New lambwatch site design...

First impressions are incredibly important when it comes to websites - a person can be put off from continuing to browse a site within the first few seconds of visiting if the design isn't up to scratch - even if the content is "unique" as LambWatch(!) and let's face it, the current look of LambWatch isn't the most aesthetically pleasing. For want of better words, it is a bit square and boring. So that is why we decided to let Tim, a freelance web designer and good friend of LambWatch, get his hands on it, to see what he can come up with in terms of a new, more fun and fresher look to the site and this is what he has sketched up today in about 5 mins as a blueprint.... There is no date for the new design to be implemented yet. It will take a lot of hard work by Tim for which we are very very thankful!

Please do post your thoughts and opinions on it here (you will need to register using the link in the top right I am afraid - it is quick though - promise!) as we will consider them all and incorporate as many as possible to ensure your LambWatch experience really is the best it can possibly be! We will be implementing the usual scenery changes and there will be a few new nice touches too! Don't worry if your computer or internet is not as fast as others' - the new site design will be equally if not more accessible than this one!

The design looks good, cant really see what it wil be like unless impemented. I had a thought for querkyness maybe you could have the mouse pointer when you enter the site change to a sheep and have a row of sheep trailing when you move the pointer? Just an idea, Ive no knowledge on web design. Look forward to seeing the new design in practice :)

Thanks for the ideas Christine. I will take your ideas onboard, however in my experience mouse pointer effects are really inaccessible and cause bad issues for other browsers - it is difficult to determine how it appears on other people's computers! For example - have a look at this... lol

I agree with Christine that it is difficult to make an assessment without seeing a proper copy (as it were). If this is to be the front page then it does look interesting. Will it be possible to have a 'beta' page for us to comment on first before it is put into the actual site?

Yep - we will put a beta page when it is ready - we will apply the new looks say to the homepage first and get some feedback on there.... as that will be the most "exciting" of the pages, with all the latest information and feature updates etc :)

That sounds very good. I look forward to seeing it and I do appreciate the fact that you are allowing us, the community, to have an input into the design etc.

wow, I slept all day, and look what I found when I woke up, you all have been busy over there. I think it looks good, thanks for giving us a chance to give our opinions. I can't believe someone can do that in 5 minutes, I'm sure the actual site is going to be fantastic.

Here is the next step in Tim's design! What do you think? :) He says that the colours and textures need refining a bit more like on the wall and things but you can see at least how it is progressing! There is also going to be a sheep in the foreground just this side of the wall :)

Looks a bit cartoony for me, is that the look you are after? Looks ok. :)

Hi Christine, I was expecting this reaction to be honest. Perhaps in anticiaption of the disappointment that is likely to be caused for some people there will be an option to enable "cartoon mode" just like there is an option for lite mode. I imagine you will not be the only person disappointed. I personally do like the cartoony effect as it adds to the fun of the site but I understand your sentiments. Will try and get it to a stage where everyone is happy. It is early days yet though and there is a long way to go. Don't worry though I wont be happy unless everyone is happy lol :P

I would really appreciate some feedback from ALL lambwatch watchers on this as the site is for everyone. If you would rather not post your thoughts on here, you can do so by emailing me at digitaldanuk@yahoo.co.uk - I wont be happy unless everyone is happy and will try my best to accommodate everyone's thoughts. Please please do voice your opinions either on here or email - as developers and designers, Tim and I are used to a bit of criticism! Thick skin comes with the territory :) I will just say though that the pic above is not the final product. It is there to give you a flavour of what it is to be like so that you can have a little taste, and see if it has a bitter, sweet or cardboardy aftertaste :P Then we can add a bit of spice, maybe some herbs or even some bland bread if it is too spicy! Ok I will stop with the food analogy now - it is lunch time and I am getting hungry :)

I know I haven't been here long, so I feel funny weighing in on this, but on the otherhand, that's never stopped me from giving my opinion before! I love the Lambwatch sign at the top, but not so much the background, that part is a little too cartoony.

