Monday Magic: 1/21/08
Most Original:
To be honest, I’m not sure what the name of this site is, but I can tell you two things. It’s from MTV, and it’s beautiful. If you look closely, the most important aspect of the design is the background. It helps keep the site flowing and is the sole reason why the design works. The layout is a bit wild, but the background creates a cohesive, tropical feel, exactly what the site needs to accomplish.
Tip: Never ignore the important of your background choice. Patterns, graphics, gradients, etc. are vital to your site design. Often times, the background is the last thing made, or created as an afterthought. Change that. You should always design your background to compliment your design. During your pre-design stages, it’s important that you dedicate some sort of time to deciding what your background will need to look like.
Boldest Design:
Book Keeping In a Box (Whew, that’s a mouthful) is a wonderful looking site. The designer did a great job getting your eyes to focus on one thing when you first check out the design, and that is the word, “Organize”. The sub pages are equally important, and look great. They are simple, and easy to read. The landing page is split horizontally into two (which sort of conflicts with the site’s horizontal theme), but accomplishes this well. The site really sells the product.
Tip: Take a look at the main focus or aspect of your design. Ask people what is the first thing they notice when they view it. Is it what you want it to be? Or is it that random stock vector that you bought for $5 bucks? If its the latter, you may want to reconsider your design. You need to bring focus to the important aspects, and if you haven’t done that, then your design may be a failure.
Most Professional:
There have been plenty of premium word press themes around, but none with a site as attractive as Quocommunications. This site (though seemingly inspired by Apple’s website) delivers an elegant and sleek design that really sells the product. One of the things that stands out to me about this design is the designer’s choice NOT to use any icons, screen shots, or thumbnails in the features section. I’m not sure if this was done on purpose or not, but it keeps the design simple and clean, and since the features are easy to read and neatly listed, I read through them (usually I like to skim, and pictures help).
Tip: It’s very easy for a designer to get carried away and try to fit in as many norms as they can. I’ll always recommend less graphics in your design because it keeps them easy to read and follow. By putting in too many graphics, you end up getting carried away and the design comes out distracting. If you don’t need it, don’t add it!
Site of the Week:
Those who know me, understand that I like simple designs. Heck, I just got done talking about it in the previous site. However, Eurovision’s site delivers one of the busiest, and most colorful designs I’ve seen - but it works. How? First of all, it fits the site’s theme. The chaos is controlled and well placed. Though I could do without a majority of the smaller design graphics within the content areas, I think the site delivers a solid theme and reinforces it’s brand. The background is also one of the most key contributing aspects to the success of the design. Your eyes are constantly moving on such a busy site, and the background acts as a barrier. Because of it’s starburst, it forces your eyes back into the site.
Tip: Though I will usually recommend less, sometimes if you need to go over board to strengthen a brand, go for it. But don’t fit too many “new” graphics. If you look at Eurovision, many of their graphics are slightly altered for each content space which makes it “normal” looking. If there’s to many new aspects in every content area, it can sometimes get a little overwhelming and you’ll lose some readers.
Artist:
Coldplay has always been my favorite band. They deliver such a smooth mood and it really helps me get through my work day. If you haven’t given them a chance yet, you should. They are calm, and the contents of their songs are easy to relate to, and it gives you that “feel good” feeling (though some of their songs are down right depressing).
I know this comment wont mean much, and Im not sure what I am writing still - but I felt as though I had to say something.
It brought me to tears reading your post, along with her obituary page, and I just wanted to say - well, im not sure. Its hard to word it.
I guess basically, I wanted to say that I will be thinking of you both, - and both her and her family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
xx
@ Ruth: Though you may think your comment didn’t do anything, it did much more then you probably think. It means a lot to me that a stranger such as yourself can find it in their heart to write such a sincere and genuine message about two people you’ve never met.
Thank you so much Ruth.
Bryan,
That was truly touching. You made me feel like I knew Alex and I did feel emotional as I read it. I really can;t imagine what it must be like to lose a friend.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and Alex’s family.
If you need anything, you know who to email.
- J
Really touching part you wrote there.
Hard to see that such a young girl died way too early, and had a future in front of here.
keep up in this hard time bryan!
sander
Bryan i’m commenting for the first time on your blog, as well, that was really rather touching.
What you have written is beautiful and i’m sure, she’s watching down on you with great warmth.
My thoughts are with her, her family and you.
I look forward to reading more Sentences, when you get back on track.
Tom
I hate to see this post, and I admit I dont know her but I give my condolences to her family and friends, and she did have a smile that even I will admit made me smile when I read this post, so just take some time off bryan we (as your readers/fans) will still be here waiting for your new content to come in
There was a poem read at the funeral of the Queen Mother in England which had beautiful words and has helped me through the loss of a loved one or friends.
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she’s gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
Best wishes to you.
Thank you everyone for the kind words and encouragement. I really appreciate the support and am glad to see everyone understood my situation.
With Vince’s comment in mind, it’s time to start updating Sentences again. Keep checking back for updates as I try to resume Sentences back to its normal schedule.
That’s very sad… It doesn’t occur to most people until it happens to someone close, or someone they know.
She looks like a beautiful girl, I’m sure she’ll be missed.
Dear Bryan, This is Alex’s mom. Thanks so much for the beautiful tribute. It is fitting for such a remarkable young woman. I have to believe that Alex’s life and her death have meaning. It’s up to each of us that know her and love her to bring that meaning forward in our lives. Alex had a message to us all to love life and live passionately. I can tell that you will be one of her messangers.
Hi there Jane,
It’s great to see that you some how found my note to Alex. It’s very touching that you took the time to visit my website and write a word.
Thank you for the kind message. Alex lives on in all of us. If you need to contact me, you can do so by clicking the contact button at the top of the website. It will email directly and privately to me.
Best wishes Jane,
Bryan