Years ago I was your stereotypical teenage punk, who spent his summers riding waves and playing on skateboard ramps. And guys like Christian Hosoi were definitely my hero.
During the winter months, we would pack up the car and spent the weekends skiing in the mountains. Heck, I was so reckless back in the day that I even rode bulls.
We had a mantra for everything we did. When we skied, it was “pain is temporary, bones heal, but glory is forever.” With other extreme sports that we participated in it was some derivative of this — which ultimately came back to the same thing. Going big.
Over the past few years, I’ve spent quite a bit of time going back and forth between writing personal things as well as more technical ones.
To be quite honest, I’ve been somewhat confused as to whether or not business and pleasure could exist in the same place. While we’ve had some great conversation about that, I remained on the fence about it for some time.
Go Big or Go Home
This was the lifeline we clung to during our younger days, and now that I’ve (arguably) grown up and become a “family” guy I need to live this out in much different ways.
A couple weeks ago I started watching Everest: Beyond the Limit, which was a documentary produced by the Discover Channel that followed a number of mountain climbing expeditions to the summit of Mount Everest.
Each season you got to know and intimately hear about the lifestory of each climber — who they were, what they did and most importantly WHY they wanted to climb Mount Everest.
Mount Everest is the Earth’s highest mountain.
With it’s peak sitting at 29,029 feet (nearly 5 miles above sea level), Everest boasts extreme cold, hurricane-force winds, and low oxygen levels (about one-third of the oxygen in the atmosphere as at sea level).
Due to the hazards and rigors of climbing such a dangerous mountain, over 200 have died attempting to climb – making the death rate for Mount Everest climbers about 1 in 10.
Making it Personal
While I have no intentions on summiting Mount Everest, watching the documentary created an inner sense of “yearning” to do something magnificent.
With the New Year coming up, it’s the perfect time for me to sit down and make a bucket list of things I want to do — not just over the course of my life, but also next year.
One of the things I really want to do is refocus the energy here on my blog. While I love to write tutorials and other how-to’s, I’d rather hone in on my life experiences and share them with you.
I’d like to make this a place where a lot of these things intersect. After all, I am a person with a business life, rather than a business guy with a personal life. (that’s tweet-worthy, ain’t it?)
A New Direction
When I finally decided on the direction I wanted to take my blog, I knew (gasp, no surprise here) that a new design was in order. So welcome to my new look.
Please don’t give me a hard time here, because ultimately this means my previous design will become a theme we release over at StudioPress.
While I’ve chosen to use a background image to set the tone of my new design, I’ve made it a priority to maintain a minimalist design inside. Most of you know that typography and spacing are two things that I have been spending a lot of time on as well.
I’ve got a bit of work left to do for the smart phone, but my website will most definitely boast some a nifty responsive web design experience.
The Bottom Line
I really wanted to come out with a new design that was bold and represented who I am and the things I enjoy. I’ve always been a fan of the outdoors, and believe that finding the magical trail in life is crucial to happiness.
So the bottom line is that I am going to channel (most of) my technical energy with tutorials for WordPress and the Genesis Framework over at StudioPress, where they rightfully belong.
This also means that I’m going to write more about personal things here on my website.
Where IT rightfully belongs.
Don’t worry, I have no intentions on being “that guy” who talks about what he ate for breakfast, but I will warn you that the things I cover here will be more about life than making money.
With that said, tell me what you think below. I’d love to talk to you in the comments about the direction I’m taking how you feel about it.
I like it Brian. In fact, you probably find me saying that about all your redesigns?
I’m looking forward to your previous theme becoming available on StudioPress, there were a good few elements I loved. I only have one thing, where did your Poetry and Stream go? Remove them with this redesign?
Thanks Mark, appreciate the comment. As part of the refocus, I decided that I wanted to keep things relatively simple here on my blog. I have a tendency to scatter myself too thin (upcoming blog post on that), and realized that my content was being done in the same fashion.
