Redesign Stuff

By On June 6, 2009 · 43 Comments · In Misc

UPDATE: I’ll be out and aboot today, so probably no new post. I’ll be on Twitter and the comments if you’re around – the one thing I really like about Disqus is the reply-via-email function. Let me know your further thoughts on the redesign (ahem – Kingsley).

Also, I dare you to tell me the first rooftop scene in The Hangover isn’t one of the funniest things of recent comedy past.

———————-

I’m redoing the site a little this weekend and probably into next week, because I’ll get distracted – remain calm. This will be nothing rash – just a template/theme that’s far more adaptable, plus a new name.

Do you like the banner that’s up there now, or the original one I did for this, as seen below?

WSM

The one in the post here is obviously bolder, but the one up in the header right now is such a clash of stupid and pretentious, that I kinda prefer it. This is the original picture.

brian-spaeth

I’d appreciate any feedback – thanks!

(btw I was sure today was Father’s Day all week. Apparently it’s not. Should I send clarification emails to several people I sent Father’s Day notes to, or just let it ride?)

 
  • http://twitter.com/ColleenBurns constantsparkle

    I like the one that is currently up there, keep that ;)

  • http://twitter.com/ColleenBurns constantsparkle

    I like the one that is currently up there, keep that ;)

  • http://alexisreviews.tumblr.com alexiskn

    i like the one that's up there better (omg wtf this just deleted my huge post. ugh.) – but the text gets lost. could it be bigger without being like the second one? like maybe bigger and covering part of the gun cuz you can't really tell it's a gun anyway? and i like the “welcome to the wtf omg batdance brb”… you should add that to the current one.

    and just pretend you wanted to be so extra sure your Father's Day stuff got there on time that you sent it it a week early. (is it next week? i have no idea…) also i need advice on that – what's the protocol when my dad is in Oslo and i don't have his address there? can i send an electronic internet card? i hope so…

  • http://alexisreviews.tumblr.com alexiskn

    i like the one that's up there better (omg wtf this just deleted my huge post. ugh.) – but the text gets lost. could it be bigger without being like the second one? like maybe bigger and covering part of the gun cuz you can't really tell it's a gun anyway? and i like the “welcome to the wtf omg batdance brb”… you should add that to the current one.

    and just pretend you wanted to be so extra sure your Father's Day stuff got there on time that you sent it it a week early. (is it next week? i have no idea…) also i need advice on that – what's the protocol when my dad is in Oslo and i don't have his address there? can i send an electronic internet card? i hope so…

  • http://madpropstobakedpotatoes.com Brian

    It's two weeks away yet!

  • http://madpropstobakedpotatoes.com Brian

    It's two weeks away yet!

  • Greg Odens tonsils

    You need to shift the focus to you're dyed goatee. That'll attract viewership.

  • Greg Odens tonsils

    You need to shift the focus to you're dyed goatee. That'll attract viewership.

  • ColonelT

    The one that's there now is the one that should stay there in the future times.

  • ColonelT

    The one that's there now is the one that should stay there in the future times.

  • http://madpropstobakedpotatoes.com Brian

    Okay I'm settled on this with the little bigger font size. Part of me still likes it smaller, but this probably makes more sense.

  • http://madpropstobakedpotatoes.com Brian

    Okay I'm settled on this with the little bigger font size. Part of me still likes it smaller, but this probably makes more sense.

  • http://madpropstobakedpotatoes.com Brian

    ***i like the “welcome to the wtf omg batdance brb”…***

    I like that too – I will add it in the sidebar somewhere down low probably. There were just too many random words up there as it was.

  • http://madpropstobakedpotatoes.com Brian

    ***i like the “welcome to the wtf omg batdance brb”…***

    I like that too – I will add it in the sidebar somewhere down low probably. There were just too many random words up there as it was.

  • http://alexisreviews.tumblr.com alexiskn

    neat-o.
    also: the graphic designer in me <3s the pretentious mix of lower-case and caps-lockieness. the OCD graphic designer in me wants to do some kerning between the apostrophe and s.

  • http://alexisreviews.tumblr.com alexiskn

    neat-o.
    also: the graphic designer in me <3s the pretentious mix of lower-case and caps-lockieness. the OCD graphic designer in me wants to do some kerning between the apostrophe and s.

  • Clayton

    I like it quite a bit, Brian. But, and it just may be me, it seems like it could use a contrasting border or color around it to make it stand out and pop more. I'm almost seeing like a messy brush stroke kind a deal like how they do in comic panels sometimes, you know… but that doesn't mean I'm right. Just throwing it out there.

    Damn, you scared me for a minute that it was fathers day, too. Don't feel too bad, I'm notoriously bad with remembering and keeping up with major holidays like this one's dates, too. Need to connect it to something else… but I can't think of what , really…

    -Clayton

  • Clayton

    I like it quite a bit, Brian. But, and it just may be me, it seems like it could use a contrasting border or color around it to make it stand out and pop more. I'm almost seeing like a messy brush stroke kind a deal like how they do in comic panels sometimes, you know… but that doesn't mean I'm right. Just throwing it out there.

