Comments on: Improving blog design in a smart way

By: Smartblogtips wins Group Writing Contest | Smart Blog Tips

Smartblogtips wins Group Writing Contest | Smart Blog Tips — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:53:34 +0000

[...] http://www.rarst.net/web/improving-blog-design/ [...]

By: Ben Tremblay

Ben Tremblay — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:50:28 +0000

haha yeah for most people it’s 2.0, for you I agree with 3.75 :)

I am going to buy. I have started the design in photoshop without the theme but it’ll be soon time to buy it and get things done!

By: Rarst

Rarst — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:58:02 +0000

@Ben

Well, a lot of comments on group writings are from other contributors and such posts draw more traffic easily so it’s only natural.

2.0? I thought you are at 3.75 or something already. :) Looking for free theme or going to be buying one?

Yep, I put more thought lately into my design for it to be consistent. Still I am crappy designer and probably at my limit so some major changes are going to be custom-made by real designer in the future.

By: Ben Tremblay

Ben Tremblay — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:45:16 +0000

Why does posts about blogging always generate more comments? ;)

Good work with that one. You know I am getting ready for frogstr 2.0 and I am looking for the perfect balance between look and cleanliness. I think it is impossible as there are no perfect design, but you know…

You have been very consistent with your design and I admire that, good work!

By: Rarst

Rarst — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:41:13 +0000

@Ryan

Thanks. :) I am tweaking my blog all the time and at first was rolling back or changing lots of stuff because it seemed nice on it’s own but wasn’t fitting rest of blog.

One of the most usual mistakes of this kind I did is using “popular” RSS icons like man with paper. It is smart and cool but on light background it’s blending and small details make it hard to notice and process.

Now I am much more thorough with consistent styling and such.

Good luck you all of us. :)

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:42:37 +0000

Thats a great post. The basics are something a lot of people including myself overlook. It seems like bloggers are an awful like musicians, never satisfied with the final product. I cant count the times I have tried to make over a song of mine. Now I am doing it with my blog! Good luck with the contest.
Entering this group contest was one of the best things I’ve done. I am learning so muc from everyone and filling up my google reader with some excellent blogs!

By: Rarst

Rarst — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:23:26 +0000

@thinkjayant

Thanks. :) Despite my limited drawing skills I thought that few images are going to convey idea better in this case.

I’ll read your entry to group writing later today, looks extensive and worth attention.

By: tj @ smartblogtips

tj @ smartblogtips — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:11:46 +0000

i liked the creative aspect of this post. nice and informative.

regards
thinkjayant

By: Farrhad

Farrhad — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:09:14 +0000

Thanks dude :)

By: Rarst

Rarst — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:08:18 +0000

@Farrhad

Hmmm… I can think of some people but don’t have price ranges so you’ll have to inquire yourself.

http://blogdesignstudio.com/ – they are holding this group writing. Click through their recent works, quality is awesome. Not cheap I suspect. :)

http://qbkl.net/ – Alex of Blogsessive (as I understand). He is working on my new logo (I am most impressed with his work) and Blogsessive theme makes a lot of people drool. Not sure if he takes custom theme orders at moment and what is his price range.

http://freshneverfrozendesign.com/ – Brad of Bradblogging. Currently works on custom design update for me (won it in contest), no impressions to share yet. Designs are bright, clean and fresh. :) Markets prices as “affordable”.

btw I am taking sleepy excuse – if I forgot someone feel free to kick me.