The Grid for the Theme Competition
This is my first time, so please don’t laugh…
I’m trying to keep this theme for the competition to a horizontal grid. Going on the few comments left on yesterdays post, I’ve constructed a 6 column grid, with a 20px gutter, designed to fit within the optimal 960px width.
I think I’ve done it right. However, because I’m not 100% sure, I’d like some constructive feedback.
Please click on the thumbnail to view the image, and to get an idea of the grid layout.
Meta
This is where the author name, date, categories/tags, and number of comments will go. It takes up one column only. You can see something similar on Derek’s blog.
Main Content
This is where the main body content will go, and has been kept to an (almost) optimal reading width, but also allows the standard 468px advertising banner width to fit in.
Sidebar
This is wide enough to accommodate recent advertising trends (twin 125 x 125px ads), or be split into two smaller columns, or both, like you can see on Adii’s sidebar.
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I like what you have so far. I’ve always wanted to design a theme with the meta information to the side. I’m ready to see where you take this design.
Justin - Thanks. I’ll be pushing my current limits anyway. That’s for sure.
Armen - I’m not a big fan of giving a column to the post meta info but I like what you are doing. Keep the updates coming.
I think Paul, at Reflections, did a great job adding the meta data to its own left hand column. Other than his, and A List Apart, I’ve not seen too many blogs with a small left side column for such extra info. I’m interested to see where you go with it, Armen, so please do keep us updated on your progress.
Off-topic, thanks very much for your comment over on my Smashing Magazine guest post.
I think that looks good.
I’ve never seen a blog (untill now) with the meta like that.
that looks neat - look forward to seeing the final product!
The grid is perfect for me, nothing to change.
I saw some blogs with meta in another column and I want to do that in my blog too.
I look at your previous themes again, your style is minimal,no fancy icon, less color
Look at Moopoint VS SandPress theme
If I use moopoint, I’ll add “something” to it.
Maybe you can try something different to grab the crowd’s attention to say wow at the first sight
Kevin - It doesn’t always look right. I mean, I don’t think I’d do it if it had two sidebars. However, it could be one of the things that people really appreciate.
David - Yeah, I like what Paul did too. I actually forgot his was like that, otherwise I’d probably use it as an example.
I’ll be looking for your input along the way, my friend.
Brian - Thanks. I hope others receive it the same way.
Nice - Thanks
People often like something which gives them room to be creative. Leaving it minimal often helps people to personalise it.