You might think that running a premium WordPress theme website is all peaches and cream, but let me assure you it’s not.
Throw in being Chief Product Officer of Copyblogger Media which means also overseeing the development of Scribe SEO and Premise Landing Pages, and you’ve got the making of something quite overwhelming.
Now don’t get me wrong – I love my job and think I do it quite well. But like every personality type, I go through seasons of productivity and creative schizophrenia.
The Definition of Schizophrenia
Before we go any further, I’d like to define what urbanites call Schizophrenia:
A person experiencing schizophrenia might see things in a way that he can only understand. He might also experience hallucinations such as hearing voices and seeing things, paranoia, feelings and thoughts of persecution and feeling like he is in another world.
It’s no secret that I have a tendency to redesign my site every once in a while – which is really more a reflection of how I’m personally feeling at the time. In other words, it’s my way of opening up my window and letting my visitors into my world.
For the first time in what seems like forever, I feel as though I’ve finally nailed the design of my site which I’m really happy with.
Sometimes Our Lives Are Filled With Irony
I’d like to make a sincere confession – this new design is not my own, rather one from a very talented designer named Philip Beel. This past weekend I was looking for inspiration and found the Cult WordPress theme and could not resist it’s allure.
At times I use design I see on the internet as inspiration for our WordPress Themes, but always make sure that the fine line between that and copying is never crossed.
As I began the coding of my design with the intent of only taking inspiration from the Cult theme, I found there wasn’t much I wanted to change. So I decided it was only fair to buy it and thanked the designer for his quality work.
I’ve made a few changes here and there, but I wanted to be completely transparent with the new design, and make sure credit was given where it was rightfully due.
A New Design, A New Journey and More of the Same
Now that I’m happy with my design, I can hopefully take the inspiration I have received from others to a place that I really want to go. I’ve always loved to write (more on that) and hope I can continue to write about my life experiences.
My biggest obstacle to success is my inability to stay focused. If you’re anything like me, your mind tends to wander like you’re in a maze. This way, that way, back up and try again. (thus a blog I considered creating called Nomad Theory)
In My Opinion, Being Abnormal is Normal
While I pride myself on taking the road less traveled, I feel an incredible amount of self-assurance that it’s “ok” to do things differently.
I want to tell you that being scatter-brained can lead to something brilliant. That being side-tracked can result in something unexpected.
That being abnormal, is, oftentimes, normal… and for me, this time arounds it meant using a design that is completely unoriginal.
Brian: I’m a fan of red so naturally, I dig the new look. If I changed my design around to match my mood at times, let’s just say I would’ve gone through a ton of redesigns by now, heh. But really, I dig that you can sit there and be creative that way.
While I know how important having a blog is, it’s also not my primary source of income. That being said, unlike other folks, I have the luxury (thank God) of being able to change my coat of paint as often I choose without any real backlash. I’ve always been open like that with my redesigns, and people come to expect that from me these days. This should come as no surprise to most who frequent my blog.
You know what would be pretty neat, post a time-line of your design iterations to date…
I wish I screenshot every one of them – as there have been plenty. Believe it or not a while back I completely nuked my entire archives, which was about 3 years worth of posts. Not sure why I did that, but it was on purpose.
So very true:
“… being scatter-brained can lead to something brilliant. That being side-tracked can result in something unexpected.”
Heh, I knew you’d be leaving a comment Brad. As someone who can personally relate to bouncing from thing to thing, or theme idea to theme idea (wink, wink) I know you understand.
Brian, did you convert this into a Genesis child-theme somehow? Or are you using it without any Genesis integration whatsoever? Just curious as to how much it takes to tie a traditional theme into the Genesis framework.
Yes, if you take a look at the footer of my site you’ll see the mention of Genesis. It was really easy for me to conceptually take the design from the Cult theme and slice it into Genesis. It took me about two hours to get 90% of the theme coded, and then I went into a nit-picky round of edits.
Great to see that you’re finally happy with the new site! (fingers crossed)
As you know, I’m like you, all over the place with professional work and hobby work. I think we just have to step back some times and assess the situation. Clear our heads and focus in on the core “stuff” that gets us through the day.
