I’m getting a redesign courtesy of Urbanvox (aka the husband). He’s always on at me to let him loose on my blog but it’s somewhat akin to giving Laurence Llewelyn Bowen carte blanche to redecorate your home. Not necessarily a good idea. Not that I’m knocking his skills – the husband is an excellent designer – I just don’t like being the guinea pig. I’m too damn fussy. I need control.
So I told him what I may or may not what, in the vaguest possible terms, because really I haven’t got a clue. That’s right; I want to change my blog design but I don’t know what to. Maybe I’m going to be more of a guinea pig than I thought.
I set the husband to think about what he was going to design. I gave him a week because obviously paying jobs have to come first (well, that’s a matter of opinion because as the wife, I’m totally sure that I should come over and above everything but I figured I’d at least give him some time to think) but he hadn’t come up with much, most probably because I’d only told him it had to involve stars. Yeah, I go for the specifics me. So yesterday I told him to get sketching.
This morning I stumbled downstairs and plonked myself down at the computer to eat breakfast (even I can multitask first thing when it involves the internet) and found a sketch in the husband’s notebook. It appears he’s on to something and that something looks good. We have the basis of a header and I may soon have a completely new look around here.
But the trouble is, much like my corner of the bedroom, the house in general and my life, I’ve got a lot of clutter hanging around. I hoard things (except when I’m being ruthless and then the husband gets scared).
Here’s where you guys come in. I’d love for you to tell me what you like about the current design and what you hate, what you think I should keep in my sidebars and what can definitely go. After all, you’re the ones who visit here and have to put up with this junk. Maybe I need to introduce comfy sofas and tea and biscuits or perhaps you want to do your reading and get out as quickly as possible. Whatever it is you think I need, I want to know. And in more practical terms, how much empty space do you get on the right hand side of this template when you read?
So go on then. Get talking. Tear this place down so we can build it back up again.
I always like to see what other people are reading…
I get a lot of empty space (widescreen laptop), about a third of the screen is plain orange.
I do like the way the header is split over the three columns, but forms a continuous image. I like the also viewed bit too.
.-= Hannah said Still here… =-.
Glowstars Reply:
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:05
I’m glad it’s not just me that sees that empty space – figured it might be because I keep the screen at such a minute resolution.
Hmm:
bigger font
blogroll on on front page
2 column layout
upgraded integration of twitter (try tweetboard, you can see it in action on my tumblr blog theyearzero.tumblr.com
photo widget
more use of fun widgets in general (esp the ones those of us on wp.com can’t use; i like the one showing blogroll AND that person’s last blog entry and when, for example)
bigger font
.-= Milo said Dark days for the British drinking classes =-.
Glowstars Reply:
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:06
You remember the three sidebar layout I had? That was so the blogroll could go on the main page. You do realise there’s close to 200 links on it?
Bigger font. Right.
I like the header, I think it’s really pretty but I preferred the whole look when it was blue. I don’t like to see pictures of TB grimacing like that. Tell him his aunty would like to see a proper smile in a photo once in a while. BTW I loved his spelling of police o his Christmas list
x
Glowstars Reply:
December 4th, 2009 at 10:18
We’ve moved past the stage of proper smiles in photos – you’re lucky all you got was that face!
I think we should make it “glowy” probably keep the color. Agree with bigger type. And keep the BMB badge!
.-= A Modern Mother said My daughter’s best friend is moving =-.
Glowstars Reply:
December 4th, 2009 at 10:18
Glowy? Hmmm…. Any ideas how?
And of course I’m keeping the BMB badge – just waiting for a sidebar big enough to put the whole widget in!
I think everyone’s blogs are individual to them and should be designed just how they want. Me personally? I don’t like adverts on blogs, but that’s just me.
I certainly wouldn’t want to be a guinea pig either!!
CJ xx
Yeah, I found you! Thank you for coming over to visit my blog – this is all very new to me so I find myself getting ridiculously excited when I have a comment to moderate.
Since you ask, I’m struggling reading the small font, though made worse as the sun is shining straight at me at the minute. But I’m getting to that age when I spend all time shoving my glasses up and down on my head to read anything!
(By the way, loved your advent calendar post too: my son is nearly 14 and the joy of eating chocolate before breakfast in December is still apparent!)
.-= Trish said Mum’s Gone to Hell’s Kitchen =-.
woah to orange for me personally! It’s hard as blogs (for me) are so personal and they are like clothes are they show you for who you are so really it comes down to personal taste. My advice and I run my own photography business and have a website so like to think I kinda know what I’m talking about lol is that be user friendly remember not everyone who comes to your blog knows how to use the computer let alone the internet. Guide them from one thing to the next. lay it all out in plain english! And then go for your life
.-= Nat said I love you =-.
Glowstars Reply:
December 4th, 2009 at 15:49
It’s a bit too orange for my liking now as well. Which reminds me, must tell the husband to tone down the use of his favourite colour, even if I was the one who picked it last time around.
I would agree that it is very orange and I’m not sure what the header picture has to do with you and what you’re all about. I’d like to see the blog column bigger and the sidebars smaller. I think the content of your blog is the most important. There is a lot of blank space around the sidebars and a big gap between the far right sidebar and the end of the orange.
Including pics or thumbnail pics in your posts would be good as well.
That’s all I can come up with for now…Hope it helps!
Karin
.-= Karin @ Cafe Bebe said Great New Blog Friday =-.
Glowstars Reply:
December 5th, 2009 at 12:33
It looks very good on a small resolution screen…
Yeah, that’s the only thing I can come up with in its defence.
I agree… with Nat… orange is my favourite colour .. but your site IS a bit too orangy… hehehe and I kinda remember telling you that when you asked me to make it orange…
I agree with the thumbnail thing… it is quite cool if you ask me… Gives a bit more… face to the post… know what I mean???
Sorry I’ve been neglecting your site baby… hell I’ve been neglecting mine as well!!!
will try and get it done WAY before xmas…
luv ya!!
.-= Urbanvox said Two Cups of Coffee =-.