You may have heard rumblings of a new theme called Metro which we released yesterday on the StudioPress blog. The very first noise that was made came from me about a month and a half ago when I redesigned my site with a similar look.
Many folks who follow me on Twitter knew it was coming back then, as I cryptically tweeted out the (now) infamous “Oops, I did it again…” thing.
As history has now repeated itself for the third time, Metro joins the eleven40 theme and the Minimum theme as previous designs which made their way onto StudioPress for sale.
About the Redesigning
Because of my ownership in Copyblogger Media, I am afforded the luxury of not giving a rip about building my personal brand. I still do, to some extent, but the bottom line is that I don’t need my personal blog to channel incoming freelance business and the like.
What this does for me, is open up my site here to be a canvas — or what I call, at times, a design playground. This is my easel for things I like to paint.
The fact of the matter is that I produce content here on my site to help people, but the visual side of things is really just a testing ground for potential StudioPress themes.
While I might turn off folks who don’t like the constant change of designs, it gives me a hands on opportunity to create and develop things that are very cool.
The Proof is in the Pudding
Ok, so I mentioned that my two previous designs are now themes that we sell on StudioPress. What I didn’t mention was that eleven40 and Minimum were the #1 and #2 top selling themes for the previous month on StudioPress.
Coinkidink? Eh, not really. And that’s why I did it again with the Metro theme.
If I had to put my money down on black or red (with black being the top 5 selling themes in February), I most certainly would feel comfortable laying down the house on *not* red.
In other words, I’m predicting that Metro will be in the top 5 (if not the #1) theme sales for next month. And yes, come early March I’ll follow up this post with the results.
Houston, We Have a Problem
Ok, so it’s not really a problem per se, but usually when I make a theme available on StudioPress I am already having the undeniable urge to work on the next redesign.
However, this just in…
Heh, this is the first time in a while that I’ve made my personal theme available on StudioPress and DON’T want to redesign mine.
— Brian Gardner (@bgardner) January 29, 2013
This is a good thing, as I have a number of things on my plate to focus on for the next few months. You might be asking what these are, and some of them are Genesis related.
In case you missed a few tweets I dropped last week, the next theme I am working on is called Modern Portfolio. Check out the one-page scrolling effect, ya dig?
I’m obviously not done with the theme, so if it feels unfinished, that’s because it is. Rafal has also developed a couple of themes that are nearing completion as well.
Here’s Where the Story Ends
For those of you who loved coffeehouse rock back in the early ’90s you’ll understand that reference. You Millennials might not, but the song Here’s Where the Story Ends from The Sunday’s Reading, Writing, and_Arithmetic album is easily one of my top 5 favorite songs.
The story, in today’s post, is my explanation of why I redesign my site so often. It’s a conglomeration of having design OCD, my passion for learning new CSS and design techniques and my desire to serve you up the very best and hippest WordPress theme.
So what are your thoughts? Is this a valid explanation?
Discuss below.
Aw, I give you till early summer, then you will be back at it.
Love the new theme Brian
Heh, while I’m not in a hurry to redesign, I can guarantee you that there’s no way I’ll last until early summer.
I’m figuring in another month or two I’ll be ready.
I have your condition too. #sigh.
Yeah – that’s the problem with intimately knowing code and a framework which you can easily knock out a design. It’s bittersweet, that I can whip up a new theme for myself in an hour or two when I’m inspired.
I think change is good.
Thanks. But encouraging the addict, might not be so wise.
I have the same restless condition Brian. Never happy with one theme for too long.
Your new Metro theme style.css file is VERY well done. It is super pleasing to the eye and easy to read, well organized and not that big. Nice job!
The process of publicly redesigning your personal site is certainly an awesome form of marketing. I’ve enjoyed watching you cycle through Eleven40, Minimum, and, now, Metro. You certainly push the envelope and also integrate some excellent best practice for themes.
Of course, along the way, the Genesis community notices the new design, wants to use it but we have to wait until you decide whether to add it to StudioPress or not. Meanwhile, as time passes, we formulate ideas of how to use this potential new theme. So, by the time you do release it a ton of folks in the Genesis community take it out for a spin themselves and soon use it on client sites. You have unintentionally (or maybe intentionally) created a virtual “street team” of folks for these themes that go from your site to the catalog.
Well done, Brian.
Thanks Chandler. You’ve pretty much got my strategy nailed down and spot on.
It’s nice to hear from someone who has the same disease:-) My site’s on its 4th StudipPress theme within a year. Every time something new comes out I say “Wow!” and have to apply it to my site. Maybe there’s medication.
ooo la la — can’t wait for Modern Portfolio to release
I’m pretty excited about this one. Not often do I have a crystal clear vision in my head and it actually comes out better in real life.
Who knows, if I get lazy maybe I’ll move myself onto Modern Portfolio first, and get the interest going on it.
