A Whole New World
As many of you know, I have now ventured out on my own, and developed Brian Gardner Media. In that planning process, one of the things I knew I needed to do in order to be successful was to establish myself as a WordPress consultant, as well as website strategist and internet marketer.
In doing so, I decided that my site needed one last redesign, one that could accommodate my needs, as well as present myself in a professional way. From a stylistic standpoint, I believe that I stayed consistent with the way I normally create my themes. However, I wanted to have a more effective homepage, one that focused more on the services I offer.
So here it is, the new site design, that will probably be around for a while, while I spend my time doing things like supporting my Revolution and Revolution News themes, begin new adventures like iThemes.com and also now have more time for fun things like my upcoming personal blog at Shadowfeet.com - which has already been designed, just needs some coding.
Here’s a little sneak peek of the design:
One other section that will soon make it’s way to my site here at BrianGardner.com will be a WordPress News section, where I will write about what’s new in the WordPress community. I’ll write about new features, new themes and other things that are relevant to WordPress users.
Anyway, now that I’m on my own, and have more time on my hands, I look forward to accomplishing all of the the things that are on my “to-do” list. If you have any special theme requests or ideas for upcoming themes, let me know, and I’ll do my best to address them!
Comments
52 Responses to “A Whole New World”
Very nice look Brian! Love the sidebar, very classy. Looking forward to much more!!
Really like the new look, Brian. And I think the Shadowfeet design looks great. Can’t wait to see that go live.
Thanks Deborah - for some reason I suspected you might be one of the first to comment!
The site isn’t quite done yet, so I’ll be making a few changes here or there…
Brian -
Outstanding! Really like the new look.
I would have been the first but each time I went to your site today I was still landing on the old one. Until I rebooted and whola!!! A new Brian!!!
Brian, the new design is wonderful! You are truly setting yourself apart…growing by leaps and bounds. I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to what is to come.
@Deborah - Congrats on your first WordPress theme!
David, thanks, I can’t wait to start coding the Shadowfeet site - it’s something I’ve wanted to do for some time now!
Thanks Joe, your site is taking shape - looking good!
Deborah, I turned the new design loose just recently, but had been working on it behind the scenes.
Tracy, I appreciate your words- this is just a fun season of life, and I really am excite about the fact that I will soon be able to develop new themes, as well as blog on a personal level!
Wow!
Don’t know what to say, I’m still under impression. Very professional and I love colors.
Slick… I like!
hi brian,
I looked up shadowfeet.com but looks like you have removed the theme. It shows very different from what you have shown in this post.
Wordpress is in everyones mouth currently. I am using mambo cms currently and want to move to wordpress myself.
Can you point me to any resources which can help me achieve it?
any tips will be gr8
you can reach me @vineetnair1@gmail.com
Brian - The new design says you’re open for business. I’m glad to see you put your services first - a great reboot. The new look also helps differentiate your blogging self (Shadowfeet.com) from BGM.
I hate you so much Brian … I mean seriously … I can’t tell you how jealous I am!!! It’s crazy how good the site looks. I’m amazed.
Matej, thanks!
James, no worries, I’ll get to your site, one of these years.
Ed, many thanks, I appreciate hearing that from a pro like you!
Nathan, WWJD? Hate is a harsh word!
I know you’re only teasing!
Brian: I am so excited for you! Looking forward to seeing your future themes. Congrats!
Brian,
Happy New Year! You have done an excellent job sir! I am looking forward to great things from you. I am so excited about your success and I certainly will keep your family, business and continued strength in my prayers. Excellent work Brian! Take care and God bless.
Vineet - the Shadowfeet blog isn’t ready yet, I have to code the theme before I do anything with it!
Steve - many thanks!
Quest - thanks, appreciate what you’ve said. (even if you are using a theme from COUGH that other guy) Ha, Michael Pollock and I are friends, so it’s all good - just teasing!
The new theme rocks. Love it.
Chris.
–a happy Revolution user
Hi Brian, your redesign /theme looks very professional. I like what you are doing and how you are doing this.
Is it on purpose not putting a RSS link to your navigation bars? Or do you prefer email subscribers?
Greetings from Germany
Steffen
Very, very nice redesign to BGM. I have been following your work for almost half a year now and I must say i find it impressing how you manage to improve your presentation(s) here.
Best of luck to you this year!
Wow. I’m speechless.
You’ve really stepped your “design game” up with these new plans.
I can’t wait to see your ideas flourish into something crazy!
good luck BG!
I like the new homepage. Is it also managed through wordpress or is it more a static template integrated? I’m interested in learning more about developing wordpress sites that are less bloggy and more open to different layout and content types.
Hey Brian,
LOL! I really love the revolution theme and believe I will be doing more business with you throughout this year. I remember you talking about doing an affiliate program too. Are there still plans to do this in 2008, because I would love to join? Also, take a look at some of the work I have done with the revolution theme. Mind you I am still learning, but take a look at http://www.otiscollier.com, http://www.arnoldadvocacy.com and http://www.bethlehemtemple.net. Again keep up the great work and I look forward to working with you this year.
