New Year, New Look! Front Page Design No 3

Do you like the new layout?

I love it	36.5%	[ 1203 ]
I like it	32.3%	[ 1065 ]
I think it needs work	22.6%	[ 746 ]
I hate it	8.6%	[ 282 ]
Total Votes:			[ 3296 ]

[JK]

It's lookin pretty good. There are a few things that should change but I'll answer your questions first. If I need to say more, then I'll add it at the end. 3nodding

Quote:

Does the new page give a good overall aspect to what Gaia is?(yes, I'm a grammar nazi, lay off XD)
It does a pretty good job. The soccer net struck me as odd but it's no biggie. XD
The only major problem I see is that, while the pictures are great and the layout is great and it's all really appealing, a new user probably still won't have a clear idea of what they're joining. A little text wouldn't hurt. Especially in the Community picture. I can see why seeing a bunch of avatars might confuse them. Tell the new users how they can customize and personalize their avatars to use in the forums and games. That'll not only explain what those are but pull them in since Gaia's avatars are unique and really cool looking.

Are the images too young or old?
I wouldn't really change anything age-wise. All the images are either of avatars or already existing images on Gaia that are ageless/genderless. The only new image is of the two people and it's a pretty obvious attempt at all ages welcome. XD I mean, we have the really nice, naive-looking newbie in his punk shirt and then we have the more mature (perhaps slightly manipulative XP) woman on his left. It's pretty much an aim at young teens to adults which is pretty much the population of Gaia.

Does it make Gaia look too much like Neopets/Myspace/other sites?
I actually think this makes Gaia look pretty unique. You guys have a nice layout with custom images. The only thing that ties you to any other site is the statement "largest growing community" or whatever it says and I wouldn't take that down. It's honest and it'll make people want to be a part of our already huge community. I think you guys did a great job on this one.

Does the design look good? Layout problems?
It looks a bit long which the only problem with that is that it means that you have to scroll. Maybe if you get the three images underneath the big Towns pic scrunched into one line so it will go Play Games->Community->Join Our World instead of Play Games -> Join Our World |next line| Community. Then you can have the event banner underneath that. This way there's less scrolling. Scrolling may not seem like a big thing, but first impressions are everything. The easier it is for the new member to see what Gaia is, the more likely it is that they'll want to join.

Anything missing? What should we add or change?
Pretty much all I see that you guys should add is some explanation about avatar customization like I said earlier. And another thing you guys should think about changing is the Event Banner. You might want to add a title like the other images saying something like "Participate in Events" or "Follow the Story" maybe even "Be Part of the Story". Or storyline. Whichever suits your fancy. But just something to kind of pull users in instead of just "Which Santa will win?" If I'm a new user, how will I know what's going on let alone care about it?

Should we emphasize more on roleplaying/forum/games/items?
Again, just a bit more emphasis on the whole customizing your avatar since everything on Gaia pretty much centers around the avatar. I mean, your avatar shows up on anything that you do: the forums, the games, your profile, your journal, etc. Otherwise, I really don't think any other feature towers over the other. Everything is equal in my eyes since not every users is into games or roleplay or forums or the items so we want to appeal to a large audience without alienating anyone.

That's pretty much it. Again, I really think you guys should use the unique avatar system to pull in people. That's one of your big draws on new members. And now that the population is so huge, you can combine your two strong points and use them to draw in even more members. I know this sounds wrong, but play off of the human psyche and with our emotions. People want to be a part of something huge while at the same time remain an unique individual. You guys have the perfect combo. A large member base and the ability for everyone to customize a chibified person. Use it to your advantage. It's business basics. 3nodding

[Fenton Buzzard]

Do the new page give a good overall aspect to what Gaia is?
Eh, not really informative, could have some more information.

Are the images too young or old?
Maybe a little old. If they looked cuter or more enthusiastic, I'd think they're good then.

Does it make Gaia look too much like Neopets/Myspace/other sites?
Nope.

Do the design look good? Layout problems?
It looks too crowded, and the colors are a little dark.
It also seems too angular, too many boxes.

Anything missing? What should we add or change?
I would like to see NPCs and mascots like Rock Puppy and the ghosty things, and the red haired guy with the catgirl. I'd like to see the light blue and pink theme again too, those colors always remind me of Gaia.

Should we emphasize more on roleplaying/forum/games/items?
Hell yes. I want to see characters drawn with identifiable Gaia items, like some of the monthly items, and more popular store items and sets.

[Seaphron]

I like it, it looks great!


Do the new page give a good overall aspect to what Gaia is?
Yeah, it does, maybe a bit of info on the forums would be good to add.

Are the images too young or old?
In my opinion they are perfect.

