REVIEW: Art Site: "Subliminal 201" The artist submits: It's simply a showcase of artworks by Luis Carlos Araujo from paintings to digital art, anyone may visit, but make sure you are using the latest IE * Reviewer says: The left hand graphic which is reamins visible when browsing the entire site (with the exception of the digital gallery) is a wonderful image but I find that it detracts attention from the pieces being shown when in the galleries. I also find the choice of background color detracts from the images -- a neutral color may be more appropriate to really showcase the work. __ The link border that appears around all thumbnails of images really detracts from them. In the drawing gallery the link color on one of the images is different (in default blue) than the rest. The visited link color of the text is the same in value to the BG color of the page, making it nearly impossible to read. __ The subcategory links under "traditional" to "paintings" and "airbrushed" aren't functioning. I notice that "airbrushed" is also a nonfunctioning link listed in the primary navigation of the site making it seem innappropriate to list it in the subcategory area of "traditional". The navigation bar is nicely designed; its simplicity allows the focus to remain on the work being showcased. It is consistently placed on the various pages of the site, allowing for easy navigation. On long pages that require scrolling to get to the bottom where the navigation bar is I would reccommend also placing it at the top of the page. __ The digital gallery page contains some great pieces though the majority of the links from the thumbnail to view the enlarged images aren't functioning. Some of the enlarged images that are functioning are so large that they require scrolling on a 1024 x 768 monitor. Because they are such large images the loading time is way too long for the average impatient viewer (well over a minute). I'd reccommend that these enlarged images be resized to 640 x 480 or smaller for faster loading time and easy viewing for audiences with smaller monitors. __ The site has a definitve style; it's very hip, chic, and contemporary. This is appropriate for the work being showcased in it. I'd reccommned toning it down somewhat however because the site itself is demanding so much attention from the viewer that the pieces being shown aren't really featured; they're are vying for the attention of the viewer. Just replacing the color pallette of the site with one much more neutral would greatly remmedy this. Reviewed by J. Wyeth: November 11, 1999 * The second reviewer says: The appealance of the site was clear, organized and surportive for the subject. Navigation buttons, text and other elements on the page did not confuse me at all since there wasn't a lot of information. It may not be enough though. __ The choice of colors and background work well, but I think on some page, there is too much empty space which cause the unbalancing. For example, "about" and "traditional" pages have very empty space on the bottom. __ The main problem I found was that some photo image and navigation buttons are not successfully linked, so that I couln't see. Loading each page was fast, but not loading individual photo images. Some worked and some didn't or just half way because of linking problem. __ Very good repetition of basic image, but less visual interest and less information to know more about this person or his/her art works. It may nice if I could get coment, techniques, prorpuse, or something about each work on digital gallarey and scketches. tomoko * WD&R Comments: Thank you J. Wyeth, and Tomoko. What a treat... two reviews with somewhat different observations. Hearing different views is actually more fulfilling than single reviews -- that's why we are really encouraging reviews of the submitted sites. It's working! __ J. makes an observation however, that all too often arrives in our reviewers comment box. While some of the art here is really stunning, the reader has to dig for it, and has to constantly fight with the visual distraction of the site's overhead. __ I hate to repeat myself so often but please remember this hard and true rule: The message is the message... not the delivery vehicle. Read our mission statement. Design should be transparant... the reader should never be conciously aware of the design, other than that which enhances the message. If the reader is looking at the site decoration (buttons, backgrounds, etc.) they're not looking at the message. And, that's not just directed at this particular site crafter either -- everyone needs to heed those words! __ Another quick note: if you try WebMechanic.com, they've got a graphic compresser there that can help trim down some of those images. __ Luis, I want readers to enjoy the art at this site, and I believe they'll enjoy much of it as much as I did.

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