Nov 16
New Design
Even though a lot of you said that you really wanted me to bring back the previous theme I had up, I’ve decided to start crafting out something new using this current theme as a template. I know for some of you that leaves you screaming, “Why Bush why?!” So I’ll tell you.
My Design Issues
Even though I occasionally design sites for myself and others, I really don’t fancy myself a designer and especially not an artist. I do however try to notice good design when it presents itself and I also try and take the time to look at my own design techniques. What I know about myself is the following:
- I like red and black. If I let myself just do what I wanted to do, they’d probably find their way into everything I made. While that’s good for me (well it might be good for me) it’s not good to design client’s sites in nothing but red and black.
- I like boxes. That means I like elements to be placed in very defined spaces which design wise really limits what solutions I come up with.
That said, I don’t care too much about my overuse of red and black. They’re good colors and can often be used effectively. However, the whole box thing is something that I’ve become aware of recently (in the last two years) and know that I need to change if I want to grow as a designer. Now I know that most site themes are box like because it makes content presentation easier, but it really seems like everything on my old site had its own box that it lived in. So while admittedly you’ll see some boxes in my new design, I don’t think they’ll be freakin’ everywhere as in the past.
Ads
*sigh* I wasted so much time yesterday starting to design my new theme because of ad incorporation. I wasn’t really having a problem trying to find places to put ads on the site, but moreso I was having a problem justifying the whole thing to myself. Here were my issues:
- CPM Ad – I didn’t have an alotted space for CPM ads before, so I wanted to include them on this one. After much hemming and hawing I was able to toss this ad out because I don’t think I’m getting enough pageviews to justify mucking up my design.
- 125×125 Ads – These are the little guys that are sweeping the blogosphere. The problem with this is, I’m pretty confident I could fill the spots every month, but then I think that spot would look like everyone else’s… Ay yi yi yi. I think I’ll end up incorporating them in the end, but I still can’t shake that Blogsolid article.
Computer Programmer vs Graphic Designer
See? It’s for reasons like this that I got into the field that I did. We only have to ask, “Does it work or not?” Designers on the other hand usually start with one thing, (and if money is involved), end up getting it perverted into something else entirely. Well stay tuned true believers. I’m really hoping to have the new design up by Monday.
November 16th, 2007 at 9:47 am
So true, my friend, so true ;P I’ve dealt with more perversion than I care to remember over the last few years..lol.
Good luck with the new design!
November 16th, 2007 at 10:30 am
@Mike – Hey man thanks. So far it’s going really good. I think I’m at the later stages of the design. (Of course I say that now…)
November 16th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Whoa! Major change here! Am I even at the right url?
Personally I don’t like those ad blocks. However it wont stop me from visiting your website.
It seems that almost everyone and their momma (that uses these type of ads) have the same boring ads showing up on their website (at least the websites I’ve visited.) …but who knows with a newbie surfing on your website they might click on them & purchase. It just strikes me as people trying to emulate everyone else.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
@Opal T – I know…things look crazy huh? So bright and readable. Ha ha ha. Yeah, everyone uses that those types of ads now. I’ve seen some put affiliate links there but most set them up as advertising space for the month which is what I was going to do. I dunno, we’ll see but I’m glad you’ll still come ’round!
November 16th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Maybe you can put Bruce Lee right at the bottom with the plants heh.
November 16th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
@Brown – Oh everyone’s a comedian now huh? Ha ha ha. And don’t worry, I think I’ve figured out a way to work my water lovin’ friend into the mix. (#):)
November 16th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
I like it! I like this color combo better than your last. Now that it’s gone, I can say that. LOL. I’m sure it is an adjustment for you but hey, you seem to be working it out just fine. Looks good!
November 16th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
@Teeni – Ha ha ha. Well in the future I hope you don’t feel like you have to wait so long to say something! But yeah, there are certainly issues that come when you’re talking about a dark theme vs a light one. The ability to read long posts being one of them.
And I think design wise, it’ll really be a nice change going to a black text on white background look. At least for a while. Kind of like getting that first haircut after a long winter.
You just feel all shiny and new!
November 16th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
I definitely can relate to putting things in boxes. My blog is all boxes. Maybe someday I’ll figure out how to do something different.
Can’t wait to see your new design!
November 16th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Bush, I really love the new theme.
November 16th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Hi honey,
I know I was one of them that said bring back the old theme, but all in all, it’s your blog and you need to do what makes YOU happy. I don’t care what your theme looks like, I’ll keep coming back.
November 16th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
@Peg – Hey thanks Peg. Hope you have a good weekend! (Not really sure why you were there after 4 on Friday, but who am I to judge? (#);) )
@Sassy – Ha, it’s not up yet!!! Give me a day here!
@Christine – Hey, regardless of which way I decide to go in things, I very much appreciate you and everyone else’s opinion on the matter. *nod* I dunno, we’ll see what I come up with and I’ll certainly ask everyone for their thoughts once its up!
November 17th, 2007 at 5:53 am
I like it, it’s simple and effective and delivers the content you want. Jazzing it up with the odd picture or something wouldn’t go amiss though.
November 17th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
@Pete – I spent a couple hours of it the past couple of days and somehow I lost all my work! But worries, I got everything back up to snuff today so I think tomorrow I’m going to find the time to code it all out. (#):)
November 18th, 2007 at 1:59 am
Love the new look, Bush. And I, too, love red and black. In fact, that’s the color combo I’m going to be working on for another blog of mine.
I agree with Baron: have Bruce peering at me through the plants at the bottom. Have him do that “bring it on” hand gesture he’s so well known for. LOL
Oh, don’t forget to add the subscribe to comments thing here. And one more thing — this happens to me each time I switch themes: if you use any tracker (like Google Analytics), don’t forget to add the tracking code!
November 18th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Ask and ye shall receive!
All in all, I really like it, Bush! It’s clean, fresh and very easy to navigate. From a reader’s point of view, I think it flows even better than the previous design did.
But I do miss the Bruce Lee visual.
So my only suggestion is to add some sort of interesting photo somewhere near the header area…something that kinda personalizes it…kinda sets it apart from the rest. Right now that portion might be just a bit too plain for someone who’s as cool as you are! 
Shine on,
Aaron
November 19th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Whoa! I know there you don’t have any ads up on here yet, but I really like this design. Caught me off guard first time I pulled up the site. I think the color scheme is better, the layout looks much cleaner and I like the little comment blocks.
November 19th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
@Mark – Appreciate the thoughts AND AS ALWAYS the reminders. Because I seriously forgot about it. Ha ha. Still have to put it in now the new theme is up too! If I get it done by tonight I’ll be one happy dude. *nod*
November 19th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
@Aaron – What do you think of ol’ Bruce in the new theme now?
@Noob Tastic – Yeah, I like the comment blocks too and the design on the whole. Though it looks like I’m having some issues with IE6 so I gotta go back and hammer THOSE out. *sigh*
November 21st, 2007 at 12:27 pm
I like the new simple and sweet design…but what’s the secret about the fighter
November 21st, 2007 at 3:50 pm
@Shashank – I spent a bunch of time on the new theme so I’m very happy it’s being so happily received.
November 21st, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Yes, I’m loving the ol’ Bruce in this theme. It’s a knock-out hit! …As is the addition of your picture at the top.
Shine on,
Aaron
November 21st, 2007 at 4:00 pm
@Aaron – Thanks man! It’s not totally done yet – but I think it’s certainly looking good so far. (#):) And it’s certainly at a point where it’s more than usable. *nod*