CR Blog
We've got a new website
Posted by Creative Review, 13 May 2009, 20:44 Permalink Comments (21)
Deep breath, fingers crossed: today we launch our new website
The blog has been fantastic for us, giving the magazine a new dimension and a global presence but it was always our intention to have a much richer, deeper site. The new creativereview.co.uk has been designed to link up the different strands of what we do – in print, moving image and online.
For the first time, you can read all the content from the printed magazine online. As with all publishers, we've been wrestling with what should go up and how. We really value our subscribers and our intent is to recognise what they give to us by giving extra to them. Therefore, the current issue of each magazine is only accessible by magazine subscribers who also get access to the archive of Monographs and exclusive video content on CRTV.
Once the new issue comes out, the old one goes into the Back Issues section where it can be accessed by everyone.
Back issues page for 2008. 2007 and 2006 coming soon
Back issues page for August 2008. All content from the issue is available to read
Story from August 2008 issue, use the zoom tool far right to view images larger
If you register on the site, you will get the twice-weekly newsletter as well as being able, eventually, to post work to our Feed section. Feed will be up and running at the end of May. Registered users can upload their work to the site where, once approved, it will appear as what we hope will build to become a huge showcase of current work.
In CRTV, we will be making more exclusive video content including interviews and reports. There will also be slideshows with designers, art directors etc talking about their work.
And of course the blog is still here.
We have to thank Simon and Tom at Bureau for Visual Affairs who designed and built the site for us and were fantastic to work with.
We'll be tweaking and tidying over the next week or so, adding more content (including all of the 2007 magazine content) and fixing any snags, so bear with us and let us know if anything is not working for you.
Hope you like it.
21 Comments
It's definitely an improvement although the simplicity of the old site was better.
I find this new site a little busy and the orange is a little too strong. It's hard to see where one section ends and another section starts to be honest. Feels like a print design adapted for the web rather than a great web design layout.
Some more clear sections are needed and more images, it's quite text heavy. The footer needs to be clearer and look more like a footer and less like a list. The site looks a little like the CSS Styles have been turned off. As a print designer I can appreciate the Modernist feel to the layout but as a website designer I don't feel the "call to actions" are strong enough.
Good points at the RSS and Newsletter call to actions. The navigation menu is handy too! Just found the rollover on the right hand side. They are cool, but the buttons don't look like buttons so I didn't think to click them. They just appears to be images and text.
Well done on the update though!
Michael
http://www.studio-bodhi.com
2009-05-14 09:44:20
Overall, quite nice if a little utilitarian in feel (not necessarily in a good way.)
The whole top nav and banner area is a bit of a mess isn't it? The heavy search and subscribe boxes exacerbate this. It looks as though trying to accommodate the banner ad has caused you problems.
The type is a little small, particularly the body copy - but this might just be my preference
It might just be a result of the main post image being a shot of the site itself, but having the image butt right up against the RHS nav column confuses the layout.
Sorry if this sounds negative, I know it's a tough job! Just trying to add a little constructive criticism.
2009-05-14 10:06:18
A great design as always from Bureau.
2009-05-14 10:10:13
Needs some tweaks here and there, but other than that - nice and clean to give articles and work prominence. Cool beans.
2009-05-14 10:14:34
As with anything, it can always be improved and even if I don't like it lots of other people undoubtedly will.
I came to this blog page first, which is quite disconcerting as it's a little lop-sided with the screenshot of the new site against the actual new site. Then again, maybe it's just that *we* don't see many right-hand navs in the online world?
Having said all that, it wouldn't be CR without creating some ripples and therefore seeding interesting discussions on online design!
2009-05-14 10:33:47
I like it. as others have said, it could use a few little tweaks, but the ability for subscribers to view the magazine content and back issues online is great. one little thing, if I'm logged into the site anyway, why do I need to leave a name and email address to comment, surely this should fill itself in? minor gripe. looks good overall though.
2009-05-14 10:37:54
I do like the format.
The orange works with the static black but can be compromised by colour changes in the dynamic banner.
Navigation is excellent
2009-05-14 10:51:09
Much improved.
2009-05-14 11:55:27
I'm in two minds about the design - at first I wasn't quite sure about the use of colours and the grid layout,
I'd agree with Damon that the navigation is a bit of a mess, but clicking through the site, overall the usability and design are solid, well done CR & Bureau.
I was expecting a similar style to how the blog had been previous but I'm sure it'll grow on me just like everything you've done previously. Also I can't wait to enter work into the Feed Section - that will be a great resource for designers in every field.
Big up CR!
2009-05-14 12:26:15
ooh lala
2009-05-14 15:14:16
I sadly have to agree with the majority of the comments…
I'm a big fan of Bureau VA, and they usually do stellar work, but this site suffers from too much content being pushed in a small space. There's a lot going on here and it took me a while to find my bearings.
And the type is way too small imho.
2009-05-14 15:26:32
Hmm, I do like it! Maybe also because there is a lot of content, just loads of stuff to look at, kind of what CR is all about. Love the fact I can now look at older content as well.
2009-05-14 18:21:29
As I already mention, this is a step forward to the CR. Well done, and keep it up.
2009-05-14 19:04:54
This, is a bloody travesty.
2009-05-14 23:37:36
Type to small? Apple "+" Grandad...
Nice, well structured site...
2009-05-15 10:36:18
I'm a little miffed at the fact that back issues can be viewed online. I may as well cancel my subscription and wait around to see the back dated issues, it will save me money!
2009-05-15 13:22:47
Not quite a Granddad yet Chris, if I was it would be more reason for listening..
Yes, the type is one from a range of points that render the website totally user unfriendly...
I just think it's a shame that such time, money and energy where invested in such a 'design' with no character, spirit or foundations.. It's distracting and in no way encourages you to read.
2009-05-15 14:59:51
Fantastic new website.
Brilliant.
Bip
Photographer.
2009-05-15 17:23:42
Yes. What they said!
2009-05-16 07:23:32
Nice web site. I have just one minor comment: on http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/ it would be nice if you could get back to the home page when you click on the title "CR Blog."
2009-05-16 20:02:59
Is it just me or is that top nav screaming out to swap places with the banner ad?!? I think the rest of the site navigates well but that top nav is just wrong.
2009-05-18 18:31:39
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