Yeah, I have seasons where I need to find creative outlets – and that doesn’t always mean with design. Since I love to write, once in a while I have the need to release those juices too.
But the key to it all is balance.
New design looks great Brian. Very cool of you to throw out some credit to a non-StudioPress designer.
Wonder how long this theme will last?
I have zero problems (or insecurities) with giving credit to someone who does great work. It was so “right” for me that I barely changed anything.
This theme will last at least a month. Guaranteed.
If that is the definition, then I’d say most of us have it as well!! And, regarding being normal/abnormal – I’ll share the old throwback – no one who was normal ever made history. Why the hell do we want normal anyway!! I know I don’t.
Thanks for doing what you do, the way only you can do it!
Thanks Jen – I’m a firm believer in what you said. In fact, in a similar way, I made this comment from my What’s Your Guilty Pleasure? post:
Like you said, “most of us have it as well”… and I went on to say:
It’s a matter of whether or not we have the confidence in ourselves to admit it.
Love the look, but then I love all your redesigns and I am sure I will love the next one as well.
Curious, if you build it with Prose or as a separate child theme for Genesis?
I wrote it from scratch using the sample child theme from Genesis 1.8 beta that should be coming out relatively soon.
I really like the new design Brian, kudos to the original designer!
Yep, that’s exactly what I was saying!
Here hopes it lasts longer than a month!
I’ll put money on the fact that it does.
Seems to be a common problem with many developers. I know I constantly battle with with a similar situation.
1. Brilliant idea #1 pops into head, start work on idea #1
2. Brillant idea #1 reaches 70% completion
3. Brilliant idea #2 surfaces
4. Struggle to ever finish idea #1, strong desire to concentrate on new idea.
5. Repeat
Fun times
I think that Brad Potter and I (and what seems to be you) have this problem in heaps.
My cutting room floor for themes and designs is about two feet deep. No joke.
The craziest people I know are the most interesting people I know. They are also the people I care about the most.
The design looks amazing by the way. Your version is still unique, and in my opinion better than the original, albeit I think yours serves a slightly different purpose.
Thanks Ryan – appreciate the comments. The orignal version was more of a “magazine” style layout, and I did make some personal changes – well um, to keep things personal.
Take a look at Van Gogh – both talented AND crazy.
Love the design Brian
Red and black with the text against a white background – hard to beat that combination.
I decided a long time ago that the guys who know how to combine colours with fonts and graphics to produce a great looking theme, are worth listening to.
I use your Genesis themes, but I rarely alter anything – am I going to improve how they look?
Don’t think so.
Really like the new look. Your best design yet. Very cool headers. I am glad to see there is someone who becomes as bored with designs as often as I do. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Mike, appreciate it. I agree this is one of the best designs I’ve had on my site, and I don’t know if it’s *not* a coincidence that I wasn’t responsible for most of the design.
New design looks awesome Brian. No doubts I really very much fan of your things
- Your arrangements in Websites I dont know …. Its really Very… Hot!!!!!
Regards : Rhythm
Hi Brian!
Love the design, it is clean and simple with a modern touch. Let the juice flow Brian. It is you. I have a feeling that the creative thoughts and feelings need a output somewhere, otherwise it can be accidents. It is strong feelings. Love it Brian. Keep it up
Brian, the new design looks amazing! And I love the b&w photos – they are always striking no matter the occasion.
My hubby doesn’t get why I redesign my own site from time to time – he thinks it’s a waste of time lol. Hope you stay happy with your new design for a while
I’m a fan of red so naturally, I dig the new look. If I changed my design around to match my mood at times, let’s just say I would’ve gone through a ton of redesigns by now, heh. But really, I dig that you can sit there and be creative that way.
Hey Brian,
I was brought here from another post on your site. It was nice reading that you’re scatter-brained. I am too, many a times, and always feel like time slips right by me. It can be frustrating, but you’re right, it can be VERY rewarding at times. Thanks for the encouragement, I’ll keep trekking wherever the rabbit hole takes me!
Btw, I noticed that the last link to: http://www.briangardner.com/two-roads-diverged.htm <– needs the ".htm" removed.
Thanks again for a great post!
~ Kat
Hey Kat, thanks for pointing this out – just updated it!