In my communications with Redman RE: the US release of Fundamental, I asked him about a possible re-design of the official site.
His response:
The site is going to be redesigned, we're just in the process of waiting to see who PSB chooses. It's between my company and a company in London....I made it through the first round of cuts and are waiting on a decision from PSB. Should I loose to the other company, I'll release my comps so people can see what I and my team had in mind. Its a fantastic, NON-PSB design that I think would make them look pretty cool online. Lets hope they think so too. If my company wins, I am partnering with a design shop in London to handle the creative and I will manage the project along with doing all the programming.
Interesting to see the project is out for tender. I predict something radically different, whoever does the work.The site design should echo the album design.
Once the design is agreed, PSB themselves should control the news updates. The info obviously comes from Neil in the first place, and he cares more than anyone (except maybe the fans) that things are spelt right, worded correctly and have capital letters in the correct places.
PSB have never truly embraced the idea that the web can bring them closer to their fanbase. Even the questions section was half-hearted and relatively short-lived. PSB used to be distant and detached, but as they changed many other elements of the way they worked and communicated (such as in their live performances), they've never seemed to use the web to their advantage.
How cool would an online diary have been during the album sessions?
Redman has obviously done a difficult job very well, but I think it's time PSB brought the website closer to home.
Wrong. Anyone surfing in 1995/6 would have 'enjoyed' the early PSB site. Messrs Tennant & Lowe were early adopters. The curent site, is just a bit bloody out-dated at the moment.
cannibal wrote:Wrong. Anyone surfing in 1995/6 would have 'enjoyed' the early PSB site. Messrs Tennant & Lowe were early adopters. The curent site, is just a bit bloody out-dated at the moment.
I don't think Dog is wrong at all.
For a band that care so much about their image and design they have never really had a website that lives up to the rest of their work.
cannibal wrote:Wrong. Anyone surfing in 1995/6 would have 'enjoyed' the early PSB site. Messrs Tennant & Lowe were early adopters. The curent site, is just a bit bloody out-dated at the moment.
I don't think Dog is wrong at all.
For a band that care so much about their image and design they have never really had a website that lives up to the rest of their work.
G
Exactly. The official site is shamelessly out of date...
Chris Heath: Why you're surfing?
Chris Lowe: Coz we can!
Neil Tennant: Exactly.
(Performance commentary during What have I done to deserve this??)
I would rather they kept redman.he's been doing a good job so far why switch gears at this point. they just need to update the look. its not like the new team would do much different I mean it all comes down to the updates they get from the PSB themselves anyways.
cannibal wrote:Wrong. Anyone surfing in 1995/6 would have 'enjoyed' the early PSB site. Messrs Tennant & Lowe were early adopters. The curent site, is just a bit bloody out-dated at the moment.
gareth wrote:For a band that care so much about their image and design they have never really had a website that lives up to the rest of their work.
mindboy wrote:Exactly. The official site is shamelessly out of date...
And you are all in the business? I think the site was actually very well designed, but the menu was maybe a bit too "different", although I think you can get away with that as it is a site to compliment a band.
I believe there are different rules for different types of websites, and it is my strong believe that the Pets webshack doesn't feel too much outdated yet... Especially if you think about the length of time it has been like this. It was a very solid design for its purpose.
glennjridge wrote:I would rather they kept redman.he's been doing a good job so far why switch gears at this point. they just need to update the look. its not like the new team would do much different I mean it all comes down to the updates they get from the PSB themselves anyways.
have the strange feeling, Redman is out! They didn't already come back to him - telling him, he should start his plans for the new design...
This means - we will have a new developer for the official page and someone, who d(/w)on't (can) tell us any interna/news about the boys or their further plans... Guess there are coming bad times around the corner next...
TheGardner wrote:
have the strange feeling, Redman is out! They didn't already come back to him - telling him, he should start his plans for the new design...
This means - we will have a new developer for the official page and someone, who d(/w)on't (can) tell us any interna/news about the boys or their further plans... Guess there are coming bad times around the corner next...
Now, now.... let's not jump to conclusions. N&C are notorious for taking their time making important decisions but they're also intensely loyal. Maybe they'll pick Redman & maybe they'll pick the other team for the redesign but, either way, I think that Redman will still be their Webmaster - if that's what he is.
Now, as to the re-design question itself: I like the site but a change is needed. As the saying goes --- Familiarity breeds contempt.