Inspiredology Needs Your Help!
Inspiredology has been running for almost 6 months now, and I am looking to update the site. I am talking about a redesign, just a few upgrades here and there to make the site slightly better, both visual and accessible. I am thinking of cleaning up the readability of the blog posts, possible a better sidebar, and I have thought what would Inspiredology be like in a fluid layout. So I am asking you to send me your comments on what you think needs to be improved, what should I add to the site to make it better and what new posts you would like to see.The summer time is around the corner and I would love to have some new features implemented for the summer. All your feedback is extremely appreciated. Anyone that has great tips, or add-ons or anyone willing to lend a helping hand will get a thank you once the site is updated.
Thanks
May 5th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
It’s definitely a step in the right direction cause I personally don’t like the lay-out! I do like the blog
Here’s what I can think of so far:
- I’d change the header (it’s a really big graphic and doesn’t add anything to the site).
- Also, the white space between the links of the sidebar is way to big.
- Put in the footer some interesting highlights of your blogposts… Wordpress has a lot of cool plugins for that.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I’ve been reading your blog for a bit now and quite honestly, the readability is top-notch. The layout is clean, effective, and unique. I wish I could suggest something, but it’s already great. I look forward to whatever you have in store!
May 5th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
the header is great, i love that
my thoughts -
the side right bars-
seem to have a problem with the text wrap in safari. the recent posts tend to stretch into the page. and the text in these boxes sits very close the the left side of the box.
the overall background-
add some texture to it. everything else has some grain, might as well have it look universal. ( if it has that already, then maybe make it a little darker)
the body-
i would add more padding to the right side of the text in the body of the pages. it almost looks like it is going to fall off the edge.
Links-
maybe link colors could be a dark blue instead of a black, to differentiate them from the other text.
in the links panel -
the background ends right as the google adwords begin, maybe fix there could be done.
Content-
shit man, you find some good stuff to write about, and its always really good.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Thanks for the quick responses
*Stefan - I agree and I believe the sidebar is a major point where it needs some help…as well as I will take your feedback and create better links.
*Laura - Thanks for your kind words, it’s appreciated.
*K3v - I like your idea of adding more information in the footer.. and you are right the links have a lot of vertical white space.. thank you to everyone and I welcome more and more feedback
May 5th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Hi. First thing - your blog is pretty damn good ;). If you want to redesign it - here are some ideas:
- change header (I like the style, but it’s rather boring (now). Some new idea would be better).
- make the comments little better (stand out, customize with avatars (check gravatar.com).
If you want some tips on the blog design part - you can also check http://www.blogdesignblog.com/blog-design/how-to-blog-design-style-guide
Cheers
May 5th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Hey. As everyone is saying…your content is awesome.
(sorry for my English:
About the web:
I won’t say anything about styles nor technical Adonis…because I think you are the one who has seen more inspiration than anyone else…
When i heard the first time the word inspiredology my brain thought on a Very VERY VERY colorful website, like color explosions holding the content. I didn’t imagine a typical website with a blog structure but a more “portfolio look” website, focused on the content.
About the usability:
) so I see no point on using them on the bot left because as you roll down you’re already focused on the content, and it a noise to the eye.
I always try to think on a balance between user / design / profits . What I think about inspiredology is:
1- Has to give the best inspiration content to users, most of them are designers, who know about that stuff.
2- And has to receive some profit in order to be active, these meaning the adverts. Right now these are on the bottom left. It would make sense to have theme on top left because it’d be the first thing seen. But on the top the first thing you see is content ( great for us
So I’d put them on the right. OR, if you use a completely different website structure, on horizontal bottom (experimental?).
Now you’ve been only 6 month posting, not every day, so you have a few posts. Can you imagine in 2 years… (hopefully :D)
I’d start creating a very solid category system.
I purpose: (as a designer I always think as many reference you have more mental link you can create thus meaning more creativity)
Graphic Design
Web Design
Animation
Photography
Infographic Design
Typography
Clothes
Packaging
Icons
Drawing
Architecture
CGI
Shoes (recently I’ve found some of them very inspiration, could be a new way of inspiration for you ^^)
Finally: Freebies and Inspire Alumni
I don’t like the idea of sub-categories but maybe is in need of your project :S
I also would use a “most popular posts” to create more internal linkage.
