Elaborating on a Complete Idea
Posted on April 5th, 2008. 37 Comments so far. You next?
Something I’m proud to say is that I have reached a point with the design of this site that I am happy with. That doesn’t mean that the process of tweaking it and improving stops. Not now, not ever.
Because I am happy with it, doesn’t mean it looks even close to perfect to me. There are many flaws that mostly involve consistency.
Realign, Refresh, Reuse and Recycle
I don’t know if the “Three Rs” were hammered into your head to help save the environment (or something like that) while your were young, but in essence the ideas were a pretty solid foundation to web design.
Once the design is done, in the sense that you are happy, I like the start thinking of different approaches right away. With this site it is hard, because not much really sees a canvas in Photoshop. Most is just created live, while everything is running.
- Familiarity. With designs that stay reasonably consistent in theme and colour, it keeps readers happy to see something similar, but different at the same time.
- Simplicity. I like to make things easier to get to and overall simpler every time I revise the design. This never has to mean less images or flashy elements, just improved usability. In fact, if you don’t improve on usability with a new version, that’s never very good, is it?
- Less boring. Having the same design for years at a time is alright if it has changed the web (for the better), but otherwise it’s best to keep readers awake with a little change every now and then.
Refresh Frequency
Depending on how often you post, the amount of traffic you get and how good your design is, there are numerous factors factoring into when you should change it up.
Every couple of months might be a little much for anyone, but every 6 months something new is always nice. I’m going to clean this design up next month, and though it hasn’t been long, this would be a sort of a beginning to a more regular schedule.
A Chance to Improve
A design can only get better, so there is no use in being timid about changing things. If you have a shot at it and you decide the attempt has failed, you can always revert quickly or try again. The key is not to waste your time with coding something you don’t fully believe in.
Not only on the screen can you improve, but also in the XHTML and CSS you use. Use the best structure, validate code and format it. All those things you were putting off till next time, it’s time to get those going.
Who knows? Maybe after a couple good refreshing realigns to your site it actually will be perfect.
37 comments
April 9th, 2008 at 12:26 AM
Good simple tips for creating a good simple design. Though in past experience, I can’t say that a design can only get better.
April 11th, 2008 at 4:46 PM
A clean website is the key to hold the users on a website.. People who are searching for information are only interested in the content and you are really doing good with it.
These tips are very helpful, keep it up.
April 14th, 2008 at 12:04 AM
I definitely disagree with the “a design can only get better” part. Maybe that’s true for a skilled designer like yourself, but I could definitely screw up my own site with minor changes here and there, as could most of the people I know.
April 14th, 2008 at 12:23 AM
By saying “a design can only get better” I mean that any one with common sense shouldn’t release something below the previous model. I’ve done it before, but I always personally liked the new direction better.
April 14th, 2008 at 3:15 PM
It is a good idea to improve and change your site every couple months, plus if you do screw up or your visitors start to complain, you can always revert. But take everything is small steps, so if you do need to revert, your visitors will still know what website there at.
April 14th, 2008 at 3:58 PM
In reference to the “design can only get better”, it’s relative to the viewer and not the designer. Sure you want to make your website pretty and accessible and if you think your site looks awesome good for you but are you building the website for yourself or for your visitors? If your unsure then go to some webdesign forums and ask for some criticism, or even blog about how your blog could be better. Each website should have a suggestion box, help the viewer and the webmaster.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:21 AM
An idea is never completed. Every time that we have completed our goals, we find that we have still room for improvements.
April 17th, 2008 at 4:11 AM
“Save Money” is right. Its needet to make everything in small steps, so the visitors still know what website there are on. I would never change the logo of my customers brands. Thats one of the most important part of every website.
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:38 PM
No, not the logo and if you were going to change the logo then you’d have to have some sort of prewarning. Because the logo is part of your brand and if you get rid of it or even just change it, that familiarity that goes with it suddenly disappears.
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Not passed though here is a while. New logo is looking nice
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Where are you buddy? Come back!
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Im glad to know that you always have an open door for improvement. More power to your site.
May 4th, 2008 at 6:17 PM
I definitally do love the simplicity factor. And by the way, I love what happens to your header when you scroll over it.