Brian, what can I say – you’re a theme machine. And even if you do change your theme every 60 days, your passion for pushing your personal limits – both with your own technical skills and your aesthetic – is inspiring. It’s awesome to work with the best theme house anywhere; good luck with the sales of your latest! Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Yeah, it’ll be interesting to see what the next iteration is. This usually goes down when I find a design out there on the net that I find myself infatuated with. When that happens, look out. It’s days (if not hours) before I’m on the move.
I know the feeling all to well
The difference between you and I though, Bill, is that you have the chops to make another masterpiece while I have to struggle through it and come up with something mediocre.
Oh don’t be fooled, I beat my head against the wall too.
I like the redesign however I found the background a little distracting probably because I love climbing and viewing mountains:-) Have you got a tutorial for achieving the bg effect?
All you need to do is use the custom background feature of WordPress to get that to show. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
Thanks..should the image be a specific dimension so it fills the whole screen and loads fast?
Yay, i like it this!
Thanks to put on the market, long life to WordPress and Genesis!
See ya From Brazil Brian!
@crevilaro
It’s in our blood- we will never stop redesigning and evolving as designers. I definitely envy your ability to switch it up so often though- I feel like if I changed my site as often as I’d like to, my viewers and clients may be a bit confused, lol.
As always, hats off to you. Metro rocks! Looking forward to the release of Modern Portfolio as well.
I suspect those who frequent my site, know me or follow me on Twitter are used to the ongoing changes, so it’s not as big a deal to redesign. For those who use their site as a place for branding, lead gen and what not — it’s probably a lot more dangerous to flip the design often.
If we can’t exercise our best work through our own passion, how can we possibly offer anything similar or better to our clients.
This is how, for some people, the work itself is life giving and rewarding. While for others, it’s just tomorrows paycheck and today’s grind.
I’d say this is a great explanation. And also why I, and thousands of others, believe in what all you guys are doing – because it’s clear heart is in it. Not just skill.
Thanks for sharing! (the thoughts, and the theme)
Brian, every time you launch a new design from your blog you’re killing my wallet
However, I recently moved to the Minimum Theme, so I’m changing it soon. I love it.
I promise, if I ever have to buy 1 more theme from Studiopress I’ll consider the whole package.
Now, let’s see how many days until you feel the need to change again. I say until the end of March. I love changes!
Buying the Pro Plus package is by far the best option. And if you’re logged into My.SP.com, you can instantly receive the 25% savings on the package.
I say go for it!
i can relate! i’m a redesign addict as well. my blogger friends would usually visit my site and have to recheck the url because the blog (almost) always had a different design everytime, LOL! a banter in the comments section challenged me to start selling/creating blog designs – and now, i do (and earn from) that during my spare time.
Brian,
Really like Metro but….
I LOVE love Modern Portfolio. Looking forward to the release and finding any reason possible to use it!
So beautiful. And I like change, so I love that you change it up so much. And I’m jealous of your design skills. Annnnnnd I have been trying to learn how to the one page scrolling thing, but to no avail…
Once we release the Modern Portfolio theme, you’ll be able to dissect it.
I love my theme Brian which eerily similar to Metro lol but my eyes are also on your new upcoming one Modern Portfolio as I have clients who would drool over this one. Any time frame as to when it will be free from your mind, off the canvas and onto the shelves at Studiopress heh heh ?
That depends on whether or not I “test run” it on my own blog first. Since I a) love my current one and b) don’t want to wait that long to release it, chances are it might be a few weeks at most.
I love (I mean, I hate) redesigning my own site. Just did it again yesterday. Can’t wait for the day that I say, enough is enough. Meh, maybe next week. But then again….
Heh, believe it or not, Charles, you came to mind as I was writing this post. Not that it’s a bad thing, we just share similar sicknesses.
Yep. A sickness. Cough, cough.
I have to say Brian that this is one of those themes that I would actually personally use on my site. You made my life easier in relaunching my personal blog
Woot, that’s high praise coming from you Syed. Would love to see what you do with it — so make sure you ping me when you’re done!
I was so thrilled Metro was released yesterday, perfect timing since I was flip flopping between eleven40 & innov8tive, but ditched both for this one. Thanks!
Well there ya have it, glad it came just in the nick of time!
It’s good to know I’m not the only one who redesigns every month. Though, I think for me, it’s detrimental.
Metro is gorgeous (as I’ve grown accustomed to from you, by now) but I’m still far too in love with Minimum to let go. Modern Portfolio is looking quite yummy as well.
Any chance you’d consider adding to your ever-growing list a music-oriented theme? Amped didn’t age so well when compared to StudioPress’ more recent offerings, and I’d love to get my hands on something modern aimed at musicians’ sites (my best friend being a musician).
Hi Monica! I am sure Brian will answer your question about a music theme, but if you get impatient, Rebecca Gill has a music-related Genesis Child Theme available at her site, http://web-savvy-marketing.com. You may want to check that out.
Although from a visitor’s perspective, redesign will hurt my experience with your blog. I mean, I have to get used to the new design, how to go between posts and how to leave my comments. However, I love redesign since it’ll bring a brand new experience with (of course) tons of improvements.
