May 25, 2009
New design launched as thirteen cent pinball turns 3
Three years ago today, I started a blog at Blogger and didn't really have a name for this new "thing," didn't know where it was going, and didn't know precisely what to write about. I'm still writing about topics almost as broad as my own interests, and frankly, I don't think I know much better where it's going but at least it has a name: thirteen cent pinball.
About eight months ago I decided to upgrade my blog from Movable Type version 3 to the much improved 4. In the process, I wanted a wider page with larger font, bigger images, a cleaner and easier commenting section, and better typography. I wanted to eliminate extra steps and hurdles for users, and streamline my own process for updating content across the blog and eventually my portfolio as well.
Regular visitors will recall the blog originally looked like this:
After some tweaking (in Fireworks; below), and preliminary CSS based on my existing stylesheet, the next stage ended up being mostly ignored for the next few months.
Come the end of February (below) not much had changed, but I then started getting ideas from blogs by designers Jason Santa Maria and Scott Hansen, and analysing the features of my friends' blogs.
I applied my usual attention to detail to an updated URL format, more useful post metadata, auto-approved comments (so long as you answer the comment challenge correctly!), and personal info retained by default (but able to change). I've added a tag cloud, and condensed my categories into a drop-down except on the archives page, which is also more concise. The content of the blogroll is limited to what really matters. The far right sidebar allows me to feature my favourite and/or latest work from my portfolio. More useful bits and badges will be added in the future.
Removing unnecessary white space between columns and on the outside allowed me to add a third column and tighten up the design. This solved the problem of a long line length in the updated two-column design and provided a good solution to displaying items I would otherwise have put into a less visible footer.
Through an organic progression of ideas and desires over the course of a long timeline, the blog overhaul morphed from being a minor "facelift" to a much more thorough redesign—not a rebrand, or a significant change of character, but a careful reconsideration of every part of the look and function.
I love it and am excited to finally show you. Now, what do you think?
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About
I am a communication designer in Vancouver, BC. Most of my writing and community activism are in the interconnected issues of public transit, local eating and food security, politics, health, environment, and sustainability in general. At heart, I'm a geek and a total treehugger. Nature, tea, good food and great company make me happy.
Currently reading:
"Trauma Farm: A Rebel History of Rural Life"
Brian Brett
Featured project
Comments (4)
I’m a fan of 3 column themes and I must say that I just love the new look. And I must also say kudos for sticking to your guns. Each time it has been a change but the change has also kept something from the previous theme. It’s like watching a girl grow up in different stages.
Thanks so much for those sentiments, Roshan. I do tend to forget that I had changed it once, already. About watching a girl grow up in different stages — that’s a really elegant way to put it and very appropriate to me. The design evolves as I do and particularly my skills to execute it. That goes for any designer or other creative person.
Funny, I was looking in my system email for a way to approve your comment, forgetting that it’s already here! (So easy!)
I like the three-column look as well. It sort of lets you halve the single right column into two categories, reduces the need to scroll down, and adds more useful stuff in the fold.
Thanks Simon, I would have to agree!
Good to see you again tonight. I hope you enjoyed the discussion — shame we didn’t have time to chat more.