Blog Design Revamp Part 1
If you’re a regular reader or visitor here, you’ll know that my blog has undergone a bit of a style redesign this weekend.
Out goes the blue and orange feel, and in comes a bolder, fresher look with cleaner lines and a nice mix of red, white and grey. It’s a colour scheme I’ve always liked and forms the design basis behind both Bonsai Interactive and the SRM Group.
The awesome logo and banner (and the mix of the colour scheme) is by the hugely talented Lisa Kalandjian of SceneStealer Graphics over in L.A. Lisa is also doing some more design work for the blog – this is just part one, and is the combination of Lisa’s graphic ideas and me overhauling the old design with this one, thanks to the Headway theme, on Sunday afternoon.
Having seen what Lisa has in store for the second part, I’m looking forward to sharing the final look with you – it’s definitely quite funky! And if you need any WordPress design work, make sure you pop on over to check Lisa and her work out.
What do you think of the new look? Love to hear your feedback!
Note: This blog no longer runs on the Headway framework. Instead, it’s a custom WordPress design by Lisa Kalandjian of SceneStealer Graphics.
49 Responses to “Blog Design Revamp Part 1”
Hi there Kapil,
I wasn’t aware of the comments bug – I’ll check that out, since the post should still be there once the comment is posted.
I hear you on the map differentiation. I’ll look at it; the only thing I’d be concerned about is that it would make the blog look like it’s only for the North American market.
While the U.S. makes up the largest part of my blog’s readership, that’s then followed by India, Canada, the U.K. and then Spain. I’d be weary of alienating readers that didn’t fall within the U.S.
But cheers for the feedback, sir, much appreciated!
Danny this is a million times sleeker than the blue and orange design.
In terms of information and layout it’s great. I have just one question/observation? In the photo of you in the header why are you looking down? We can’t see your face…is this to make you appear thoughtful? If so why not looking upwards?
I would personally like to see your face become a bigger part of your personal brand #NOHOMO. But maybe that’s just me…
Sam Schuurman recently posted…. Our New Business Card Design – What Do uThnk
There’s actually quite a simple answer for that, Sam – I don’t really have any decent ones of me facing forward.
That will be one of the things on the final design, though, so keep your eyes peeled
The new site is impressive. I like red band on the header part.
Thanks Karthick,
Lisa did a great job with the logo/header, and she has some great things in store for the final layout as well, very excited
Looks good Danny. Nice and clean.
David Horne recently posted…. Linchpins 3 TriadCheers David, definitely the aim I was going for.
Hi Danny,
The site looks great. It’s a good example of what Headway can do. I read that you’ve used some custom CSS in the redesign – I’d be interested in finding out what you did. I’ve just started using CSS for one of my blogs and it’s opened my eyes to a whole new world within Headway.
Allan Ward recently posted…. What’s The Purpose Of Your Web SiteHi Allan,
Very minor CSS coding – one to center the nav menu, and one to center Leaf titles. Everything else is out the box.
Funnily enough, it was Headway that made me brave enough to experiment with CSS, thanks to the Live CSS box. And like you say, pretty cool what you can find out and do
Don’t forget Danny, in new version of Headway you don’t need CSS to center Leaf titles. Love the new look too.
Ha, of course – how did I forget that one? Cheers for the reminder, sir!
…also, don’t forget to change the favicon file to reflect the logo change from your face to the circled db. What made you go with that, and how many iterations did it take?
Ari Herzog recently posted…. 30 Social Media Strategies You Need to KnowGood call, Ari, I’ll get on that.
Basically most folks that know me shorten my name to DB, so it made sense. Plus it’s nice to be able to work that into a clear logo.
Took two iterations; Lisa is very good at getting exactly what you want from initial discussions.
Danny
I really like it – easy to navigate and I am a big fan of blogs ‘on white’.
Nice one.
AMe too, sir – not a huge fan of the light font on dark background. It can work in some cases but most I’ve seen have been hard to read.
I really like the new look; especially the header. I also like the use of red to grab the eye, in fact, I use red a lot on my marketing blog.
Great design, great content, by a great guy!
#Win!
Jim Connolly recently posted…. Put everything you HAVE into everything you’ve GOT!Well thank you kindly sir.
Congrat’s Danny! Love the new look! Very slick! Inspiring!! Take care – hope all is going well. Best wishes
Anne Sorensen recently posted…. Would Oscar Wilde Have TweetedCheers Anne – and seeing what Lisa has planned for when she starts coding, I’m excited to sharing the second phase when it goes live.
Love the new look, Danny. The clean, elegant style is just going to enhance your awesome content even more, in my humble opinion.
Christine Livingston recently posted…. Introducing The Two-Week Work Detox SeriesWell thanks, Christine!
Now I’ll just have to make sure I keep delivering, to live up to the design side of things.
It’s a good look for you Danny. Lisa did a fine job. Love the color scheme for you. As other folks here said, it complements your great content.