Hi Nora :) Just cos you have only recently found the site doesnt make your opinions any less valid! :D I understand what you mean though. Is there anything in particular that you don't like about the background though - do you think it will be too overpowering? If so, the final version will be a lot more toned down. Christine... what are your thoughts on the sign at the top? What I will say in defence of the "drawn" approach above is that it gives us incredible flexibility when it comes to reflecting current weather and seasonal conditions on the actual site... like when it is snowing we can make a nice snowy scene, when it rains we can have the sheep all huddled under the tree, at Christmas we can have a little "spot the santa", and eggs at easter, halloween scenes and so on - the imagination is the limit with this approach. Also, the drawn version is basically going to look (I have seen the latest version and we have flipped it horizontally) just like a "cartoon" version of the lambwatch set... we are adding bits and pieces to the design to make it look just like how the lambwatch set is in real life.... My main issue with the current design is the multitude of links at the top of the page, most of which do not get used. One thing that the new design will have is a new "features" section that will include all the, well, features such as the visitors page, the sightings, the competition.... and it will also open up a whole load of new possibilities that I have not been able to do so far due to the lack of space up there! For exmaple, I have visions of downloadable wallpapers, counting sheep mini-games, screensavers, "where's Ranvir" games (a bit like where's wally but with Ranvir seeing as she likes to hide!) and all sorts! All of these can go in the features section :)

Hi Dan I dont mean to offend with my comments. I am sure we Lambwatchers will get used to any site. I just think personally for me it looks more like a kids site than for all ages. I think the ability to switch between web skins for the site is a good idea, just like JK Rowling when she released an adult version and kids version of Harry Potter. The design of the sign is ok but I think its just too cartoony, reminds me of Shaun the Sheep lol :p I'll be happy with whatever design you are happy with. I just thought the colours were too bright, the grass too green lol :p

I agree with you, no one seems to use the forum, I dont know why...

I think the new Cartoony design looks quite good, it looks alot cleaner and more colourful and less cluttered. The existing design is fine, it functions well and does its job...But as the website expands I guess that you'll have to do something about the 14 Links on the top of this 800pixel (or so) wide layout. I guess thats were you'll be placing most of these links in the "Features Page". Bring on the new design, as long as the functionality of the website is the same (or better) then I'm sure that it'll be a big improvement.

Regarding the "I just think personally for me it looks more like a kids site than for all ages.", surely getting Kids involved with animals (even if it is on a webcam level) is better than them going on the more "dangerous" websites on the internet. A wider demographic would not be a bad thing :P

Nathan I dont mind a wider demographic following, Im just coming from experience, that if an adult sees something that looks too kiddyfied (made up word Im afraid! lol), then Im afraid they wont stay!!

Hiya Christine - you made some v good points thanks :) we need to strike a balance hmm... food for thought! Sorry i do keep going on about food ok im gonna have some dinner now.

Well,just had a look at the new design and sorry(if it upsets anyone) it reminds me of the Teletubbies programme for the under 5's. Is it possible to have one of the photo's of Billie,Gordon and Ranvir and some of the other sheep/lambs(real life)next to the Lambwatch sign that MrC made on as the homepage. Then surely it would still be possible to change the background for the seasons of the year.

I think the new design is really quirky and eyecatching, although I have to admit that I would miss the photo of the lamb which currently resides at the top of the page. Will you be adding the birdfeeder? The ideas for seasonal changes to the page at christmas, easter etc sound fab. Also I'm sure that being able to play games and download wallpapers and screensavers would prove really popular. Thanks for giving the fans the opportunity to have an input. :-)

I do really like your idea about the easter hunt etc...

