CBC Web Design: Glossy Black Theme and its inspirations.

 [Click images to enlarged]

Finalized mockup for CBC welcome page. 

Compare to the 2 primary examples provided by the client:

the use of featured content boxes for layout

hip tekky design with dark background and metallic text

I needed something to reflect the client's 3D mantra and taste for chrome and gloss. The clients has objective of bring technology to an otherwise old fashioned traditional church. I wanted the design to reflect the churches respected history and tradition while looking toward the future and technology. The content was based on clients example websites like Bethel Baptist Institutional Church which used "advertisement-like" boxes to feature church activity. A flashy Jamal Bryant Ministries (refers to style and type of web site) inspired the black, glossy, metallic theme. An homage to the traditional shield type logo was used but with a Web 2.O twist. See previous post.

But I have to use my own design aesthetic for this Tradition meets Technology theme. Unique. Geometric. Coded with color. Metaphorical motifs. Far removed from the ubiquitous kitschy church websites.

I took inspirations from the following dark websites:

http://wearecyan.com/  teal/charcoal palette; icon use; cool background texture for header

http://www.ttthings.com/   starry background

http://www.futuretalent.org/ photo extraction with colored glow fade into black background; content box - glossy black w/ bright icon - MAIN INSPIRATION for sidebar in my theme