[wip]fresh forum design - let me know what you think

Ok, I decided to try and design a skin for VBulletin. This is my first time trying to come up with a skin for VBulletin so I would like your opinions on what you think so far.

I am quite happy with this so far, probably because it is pretty simple. The only think I WILL change is the navigation as I do not really like it, looks a bit boring.

Please give me your opinions on this so far


(note: image is low quality)

cheers.

Hm it doesn't look bad, but it's very standard... and i would make the header less white

It's looking good.

I would suggest, like you said, the navigation is pretty boring.

I like it a lot, especially for your very first skin, keep up the good work.

One thing, not sure if this is because it is incomplete or just because it has not yet been customized, but the header and the box below it look awfully empty. I'm going to assume it's ad space? If it is, you should probably put ads in there to show that...this is of course assuming you plan on distributing the skin...If you dont plan on distributing, no need to make the preview impressive

Hey thanks for the comments. I was originally going use the space for an ad space but I thought that when I launch my forums people are not going to want to see adverts straight away so for now I could use it as a promotional or secondary header area to make it look more 'pretty'.

I am keeping the design simple because some of the features of the forums will add to the design.

looks alright but sorta very white and plain. i would add in some contrasting colors and some more elements to the design

I like this a lot. I think you should try and incorporate red more though. Also I would love to see it centered with a background. Nice job.

Good idea about using more red, I will ty and do that
At the moment it is in image format so that I could show you so it will be centered and have a background once it is complete

Could I have more comments and suggestions please, I need your opinions so that I can see what looks good and what doesnt so that I can make edits.

Another suggestion is the orbs don't really work. I don't like the shading and there abit small. Banner seems abit empty, perhaps a advert banner there? What's the top box for, should it be there? Also the indents on the main navigation don't really work.

I dont see why people always like to use Orbs or Squares as post icons, forums should NEVER use these as post icons in my opinion. I know alot of people think 'oh it's only a post icon it doesnt matter to the design' but they actually can be one of the key elements of a forum design especially as you see them so much on the first page. Orbs are boring and uncreative think of something to match the forum theme you could use them to add some more colour to the design. Sorry to rant but thats just something i think people need to consider more

I also think the gradiant on the top navigation bar could use some work, it doesn't look too good to me at the moment.

Other than that it isn't too bad. It is kind of plain and a bit boring to look at but your going for something clean and fresh and i like that. Keep working on it and this could turn out quite nice

Good luck!