Looking to Icons for Inspiration
Posted on 20 May, 2009 at 17:35 PM
There are already 25 Comments
About the Show
David and Marc introduce you to the new look From the Couch which includes TWO camera angles!!
We also talk about how you should start looking at icons in order to learn about subtle details which can improve the look of your site.
Visit sites such as Icon Dock, Wefunction and We Love Icons in order to see the intricate effects and details which you can scale up to website scale.
We would love to hear your comments (good and bad, we can take the heat) of our new site design and of course double camera angle vibe.
Related Shows
- (11) Episode 189 - Using Inspiration Effectively
- (12) Episode 188 - Get Featured, Then Advertise
- (21) Episode 187 - Design with the Lights On
- (16) Episode 186 - Apples and Oranges
- (15) Episode 185 - Design like a Dictator
User Comments
Brad 20 May, 2009 17:52:31 PM
Have not yet watched the show, Im sure it will be great with the 2 angles - Dave, loving the redesign mate!
meredith 20 May, 2009 17:53:54 PM
As I tweeted to @obox, I have to say I don't really like the design. I like the episode - drawing inspiration from icons, I can see how the details of icons have influenced this design. But, just not turning me on. Love you guys though!
I would have liked to see the blingy ribbon headings go all the way through to your right sidebar. The Headings (like "Promote the Show") don't really mesh with the "about the show" style headings. I don't know if that makes sense how I explained it. Ah well.
Please take this criticism as constructive. :)
Peter Bernardo 20 May, 2009 17:56:09 PM
New design looks great guys, I agree 100% that it is all in the fine details. I always liked how the previous design had a sense of depth, so I think the new changes only strengthen that. The 2nd camera will be great, just another way to distinguish your videos and offer a real professional feel.
David Perel 20 May, 2009 18:08:59 PM
@ORiOn - Thanks dude, we are still trying to find our 'areas' with the two camera's but I think things will improve over time. We appreciate your support for it first time out ;)
@Brad - Awe bru, are you hitting the bowling club on Thursday?
@Meredith - As mentioned in the tweet, we knew it would polarize opinions and in a way I am hoping for that. People need to hate it and others need to like it so that we can discuss all the aspects. In terms of using flags in the right bar, we did consider it and it was initially going to be used but I didn't want to go over board with them. That was my biggest worry, so I tried the other technique (which is being used now) and I felt it would brake the repetitiveness.
@Peter - Thanks man, let's see if the double camera deal generates a result :P
Heather 20 May, 2009 18:27:18 PM
Haha, I love that you guys include the "two cameras" when you're naming people at the end of who is in the episode. I really like the banner/header style you've used for "Promote this Show", "Our Sponsors" and "Related Shows" in the far right sidebar.
Rob MacKay 20 May, 2009 19:21:41 PM
its awesome - I love it.
If there was one thing I would say it would be the side bar items need centering a little better - the our sponsors are aligned left, which actually isn't bad - but my eyes twitch at the promote the show options. It just looks like it needs to be like 15px to the right or in line with your sponsors boxes if you know what I mean.
Great job :D
Matty 20 May, 2009 19:46:22 PM
Hey guys, Very cool new design. I really like the subtle details. :)
The second camera is also a really cool addition. It'd be cool, with the second camera, to get a few close-up shots (ie: camera 1 is the constant shot of the couch and then camera 2 is for cutaway close-ups). The close-ups could be used to emphasize points and to create dynamism between the two camera angles. :)
Look forward to more dual-cam FtC. :)
Matty 20 May, 2009 19:47:10 PM
Oh yeah, and the "What you are saying" bar is a rad feature. Nice one guys. :)
alex 20 May, 2009 19:49:10 PM
Very much like new design, especially how ribbons "cut in" to the background like in a real paper folder.
Alternating angles is a good idea because it "refreshes" the view in a way that recaptures viewer's attention.
Max Stanworth 20 May, 2009 19:56:32 PM
I like the design guys really cool, true about the details on icons and applying them to other designs too, looking forward to see how the 2nd camera is utilised. keep up the good work!
