MASA getting a tad busy

Please would you be so kind as to have a look at www.mosaicassociationsa.ning.com and give me some idea how to stop it being so cluttered, yet still be able to feature all the exciting things happening at the same time.

We have just over 200 members and there is a lot happening, I would like to keep the site exciting for all new visitors, yet am reluctant to let some of the good stuff go into hiding.

Any suggestions would be most welcome!

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Permalink Reply by Janettee McCrary on January 22, 2010 at 1:02pm

Honestly, I don't see it getting too cluttered. Because the site is closed, I would keep the content on the main page so visitors can see that there is activity, and it looks like a lot of fun! I'm not a mosaic artist, and I already want to join:) Maybe you can teach me:) LOL

Anyhow I did notice some "busy"... The background. I would use a plain green background. You already have a MASA logo on the header. All the MASA logo background does for me is make my eyes want to go to it instead of your content. If you use a plain background, the beautiful Mosaics will be plenty of decoration for your site:)

Also I would try to get the left, middle and right sides to be more even in height... You have a lot of content in the middle column but very little on the sides, so that half of the page is empty on the left and right. In fact, you might even want to create a wide column instead of the two smaller columns. If you do that, I would place your "Members" section at the top (1 row) have your featured artist, a photo slideshow, and then your blog (still with full blog, but maybe a few more posts so you can show off the beautiful photographs). You could then put all of your left-column content on the right column. I would completely remove the description and notes sections, and minimize everything in the right column, perhaps down to 5 items per box, with titles only.

Just my opinion, hope it helps:)

Permalink Reply by Cher Cahn on January 23, 2010 at 10:46am

Janette - Thanks so much for your wonderful, constructive and more important of all VERY valid suggestions. I LOVE your ideas and am going to implement them as soon as I figure out how:)

Permalink Reply by Janettee McCrary on January 23, 2010 at 3:51pm

You are welcome, and if you need any help, just ask:) I created a blog about combining the columns, which I linked to in my suggestions. Just look for the BLUE letters (create a wide column), that's the link.

Permalink Reply by Cher Cahn on January 23, 2010 at 11:46am

Oh - and if you do happen to be in the Pretoria area ... would love to have you round for a mosaic lesson:)

Permalink Reply by Janettee McCrary on January 23, 2010 at 3:52pm

Unfortunately I'm in the US so I can't join in:( But it looks like a lot of fun, hubby and I go to hobby stores and have thought about learning mosaic and things like it (stained glass, etc)

Permalink Reply by Cher Cahn on January 23, 2010 at 12:22pm

Hi Janettee -
Being big and strong and brave have done all you suggested! Have some questions however....
1. Members on 1 line --- although I have 14 Featured members the line only shows 9 and leaves a rather large gap on the right
2. The description has gotten lost which was the basic idea I think
3. Still deciding on what to do with the Ntoes which I will probably turn into a Discussion
4. The "dummy" that Jen did looks kinda nice too - how do I get the "old" format back of I want to try both??

Thanks for all your comments - this is absolutely wonderful!

Permalink Reply by Janettee McCrary on January 23, 2010 at 4:12pm

OK I have a possible solution but I'm spending time with hubby on his day off so I'll get back to you tomorrow. The solution would give you a single column for all of your content except for your members & description, which would solve the issue of the gap:) Then you could place those on the top line and have everything else big below:)

Permalink Reply by Janettee McCrary on January 24, 2010 at 8:17pm

OK I created a mock version of your site on my test site, go check it out HERE so you can see what I'm talking about:) I'll be deleting it when you are sure you're done with it:) I combined the description and the welcome box, btw. Hopefully, even though there is very little content, you can see what I'm talking about somewhat:)

NC for HirePermalink Reply by Jen on January 22, 2010 at 1:21pm

Hi Cher,
I agree with Janettee. And especially on the "not busy" as far as content goes, but the background is a little too much for my eyes. Actually the dark colors are not my preference. But, that's just me. If you decide to change the background, I'm not sure I'd go with green, but try to go with something solid and light, to lighten up the whole site.

Here's a screen shot of what your site would look like with lighter colors, and the column shift that Janettee suggested.

Best of luck, and interesting site!
Jen

Permalink Reply by Janettee McCrary on January 22, 2010 at 2:05pm

I'm just not liking the all-white version. The black sticks out like a sore thumb. BTW how on earth did you do this?

Oh and no that's not what I mean.. I mean ONE column on the left (combine the left and right) and then the right hand column.

NC for HirePermalink Reply by Jen on January 22, 2010 at 2:24pm

Hi Janettee,
I guess I'm into white right now. But realize, that's just my personal preference.

Can you clarify on "how on earth did you do this?" Sorry, not real sure what you're asking. If you're asking about the wide column on left, I just move the wide column to the far left. Let me know, and I'll provide a link to the code.
Best,
Jen
:-)

Permalink Reply by Janettee McCrary on January 22, 2010 at 6:58pm

Oh lol I meant how did you recreate her site? And I still think it would look better with one wide column and one small column (instead of two small columns and one wide column)