While I want to get personal, I decided that most folks don’t care about my “somber” days and the poetry that came out of it.
Scattered too thin? The story of my life. Ha. I’m watching intently to what’s coming.
Bring it on brother!
Can’t wait to read what you write.
Thanks Josh. The key to it (this time) is to hold true to the my own words, and keep things personal.
First off, love the look of the blog!
And yes, go for it. The beauty of blogging is we can shape it into whatever we want. My wife has done that with her blog a few times. Sure, some readers may choose to leave, but there’s always new ones that are excited about the direction of your content.
It’s all good!
Ultimately I felt like I became unwelcome in my own home, and that’s never a good place to be. It was kind of a “duh” moment, when I realize that the technical content really didn’t belong here, and that it would be far more useful over at StudioPress and in the hands of those who use Genesis.
Looking forward to it Brian!
Heh, that makes two of us.
I’m loving the new look Brian! It’s bold and crisp and beautiful. Great job!
Thanks Jonathan – that was kind of the intention I had, and I’m pretty excited that I pulled of what I envisioned.
I’m looking forward to the new direction as well, Brian
I’ve always said you were the World’s Greatest Boss*, but it’s awesome to get to see the other side of you, who you are when you aren’t wearing your boss hat!
*no really. I say it even when you aren’t around to read it. Pinkie swear.
I’m digging the new look! I really like how your blog has become more and more personal over time.
Thanks John, always a fan of your work – so I take your comment really well!
we are all constantly evolving… and it’s just healthy and very encouraging to see you not quit this blogging thing! keep it up!
The use of the background image (well-done, by the way) reminds me of the Stretch Child Theme, which I like very much. The only drawbacks to that theme are that the padding (when viewed in mobile devices) is too much, and it is a one-column theme.
I would be interested in this new one you are working on, especially if it maintains multiple columns. The padding issue is much easier to fix.
Thanks, Brian, for continuing to up the game on web design. Genesis is my favorite framework.
Thanks so much Eve for the kind words. The Stretch theme was kind of an experiment for me — to see how folks would respond to a unique theme that didn’t fit the mold of a typical blog theme. While I know it only has one layout, it’s meant to be that way.
Well, I like the Stretch theme. But is there a chance this more “full-fledged” version as seen here will be available as child theme at some point?
Yes, as I mentioned in this comment, I just need to figure out which way I want to take the theme.
Love this, and can’t wait until it’s available! I can think of so many things to do with it…. What a great look!!
I’ve tossed the idea in my head around a few times to have this conceptually be the updated Lifestyle theme. We’ll see.
How cool. From riding bulls to skiing, skateboarding and developing. That is the exact couse I took except I went from barrel racing, to snowboarding, skateboarding, and then design. There must be something in that rodeo water
Looks cool, and love the color scheme too! Thanks for sharing the background. I’m about to do a redesign on my site and I am really struggling with inspiration. I think maybe looking at it from a more personal perspective might help. Thanks!
Heh, I figured the mention of Christian Hosoi would bring you over Rachael. It’s funny, when I get into my contemplative mode at nights, I often think of my times when I used to live in SoCal and did all of these things. Guess I’ll never say that I failed to live a full life whenever my time comes!
Nice! Love the accent color and beautiful background photo.
I have always been a huge fan of your designs.
When will this theme become available for the rest for us?
)
I would like to have a theme like this (or close to this) for my upcoming redesign of my personal site.
Yep – I’ve been havng that same debate too. Except more along the tech posts vs. the ‘client’ posts. How to make money (for my clients) with the websites or how to build the websites (for the genesis community)… Still have no idea which will get more traction, meet a bigger need!
Happy for you that you’ve found your path – for this year at least!
Cathy
Sounds like a good idea. Making the choice of being more personal and leaving theme related stuff for your “workplace” might be a pretty good thing. Give it a try and see how it all fells. If it doesn´t work out then go back and do it as you previously did.