I think if it’s your passion, go for it
It’s not your business. This blog is a way to express your feelings and inner emotions, go with your passion.
You keep us intrigued, and that is both exciting and enticing. You are certainly blessed to have the liberty to play and explore as you do!
Hey Brian! Totally get you, and for me, who isn’t really a CSS guy, I love that I can easily changes themes, when you launch another one.
I like that Modern Portfolio…
Circles. Would love to see more circles in web design instead of squares… challenge?
RAS
Hey Brian,
Any thoughts on adding a short description capability for the portfolio pages either on the Minimum or your new Modern portfolio? Like a short little blurb about the piece that can be seen without clicking onto the actual item?
I would love to see it if possible. Thanks for all of your work!
JD
Uh, so buddy I was looking everywhere to buy this Modern Portfolio theme and use it…and possibly redesign my own dang site with it. Then I re-read the blog this afternoon + discovered it’s a work-in-progress…
What’s the ETA !?!
More than likely a week from Monday.
Hello Brian,
As always you are great in designing new themes.
Can you give some advice on when somebody wants to create themes for theme self based on genesis. Books to read, code, etc.
Thanks in advance.
Grtz,
Robby
I think changing themes so often is an awesome marketing strategy (esp when you’re also selling themes). It makes people eager to know more about the product
Keep doing what you’re doing. I would also welcome some of your thoughts during the process. I think there are plenty others that like doing the same thing.
The new scrolling site will also be great to learn from. Some jquery with Genesis will be nice to get the insight to….speaking of that, how about making that portfolio filterable?
Got to say i’m pretty addicted to Genesis and love playing with it. I’m loving the direction the new themes are taking with the clean modern lines.
If i had to criticise (which i probably shouldn’t) I’d ask what’s the point if the main nav is not fixed? After the first jump, you are back to using the scroll bar. I prefer to be able to use the main nav to scroll from section-to-section – but perhaps i’m just a big kid
I love that you continually change it up, Brian. And I appreciate how you share much of your how-to with your readers. I endure the craving for regular design change along with you and the other commenters here. Modern Portfolio was what I was envisioning as I recently began to tear apart my Mocha Theme with the desire for a more modern, simplistic, classy look. I just installed a fresh version of WP on a sub so I’m totally ready to play with Modern Portfolio the minute it’s released!
Don’t get too comfy here Kelli, I’m on the brink of pushing out a new design. The problem I’m having is that I really like the theme I’ve got now, though the new one is kinda fun too.
Modern Portfolio is scheduled to be released early next week — so it shouldn’t be too long!
I’m also suffering from a case of redesignitus, but, like you, I’ve learned that it makes for a great sandbox experience.
On a side note, Metro will soon be gracing a site or three of mine, as well!
Please let Modern end up being a starting point of something like http://circlesconference.com/ that site is so cool looking, and it looks like that’s the direction you’re going. Please!
I fell in love with this theme and recently switched my blog over to it. I was wondering though, what coding would I need to add in the page numbers on the front page? I can’t seem to find it anywhere, but I see you have it on your site.
If you go to the Genesis > Theme Settings > Content Archives section, you’ll see a drop down selection for Select Post Navigation Technique. Just select numeric there.
I’ve already had that marked, and you can see the numbers when going into a category, but it doesn’t show up on the home page.
I love the new themes, I love the whitespace, I love the lack of unnecessary lines that box in website elements. What I love even more is that the newer design have less and less of a dependency on graphics elements that define the design.
I love the ability to define the entire site design with css. Now that still means great opportunity for a well designed graphic element to be place on the site, to give it a pop.
If I can avoid my miserable attempts at photoshop and stick to html / css, life is good!
Great work, I love the direction you’ve been going in!
Thanks a lot Rusty, really happy to know that focus and efforts on establish easy-to-use and customize themes is being appreciate.
When life is good for our users, then it’s most definitely good for us as well!
I hope to be able to buy your whole Genesis Framework soon and start using them. I currently use a theme called Graphene, but I have to admit, in order to learn WordPress and brush up on my PHP skills, I used your freelance theme as a guide in creating my site. I’m color blind (yet went back to college for web design, crazy huh?), and I love all of your designs. The colors blend so well and everything is so organized. All of your stuff in inspiring to me. Although I haven’t been able to afford it yet, I know it’s the best framework in the business.
Hello Brian,
I have enjoyed using your eleven40 theme. I have one gripe though. Since it is a writer’s theme, could I ask you to make the en- and em dashes to standard length? The em dashes are the size of a hyphen!
I, and other writers, would really appreciate this.
thanks,
Alan
Hi Brian,
I was looking at your blog a few days ago and was eyeing the social links – great to see the theme for sale… But what I really want to say is how much I l.o.v.e your latest redesign. It’s brilliant! The hexagon is fab, and I love a good slab serif. Well done to you and Rafal.
On a separate note – thanks for the genesis framework. Been developing wp with many sources of themes, hence troublesome at times, but found working with studiopress to be consistent with excellent support. Thank you!
Christina
Christina — thanks so much for the comments and kind words. Really appreciate it!