Can’t wait to see “final” final … though is there such a thing as a “final” design?
Hehe, no there isn’t Lori – you’re right, we’re never at the “final” stage, especially when it comes to blogging.
Very sleek and professional looking. Personally, I would like to see what it looks like with the nav menu in red and I think it would draw more attention to the sidebar headings if they were red instead of gray.
DJ Morris recently posted…. Egret Landing Homes For Sale – Just SoldHi there fella,
Then the “final” design might just cover these suggestions, as Lisa has some cool stuff for the sidebar that isn’t in my refresh at the minute.
Looks great, Danny! I too am one of the people who wants you to look up or at least not down but knowing how many shots my photographer took to get the headshot I use, I understand. (140) LOL so a profile pic that you like is what is important. I Like the new colors but I didn’t hate the orange and blue, it woke me up!
Julie Walraven | Resume Services recently posted…. Raise your hand if everything is perfectI do have some “front-on” head shots, but none that I’m over the moon with, so I’ll wait for now.
And are you saying that I’m now sending you to sleep..?!?
I’m a big fan of white space and this looks really good – really clean. Of course, the content is always superb so this is just a great reflection of what you offer every day.
Thanks Gini – agreed, I’m not a huge fan of clutter. Tell me what I need and how to get there, and I’m a happy camper
I think it looks great, Danny.
One thing though for consistency: on the Contact page it talks about Danny in the third person, then on the About page you talk as yourself. I think it should be one or the other all the way.
Cheers!
John.Cheers bud, makes sense – just updated it.
Danny,
I like it! Very crisp and readable. Look forward to design upgrades, Part II.
Daria Steigman recently posted…. Does Gender Matter in WorkshiftingThanks Daria, likewise – Lisa has some neat design tricks in store
Love the new design.
Sue Anne Reed recently posted…. Open Mic – blogchat recap – 07-25-10Thanks Sue-Anne, and thanks for being here
Swanky stuff, Danny! You look good in red.
Jackie Adkins recently posted…. Are Multiple Twitter Accounts Good or BadHa, when I first saw your comment, mate, I thought you had called me a British slang term
Cheers fella, enjoying the “new digs”.
Hey Daniel-san, aren’t we a busy bee, I love the new colours, a redesign is the new thing to do right now it seems. Always makes it feel like a new start and Lisa is obviously brilliant!
Keep up the good work
x
michelle recently posted…. Who cares about our teens and young adultsThanks Michelle. It seemed kinda apt – new company, new business plans, new ideas moving forward. So yeah, new design seemed to fit – cheers!
Hi Danny, really like the new layout!!
Josip Petrusa recently posted…. Life After 50 Blog Posts- 17 of My Blogging ExperiencesCheers Josip – I think you’ll really like the finished version then
Hey Danny,
I’m a big fan of the changes, they are a great improvement on your last design. I like the logo as well, the idea of the magnifying glass works on many levels.
I’m not sure if this following issue happens for anyone else but… your right sidebar appears below the body section of your site for me. It appears normal for me if I change the width to 322px instead of 323px on the following div:
div#wrapper div#column-2-page-single
I believe it is in the leafs.css file.
To help the designers out, I am using Firefox 3.6.8 (latest version)
JayTurn recently posted…. With a Little Help From Your Business FriendsHey there mate,
That’s bizarre. I’ve tried to replicate the issue you’re having on FF, Safari, Chrome and IE, no joy fella. Looks fine each time.
If there is an issue, it’ll be me to blame as I designed the current layout, working from Lisa’s cool logo and banner/colour scheme.
The real meat will be when Lisa gets her hands on the blog soon
Cheers again, and I’ll keep my eyes open for that issue you found.
Just noticed the new header design and change in color scheme today. Definitely like it! Seems bold and authoritative to me (in a good way).
Congrats!
Ricardo Bueno recently posted…. Is it ever ok to do spec workHey there Ricardo,
Thanks fella – Lisa has some cool tricks up her sleeve to finish the design off, and looking forward to sharing “final” version.
Great to read all these positive comments
I always found the picture of you looking down quite charming though. It gives an impression of quiet confidence, humility, and I think it makes you more approachable. Maybe we should take a vote on it
Lisa Kalandjian recently posted…. Constant Contact Design For Applied Scholastics Int
A vote, eh? Now there’s an option…
And yep, everyone loves the logo and header – not surprised, awesome stuff, miss, thank you. Looking forward to unveiling the cool stuff you have in store
Love the new design, Danny. Headway is looking fabulous!
A bunch of minor changes that I thought you might want to consider:
1. Can’t see the original post on the comments page. Thought your earlier theme allowed that … or am I mistaken? I think it helps the readers to be able to see the original post – helps them to go back and reference it even while leaving comments.
2. On the header background world map (between your head shot and the logo, adding a different color (red?) to one of the North America map points will add a nice accentuation.
Kapil Apshankar recently posted…. Social Web- Show Me The People