Very nice Brian - love the portal type home page! Very slick, and nice color choices.
Love the new site design, but I particularly love the logo. I know the colored bars represent your services, but it also gives the logo an international feel. Simple and classy.
Very nice! I thought you said you struggled with choosing colors… pah! I love the ones you’ve picked for your website! They go really well together. I’m already subscribed to Shadowfeet (been subscribed since you announced it the first time!)
Wow I love your design and the logo Brian. You did a great job!!
Another round of thanks to all who have left comments - very much appreciated in regards to all that has been said!
Brian,
The new site looks great. Good luck.
The new design looks sweet, all the best to you on venturing out with WordPress.
Cheers.
Woot! Way to go Brian - I am truly so very happy for you and your latest adventure online. You’ll be fantastic… and I’m just a “bit” jealous of it
Rock on!
Red and black seems to be the in color this year. Excellent job, can’t wait to see how it all comes together. I’m still having a blast working on the theme we got from you. I have never worked with a theme as easy to use as this one. Keep up the good work!
Best of luck for the new venture!
waiting to see all of Shadowfeet and iThemes
More thanks to you all - Empress, I swear your reboot your site more than I do!
Harrison - things are looking good on your end - James shot me a link and I love the header!
SP - nice to see you drop by! Shadowfeet’s release will be more contingent on my availability, as my time is limited and my personal fun projects always remain low priority!
Thanks a lot, Brian, that’s high praise indeed.
New design is superb — most professional WP theme I’ve seen by far.
Now am I remembering wrong or did you say you’d release your last theme to the public?
Also, what’s your going rate on custom themes? My company handles a lot of work for clients in terms of creating content for websites along with promo materials, but we usually contract out the site design…if you’re affordable, we’d love to work with you ((but I’m thinking with your last few designs, you might be out of our range).
For me, this is the best I’ve seen yet for briangardner.com - great work.
I aspire to have a site as professional, and one that serves my needs as well.
WOOT! He loves our header!! *dances with glee* I can’t wait to launch our new site!
Ravi, yes, in fact I am hoping to code both of my previous themes and release them in my free themes page, as I have done so in the past. If you want to discuss rates, etc, please shoot me an email.
Hey David, nice to see you drop by! (although I’m still hurting from your decision to drop Vertigo!)
Thanks, I’ll trade you my design for your readership, deal?
Not a day goes by when I don’t spare a thought for the old Vertigo theme.
Trade me your design skills and we have a deal.
David - I offer free themes, which you used for quite some time - I believe it’s only fair for you to loan me your readers for a few months.
I think if it wasn’t for Vertigo, I wouldn’t have lasted the first year.. Unlike love, I believe it is your second template that you fall in love with. It’s the one after you’ve gotten your feet wet in blogging, and it’s the one you put in place when you decided to step it up. Unfortunately there will come a time when we need to change away from it for whatever the reason, yet a part of us will still miss it.
I’m not sure when that day will arrive for me, however, when it does, the first person I’m contacting is Mr. Gardner for a custom design!
All the best in the new venture Brian!
I think you’re on to something there, William.
The second template will usually be a big improvement over the first, leading to a longer-lasting relationship.
Brian, let me see what I can do about my readers, although I’d have thought your reader base would be much greater than mine!
I think I’m going to have to third William’s point.
My first theme was Squible (squible.com)…a good theme, but I clutterred it with useless widgets (recent last.fm tracks, anyone? Technorati blog worth? etc) and it didn’t have a professional enough look to it.
Now I’m on a customized version of Kiwi 1.1 and I absolutely love it. It works very well for a unique personal site, but I’m definitely going to be in contact with Brian when it comes time to upgrade!
David, “on to something”… “on something”… I’ll admit, it’s a thin line.
The second template usually comes after we’ve figured out the major bits about actually running, posting, and maintaining a blog. Once we’ve learned the basics we can actually begin to focus on the presentation rather than just the message. I would bet there are some interesting statistics surrounding this whole change point… interesting…
Ravi, yes, the useless widgets - the memories and the horror all in one. I think I did have the Technorati one up for a bit and a visitor by location one at some point.. I think I realized I was in trouble when I found myself considering a “current weather” widget.. *shudder*
That current weather widget would’ve been classic!
Congrats Brian! Another redesign and major change with offering your services at the homepage, well done!
Love the new site Brian. Congrats on the new business venture and best of luck to you. you’ll be great in 2008! I really need to work on my site. don’t be surprised if you hear from me real soon.
best - Eugene
Gorgeous design and it really suits the professional look your going for with starting on your own. I must say it is one of my favourites from you!
Good luck with everything.
Keep up the great work man!!!
Congrats about starting off on your own. It’s a big move and you have the skills and desire to have it work.
Best wishes
jack
Like the redesign a lot. Shadowfeet looks like it’s going to be excellent!