But I agree on the thought. WordPress and Genesis tutorials do belong more on the Studiopress site than here, your personal blog. Showing of what themes you´ve created or what customers have said about your work that you have worked on is 50/50. It´s mainly with Studiopress so it might be better to have that over at that place as well.
For us ordinary peons that do not have our firm and what not having a portfolio on our personal blog is quite nice
Love the redesign of the blog. Will try to keep on coming back to read what you have to say as you along with a couple of other people are the reason I started to use WordPress and am currently trying to learn the ropes of theme development. Keep the good work up!!
I’ve really only read the blog here and there as I discovered you thru a guy I met named Robert Iseley who works with Brian Lis and at some point between that and tinkering with WordPress I ran across a link on Brian Lis’ site that connected to you.
However, I ended up digging just about anything I’d ever read that you wrote. I also can really associate with the spreading yourself thin comment. I’m all over the place with my interests, and found it interesting that you were the similar. I admire your active decision to be more focused in your content distribution, I hope I can end up doing the same.
The only down-side for me is that some of the articles you wrote here had a content type that I liked will likely not fit the content intended for this space now, and I will probably never find them. 8*/. If you have links to where your other content will appear, that would be appreciated.
Nice new theme Brian! I love the bold black and white with punches of color. Looking good!
I like it, Brian
White. Some gray. A touch of red. Very pleasant and easy to read and, definitely, nice spacing!
Rings a few bells for me Brian.
As a young man I gave up work and went out to the French Alps for the skiing season.
I used to work the summer in the UK and out to the Alps for the winter.
I still have great memories of the people I met and the glorious scenery in the Alps.
I nearly made it to the States… I was offered a vacational job in Vail, but never took it up – guess we all have some regrets.
Look forward to whatever you have waiting for us in 2013.
BTW – with all the mountain shots you use I guessed that you were either a climber or a skier or even both.
Nice look, Brian!
I love watching/reading anything related to Everest, and although I know I’ll never get to climb it, I’ve made it my bucket list to do something adventurous before I drop dead. My mother, for example, went hiking in the Himalayas when she was in her 60s (and apparently it was easier for her than some of the younger hikers!) – she’s my inspiration to just do it, so to speak.
I can’t wait to read what you’ve got on your bucket list!
I can’t say I don’t love this theme, Brian. But I liked the other one better. And while every time you change to a new design it probably means it’s going to be released at Studiopress (yay!), I feel like you’re moving a little bit fast on your blog.
Content is still King, however.
Love the design and your new direction. Don’t hate me, but sometimes I do write about breakfast:)
Thanks Sarah, appreciate. You get a hallpass on “what I ate for breakfast” because you have a health/nutrition site. On the flipside, you’d be “that gal” if you wrote about what you coded for breakfast.
Nice!
I really like the new look. Even though there was a lot to like with your previous minimalist theme, I think this has more to offer.
Minimalist and bold can really make a great team.
When a theme has a million things going on, being bold really means just shouting above all your own content.
A minimalist theme can pull off emphasis much easier… more like, “Hey you really need to see this.” rather than shouting.
Just my 2 cents.
-Archie
Thanks Archie, agree with what you said. I do have intentions on making my previous design available as well as this one probably after the first of the year. Good times, right?
Hi Brian,
I really enjoy to read your all honest words like this.
The sentence “{…} believe that finding the magical trail in life is crucial to happiness…” really inspire me.
I’ve never missed any your design at Studiopress and of course, I am fan of you.
X’mas coming now, so take a rest and back for more.
Giving you a hard time? Well, I can see many will love your new design cause’ it absolutely cool. Simple and yet elegant. I’m thinking about re-designing my blog along the same line. Maybe during the weekend.
Nice work Brian…redesigning creates totally new look to your blog….Especially I love the change in logo and selection of colors…This blog is one of the best source for me to work with genesis…My request for you is will you please try posting some more articles related to genesis customization…
Thanks Aditya, appreciate it. Anything that concerns Genesis customization should make it’s way over to the Tutorials or Code Snippets section on the new My StudioPress member area.