    Damn, you scared me for a minute that it was fathers day, too. Don't feel too bad, I'm notoriously bad with remembering and keeping up with major holidays like this one's dates, too. Need to connect it to something else… but I can't think of what , really…

    -Clayton

  • http://madpropstobakedpotatoes.com Brian

    I hear you Clayton, although I was kinda going for the “faux-crap minimalist pretentiousness”. Thank for stopping by from the secret HQ…!

  • http://madpropstobakedpotatoes.com Brian

    I hear you Clayton, although I was kinda going for the “faux-crap minimalist pretentiousness”. Thank for stopping by from the secret HQ…!

  • http://www.jenwatch.com orange5o

    i am frightened.

  • http://www.jenwatch.com orange5o

    i am frightened.

  • http://preludetoapretentiousreview.blogspot.com/ Kingsley Le Corbusier

    In general, I approve, though I also saw no reason to complain about the old version. I guess you wanted it to match the feel of Two Gun Guy, and this does that quite well.

    That said, a few critiques: 1) the “torn-out-of-a-magazine” photo treatment doesn't work for me. What's wrong with a classy old rectangle? 2) Why is the default text size so absurdly large? 3) Along those lines, why are the icons for twitter and rss and facebook so absurdly large? They look childish. 4) The font could be a bit sleeker in the headlines and in the banner and in your “about me” line. (You also don't need the period at the end of that sentence – it's obvious that it's the end of the sentence.) 5) We're back to blue on links? I think you need something gunnier.

  • http://preludetoapretentiousreview.blogspot.com/ Kingsley Le Corbusier

    In general, I approve, though I also saw no reason to complain about the old version. I guess you wanted it to match the feel of Two Gun Guy, and this does that quite well.

    That said, a few critiques: 1) the “torn-out-of-a-magazine” photo treatment doesn't work for me. What's wrong with a classy old rectangle? 2) Why is the default text size so absurdly large? 3) Along those lines, why are the icons for twitter and rss and facebook so absurdly large? They look childish. 4) The font could be a bit sleeker in the headlines and in the banner and in your “about me” line. (You also don't need the period at the end of that sentence – it's obvious that it's the end of the sentence.) 5) We're back to blue on links? I think you need something gunnier.

  • Wish

    If you could make your eyes move around on the banner like one of those paintings in a Scooby Doo cartoon that would be the best. The size of the lettering of your post makes me think I'm on my parents computer because of the size.

  • Wish

    If you could make your eyes move around on the banner like one of those paintings in a Scooby Doo cartoon that would be the best. The size of the lettering of your post makes me think I'm on my parents computer because of the size.

  • http://madpropstobakedpotatoes.com Brian

    Yeah fonts and colors are the last adjustments/tweaks. I like to get the base framework in place first.

    Just going for something diff and semi-tarded on the banner. It's on-purpose bad, and thus good.

  • http://madpropstobakedpotatoes.com Brian

    Yeah fonts and colors are the last adjustments/tweaks. I like to get the base framework in place first.

    Just going for something diff and semi-tarded on the banner. It's on-purpose bad, and thus good.

  • http://twitter.com/dennymayo Dennymayo

    Wish makes a good point.

  • http://twitter.com/dennymayo Dennymayo

    Wish makes a good point.

  • http://preludetoapretentiousreview.blogspot.com/ Kingsley Le Corbusier

    Then you have succeeded. I recommend a nice Gotham font – Gotham narrow perhaps.

  • http://preludetoapretentiousreview.blogspot.com/ Kingsley Le Corbusier

    Then you have succeeded. I recommend a nice Gotham font – Gotham narrow perhaps.

  • http://madpropstobakedpotatoes.com Brian

    For what – the banner or the content?

  • http://madpropstobakedpotatoes.com Brian

    For what – the banner or the content?

  • http://preludetoapretentiousreview.blogspot.com/ Kingsley Le Corbusier

    Sorry – should have been clear. For the banner and surrounding text. The content font is fine, very easy on the eyes.

  • http://preludetoapretentiousreview.blogspot.com/ Kingsley Le Corbusier

    Sorry – should have been clear. For the banner and surrounding text. The content font is fine, very easy on the eyes.

  • http://thingsididlastnight.com/ Daryl Zero

    “the graphic designer in me”

    That's one lucky graphic designer.

  • http://thingsididlastnight.com/ Daryl Zero

    “the graphic designer in me”

    That's one lucky graphic designer.

  • http://alexisreviews.tumblr.com alexiskn

    tee-hee!

  • http://alexisreviews.tumblr.com alexiskn

    tee-hee!

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    Yeah I could agree!

    Donna

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    Yeah I could agree!

    Donna

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    Yeah I could agree!

    Donna