To have a clear view of your target user I’d make a poll asking if the visitors are: Graphic Designers, Web designs, whatever, whatever. Thus making you aware of which aspects you should promote.
mmm…never stop posting this great content of yours.
Thanks
May 6th, 2008 at 1:44 am
*Robert - Yes, the comments design is slightly average on this site, I do agree, and it’s interesting about the header. Do you think I could lose the enormous header and go with something smaller, and let the content jump up 200 pixels. What does everyone think of that?
*Bernat - I like your idea of Inspiredology as being a portfolio, that might be a good separate project in itself…
You have a great point on balance between adverts and content.. I don’t want the site to become ad heavy but at the same time, I do want to make money (I have to be honest).
The advertising is something I am interested in moving or making it more usable with the site..
You are right with the categories, I do want to make them more specific and I do agree, if I am at the rate I am going, I might get dis-organized if I don’t fix it now…
Design Shoes.. thats a great idea , I might be able to fit that in sometime in the next coming months..
Thanks for all your posts.. keep them coming I am just an open window taking in the summer air….
May 6th, 2008 at 6:30 am
This blog is full of serious and interesting stuff, but the layout is bit of infantile, so I would like it to be more serious and simple.
May 6th, 2008 at 7:01 am
[...] Inspiredology, yesterday I sent out a post, I am looking for help to improve Inspiredology. Check it out here. Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and [...]
May 6th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Hi, I really appreciate the contents and the article of your website. Real source of inspiration
But like Ivan, I find it a bit childish. It is probably due to the the papersheet layout, and also to the contrast green (splatter)/blue (font) for titles . A bit of texture in background would be welcome too.
“Inspiredology” inside the header in thin white font is not so vivible too.
As K3v says too, there is too much space between the links.
So probably a version a bit more corporate, even full of colors could be really great for this summer
Good luck & keep it up !
May 6th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I think that smaller header would be nice - but if you would have nice, fresh, creative idea for the header - I wouldn’t limit it’s size just to make content 100 - 200 px higher. Most of the people that reads this blog are “from design industry” - so usually they have huge screens. Cheers
May 6th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Hi Chad ~ your current blog design is done well, and really only needs some minor changes.
Header: I like your header image, and don’t mind the “big header” style layouts as long as the header flows into the content. With the current design, the header ends abruptly, and the “bar” the contains the Home, etc links further separates the header from the content. If you can find a way to blend the header with the content that would be best IMO. Perhaps move the Home, etc links toward the top?
Sidebar: Stylize the Search form and decrease the spacing between the listed items. I like the category headers - not much else needs to be changed.
Content: This section is near-perfect; all I would change is increasing the line height to allow the copy some breathing room.
Hope this helps, and I look forward to seeing the new design!
May 7th, 2008 at 2:04 am
[...] re-design. I welcome more critiquing from all of you guys so head over and jump in on the comments. Inspiredology Needs Your Help Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and [...]
May 7th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Haven’t read everyones comments so I might say someting that’s already been mentioned, but: I’d say the most imporant thing would be to make the body copy more readable. The current lineheight is rather small, I’d make it at least 1,5em to make it easier to read.
Also, as you are using a background pattern with horizontal rules, make them work fòr you rather than against you, as I feel is the case atm. The text sits right against the vertical red lines on the left, and floats through the horizontal ones, which makes it look messy. Giving the text some breathing space on the left and right, and making the lines follow the horizontal grid would improve the readability a lot. I’ve created a quick example of what I mean: http://subdued.net/inspiredology/index.html
The main navigation could gain from a little extra ‘weight’ to it, it doesn’t draw much attention at the moment.
Finally, the header graphic seems rather heavy, and a bit out of tone with the rest of the site in terms of color, subject, etc. Maybe you could try to blend that in a bit more.
Anyhow, good luck with the redesign! You’ve got an interesting blog going on here, I curious to see how it’s gonna evolve.
May 8th, 2008 at 3:34 am
Just a quick fix: line up the text fields on the comment form. In Firefox at least, the Mail field sticks out.
Increase the “#commentform” width so the “Mail” label will have room to sit on top of its corresponding box (I saw you’re using the Dirtylicious theme).
Everything else seems to be mentioned already, and you definitely have the content part down.
Good luck, Chad.
May 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am
What about some gadgets inspiration?
http://www.creativecloseup.com/home-decor-for-absolute-geeks1
Keep on.