Tweaking the Design at effective web ministry notes

Tweaking the Design

filed under Site News by rob on 06Jun06 @ 4:46 pm EST

Okay, so maybe it’s time to change the way things look around here. Leave any comments about suggestions for a new design. I’m probably going to work on it later this week and this weekend since my wife will be out of town!

11 Responses to “Tweaking the Design”

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1 Greg Nilsen on Jun 6th, 2006 said:

Wow…quite a big change, but definately looks a lot cleaner, but the top is kinda bland without any images.

Definately a big step in the right direction though!
2 Frank Johnson on Jun 6th, 2006 said:

Oh, I like this very much Rob.
3 rob on Jun 6th, 2006 said:

What are some of the things you like/dislike? And what about the old design did you like/dislike?
4 djchuang on Jun 6th, 2006 said:

Beautiful design! Puts the content in a clear and easier to read format..
5 Jeremy on Jun 7th, 2006 said:

I agree that it is easier to read the content and that the layout is better… but I can tell that it is a “built-in” template since I see it on other blogs.
6 Frank Johnson on Jun 7th, 2006 said:

Well, without the old design in front of me it’s hard to say. Wait, thanks to Google Cache, I can still see your old design.

Looking at them now, the thing I disliked the most about the old design was the picture of the bricks and the bench - just seemed jarring to me somehow. The color scheme (blue, orange, red) made it difficult to figure out at a glance what was most important (hope that makes sense). Although, now that I think of it, maybe the orange was part of the orangejack connection. Also, I think the font you used before (or perhaps the line spacing/font color, etc.) made the content less readable.

I like this design because it seems cleaner and more elegant. Also like the social bookmarking links in the right-hand column of the permalink pages. Plus, trackbacks!

One thing I don’t particularly like about this new design is the location of recent entries and About at the bottom of the home page. I’m more accustomed to seeing those in the sidebar and they sort of seem like an afterthought when they are at the bottom. Not sure you want those items (especially the About portion) to be an afterthought so maybe think about putting them in the sidebar. Just a thought.

By the way, is the comment system part of the template? Something about it (perhaps the way the text field moves) seems very useful and natural to me.
7 rob on Jun 7th, 2006 said:

Thanks, Frank. A lot of what you see right now is “right out of the box”. That’s why I’ll be playing with it. There’s some things I don’t care for, but might be able to tweak it out. Thanks.
8 hash on Jun 7th, 2006 said:

Wow, I like this theme. That’s why I used it at Realty Thoughts when I set it up a couple months back.
I need to spend the time customizing it a little more, like I’m sure you will here. It’s always good to give a blog a facelift every once in a while, and this is a great new look for eMinistry Notes.
9 James on Jun 8th, 2006 said:

I really like it Rob, certainly more than a tweak! Like Frank, I’m not sure about the recent entries list, it’s bumping into the footer for me!

I also think a little more colour might ‘lift it’ even more. How about the tags in the sidebar being pink or even orange!
Keep up the great work!