Hi Brian your new blog design looks awesome…I welcome your decision to share personal stuffs apart from just codes….Now I am going to watch your blog to learn from your experience.
“Where IT rightfully belongs.” Two meanings here hehe
Nice though – looking forward reading more about your life, faith, and values that keep you going, motivated and making a difference.
Hi Brian, I love the new look and really look forward to reading your stories! I really like the background image as well. Nice job.
Oh, and I forgot to mention the use of CSS/HTML social buttons on the sidebar. Is this to keep things speedy?
Thanks for the comment Francis, appreciate it. The CSS/HTML for the sidebar was done just to maintain consistency with the way my navigation and submit buttons looked. It also meant *not* installing another plugin, and worked well with the design IMO.
I recently saw a theme with the rotating background of really great images as well as the content area being low opacity so that the background image could be seen as well.
On mentioning this to another designer they said that it was all the rage currently but there were a number of problems, they never elaborated though it did have me thinking of what great images we would need to have as background images.
Still a fan of StudioPress and sometimes wish that the other development theme licenses I have can be on Genesis for the great support and set-up they have there
Thanks G
Gavin, I’d be curious if you find out more. We’re currently using the Backstretch plugin/code for the resizable background images.
Amazing – as always!!! Love the accent color!
Thanks Julie, I needed a different shade of orange. Was tired of the one I kept recycling.
Looks awesome. I am in the process of making a couple of changes to the minimum theme and moving my site to it but almost wish I had this one now.
Great work! Keep it up!
Thanks Chad, it might not be too long before this design makes it way over to StudioPress as a theme. I’ve got two directions I might take it, so I need to figure that out first.
Digging the responsive background. I love that you don’t shy away from masculine design (and how could you, with your history?) – my clients are generally women, so I’m up to my eyeballs in “soft” and “subtle.” Great work, once again.
Thanks so much Jeni. I do tend to stick with grayscale and a bold color accent… but I do wish I could get better at feminine design. Even though I’m a pretty sappy dude, I still find it hard to design that way,
I look forward to hearing your life stories, and will keep catching the technical updates over at StudioPress—it’s like a win-win! Your frequent designs are inspiring and help me push the limits of my knowledge, so I really appreciate them.
A technical-like question: where do you get the photos you put on your sites? I’ve always used istockphoto until recently when I have been considering a subscription on Thinkstock and curious if you have a recommendation for stock photos.
All of the stock photos that we use for our theme demos and most of the images I use here on my blog come from Big Stock Photos.
BOLD is good…
No. It’s awesomesauce.
I needed to change things up. When you get bored with your own blog design, you know it’s time to go bold.
Definitely a great idea to show more of Brian. Looking forward to a new prospective.
Thanks Lori Lynn, I’m pretty anxious to writing more with a new perspective!
I know I don’t “join the conversation” much,.. Just so busy building client websites on the Genesis Framework. Love the new design, the expanding/stretchy background and of course the Responsive Web Design. Thank You!
Have a great week everyone & Merry Christmas!
Steve
Thanks so much Steve — really appreciate that!
Kudos, on the “big” decision, Brian.
I also made that decision on my own blog a couple of months back. I’m re-focusing on Christian “Faith,” “Leadership,” and “Influence” and how these specifically mesh together.
Frankly, it is refreshing. It opens up whole new ideas regarding what to write about. And it has opened new doors for readers and contacts.
I can’t wait to read more about what you write about.
However, one little thing….
… Is that accent color for your logo pink, salmon, or something else?
Oh, and by the way… I’ve never ridden bulls or plan to climb Everest… But I used to jump 60 feet kiteboarding and rode 20 foot waves in Maui… Island hopped in small boats at night with no moon… fished sharks and soon plan to drive cars really fast on a race track… I get the whole GOING BIG thing.
I’m diggin’ it, great design! I say bring back the poetry too, you might could even turn them into song lyrics. Kind of an Amos Lee feel
Love the new design. Minimalist and clear – no fluff.