May 7th, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Sometimes people seem to get caught up in colors and images and forget to make the design clear and simple, though I think your’s is nice and simple.
May 8th, 2008 at 4:29 AM
I really like this design, Clean and Fresh, just as the time of the year
May 9th, 2008 at 12:55 AM
Yay! Looks great. Yeah, I have also made my site more simplistic and clean. Revamping it again soon. Keep up the great work - talk to you soon.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:00 AM
I think a web designer should combine web design with web usability, i.e. how to attract users to stay on your website longer, and how to let users surf on your website easily.
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Wow!
A design guy that seems to “get” Direct Response methodology? Be still my heart!
I can’t begin to tell you how difficult it is to find someone who doesn’t want to put all the bells and whistles onto a single page…just ‘cuz they can. Too many times, response rates take a back seat to expression of creativity.
Love your posts. Keep ‘em coming!
-Terri
May 30th, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Excellent post, thank you for your hard work and information.
June 1st, 2008 at 8:14 PM
What plugin are you using for the oversized first letter of the article? This is so cool.
June 1st, 2008 at 8:31 PM
It’s just a little bit of custom CSS and I add the HTML tags into the posts manually.
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:51 AM
Very well said advice for newbies out there.
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Your website is very clean and easy on the eyes. Your font has white space between the lines that you don’t see too often which is great. Just a touch of color is another thing I like. With your suggest a topic and top commentators you really are engaging the viewer and I think these things can only add to your success. Great job!
June 6th, 2008 at 4:16 PM
We just completed our newest design over at devjargon.com Making a design can take a lot of work getting the colours just right, tweaking the design until your totally happy with it.
I like the new design here. Great job.
June 8th, 2008 at 11:13 PM
To add up, taking away boredom in one’s art work makes it an interesting subject.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:49 AM
It is good to redesign and refresh your site constantly. Obviously not so much that the users change thier opinion on it and go elsewhere. Improvements can always be made to anything, and to keep people interested constant updates is the best. As websites move along and new ideas come out, in a a few years time this website will be no way as good as the next one you will do. We are constantly learning - for web design and search engine optimisation.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:03 PM
In this way, Steve Krug’s “Don’t make me think” is worth reading.
June 16th, 2008 at 4:49 PM
The hardest designs to achieve are the simple ones, well done a fabulous design.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Finishing a site to satisfaction when it’s a client, fine. When it’s your own site though, it’s never really finished is it? Give it 6 months, you’ll be tinkering with the code again just like we all do on our own sites
June 20th, 2008 at 9:38 PM
This is a great design. I really love the simplicity of it, but there are some really cool small touches.
June 26th, 2008 at 1:52 PM
I’m not convinced that a lot of reworking on the design is helpful … in a previous “life” I was a graphic designer, and it’s surprising how often we circled back round to one of the original sketches after weeks of client mock-ups and approval committees.
As always, the biggest issue for a blog staying fresh & contemporary is content. You have some great info on your site … I do hope you’ll keep writing here.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:58 PM
well, you certainly have the right mindset. It’s always important to be open to new things , even when you are thoroughly happy with your site.
June 27th, 2008 at 8:51 AM
I’m with MB on this one. You just can’t please yourself can you.
June 30th, 2008 at 6:39 PM
I can’t please myself, but then again. I am a terrible designer
July 1st, 2008 at 3:35 AM
Connor, surely though, there can reach a point in design, like a painting where you have to know when to stop. I used to have my own personal blog, which I over tweaked past the point of a good design. I had a lot of feedback, asking why I had changed the design in a bad way.
July 1st, 2008 at 4:18 PM
I was reading the post as if I had not read it before and noticed that I had posted before. I wanted to add something as I am forwarding this post to my office. Designs are never complete, they are always a work in progress and its not only about design. Its called web design and that makes people assume that it is only web + design when in actual fact there is a whole lot more. Your comment on continously trying to find ways to improve the usability is really important. Its the experience and message of a website that brings visitors back. The design sets the mood.
July 5th, 2008 at 7:29 AM
Your blog is nice! Great design there! I wanted a custom theme too but I do not know how to design it myself, will send you an email about doing one, great work, keep it coming!
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