David Perel 20 May, 2009 20:50:07 PM
@Matty - Dude, thanks for the tips on camera angles... Jeeees that did even cross my mind! Now its all I am thinking for tomorrow's episode :)
@Alex - Another good point about camera angles which I never considered
@Max - Thanks mate, I always value your feedback, so you saying the design is cool means a lot.
kyle steed 20 May, 2009 22:20:49 PM
Very nice guys. Overall I think you have definitely made an improvement. I can tell you guys are still getting used to the second camera angle, but I think it's a superb idea. And I agree with @Matty about using the second camera for a close-up shot. Maybe you could even do a Wayne's World type of "zoom-in" and "zoom-out" shot. HAHAHA! Just kidding.
Criticisms, only one, the red background on the "TV Guide" and "Stay in Touch" headers don't match the other red headers used in the site. Now you probably did this on purpose to differentiate them, but I think it would be nice to either match them or used a more subdued version of red. I think it just clashes with the other more mellow colors on the site.
Great job!
Thomas Fjordside 20 May, 2009 22:21:22 PM
Hey guys, quite like the new design and the two cameras, you just need to learn to coordinate where you're looking. You might want to take a look at the download this show button, it seems to have a dark square background on it. Details :D
We Love Icons 20 May, 2009 23:00:49 PM
Great show! To find some good icons for inspiration, check us out: weloveicons.com
Julie 20 May, 2009 23:51:46 PM
LOVE it! It's so sleek now...I like the roundness...it just flows so much better. And I like that the side navigation background now matches the content background. But you guys took off your SA Award Metals!! Keep those on, it's cool to be proud! Cheers guys!
Sam 21 May, 2009 00:34:16 AM
Love the new design. Don't like that you're using JPG's though. You can really see the compression on some of the images (in particular the "Promote This Show" banner). Move them to PNG's!
Not quite convinced with the two cameras yet. I think it could work, but in this video it was a little distracting. Not sure if it was the swap, the actual angle, or just that it was in black and white.
Robin 21 May, 2009 08:09:55 AM
I do like it, but find the bars a little too much (It's too kapow). Perhaps only using the flags for post titles and sidebars, while using something a bit more subtle in the body area would work?
Also, the vid comes through a a bit vanilla and creamy? Maybe jazzing up the wall with a FTC canvas print? Alternatively, this is going too sound like cheese, maybe you should always try wear a bit more colour?
Otherwise, love the show, keep em coming!
David Perel 21 May, 2009 10:04:20 AM
@Kyle - Thanks man, with regards to the flags... I was worried that the colours would clash, I was thinking of making them black. I may end up doing that.
@Thomas - 100%, we had no idea it was going to be so awkward with two camera's. We thought we would just look around and that would be that... WRONG! We know now that a little bit more planning needs to go into the creation of each show.
@Sam - We were worried that PNG's would be too big. But I will try it on our test site to see load times etc.
@Robin - I wish we could repaint that wall but unfortunately its not a possibility at the moment. Changing clothes for each episode would mean more preparation which we dont have much time for at the moment :(. It takes 20mins to shoot a show and we are on the limit with balancing From the Couch and client work at the moment. But I will keep that in mind,
Martin Leblanc 21 May, 2009 11:58:58 AM
Hi!
Great show and design of this site. I have to hint you about www.iconfinder.net when you're talking about icons.
Thanks, Martin Leblanc
liam 21 May, 2009 17:19:06 PM
2 Cameras works nicely, well done. And I completely agree with your points about looking at icons. Sometimes I approach certain details on a web design the same way as I would putting detail into an icon. Great improvement on the design too, stunning work. Love the details on the avatars too. Very nice.
Dave 22 May, 2009 03:02:41 AM
I'm liking the new design. I much prefer the single camera angle from head on though, seems more natural.
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ORiOn 20 May, 2009 17:46:31 PM
Really cool with the two cameras!! :D
It looks like a real TV show!! hehe
Nice work guys!!