Layout Critique/Prview

[TheTeen]

So I have a secret project in the works at the moment, and I have just been working on the layout for a bit. This is a preview for those who may want to see, but I would love some critique on it so far. Thanks!

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/3215/vplprev.png

Also I hope the chat feature will be a nice feature includes multi channel chatting.

[Corleone]

First of all, those current images are only placeholders, right?

[Zei]

The background is an extremely pixelated image. I'm not sure if it's what @Corleone stated, a placeholder. But yeah. Second of all as a user of the interface (I have no reasoning) but I just don't like it. :C My eyes aren't drawn to the specific parts they should be.

[TheTeen]

Yes they are xD Not much of an artist myself.XD I have a sketch for the real background, but it looks awful as only a sketch xD

@Zei - Where should your eyes be drawn? And any suggestions for how I can improve it?

[Corleone]

Okay, the color of the shoutbox thing is what I don't like. It's distracting, whereas I believe the main focus point should be that white part on the center. Try to make the shoutbox blend more with the background and emphasize the presence of the middle part.

I also recommend moving the search bar over or under a resized shoutbox, or on those gray bars either on top or bottom.

Other than these two, I cannot find anything else, since it is a very simple interface, and proper art will be the key towards making it pop.

[Zei]

@TheTeen

How far along is the game? Do you have/need artists? :3

Also I think my eyes are pulled off the main portions of the site because the search bar should be in the right hand corner, or not where the main text will be placed. My boyfriend stated he's not liking the color scheme, as it conflicts with the layout.

[TheTeen]

The game has quite a bit coded I just needed a layout to do some of the style things on some of the features. I have it all on xampp right now because I wanted to have some major features coded before I look for artists. I want artists to work for the site because they find a serious interest in the site and not because of what I may offer them xD

Thank you very much @Zei and @Corleone as I will be taking both of your tips.

[Corleone]

@TheTeen Sure!
@Zei I believe that won't be a problem when the definitive art is drawn.