Hi, All :howdy:

We are always looking for ways to improve the Sims 2 Community website. After examining the site closely, it has been decided that the front page (the main index page of the site) could use some creative enhancements.

Given the success of previous contests, it was decided to have another contest for the design of the Sims 2 Community website front page.

You don't need to run off and code anything, nor does anyone need to be a website developer to enter. All we are looking for is a basic layout template that shows where different features would be placed on the page. This can be done using any image editing program. Just upload a picture of what you think the best layout would look like. You don't need to worry about colors or logos (unless you REALLY want to).

If you're still wondering what this kind of template looks like, here is an old example of a template layout that I made before the site was created. It's just an idea that shows where features would be located -- it does not have to be "pretty":

(If you can't see the image below, click HERE.)




So now, it's up to you!

Please no chatter in this thread -- please post only to submit an idea

If you're not sure how to put a picture in your post, please click here to learn how to do it (and you can ask questions about posting pictures there too).

Pillze and Foamy, the two IRC bots, will be judging this contest. (After the S2C staff members vote, of course :P)

The contest winner will receive a custom user title, and credits at the footer of the page when it is published.

The deadline for submission is Sunday, 20 November.

Good luck, everybody! We can't wait to see the great ideas that you talented people come up with :popcorn:

At Delphy's request, I've re-submitted my entry.



Here's the accompanying logo:



Um, so about the design. This is a community site, so I was going for something that looks as such, hence the soft color shades and sort of "kid friendly" look. I attempted to choose icons for the blocks that would be easy for people to associate with each block's function. Instead of having to do in-depth reading into what a block does, they can come to the site and easily associate the speaker with the shout box, etc. This, in my opinion, makes the site more readily accessible to the younger population who are not always going to understand what does what, as well as those people who may have certain disabilities. I took that a step further and identified help links with a life saver, that way, people always know to look for the life saver when they need assistance with a particular function.

For the featured website, I sort of went for a video game box look. Most video game packages display icons for certain features of the game or console. In this case, the four icons at the bottom of the block would display the most informative traits of the website.

For the forum post lists, I compacted all of the areas into one block. Content could easily be swtiched out by Javascript by clicking the tabs at the top. Clciking the block title would return you to the main listing. This was done primarily to save people from having to scroll through a huge page in order to look at the content they need. This saves time for people with busy schedules and provides an overall sense of effeciency.

why no submission?
well.. here I am.. I'm not very good in this but I will give a try
Three version of the same layout - three different colors.
I guess that the bright blue version may be too bright while the pink version is inspired by the 'Hello Kitty' theme on MtS
Well.. now the entries..





I hate to be the first :screwy:
Mgh :banana:

so, this post is going with the "new layout" not new theme idea...i just threw this together in the past half hour. hope you like!

i wanted to keep it clean and simple, and minimize the information on the front page, so that we can keep it all on the front screen without scrolling. newbies need help! lol

Well... it's not very good, but might as well post it anyway, eh?

Well here is my attempt. I was thinking that one thing that would be really good to have would be a spot for a featured site. Also there is access to everything on the site on the front page. I made all of the links with blue buttons to make them easier to find and in the lower corner there is a box for helpful links. I think it makes it easier to find help if you get lost. It is set up so that you can see the last ten posts in each of the forum categories by clicking the link at the top of the box.

Here is my entry

Hi All,

Thanks for all the wonderful entries. We'll have a think and look at them all and come back with the winner soon.

Regards
Delphy

I am just wondering, was there ever a winner for this contest or did you all decide to keep the site the same as it is now?

Sorry for the lack of responce- We are mulling over a blend of ideas and with the holidays and other site things to work out this is slight back burnered at the moment- Rest assured we will update soon- thanks

I personally like this one:
Quote:

looks great. (NOTE THIS IS NOT BY ME, SCROLL UP FOR ORIGINAL POST

When will the contest results be in?

i like this one the best (note its not mine)

i love love love this one! go kate!

I love the above one as well. When will the voting be over?

i really love Kates..its just so nice and modern looking!

This is my fave:

Don't want to be a pooper, but isn't qouting pictures a bit annoying for people who have slow internet?