I quit...... :(

Only Kidding...... all ideas and critiques will be taken on board. Dan and I will keep ou posted on further developments. :)

myF1dream.com thinks the new design needs further development, whats wrong with the cartoon look though, has any one seen hencam.co.uk. Cheers Ashley http://myf1dream.com - for a brighter future together

Aww I think we should all give tim a hug lol. Here is Tim's latest shot... as you can see Tim has used a more neutral background colour, has toned down the sun abit to make it less telly tubby like (hopefully?) and switched the tree from the other side, and also added a sheep. We will probably be making the sign smaller in the top so it takes up less space, we will be adding a bird feeder to the scene and also a little webcam fixed on to the tree then the scene is complete. We will also be thinking of a way to perhaps link in / overlay some real scenes onto it too of Ranvir and co.. but it is still very much work-in-progress...

I do like the improvement to the design and the ideas for the future. It would be nice to incorporate Ranvir, Gordon and Billie somewhere too as has been suggested already.

Hi Margaret - I am thinking we could use the blank area to the right of the sign to show rotating "post-it" note style real-life pics of some of the lambwatch characters including B, R and and G and also the pheasant the squirrel, lottie and company :)

Yes, that would be a great idea Dan. I feel quite excited about the plans you have outlined. :)

Here is tim's latest shot.... with ranvir modelling the mentioned post-it note style pics in the top right - final pics will obviously not all be of ranvir but she was the closest thing we had to a model lol

I like the post it notes on the top of the page. Nice thought :)

I love this version of the site design. The colours are much better and the contents immediately catch your attention. The sign with all the bugs is ideal as all the Lambwatchers know that Dan is an expert on insects. The opportunity to insert different post-it pictures of the stars of Lambwatch is brilliant. This is definitely my favourite version to date.

"expert on insects" lol what a compliment! Im wouldnt say I was an expert hehe but I do enjoy learning about all creatures great and small :P

Hi Dan, I hope you liked my comment abouthow I heard about Lambwatch. I prefer the latest version too and would of course like Billie (although no longer with us :( )Ranvir, Gordon to be included along with the other famous faces we all know and love to bits. Well done Dan and Tim on the redesigning of the site.

The latest page design looks really good. The post-it note pics are great so that we still get to see real life sheep aswell as the cartoon ones. Keep up the good work Tim and Dan, it's coming on well :-)

I like the latest version, great idea having the post-its at the top. (and I happen to be a Shaun the Sheep fan, BTW!) I think it's looking good, and I don't think it will turn off adults, but hopefully attract more families.

Could the links be listed downwards on the left or righthand side of the page rather than across the top? It would give extra space for new pages to be added.

i like all the versions so far. my only qualm is with the spider. i just don't like spiders. :)

Love the new design, Dan and Tim. I'm not very technically minded, so I don't have any ideas of my own. I do like the season change thing and games idea. But mostly, just want you to know how much we appreciate all your hard work!

Hi Dan and Tim, like the new design a lot just wondering if the temp/windspeed etc info at the top will still be included as I like that aspect ? Cathie

As the birdfeeder plays such a main part in Lambwatch could Tim find room for it in his latest design. The squirrel now seems to appear daily so perhaps he could be added.

Yep we will see if we can fit the feeder and webcam and maybe even a cheeky squirrel into the scene but I am concerned it might look too cluttered.... will have a go anyway and see what we can come up with! In terms of the weather - I'd like to keep it too - particularly the temp, wind speed and icon, its just a case of deciding where to put it so that it fits in ! :D

D'oh - I kind of like it how it is. I do sometimes wonder though if the alternative cam position might be better as that view seems to have sheep on it more often.

I like the new design and think it's a good idea to have photo's of the different sheep/lambs in the post-it notes. Well done Dan and Tim.

Hi Maria - when you say "the alternative cam position", what do you mean exactly?

Well you may have noticed that two of the pages on this site have been switched to the new design - the chat page and the homepage, with some added features like the movable polaroid pics in the top! Just one of the many features I plan to implement over the coming days / weeks!

Like what you have done with the two new webpages Dan, look forward to you implementing it to all the links.

I think the new design looks great. I'm glad to see the temp, I like comparing it to mine here (and wishing it was so cool!) It looks very "shiny" and new, very attractive. Great job!

Loving the new design especially the drag and drop :)