Brian, I notice you have managed to get your categories to display on different pages without making them into archives. Could you please explain how you did this, or point me to a tutorial somewhere? I tried to do this with a couple of sites but found it impossible and ended up having to settle for category archives on the “non main blog” page, e.g. http://www.example.com/category/, which would then not show the posts on the page in the way I wanted to (as in on the “blog” page).
Would greatly appreciate learning how you are able to display all these categories as actual blog pages. Thanks.
I’m still trying to solve this. Can anyone point me in the right direction for removing the “category” part of the url and displaying categories as “normal” theme blog pages like Brian’s doing with this site’s nav?
What I did was create a page, apply the Blog page template to it, and then used a custom field to determine which category to show. For the custom field, use query_args and for the value enter the category ID you want to display.
Wow that’s great – I’ll try it out. Thanks Brian!
You go for it!
Thanks for the encouragement Lindsey… I think I will!
“Soul Cries Out” would have been a good title for this post.
The intersection of passion and purpose is huge – and it’s not always about the money. The personal stuff, in our core being, in our heart – those things need to be able to surface somewhere and I’m glad to hear you releasing that.
Thanks for being Control+B (see what I just did there). But seriously, keep being a light.
Thanks Justin, really appreciate that. I’m trying my best to balance between what I should share, and what folks want to hear. I’ve gone too far at times, and at others I’ve stayed too close to the surface. Hoping to meet in the middle, ya know?
It’s beautiful – the big background image really does make a statement
Hi Brian, could you drop me an email to the email attached to this post and I shall send you some details.
Thanks Gavin
Hmmmmm….I was just sold on Generate until I saw this blog. Me likey! Is this one available too? If not, which theme is the best for capturing emails (as in affiliate marketing stuff)
This one is not available yet, but I’m hoping to make it available after the first of the year.
While I’m impressed with the beautiful theme, I’m more impressed with your decision to move your blog to a more personal level. Personal blogs are my favorite ones to read! Even when I don’t totally agree with someone, I’m still there applauding their courage to share and high-fiving them for having the guts to be who they are and say what they feel.
As a fellow Starbucks addict, I raise my Chai Tea Latte to you and look forward to getting to know you better!
Design is really awesome. The previous theme also looked great. I’m one among those who’re desperately waiting for its release on StudioPress. This theme is so elegant in look. Loved it
I just started reading your blog. I do like the simple design. I need to think more simply for my own blog. I intend to stick around and see how interesting your life really is.
I love lurking and peeking into the windows of bloggers, by way of blogs of course. Thumbs up on the design.
Thanks Liz, appreciate that. I welcome lurkers here without question.
Well, I finally got used to minimal, but I do say, this is a great looking site Brian. While I am a fan of the other, this should be a hit when it becomes available, just like the others. Thanks for sharing the new look, it really is nice. And hey, Merry Christmas!
More about life than business?
Some of us find life more interesting ….
==>Jim
Brian, I know I’m kinda Old School, but early on when i started designing, that I was always told to steer clear of animations, and large Photo type backgrounds, because they distract the reader.
While I like and follow all your work, I have to tell you this beautiful scenery background keeps pulling my eyes of the copy. Just my tiny little opinion…
Hey Brian, your website is cool and no worries about talk other personal things here! ”Saludos” from Brazil! See ya!
I love the new design, Brian. Go bold or go home. Something like that anyway.
Wish you the best on this direction change.
I like the new direction! A few weeks ago, I was actually thinking to myself, man, I miss the other blog posts where you talked about other things, like Life, spirituality, etc…
Good move. I did the same thing with my latest return to blogging. I’m finding that so long as I share myself and bits and bytes of my life, it will be just fine. Business is just one aspect of who were are.
Glad for the change Brian and the new design!
RAS
My favorite Brian Gardner design? Always the latest
Will this be available via StudioPress ?
In some fashion, I do believe it will.
