Re-scanning my Butler collection. Need ideas on possible redesign of my site.

[TNP777]

I've decided to re-scan my Butler collection for a couple of reasons. The main reason is that I have long regretted not saving the original scan size. As I cropped each card, I'd just save over the original file. I can't tell how many times I have wanted to show a card in a thread to show a certain detail, but can't because the image is too small.

This time around I intend to redo every page of my Butler site and replace all the smaller size images with larger ones. Right now I have them all shown at actual size. I'm toying around with how much bigger I'd like them - right now I'm thinking about 70% larger. That's significantly larger, but at that size I will be able to clearly display all the little variation details that we player collectors obsess over.

Now, regarding design - I'd LOVE some feedback/ideas on what improvements I can make to better show off my collection.

Here is my main page, which has links to the individual company pages with images, and also lists of what I'm looking for and what I already have. I've had it this way for probably 10 years or more, and I'm wondering if it is too ponderous. Should I eliminate my "haves" list and move each section to the corresponding image page?
Geordie's Brett Butler Collection

Here is a sample of an individual company page: Brett Butler Collection - Topps

Does that design work? With the larger scans, I was planning on putting each card in its own row, but am totally open to suggestions on how to make it look nice.

 

[TNP777]

due to overwhelming response, I'm bumping this for more opinions.

 

[AmishDave]

All I know is that I'm in the same boat you're in. It's gonna take eons to redo my JJ collection, but I wanna make it look "professional" or at least like a 8th grader didn't put my Photobucket together.

 

[Gwynn545]

I don't know...I am not the best to ask because I am fairly unorganized overall. But I respect you, and your collection, and felt I should give my opinion because of that! I am still planning on doing this someday for my collection, so I don't have all the answers or else I would have started by now.

I know what you are saying about having larger scans, but I like your layout. I like that you have front and back, and I like that you fit two cards (Four including front and back) on each row. If you only had one card on each row, then it would take twice as long to scroll through. If you could have the same size you have now, with the option to click for larger, or hover for larger? That would be great. Especially to see the variations, I like the ability to see four or six cards all at once.

Your front page is nice, but I thought it would end after you few Butler Centerpieces (which are so awesome!). I felt it was a title page, and I should then click to which page I'd like to navigate to next. But then it goes ino your "wants" and "haves" list. I am not sure if those "haves" are supposed to be links? (They're blue, but I can't click them). BUt if I wanted to see your "haves", I would have already clicked up above anyways, so not sure if they can be on another page, not the home page.

Is there a way to get your actual links on the left side, like on a side-bar which contains your links to other pages? Keep the same side-bar on each page?

If I found a Butler 1995 Collectors Choice Gold card signature card, and I wanted to see if you had it, I personally would want to go to the year (either by clicking on the year, or scrolling to it), and then finding it. I like how yours are grouped by BRAND for casual browsing, but I feel like that should be an option, and not the only way to view it or see it listed. Don't get me wrong, I like that they are grouped by brand, but I wish they were grouped by year, too!

Matt

 

[TNP777]

@ Dave: I'm not sure how many JJ cards you have, but I'm assuming lots. I've started scanning projects before and quickly got bored. I'm really wanting to get this done, so once I decide on a design I hope to just keep a slow but steady pace.

@ Matt: thanks for the feedback. I also like the idea of two cards (w/ four images) per row. I need to figure out how to do a clean mouseover image. I used to use Microsoft Frontpage, but since I upgraded to Windows 7 I cannot use Frontpage '98 any more. I found a nifty free MYSQL editor called KompoZer that I've been playing with, but haven't figured out the mouseover thing yet.

In the meantime, here's a format I've been playing with. I decided to scrap the all-black background and go with a wood theme. Why wood? I dunno - I guess I think it looks neat. At any rate, if I decide to remove the "haves" list from the bottom of the main page, maybe I'll put the haves into a column on the left and create a link to each card (which will have an anchor link built in).

 

[Mozzie22]

I really like the look of the wood background. I've always enjoyed your site and collection, one of my favorites.

 

[TNP777]

ok, here's a sample re-do of the Bowman page. I really am interested in what works and what doesn't. I want to make it simple to use and look at, while maintaining a somewhat professional look.

Brett Butler - Bowman

edited for grammar

 

[AmishDave]

2200 total cards, lol. Auto's / patches / serial #'d / jersey's would all be by themselves with base all together in a group scan. I'd lose interest so quick, just because I know how much time it'd take.

 

[Gwynn545]

ok, here's a sample re-do of the Bowman page. I really am interested in what works and what doesn't. I want to make it simple to use and look at, while maintaining a somewhat professional look.

Brett Butler - Bowman

edited for grammar

Not a fan of the wood. If you have to use it, maybe some color behind the words?
The bigger scans are nice, but I actually liked the old layout way better with slightly smaller scans.
I also like the card backs vertical like the fronts. Looks more organized, more professional. More streamlined.

And special effects... I would like to have music playing in the background and a glass of wine on my nightstand...