Over the course of the past few weeks, I’ve been spinning my wheels with redesigning my site – for some reason the design I had wasn’t appealing to me, and I’ve decided to do something fun.
I’m calling it the Evolution Project.
I thought it would be an interesting way to redesign my site – but doing it online over the course of time for all of you to watch. This will give you a chance to see the changes take place, on a daily basis, and will also accomplish two things:
- It gives me motivation to stay on top of my redesign – knowing that thousands of eyes are watching will keep me from slacking.
- This will also show you that a simple free theme like Vertigo can be customized into hopefully a very cool website.
I’ve always enjoyed doing things outside the norm, so this isn’t any different. Hope you enjoy…
Hi Brian, why did you change the frontpage? This is where you offer your services, now it’s back right into the blog.
I think the icons in the are good, maybe some more color would spicy up the look and feel.
Good luck with the evolution project!
Sander – I just uploaded the Vertigo theme, as a place to start. I’ll be working my way into more of a website look, where my services will be shown. I still have the links up in the navigation – this is just the bare bones version. Keep in mind that the final product will look much different than what you see right now.
Cool idea! Where are you in the process now? Is this Vertigo in it’s normal form?
Tommy – this is only day 1, as I just changed themes a few hours ago – it’s basically the Vertigo theme with my link color and header graphics changed.
I think I would have to agree with Sander on this one. The old front page with your services on was really good.
I think I like the old design better to although I know that it is a working process. Sorry Brian !
Mark – no need to apologize, like you said, this is a work in progress. The final product should be much different than what you see now. This is just the Vertigo theme with my branding, so that at least it’s presentable.
I like the concept. I had always been impressed by each of your previous designs except for the last version….something about the mix of the pastels. You are not only a great technical expert, but a very talented designer with a great eye for clean and simple function.
I look forward to watching this project…well, evolve.
I am glad I am not the only one that can’t be satisfied with the same theme for very long. I gotta laugh! But all your work is so very nice that I am sure it will be another winner…
Interesting idea Brian, looking forward to watching the evolution take place. I’m sure the final outcome will be something special.
Michael – many thanks for those kind words. Yes, the pastels were a bit outside my norm of color range, and more than likely my theme that will evolve out of this should go back to my roots.
Deborah – you know how much I appreciate your continues support. Thanks.
Hi Brian, the idea is quite good. We will be able not only to watch the evolution that takes place, as Mark has mentioned, but also to learn from this process. It is good that there are still people who want to make a change in something and sincerely believe that they will have a success. It’s a promising step. Thanks a lot.
Thanks John – yes, as many people who’ve been coming to my site for some time know, I like change. Believe it or not, my previous theme stayed online for 3 months, which I think is an all time best!
thank you for doing this online! I hope to learn a lot. Especially if you include a note here or there about what you did!
Brian,
Thanks for allowing us for allowing us to watch as you redesign your Web site. I sincerely believe that WP products that you are developing will set a new standard of excellence in the self-publishing blogging environment.
Regards,
Howie
Nice idea, I’ll be watching over your shoulder
Brian is there any chance that you will be releasing a image.php file for the WhiteSpace theme so that it will work well with the WordPress 2.5 gallery solution? I’ve been trying to figure it out, but so far my attempts have failed in getting the prev/next images to align up nicely.
Cool idea, although I liked your other design a lot. Can’t wait to see the final product.
Brian, are you ever going to release the theme you had up before the previous one? the blue blog theme?
I love the Vertigo the best so far!
Great idea, Brian! I’ve bought your dedveloper package and am in the process of integrating a site and 2 blogs using the Businee and Media themes. Watching this is great – although I envy your ability! It’s not only the coding skill, but the eye for design, too. Congats on being sphered! 1 question: what software and process do you use to design your headers etc? Watching with interes!
Brian – First impression: I love the fabric background. Very nice.
Secondly, I have to agree with those who think however the evolution projects goes, it should always keep your design business front and center in people’s mind.
Thirdly, you’ve really outdone yourself with the Rev Pro series. The design now lives up to the “insanely customizable” tagline. Pro Blogging News has never looked better.
I’d love to have your current style as a WordPress theme – I know it’s not much, but this mod of the Vertigo theme is really nice. Maybe have an “Evolution” as a free theme download?
Very cool idea!!!
Please take screenshots and/or let us know when things change! I follow via RSS, so I’d love to know when to come and check things out.
Love the Vertigo theme. Are the drop down menus across the top part of the theme, a plug in, or something else?
Nevermind, I see that’s it’s part of the theme. Beauty!
Hi Brian,
Just a thought, Would you consider releasing ‘nightly beta-builds’ of the Evolution project code for download.
It would be great not only to see the changes on your blog but read the code and follow along.
Thanks again.
JL
I like today’s rendition. and your color scheme too. it’s coming along nicely.
Hi Brian, just popping in. Love the new look here, looking great as always!!!
Hi Brian, great redesign you’ve got going on here.. I like the textured background behind the page. I’m also interested in what you use to design your themes, headers, and icons. Not saying that I’ll have your eye for design, but I’d like to know how you do it!
Keep up the great work!
Brian: today’s front page is the sort of business-first design I was hoping to see; it smacks the customer between the eyes and announces you are open for business. Great job. (high praise, I know, coming from someone who can’t tie his design shoes.)
Thanks everyone for the recent comments – I’m getting to the final stages on this design, just trying to style some things and am working on a totally custom blog page which should hopefully be the window into my world of content that I’ve been hoping to offer!