Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Spiritview's new design

You may have noticed a few design changes on Spiritview... How could you not?

For a long time, I've wanted to make some modifications, but didn't have the expertise myself to implement them. I finally found a web designer I trusted, and asked them to re-work many of the features, and that's what we're looking at today.

Most notably, I hope the text in the posts is much easier to read. I had complaints from the earlier version about hard-to-read-text with the font color blending in with the background color.

Also, I have an original banner on the headmast now. We experimented with a few different nature pictures, but honestly, none of them seemed to properly symbolize the essence of the blog. No offense to you nature lovers! I'm one of you too! The scenes would capture certain aspects of spirituality, but not the sum total, so I settled for a graphic design instead.

The red hues are not what I originally had envisioned, but, interestingly, the path we take on a journey doesn't always take us to the destination we thought we were heading toward. Has that ever happened to you?

In the end, I liked the edgy feel of the maroon/red tones. It set the blog out from the massive numbers of sites that are saturated in blues and greens. I feel comfortable being a bit different... Good thing, because I don't know how a Christian Scientist would thrive otherwise...

I'm still experimenting with font colors, link colors and so on...so more changes and tweaks may appear. Enjoy the ride!

So, if you have any constructive suggestions for further improvements or adjustments, now is the time to let me know while I have a web designer to help!

Thanks for your support. It is appreciated.

You make this blog what it is!
By Evan Mehlenbacher
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6 comments:

Holly said...

Love it! The colors are warm and welcoming ... an exact match to what Spiritview represents to me! And it IS much easier to read. I also like the new "mug shot" of you, Evan. Bravo!!

May 20, 2008 at 9:30 AM
evan said...

I'm glad you like it. Thanks!

May 20, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Anonymous said...

I really like the new design. The colors are pleasing, and the text is much easier to read -- larger letters which contrast with the background. Thanks so much for thinking of your readers' comfort.

One thing, when I first saw the new design, I noticed that in the header the "P" in Practitioner is capitalized, but the "t" in teacher is not. I think it would be nice to see both words either capitalized or in lower case -- that they match each other. Just a thought...

Thanks, Evan, for all you do on the web. Receiving and reading your blogs makes a positive difference in my day.

May 20, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Anonymous said...

I, too like the new design. I think the lack of a nature scene is one more way the blog spiritualizes thought. I don't regard the design as edgy but rather soothing and calming. I had no difficulty reading the other one and this one is fine as well.

I agree with the previous commentator: I suggest consistency in style and capitalize both Practitioner and Teacher since they are your formal titles.

And while the picture of you is very nice, and the other picture of you was very nice, perhaps no picture is best. No offense. This way thought is kept off the person, off personality, and focused on the Spirit (view). And the public needn't worry about what you look like, again, a move to take thought off matter, since you have other pictures of you and the family elsewhere on the site.

What do you think?

Finally, I see this website is designed by a CS company? 'Way to go, Evan!!

May 21, 2008 at 12:14 AM
evan said...

Yes, I was already wondering about the capitalization of Practitioner myself. I think I'll change it for consistency.

On the picture, I learned many years ago in public speaking that pictures add credibility. There is something about having no picture that creates suspicion and doubt. When I browse other blogs, and there's no picture, and I don't know the writer, I ask lots of questions, like, "Who is this person writing? Are they real? Are they pretending to be something they are not? What do they have to hide?" Pictures answer many questions that clear the mental atmosphere and allow the newcomer to focus on the message.

Interesting how that works...at least for some people.

If you know the writer, pictures are unnecessary. It's for the people who don't know you that I believe it's most helpful.

May 21, 2008 at 6:42 AM
Anonymous said...

I will be the "different" perspective here. Sorry. I LOVED the old nature background with the lake and mountains. The blue and green complimented each other so well, I thought. I was literally bathed in soothing relief and calm opening up the old spiritview. I am so disappointed with this new look. I like dim lighting and calm and soothing colors. The white background is condusive to easy reading but at the same time "harsh" to the eyes. IT is like being in a brightly lit room with florescent lighting! My favorite color is blue and the blue/green combination I resonated with the very moment I first opening the blog to Spiritview. The gray on the right panel is not soothing to the eyes as well. The dark gray on the light gray background is extremely hard to read. No contrast! I know this is a work in progress, but I don't care for it. As far as your picture, Evan, it is definately needed. It does add credibility and is a really nice picture of you. So warm and welcoming! Sorry for the criticism, but I'm just being honest!

May 23, 2008 at 9:54 PM

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