Gaia Site Re-design Comments Welcomed

[Adien_Alexander]

Trumpster

Mr. MooCow

Although I don't like the new-layout as a whole, but I like the tropical kids.

So screw you.

I liked the original constantly expanding row of anime kids, so screw you!

Here here!

[vampyre.xephon]

deaf_by_music

vampyre.xephon

deaf_by_music

Personally, I preferred the original site design. I mean, the second design was alright...I did have some problems with it...but it turned out okay. But seriously, what was the original purpose behind the original Gaia Online (formerly known as "Go Gaia" wink ? Wasn`t the site`s aim more towards the anime, manga, gamer, and fans of Japan? That`s what I thought anyhow. Now...I suppose Gaia is aiming for a different audience?

Anyways, enough of my reminiscing. So from the stuff that I`ve taken a look at, it seems things load alot quicker which is a good thing for some people. That is probably something that the Mods and creators wanted to solve. It also may save them some money. The thing I don`t really like about all the white space is it looks too bland and open.....It would be nicer if there were borders on the forums. Overall, it would look a lot nicer if it had a more compact feel to it. The wideness of it all....just a little....uncomfortable and strange feeling. That`s just my opinion.
I do like the idea of putting the different categories under a certain listing...but at the top of the page? Why not on the left or right of the page?
I did like the main page for the first design change. It would be nice if there was just a separate link to go to the world map. I like the idea of navigating the site through that. Now, though, you have to go through a few links just to be able to reach that point, which I find a little frustrating.
Anyways, I think I`ve written enough.
Hope my feedback is helpful.

i think it loads slower for me though

Really? What connection are you using? I`m using DSL...so I`m not entirely sure.....

you mean ADSL? well... i dont know really...

[MandyMandaAmanda]

Makokun

Ok, basically everything I've got to say has already been said, and quite eloquently, so I'm just going to support those posts with my thoughts in a nutshell -

Too much white! I'm going blind! It's just not welcoming, or calming, like the old, soft blue background was. It makes me feel alienated and uncomfortable.

Waaay too much wasted space! I thought it was just my browser not loading the site completely, but I guess this is just how it is. It's empty. In my Graphics class, one of the primary principles of design we learned was to not leave too much negative space in the midst of a design, or to at least use it wisely. You used it with reckless abandon. They call it negative space for a reason.

No direction whatsoever. Everything is just kind of hanging about. No organization. The front page is way too muddled with things that don't need huge banners, and the rest of the site is way too askew. I don't like the forums spanning the length of my entire screen. Keep things concise!

Another reason it's harder to navigate is because of the demolition of the top banner. I liked having all of the subcategories appear beneath the headers, like "dress up" being underneath "my gaia." It took a while to get used to, but it was really efficient...so what was the point of suddenly taking it away right when we get used to it? The Gaia A - Z thing feels like a cheap replacement.

And why the hell is my avatar half the correct size? I really don't get that. Is it an error? A gltich? I hope so. You have way too much empty space up there anyways. And the speech bubbles! Where are they?? My avatar is just a lifeless lump of pixels now. Well, moreso now, heh.

The logo has nothing to do with Gaia. Frankly, it's not even good art. Since when is Gaia conveniently located in the Bahamas? I miss the fantasy element. If I wanted to go to the Bahamas, I'd be getting on a plane, not the computer. That's not what we come here for. And meet people and share stuff? That's not even well written.

Ok, so I guess that wasn't exactly in a nutshell...oh well, too bad.

these are pretty much my exact thoughts,so I'll just QFE.

[Amberwolf15]

Rera

Amberwolf15

Ever since the site was re-designed and all, the avitar picture in the top-right corner of the screen has been smalled. I don't know about anyone else, but my sight isn't the best.. And It's better, when you can see the work you've put so much effort into making, clear and bigger. Yes, bigger. The way it was before the site was re-designed. Everything else about the site is great, I find it pretty nifty. Hehe. It's just the avitar picture, that I find in need of re-sizing. Other than that, I have no further comments. If it could be fixed, it would be highly appriciated! ninja

Pretty much what I was going to add. I don't mind everything else, but this one feature really annoys me. Please change the size of the avatar.

Yea, I don't know about you, but i'm like.. blind. Not literally.. but.. yea. Looking at the small picture, I'll go blind. Gahh! ::Flipping out.:: I'm okii. I just go on Gaia everyday. But atleast i'm not the only one who agrees.. ::Shy.::

[japan_power]

Since I joined awhile ago (like 03) I've comepletely lost faith in Gaia a long time ago xd

I get the feeling somehow...that everyone can say whatever about what they find unsightly. Or make suggestions on what would work better.

But Gaia has a history of not changing a damn thing even if the users have strong opinions. I really hope this thread isnt a "let them blow off steam until they get tired of typing and just fly with it" thing like they usually do.
ALso, to think they have an official poll going in CHATTERBOX of all forums o__@. I know some people think Chatterbox can be fun but....*gasp*...I dont know- maybe they like seeing people express themselves in numbers o_O;;

[Silvedra]

I don't like this new design at all - for all the reasons previously pointed out and more. ^^;; As a friend of mine said, it just feels so empty.
I really liked the previous layout. It was great. Gaia just doesn't feel like Gaia anymore. -_-

[deaf_by_music]

Nurcum

WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS IDEA!?:

]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpvohhlM2pY

Seriously!