Does it make Gaia look too much like Neopets/Myspace/other sites?
No

Do the design look good? Layout problems?
Yeah I like it quite a bit.

Anything missing? What should we add or change?
Uh... Maybe show the NPC's or something about the storyline.

Should we emphasize more on roleplaying/forum/games/items?
Yes, I would go with forums and roleplaying.

[Troy_Star]

Do the new page give a good overall aspect to what Gaia is?
It still looks a bit teen social. I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd like to see more fantasy-based stuff.

Are the images too young or old?
A bit too old. Again, a bit teen social. The anime aspect was a big seller, at least for me. I'd suggest using the style from all the comic updates and/or the old mascots, for a bit of that old anime magic. I almost died when Rouge Renard showed me the avatars and the comic for the falling tower. whee

Does it make Gaia look too much like Neopets/Myspace/other sites?
Not really. I frequent Zenhex, which means I have to look at the MyYearbook login page. The amount of color you guys have in there does wonders. 3nodding

Do the design look good? Layout problems?
I'm not entirely going for the panel-based setup. It looks like a comic strip, not an organized guide to the site you're about to join.

Anything missing? What should we add or change?
If you could keep some of that color, but still show the user the purpose of the section of the site you're showcasing, it would help organize what's now a colored mess. It's like selling a house. In your TV room photos, all you need in the room is the entertainment center, the couch, and the curtains. Tossing in all your DVD shelves only clutters it up and detracts from the bold look of your sofa 3 feet from a 90-inch widescreen. whee

Should we emphasize more on roleplaying/forum/games/items?
TOTALLY! If you're gonna take Gaia back to its roots, you gotta take back the major points of the site. CB RP bars will live again!

[icemaycry]

It is very good. It shows what gaia is nicely. Id better sign there blaugh lol

[.~.Lady_Aji.~.]

Does the front page give a good overall aspect to what Gaia is?
- Yes.

Are the images too young or old?
- Looks just right to me.

Does it make Gaia look too much like Neopets/Myspace/other sites?
- No.

Does the design look good? Layout problems?
- I think the layout looks fine. I don't see any problems with it.

Anything missing? What should we add or change?
- It doesn't mention the shops.

Should we emphasize more on roleplaying/forums/games/items?
- I think you should emphasize more on the roleplaying and forums.

[Shinjuku Cellphone]

Do the new page give a good overall aspect to what Gaia is?
I think so, its very good art, and good emphasis on the actual point of Gaia.
Are the images too young or old?
Not really.
Does it make Gaia look too much like Neopets/Myspace/other sites?
Oh god no.
Do the design look good? Layout problems?I think its the best so far. I'm from 2004, so I really think this is a goooood improvement
Anything missing? What should we add or change? All around good.
Should we emphasize more on roleplaying/forum/games/items?
Forums, please!

[s y m p h o n y `]

Do the new page give a good overall aspect to what Gaia is? Yes!
Are the images too young or old? Neither of them. And I love how the image doesn't make the site look childish like the one we have right now.
Does it make Gaia look too much like Neopets/Myspace/other sites? No, and I prefer that, thanks.
Do the design look good? Layout problems? No, no problems. I love it. It flows together nicely (unlike our current layout)
Anything missing? What should we add or change? No! Not at all.
Should we emphasize more on roleplaying/forum/games/items? Roleplaying and forums is what I think is most important.

[Sexaholic Pope]

I really think it should have more mention of the forums on it...

And I don't know what, but something about it just bothers me...

[Gale Everett]

Do the new page give a good overall aspect to what Gaia is? I think that it highlights many of the imporant factors that makes Gaia such a unique online community.
Are the images too young or old? The images are more suttle and have more appeal than the current images.
Does it make Gaia look too much like Neopets/Myspace/other sites? Absolutely not! If it was anything like Neopets/Myspace/other sites, I wouldn't be here giving you feedback.
Do the design look good? Layout problems? I love the new design, and judging from the cover page, I'm going to like the rest of the layout.
Anything missing? What should we add or change? Actually, I think you should add something about guilds in there. If people come to the site and see that, their more likely to get involved then in just a regular forum, mainly because guilds are user run forums within Gaia.
Should we emphasize more on roleplaying/forum/games/items? Forums, Guilds, and Events should be the main focus in my opinion. Second to that is games, and should be emphasized with ingame pictures.

[~DD~SirAmbrose]

nice, it might bring alot of good people.

[Extreme Orgasm]

I like the idea of the layout.
The towns art looks a lot like MapleStory.
I thing the two people on the page should change every month or so.
:3

[MidgetDance]

Looks nice. It looks more professional.

[Asthmaboy II]

Very cool design.

[Mysteri0us~Cr0w]

I think it looks dude!