Design: Great Success?
You’re all aware of the recently launched design. It’s been two weeks, or just shy, and so far I can’t really say it’s developed into something I still really like.
Initially when I finished it, I thought it was great, but while I don’t think it’s a scar on the face of the web, it has “shrunk” on me (if that makes sense). So, when you’ve been back to the drawing board and things didn’t personally (and critically) work out for you, what can you? Pretty easy to me: start over.
Currently: The Problems
Too complex. While I don’t have a very “complex” style of designing, this just doesn’t suit what I want this place to look like. Also, contrast in all the wrong places. I’m really starting to regret the sidebar being dark. While I do believe it fits, I think it kind of looses the purpose of the sidebar that was fulfilled with the previous design.
Colour choices were too much. Again, it’s not an issue of picking bad colours, as I personally believe they work great together, but I’m realizing that it’s not needed. And for the record, this “blue” can be best described as something like “Dark Grey Navy” and is #213a43. It’s part of the Cyan portion of the colour wheel, while analogous to green, just not green 
Awaiting: The Solutions
Simplify. Redistribute the contrast (you’ll see what I mean) to make things in terms of readability much better. Let the content do the talking. Without big colours and lots of gradients, the content’s new design will fix volumes of things. Typography, display of elements and all that fun stuff.
Most importantly, it’ll look what a site should look like after over a year of going through tons of designs. The one launched May 1st (or a little before) for the possibly last, and very pathetic CSS Reboot was the longest running design at 6 months.
All that being said, the action of going back to the drawing board sort of just happens for me. What comes out of it this time will be much better, and will solve all design related problems here for a long time!
Leave a comment
darknesfallz
November 13th, 2007 at 10:57 PM
the layout looks fine as it is. Perhaps a new color scheme would make it look better but there is no need to completely scrap what you have so far and re-do entirely.
Just my 2 cents, as i am experiencing the same horror with my site. Seems like every time i finish a new design, after a couple of days i seem to start hating it and scrap it.
Connor Wilson
November 14th, 2007 at 12:06 AM
That’s the main issue here. I know it’s not a bad design, and I don’t want to completely waste it, but what’s to come is basically what I wanted to do this time around, just a little late
Mike
November 14th, 2007 at 12:38 AM
I dont mind the layout but the display issues need to be fixed. I was really surpised that you didnt fix these problems as soon as you released the site. What caught me the most was when you didnt test it in all browsers, operating systems when you did release it.
Anyways cant wait to see whats coming!
Connor Wilson
November 14th, 2007 at 12:40 AM
Mike, that’s what I got from a rushed launch and a lack of time. New layout won’t have any display issues or anything of the like ;P
Invest Free Money
November 14th, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Dark, I have the same issue. I will design a site, love it, then look back in a few weeks, and go, “Who designed this crap?”. Another problem I have is that I like simple elegant designs, but when I ask for opinions, I get the whole too simple, make it flashy remarks.
I like the blue and orange color scheme (I am currently doing it on two of my sites). And I did like the footer of the last site.
Henry
November 14th, 2007 at 2:53 PM
I don’t mind the new design, but maybe some improvements and changes are in order. I feel it still needs a lot of work.
Mike
November 17th, 2007 at 3:40 AM
this design looks just like the old one! haha jsut kidding! Take your time with the new design make sure it turns out right!
Connor Wilson
November 17th, 2007 at 11:12 AM
Yeah, I’m going back to this one because it actually works. It will only be for a few days.
Mark
November 17th, 2007 at 1:30 PM
I’m no expert but I like your design. Its cleen and simple - easy to get an overview over the site.
I also have the problem that when I design something - also my websites - I’m not satisfied with my work after a few weeks - but I think this is normal and just imagine how the web would look like without that phenomenon. The web is changing very fast and who wants do see a design that is more than one year old. =)
Mike
November 17th, 2007 at 7:38 PM
Connor isnt fixing the new one hes making a new one read above henry!
Henry
November 17th, 2007 at 7:43 PM
Mark, you missed it, this is the old design. I assume Connor is fixing the new one.
SirCommy
December 29th, 2007 at 6:52 PM
Connor, I’m enjoying your current design, but I do indeed feel something is missing and unfortunately, I can’t realize what! haha, that ‘je n-ais c’est quoi’ or however you spell that. But as I said, your current design is alright, if you feel the need to make some minor changes here and there, then go ahead, I’m sure it can only get better.
And yes darn it, I’ve been in many moments when I enjoy the work when I finish it, but after some time, I get to be too pretentious *sigh*
Keep up the good work
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