[Dizzy-sama]

japan_power

ALso, to think they have an official poll going in CHATTERBOX of all forums o__@. I know some people think Chatterbox can be fun but....*gasp*...I dont know- maybe they like seeing people express themselves in numbers o_O;;

Well they did listen to us when we said we wanted the donation items out earlier... xd

[ephemeral ras]

Not only is the A-Z thing extremely annoying, it also looks ugly.

I mean, you want the site to be orange and blue and and then suddenly there's this weird grey splot on the bottom, with nothing but a few links in it. It looks like they didn't even try to make it look nice. Whereas the navigation of the previous layout was, in my opinion, an awesome piece of coding this looks like the work of a nine year old.

The kids don't even look vaguely anime. They look like a badly made American cartoon. Or a Capri Sun advertisement. They're ugly. What happened to the Gaia logo we all loved? Not only did it look like a lot more effort went into it than this piece of crud, it actually fit the /theme/.

Furthermore, the design looks too amateuristic for words. I looked at the previous one and though 'Wow, that's really nice. I wish I could do that.'

What I think now is, 'My imaginary baby sister could do better.'

Also, while you did use a paint splash theme, there are still details from the previous layout left, like some headers.

Guess what?

It clashes.

Finally, I've said it before and I'll say it again: "Welcome to Gaia online. Gaia Online in a fun place where you can meet people and share stuff, play games and more." is not only grammatically incorrect, it's creepy. What makes you think I want to look at that message hovering over every single page and killing my brain a bit more every time?

[~Manda a.k.a Inny~]

It's actually a pretty cool layout. Nice new features and everything. But what I don't like is the fact that everything is all huge now, such as thread titles, and text in people's sig and such.
It's a bit confusing as well but in time I'm sure people will get used to it.

[Autark]

Fishing in Durem and Port isn't working gonk

[Amberwolf15]

japan_power

Since I joined awhile ago (like 03) I've comepletely lost faith in Gaia a long time ago xd

I get the feeling somehow...that everyone can say whatever about what they find unsightly. Or make suggestions on what would work better.

But Gaia has a history of not changing a damn thing even if the users have strong opinions. I really hope this thread isnt a "let them blow off steam until they get tired of typing and just fly with it" thing like they usually do.
ALso, to think they have an official poll going in CHATTERBOX of all forums o__@. I know some people think Chatterbox can be fun but....*gasp*...I dont know- maybe they like seeing people express themselves in numbers o_O;;

: razz oints.:: I so agree...

[Black_Rose227]

Way to much white-i am getting a headache. This won't be good in the long term for long stints of gaia (e.g events etc). The logo is not really suited to gaia (orange= confused ) The overall design of the site is too generic it needs a few more pictures and colours. The navigation has improved and it does load quicker-but they are the only things i like. I might log off soon (headache) sad

[deaf_by_music]

vampyre.xephon

deaf_by_music

vampyre.xephon

deaf_by_music

Personally, I preferred the original site design. I mean, the second design was alright...I did have some problems with it...but it turned out okay. But seriously, what was the original purpose behind the original Gaia Online (formerly known as "Go Gaia" wink ? Wasn`t the site`s aim more towards the anime, manga, gamer, and fans of Japan? That`s what I thought anyhow. Now...I suppose Gaia is aiming for a different audience?

Anyways, enough of my reminiscing. So from the stuff that I`ve taken a look at, it seems things load alot quicker which is a good thing for some people. That is probably something that the Mods and creators wanted to solve. It also may save them some money. The thing I don`t really like about all the white space is it looks too bland and open.....It would be nicer if there were borders on the forums. Overall, it would look a lot nicer if it had a more compact feel to it. The wideness of it all....just a little....uncomfortable and strange feeling. That`s just my opinion.
I do like the idea of putting the different categories under a certain listing...but at the top of the page? Why not on the left or right of the page?
I did like the main page for the first design change. It would be nice if there was just a separate link to go to the world map. I like the idea of navigating the site through that. Now, though, you have to go through a few links just to be able to reach that point, which I find a little frustrating.
Anyways, I think I`ve written enough.
Hope my feedback is helpful.

i think it loads slower for me though

Really? What connection are you using? I`m using DSL...so I`m not entirely sure.....

you mean ADSL? well... i dont know really...

Yes...ADSL since I`m located in Japan at the moment. I don`t know how the page loads for people with Dial-up and such.

[Adien_Alexander]

SilverDragon285

I don't like this new design at all - for all the reasons previously pointed out and more. ^^;; As a friend of mine said, it just feels so empty.
I really liked the previous layout. It was great. Gaia just doesn't feel like Gaia anymore. -_-

exactly... just look at my post at the top of page 549... If all these problems are fixed a majority of the user populous would be happy...