The Upcoming Redesign
It had to come of course. With the current design sporting the theme I created to raise a little money for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, there was always going to come the time when I’d revert to something more unique. I’ve been wearing the Bedrock Grid now for three months, so although I’ll continue to make the theme available to purchase (it’s just a mere $20 for those who don’t know), it’s time for something new around here.
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As a side note, the theme has raised £162 for the charity so far. Better than entering it into a fraud WordPress theme contest (yes, it seems our gut feeling was correct, and the competition was a hoax). But, I’m glad to be able to say, the target of £4,000 has been reached! The target has therefore been pushed to £10,000 (that’s over AU$21,000 for you aussies. WOW! The British pound is falling apart!!).
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Originally, I was going to go for something very minimal, but I decided against it. Then I was going to go for something with gigantic text, but I didn’t (at least not to the extent I was going to). I also wanted to move my photographs into a separate gallery, so this redesign is going to accommodate that.
Anyway, I’ve got two layouts for you to ponder over. I’d appreciate some help in deciding. Also, criticism is welcomed.
I have my thoughts, but I don’t want to influence what you think in any way.
So, shoot…
Both of those seem way too minimal for me…
:-/
But if I had to pick, I’d probably go with the first.
I’d offer more criticism, but they’re just way too minimal for me…
Hm…
well…
I dunno…
maybe if you picked a different color…
or added a second color then maybe…
I prefer version 2….not sure about the vertical header in 1
Brian - Thanks for your thoughts as always. I’ll give more thought to graphics, or decorative aspects.
Strange you’d say it’s too minimal, after reading your last post
Glenn - Thanks as always.
I know it’s difficult to maybe fully visualise it in the preview, but I just wanted to leave it with you to get your thoughts.
Looking for more…
I picked #1
but I think the logo’d be in more common place (top left, horizontal)
post-meta on #2 confused my eyes a bit
Glad to hear the charity can finally make it while i love to use the bedrockgrid theme as well.
For the redesign i prefer no. 1, but would you mind consider to tweak the colors a bit?
Thanks and Blessings!
The 2nd one for me, mainly because I don’t like the rotation on your logo in the 1st.
However, I find the navigation more eye-catching than your identity, which isn’t great. I always find that if your logo is the first thing a visitor looks at, you’ve done something right.
Congrats on the charity work!
Version 1 with the header from version2,
but leave the sidelogo to follow viewers browser window (always a home link),
otherwise very nice and clean grid.
You can always apply a second stylesheet with different colours like I’ve done =)
Thanks all for your comments.
I’m going to revise it, but my thinking before I even posted this, was the same as Glenn’s and David’s, preferring the second one.
The most constructive thoughts were to consider adding another colour, and to have a less ‘in your face’ navigation. So I’m taking those thoughts with me.
I’m not going to rush it though. I might go for a fairly graphic intense look, but I doubt it.
Armen,
I know my comment is late - but I like the second one as well. I think new visitors will be looking at the top for your blog info.
As for the colors, I found them a bit too bright.
Can’t wait to see the new outfit!
I would say no 1 but agree its a bit to simple and minimalistic!
I actually like the idea of how you are relaying a different way of the blog (two columns with no header). Good idea!
Hi Armen,
I’ve been reading a bit lately about using WP as a CMS for new websites.
I like this Bedrock Grid template. I noticed that the other pages you have in the navigation still look like blog post pages though.
Is it easy to modify pages (other than the blog page) to look more like a regular page (i.e. the content on a page taking up more than 3/6ths of the page - which is what the current post takes up).
Thank you
Helena
Thanks for your comments, Jermayn and Neena. Stay tuned, cos something’s coming…
Helena - The orginal theme doesn’t offer that, but I’m working on it now for my own site, and if you want it, I’ll help you, or write a tutorial for the benefit of everyone.
Hi Armen, my blog’s featured in Wp-Premiums.com. I guess i’m the only delegation for Bedrock Grid theme. Here’s the link http://wp-premiums.com/2008/03/19/robin-malau/
thanks you…