If you’re new to Creative Curio, you’ve come to the most popular series of articles! But you’re in luck! Only two weeks have gone by since I started documenting my creative process as I redesign my blog. The first week, I wrote about steps one and two in the design process, research and thumbnails, in Ideas for My Blog Design, and last week, it was step three, wire frames, along with some experimenting.
The Blog Design, Week 3
This week was spent researching several alternatives mentioned in the comments from last week, particularly a more curio-esque design. There’s nothing that says you can’t go back and visit previous steps throughout the design process!
Things are going a bit slower than I would like, but work (where the money is!) has been extremely busy and draining. I wish I had more time to mull ideas over. But I know you all look forward to this weekly post—and I do too! I keep saying it, but I love talking with you guys in the comments. Your ideas have been awesome and your feedback valuable. Keep it comin’!
So, I’m presenting some of my ideas, research and a little bit of experimenting to you. I felt like the direction I started going was too dark and too romantic/girly. But what do you think?
I don’t want my blog to be dark; I want it to be open, friendly and inviting (though that doesn’t mean sickeningly chipper and burn-your-retinas bright). I think using the parchment—at least this particular image from Bittbox—as much as I love it, is making the design too dark. What do you think?
I enjoyed looking at old Victorian type posters, but I think it would be difficult to carry that look through a blog; the etched illustrations are a big part of what makes that style work. I really like the antique styles of Carnivale and Cirque du Soleil, too. Have you seen websites that incorporate these styles effectively?
Creative Curio readers: tell me what you think! If you’ve never commented here before, this is the perfect opportunity! I’d love to say hi to you and you’ll have fun joining in the conversations and offering your opinions! And don’t miss another installation in the creative process for the Creative Curio blog design—subscribe to the feed today! If email is more your thing, you can get new articles delivered directly to your inbox, too!
The Creative Curio Redesign Process
- Ideas for My Blog Design
- Wire Frames and Experiments
- Researching Alternatives (current post)
- Doodles are the Key to Success
- A Return to the Redesign
- Details, Details, Details
Oh!! And don’t forget to visit the Bloggies again! Creative Curio didn’t make it, but I Love Typography got on the top Asian blog list! Be sure to cast your votes before Thursday, January 31st or it’ll be too late! Can you guess my pick for best designed blog? *wink*
I think the parchment is way too dark. I love the logo with the crescent moon shape. I also think if you keep asking us for opinions, you’ll go mad from conflicting views, and you’ll never get the re-design done. But it’s cool that you’re asking us!
Alec,
I will ultimately make the decisions, but it’s nice to get feedback on design work—sometimes people have better ideas or ways that I can improve on my current direction and it’s great to have these kinds of creative discussions. The only thing that would be better would be to do it in person! The other really cool thing is that all of you combined have seen more websites and designs than I have and I’ve received many awesome links (hehe, I get you all to do my research for me ;) )
Hi! It’s been a while! I don’t think there have been too many conflicting ideas; people have been pretty helpful so far
If the parchment is too dark but you really like it, play with the colour levels in photoshop to lighten it up to soften the effect.
I like the crescent moon / logo and think it could have something worthwhile focusing on in it. Use two C’s representing Creative Curio to make a logo?
You can brainstorm and create concept styles forever…Eventually you’ll have to decide what core concepts you really want to use and start finalizing the design to move forward if you want to be productive.
Jamie,
You’re totally right; I’ll need to commit to a design one of these days! I’m not satisfied with the look yet, though. I want to explore a few more things. I’ve played with the levels and curves in PS for the parchment and lightening it too much (to more what I was imagining) makes it look washed out. I think the CC logo has just been done too many times, don’t you? I would like to focus on the whole name. I’m open coming up with an icon, too, but it would have to be a shape rather than the CC.
I really like the design at the top, minus the darkness of the parchment. I agree with JamieO about trying to make it a bit lighter or maybe it a bit transparent. I’m sure you can play around with it a bit and can make it look great!
I think if you tailored the site to look like those old posters it may make the site feel a bit cluttered and overwhelming. Not sure though, it could work out and be amazing!
You’re right about the two C’s for the logo being overdone. I really like the title you shared today; it reminds me of iron work, and is very un-Web 2.0, which I was getting tired of anyway.
Maybe play around with the crescent shape in the middle?
The parchment really wasn’t doing it for me. It seemed pretty dominant on the page. I like your idea with the old victorian poster idea. Maybe try rotating it at a 45 degree angle, and making the black really light so it’s unreadable, but people can still tell what it is. Just throwing that out there.
Hey Lauren, great blog you’ve got here (I thought I’d subscribed to it, but it seems I hadn’t…)
Good luck with your redesign! I wish I could offer more words of wisdom, but it’s a tough process. (I love those Victorian posters though)
Hey Lauren Marie,
Go with your gut feeling
Handdrawen design is going to be big in the future I think, but the old fashion news paper style is a curios choice.