Sorry. Spotted same question and answer in earlier comment
Looking froward to hear about your life. I believe that these days, in a social, mobile, and connected world, there is less of a need to separate between work and life. In fact, people want to know the people behind the work… his values and his world. This quote sums it up:
“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he’s always doing both.”
James A. Michener quotes (U.S. novelist and short-story writer, 1907?-1997)
Dude, I dig the new design!!! Super clean and I actually like the background image.
Excited to see what you’re up to in 2013!
Blessings.
ar
Thanks man, really appreciate that!
I always look forward to your theme updates here. Hurry up and change it again so that *this* one becomes available for us
Really love it.
Sorry Brian , but i was a big fan of your old design, i was trying to get inspire from that but meanwhile you removed that :p
One more thing, Brian.
I really loved your last design too. Especially, the POETRY template was just so beautiful. I even tried to create a template like that but miserably failed.
It would be so nice if you can share the process with us- creating a poetry post template for genesis framework
same here @koundeenya
Brian I like your changes – they gave me a design idea for the header of a current client’s site. Thanks!
Question for you on this page: http://www.briangardner.com/themes/
Is this a page template?
…would be one I’d love to have to feature my portfolio on the StudioPress Apparition theme!
That’s not a page template, rather some HTML code placed into a page, with a bit of corresponding CSS.
Thanks for the confirmation; always appreciate your replies!
Your skiing mantra was identical to the one I had in college, except for the ending. Ours was, “pain is temporary, bones heal, and chicks dig scars.”
I’m just lucky I didn’t get too many. (Scars, that is. Could’ve used more chicks.)
Hey Brian, love the new design, kudos. I also had similar conflicts on personal vs business (on blogs and elsewhere) so understand your dilemma on that one but sounds like you’ve made the right choice now. Good luck with it.
Being a Hosoi fan myself you need to check out out the Bones Brigade Documentary on Netflix! It will bring back great old memories.
The mountain theme is sweet! I live in Park City, Utah for a reason.
Thanks for making me jealous.
We have good friends who live in Park City, and were just out there in August. Would love to move there. Recognize this area?
Your stuff always looks great Brian. David Boozer turned me on to you and I see why he admires you so much. Take care:)
Thanks so much Troy, really appreciate that.
I love your new look! I just returned from a ski trip and can totally relate to the “go big or go home” idea. Your love of extreme sports shows a lot of courage and determination. Same qualities that have made you into the business man you are today.
Hi Brian,
I am knocked out over Metro! Please forgive me for sharing my link here in your thread – http://ellistonparkcondos.com/ – but I wanted to show off what I just did with your latest theme offering. (It’s not finished – still a work in progress)
I always love the look you put together for your personal blog, and the current look is brilliant as usual, but I have to tell you Metro kicks butt for hyper-local WordPress powered real estate websites as well.
I’m a Calgary Alberta Canada Realtor and while I have a very good main real estate website that I got with my IDX provider, I feel quite restricted with it because I can’t access very deeply into the back end – it wasn’t designed for that. They know Realtors are not typically interested in messing with that kind of thing.
I decided to learn how to build websites in WordPress because I wanted to know how to do it myself, I knew others were doing it, and with my IDX they give us the IDX iframes code for everything so we can host all the real estate stuff in WordPress which is very cool,
I really didn’t know what I wanted so I bought hosting, themes, plugins, and experimented till I got on a track of my liking. Man I love the unlimited flexibility that I have doing things this way – I have no regrets it’s been a blast.
I have Real Pro that I got through you guys and about 6 other StudioPress themes that I really love… but I’m gonna be rocking this one on all of my single community websites from this day forward!!!
Thank you my friend for what you do… You Rock, StudioPress Rocks, and Copyblogger Rocks!!!
I just switched to the Genesis Framework … using the Eleven40 Theme. I love the Boldness of the Blog. I’ve gotten so many positive comments on it as well.
Great post brother!! Inspiring … and following your footsteps