Breaking All The Rules of Design
Many of you who’ve stumbled upon my About page know that I am a self-taught web/blog designer. I don’t have a degree in computer science, nor have I ever cracked open a book on CSS or WordPress For Dummies.
Call it what you want, but I prefer to say that I have attended the school of Trial and Error. Everything I’ve ever done with WordPress has been the result of experimenting, and the excessive use of the Undo button on my text editor.
When people email me and ask what advice I would give for those who are new to WordPress and customizing themes, I give them the same response:
Just experiment – change code, and see what happens.
And so here I am, breaking all the rules of fundamental web design – and what you see now is the result of a two-day experiment that began with a Starbucks latte and a 2-column version of this theme. Ten hours later, I have redesigned my website, without any study of graphic design or typography.
I prefer to consider myself a raw artist – someone who just opens a canvas and paints what I see, so to speak. I realize that many of you may not think my new design is appealing, and breaks the rules of grids or some other theory of relativity.
Years ago when I used to write poetry, I seldom edited what I wrote – primarily because I wanted to capture the honesty of my thinking, or in this case my vision.
When I was younger, I thrived on the notion that I could be different. That I could be like Robert Frost, and take the one less traveled by.
And that has made all the difference.
Vivien, totally busted with the layout – Jon’s site was definitely where I found inspiration with it. I did try to style things up a bit differently, and his site is much more narrow. But yes, that is how I came up with the idea.
Remkus, sure thing. You’ve been one of my top supporters over the months, so I appreciate all that you say!
Brian,
I love your work. I use your themes all the time. I must say though this new theme does not do you justice.
I noticed your new slogan, “Breaking the Rules of Design”. Well… There are some rules that should not be broken. Because if you do break them it causes confusion for your visitors.
I think a major one that you’ve broken here is the eye path on the banner. Our eyes are conditioned to look at a graphic or logo first then move to the right to read what’s next to the image and then down the page.
The eye path is reversed on your banner and I find myself being drawn to the top right hand corner of your page and there’s nothing there. And when I go down from there it’s not your post I see but rather your right side bar. I guess if you had an opt-in box there that might be good.
Sorry man. Overall I think this design is kind of lame. But I LOVE all of your other work.
Barry, thanks for the feedback – I do appreciate your willingness to be honest. Take a look at this image to see how the header would look if I reversed the logo/tagline concept, and let me know if it would work better.
I think self tought is the best way. i run http:jericosystems.com and has you can see i redid the wp-newsmag theme found here http://www.wp-magazine.se/free-wordpress-theme-wp-newsmag/
I have worked up an impressive portfolio without ever going to school or anything, just opening the code and going at it.
You could always release your previous site as a premium or free theme…
Just a thought.
Brian,
I think the header works much better that way. I actually notice the quotes now where as before I did not because my eye was immediately drawn past them to the logo.
Barry O.
Wow, Nice point of view brian. Thanks for sharing.
Brian
I’m no expert when it comes to design and coding – my ignorance is pretty encyclopaedic – bt I am constantly on the lookout for the design becuase I know what I like and I know I haven’t found it.
Until now. This is the best personal site I have come across. The minimalist, clean look with plenty of space and infintiely readable type is a refreshing change. But I love the whole ambience of the site: the black and white, the slightly brooding yet not at all sinister look ..
Seriously bowled over!
Hi Brian,
Outstanding like every theme you have done.
But I can not believe that you have not studied design at all. Maybe it was not web design, something else like architecture or something like this?
P.S. I do not know either you become my email about localization, sorrowfully I have no feedback from you.
Hi, Brian I love your website and designed.I used your design on my website but it doesn`t look good in explorer. Would you look at it and tell me the problem?Maybe I messed up the css?
Thanks.
I forgot to say that your current website layout and design is awesome, simple and creative. remind me of the old wordpress.org
Nice layout mate, but how about some colour