit with Folk?

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  31. Ooooooh, I like the new layout. I still vote for a different color scheme and I noticed the problems Ali mentioned. Otherwise I LOVE it!

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  32. The new layout is much better. I like it, and I like that you seperated your dolls and other people's work within the categories. At first I was totally against the changes but now I really like how the site looks

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  33. I tried to comment but that gay error came up again... Anyhow, I love the new layout, the pics for the different catogories are really good! And I like how you've seperated your games from the work of others. Anyway, love the new layout and I'm a huge fan of your work.

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  34. @Jessamine Diane you have missed used the word "gay" gay means having or showing a lively mood; bright or showy; dissipated; or a word for homosexuals.

    I like the new set up alot, although if I'm not mistaken the status bars were alot further along than they are now oh well everything looks good.
    -Arianna

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  35. I looove the new Korean Queen doll.
    And I do really like the layout, the preview pics are beautiful!

    THE EYES BLINK!! It stunned and amazed me and I love it!

    Aris

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  36. I'm in love with the category icons.
    (And the Korean Queen game is grand!)

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  37. the koren queen rocked!!

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  38. I love the new layout! The pictures are just great. And the Korean Queen game is awesome. Love it!

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  39. Wow!! The new Layout looks awsome!!! Great Job!!

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  40. ok so i love the new layout and the Korean queen doll is beautiful! i love how they have the pictures of a few different dolls in the category and the different colors in the background from the real dolls and the ones you are working on is cool to. Questions: do you think they would ever consider putting the warrior doll and the queen together in the same game? and with the anthro maker be full body or just from the chest up? and as always good job on well... everything :P

    ~K~

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  41. BTW, if you don't want me using one of your dollmakers as my avatar, just say and I'll change it. =-)

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  42. @Jessamine Diane, yes, you did use it wrong. You used gay as an insult, like being gay was a terrible thing when it isn't. There are many other words to be used in these situations. 'Gay' is not one of them and I would appreciate it if you didn't use gay as an insult again.

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  43. @ jessamine and arriana

    STOP IT! using gay like that is wrong jessamine, only 12 year-olds are that pathetic. so just stop the arguing

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  44. I love the layout, I love the site, I LOVE EVERYTHING! Keep up the great work, OLa, your site is amazing.

    P. S. I've been practicing my art a bit more(even though it's GHASTLY!!!!!!), and I was wondering if you had any advice for beginners? Thanks! ;)

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  45. i like the new layout. it's easier to find certain games now. i know this has nothing to do with the layout thing but since you made a great sailor moon game, i figured i'd request a powerpuff girls z game. that show is awesome and i'd love to make my own powerpuff girl. i figured you would do a great job since your games have such a variety in colors and clothes!

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  46. Even on Doll Divine I get yelled at.

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  47. OLa, I have to say that I wasn't too impressed by the preview, but the new layout is great! Anthro Maker and Korean Queen are some of the best games you have released yet, but I would like to combine the Korean Queen and Warrior Doll into one, like the four elements. Keep up the good work and don't change the colour scheme.

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  48. I like the idea of replacing the flowers with dolls, and I'm glad you're open to the idea of a new color scheme.
    I'd recommend blue or green, or, if you're up to it, I know a few websites that have different options that you can choose.

    And maybe if you want to do the in-progress dolls you can have it so if we hover over the preview we can see what they'd look like.

    Also, I think it would be nice if you had another catigory of games with the ones you didn't make.
    Though for the record, I prefer yours.

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  49. Also, in the Fashion category you have it as DOLL DIVINE MEDIA-INSPIRED GAMES and OTHER MEDIA-INSPIRED DRESS UP GAMES instead of fashion :)

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  50. Okay. You have an area to just access your dolls. Can you make an area for just other people's dolls?

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