Why don’t make both and see which one is best?
Feel free to ask for help if you need it :-)
Jacob,
I think I’m going to get rid of the parchment. I tried the transparency and that doesn’t look too bad, though. We’ll see, but I’m leaning towards no. You’re right about the cluttered nature of those old posters. Maybe I can incorporate the typographic style into the navigation or something.
paul.,
Hmm, iron work! I hadn’t thought of that. Interesting! I’m glad you are getting the un-Web 2.0 vibes; I don’t want a 2.0 site! I like the style, but it doesn’t fit here. I really like the celestial look, stars and moons. Love the style of your blog, btw 
Thanks for stopping by and welcome! So glad to meet new people in the comments.
Dylan,
Dominant, yes, that is a good way to describe how I’m feeling about the parchment, too. I like the earthy tones it adds, but perhaps I can get that another way.
Hamish,
Designing for oneself is a tough process! Thanks for the well-wishes!
Hey! Long time no see! Glad you added me to your reader. Now maybe you’ll stop by more often
Vivien (ib),
Yes, I agree about creating a separate post for my logo process. Those are just quick ideas I had. Oooo thank you for those circus posters!! I like that first set! Now why didn’t they show up when I was searching on Google? I’m very disappointed with the Bloggies, too. It seems PostSecret and Dooce are in everything. And the best design category (besides WDW, of course!) is a joke. Looking forward to what you write up about the behind the scenes you participated in.
Esben,
I’ll let you know if I need anything!
Hi! Haven’t seen you in a while either! Hand drawn design is definitely becoming very popular. I like it. Thanks for your offer to help
Thanks! Yes, the 2.0 style is good for some sites, but not (usually) designer’s sites.
Lauren you are the bomb… That’s a good thing.
Your blog is one that I read and take something away from EVERY POST. You are thorough but not boring. I’m the lady that suggested a post about the different types of font files (.ttf etc).
I enjoy going through your redesign experience… more than I thought I would.. can’t wait till the launch. Thanks so much.
I think the paper as a background to your main content is too dark. Perhaps the paper could be used as a background to the header. I quite like the idea behind the Crescent Moon small caps logo. Perhaps you could surround it with some nice ornaments?
I really like those posters too; I’m sure there’s something in there.
Thanks for the mention. I didn’t know until I read it here.
paul.,
You’re most welcome.
Kay,
Wow, thank you so much! You made my day!! These types of comments are what bloggers thrive on! I’m thrilled that you find my style interesting and that you learn something every time. Thanks for suggesting that font file post, too! I haven’t done so much research or been so confused on a topic, but I learned so much and probably wouldn’t have gotten into it except for your question. If you ever have any more questions or subjects you’d like to see me write about PLEASE ask! (that goes for everyone, even if you’re brand new to this blog) So glad to see you commenting here and hope you come back!
John,
Ha, you commented while I was writing that last reply. I voted for you for best asian blog, but I nominated you for so much more. I’m really disappointed with the nominations; there’s not much more than a handful of blogs nominated for all the categories. I think you should be under best new for sure and even weblog of the year. Anyway… thanks for your input; it’s always appreciated. I like that idea of using the parchment as the bg for other elements. Should I even “challenge” you to name that font I used in the small caps/moon logo? It’s too easy! I bet Ambroise would look really fine there, too.
Jacob,
Thanks for that article! Looks like a good resource. Oh, and glad to see your website is working again :)
Kristarella,
Ever a source of good research you are! Thank you!! I like those crumpled paper brushes. Look what else I found on Design Meltdown!! These are giving me ideas of how to fade out the middle of the parchment, just like you suggested. Patrick does outstanding research and categorizing of websites. I like Kara’s style of illustration and the colors on her blog—complimentary red and green, but not “Christmasy.” I bookmarked it, thanks! And I would never ignore your feedback; you put a lot of time and thought into these comments and I really appreciate it :)
That Design Meltdown article is a good round-up…
Did you see this one?!
kristarella,
Yes, I saw that vintage sites one. Very cool (particularly loved the mediaBOOM site, it must be 3D, though!)
I love the Victorian poster/letterhead style too. You were asking about examples of that style carried through to the web. My personal blog had that style for some time. Here’s a link to check out the header. I don’t know how well I accomplished carrying through the look, but it sure was fun to design. I had a book that had some color circus posters from the era that was my inspiration.
I was a bit surprised in the direction you were going with the design actually- your comment about it being too romantic/girly was what I was thinking. It was cute, but seemed too cute and swirly for your site somehow.
Randa,
Oh pretty! I like the watercolor-ish background on your old header, too. Check back tomorrow to see the direction I think I’m finally going to take… I’m excited! (and congrats again on your pregnancy :) )
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[…] The Creative Process Lauren from Creative Curio is in the middle of redesigning her blog and she is recording her creative process. So far she has written about her Research and Thumbnails, her Experiments and her Researching Alternatives. […]