I just can't leave it be with the look of my blog these days. I was quite happy with the same style for 2 years, but ever since I decided to shake it up at the beginning of this year I've never really been happy. I tweaked and fiddled and tried all sorts of fonts, layouts and palettes. To side widget or not to side widget, that is the question…and if so, left or right? Image or text banner? Link to everywhere (and there's plenty) on the web I have a presence? Offer you tea, coffee and free wifi?
At the end of the day I like minimal, neutral colours. Tidy blog, tidy mind, she says ironically. I want clean, light, quiet and clutter-free with big images, and I want the look to reflect my work. I don't want to feel overwhelmed with bling, whistles and bells.
Do you click away from blogs with too much going on; widgets and sidebars full of menus of recommendations, deezer playlists and paintball-like explosions of colour, or do you find it entertaining, making you linger? Do you think your own blog reflects you as you would like, and when was the last time you re-designed it? Is it tired, in need of a facelift or is it really not worth worrying about as so many readers do so these days in google reader, bloglovin', rss feeds and emails on mobiles devices? And much like the age old wearing of make-up argument, do you do it for yourself or for how others see you?
I feel the same about my blog, I sort of like it but no matter what I do I'm never completely happy - the perfect blog template for me just doesn't seem to exist! I don't like blogs with too much going on - my pet hate is adverts, when people have adverts between posts is the worst. I subscribe in a reader to the blogs I like to read, but I still like click through to the actual blog if I want to read the whole post (or comment, obviously). I think especially for photography blogs too much clutter can be really detrimental - we want to see the photographs.
ReplyDeleteI design my blog for myself, mostly - I think you have to please yourself before you can please anyone else, and if I like it it stands to reason someone else must like it too, it can't just be me! lol.
Your blog looks just dandy to me, but it is hard to not obsess over it, and I do change mine quite often as I'm never quite happy with it. x
i really like your new blog design: épuré.
ReplyDeleteand yes i do click away from blogs with too much going on (especially the deezer playlist!)
I like your design very much, I like the cleanliness and lightness of it. But since you ask, I want to share with you my first impression on your blog. I very much liked the entry with the header (which is so clear and light - almost reminds me of a beach and ocean and all that). But when scrolling down it becomes a little bit heavy on the right side while the left side stays white. And since you have a relatively broad right column the text is long and lets the pictures seem smaller.
ReplyDeleteI know this doesn't help, but I think it's the same with Layout as with everything: it depends on :) Sometimes I like it very much, when there is much going on on the page and you cannot capture everything at the first sight. But it has to be balanced in its different parts and it has to support and not overshadow the content. That is for photoblogs, as Deb also said, especially important. And that is where my problems begins, too :) At the moment I am also trying to adjust my blog to my taste and mood - first for myself, yes, but of course I also for people passing by in the hope they stay a while.
Btw: tea and free wifi would be great :)
I like the new design very much. I like it, clearly, in delicate colors, with large images. I feel as you. I want to see the work of art or what the blog want to show . I don't like it too colorful, I don't like advertising on blogs, and I don't like a lot of extras, too.
ReplyDeleteClear, concise, elegant and minimalist.
Regina Spektor is a great artist. We also have CDs at home, they running out and down. I like its diversity of voices, and the under-eyed sinterized songs. Someone who really thought about his music.
Have a great weekend?
simple=beautiful
ReplyDeleteit's difficult to focus
on what's important
if there are too many distractions.
i have to be consistent
with my aesthetic
if i am to gage
whether or not i am pleased
with the look/result.
better to have a few dedicated
followers
than loads of passers by.
loving the elegance of your
new look.
Many thanks everyone, it's really good to get some insights/feedback. Deb, I know what you mean about the perfect template…I get so fed up with constantly trying to find the code for everything!
ReplyDeleteElisabelle, I hate it when the music just starts up without me getting a choice to listen or not :(
LPC, your points were extremely interesting, I am going to now try and find the code to make the text block narrower!
Kristin, RS is a really interesting musician, pleine de charme!
Anca, your blog is always one of those places to linger a while, you have the perfect balance of text and images.
I enjoy the design of your blog very very much - simple but at the point! Concentrated on the art, the pictures.
ReplyDeleteA clear mind behind.
I prefer it that way, too. It took me years to get it simple for myself... again and again and again...
(Well, my English might not be the best... excuse me)
Have a good time,
best wishes
Stefanie
I am all about keeping things clean, simple, and streamline. Buttons are nice if they are color coded or small. I hate all that whimsical nonsense. Plus, it makes all the blogs look the same! I enjoy simplicity and that seems to be you up and down! Blogs are important and you should do what feels right. I always say to myself "what would I like to see..." or "what would I think of this.." and that is the only way to keep sane. If not, I would have to change my blog and website everytime I found some new layout I liked ! Good luck and I will read it no matter what. <3
ReplyDeleteI like your new design! Simple & beautiful. That's how I prefer a blog to be. It's not easy finding the perfect balance, is it? But too much going on is not the answer, for sure :) Have a good weekend!
ReplyDelete