New design and other changes
If you’re reading this in a feed, you may want to stop by and check out the changes at Blogger Dad.
Out with the green theme and in with the blue. A lot of people liked the green, so the decision was not easy. While the green looked serene and clean, it just didn’t feel right. I was going to do a blue, yellow and white layout, using colors from one of my two year old son, E’s, favorite shirts. The design was radically different, too. However, it, along with the yellow, met a mixed reaction from my trusted test audience, though. So rather than rush out a design which I wasn’t completely happy with, I decided to continue the design I was using, but make it better with a new color scheme and some other style tweaks.
The most noticeable change is I the header, where I replaced the cartoon header I had drawn before to one of my favorite pictures of E, from his first birthday party.
Here are some of the other changes, presented in the easy to read bullet list format.
- New sidebar, including options to subscribe to the RSS feed or via email, to get each new post delivered to your inbox
- Updated About page to include some new info and a photo of me (though you may want to wait until after breakfast to look)
- New Illustrations and Design page to showcase some of my work for those who would like to hire me for caricatures, comics, design, illustrations, custom art for loved ones, content, or to help you move a body at 4 in the morning
- Buttons to Collective Inkwell, my online studio with Sean Platt and a button for Potty Training Power for those in need of potty training help. Sean wrote the book with his wife, Cindy Platt, and I did the art.
- New Funniest and Most Heartfelt posts in the sidebar
- Changed the Contact page and ditched the contact form and put my address for those who wish to email me
- Did I mention the blue?
- A new Twitter button with a bird I drew
- Dropdown boxes for Archives and Categories to save space
As I mentioned on Friday, this week will also mark a return to 5 Days a Week posting.
The new schedule
Mondays and Wednesdays will continue with the typical mix of humor and heart that I’ve developed here. Rants, drawings, posts about my son and details of my life will be on these days. In other words, the posts which take a long time to create.
Tuesdays I’m adding a review page. I was going to call it Cool or Crap but I am re-thinking that name. As far as selling out, don’t worry, I’m not going all Sponsored-By-Tucks Medicated Pads on you. Speaking of which, what ARE Tucks medicate pads? I’m tempted to do a Google search but I think I’d prefer not to know. At any rate, my reviews will be stuff we actually use around the house, toys my son plays with (and I trip on in the middle of the night) and whatever else I think might be fun to review. No, I’m not going to be reviewing pork brains or beef cheeks like my friend Tracy. On the rare occasion that someone does send me something to review, and I’m talking to you Sony (PlayStation 3), then I will disclose in the review that someone sent me the stuff.
Thursdays are up in the air. I’m still trying to decide what I’ll do with them. Feel free to make suggestions.I’m leaning towards pictures of my son or maybe Angry Letter of the Week to whatever person, place or thing is ticking me off that week. Kinda like my Letter to Target.
Fridays will be called The Best. Here, I will post links to some of the best stuff I found on the web during the week. I’ll also post some of the best comments from the week that you all leave. I think some of the best stuff on this site comes in the form of reader comments. I don’t know how many people actually go back and read comments a day or so after the posts, so it’s easy for some real gems to get lost, so I want to bring them to the front page (along with links to the readers’ blogs). I’ll also post some other funny stuff on Fridays to keep it quick, light and fun.
So feel free to comment below. Tell me what you think of the new look and features.
As always, thanks for reading,
David
Like this post? Please consider tweeting it.
Want BloggerDad delivered to your email every time I post? Well, you’re not alone. Join the literally tens of others who have already subscribed for free! Email not your thing? That’s okay, you can also subscribe via RSS.
Content is copyright 2009 BloggerDad.com. If you are reading this on any site other than www.Bloggerdad.com or your personal RSS reader, then you may be reading it on a site which steals content. And a site like that is probably up to all kinds of no good.
19 Responses to “New design and other changes”
Comments
Read below or add a comment...
The blue certainly breathes life into the site and I love the header!
You should come out with a twitter icon pack or something. I’m sure sites like smashing magazine would be interested in them along with a lot of people looking for different twitter bird icons for their website. Needless to say, I love the twitter icon in the side bar
Awesome changes David. I look forward to reading Blogger Dad every day.
Samar´s last blog ..2 Unusual ways to network on twitter
Nice! Very nice!
E is very cute, and I love the blue cake!
Melinda | WAHM Biz Builder´s last blog ..Knowledge vs Action – Getting the Balance Right
Blue = good. Too many green sites around at the moment.
How about “Desktop or Doorstop” for the reviews? Cool stuff makes it to the desktop, crap gets used as a doorstop…
SpikeTheLobster´s last blog ..An Elance Dilemma
Blue = good. Too many green sites around at the moment.
How about “Desktop or Doorstop” for the reviews? Cool stuff makes it to the desktop, crap gets used as a doorstop…
I love how you blend colors, images, and fonts!
Lori Hoeck´s last blog ..Three ways a narcissist can take control
Looking good Dave.
The site that is, not your photo.
Nah, just kidding mate. Nice, fresh look. Excellent placing of the hire me ad. Unique Twitter icon. Top notch work as usual.
“I’m the one on the right.” LOL, awesome.
Site looks great, new schedule sounds awesome, and Samar’s right – put out a Twitter pack. Your stuff is way better than most of what’s out there.
Writer Dad´s last blog ..How to Think Like a Black Belt in Parenting
I love the blue, it’s one of my favorite shades of blue.
That photo of you with E is too cute!
Just curious, why did you ditch the contact form in favor of the email address? I’m wondering now if I should do both, i.e. have an email address at the top of my contact page and then the form for people who like that.
I really like your “Hire Me” badge. I’m in the middle of doing all sorts of tweaks and crap to my site, too. Can I steal it for my about page where I say who did my logos?
Tracy´s last blog ..A bunch of random items
Love the re-design! I have been thinking of re-doing my blog soon, but not a clue what I even want for it tbh. Thesis is awesome though, so I’m sure I’ll figure it out…
Marylin´s last blog ..New beginnings
Nice, love the blue. I just upgraded my blog to Thesis over the weekend and was running through the slate blue options, but ended up going with a forest green at the wife’s suggestion. BTW, the new header picture is priceless.
PJ Mullen´s last blog ..Redesign on a Dime
Samar – Thank you. As for the icon pack, I hadn’t thought of it before. There are some really awesome icons out there now. I would need to do something a bit more unique in order to feel I was delivering something equally awesome.
Melinda – Thanks. Blue cake was yummy, though his blue face was not so easy to un-blue.
Spike the Lobster – Thanks for stopping by and for the nice words. As for Desktop or Doorstop, sounds good. Not sure if it works completely as most of the products our things my son uses and will never make it anywhere close to my desk, well at least not until it needs repair. Let me soak on it for a while. Thanks for the suggestion.
Lori – Thank you!
Marc – Ha! And yes, the top right is one of the first looked at spots on a web page, so I figured I’d use it to actually self promote a bit.
Writer Dad – Thanks, I will consider that. By the way, I sent you a new Twitter bird. The one I made previously looks a bit sickly.
Tracy – Well, I was GOING to go with pink, but someone beat me to it. I ditched the contact form because I’ve read that some people don’t much care for it. And yes, you can use my badge. Thanks. If it looks wonky with the blue background, let me know and I will customize it.
Marylin – Thank you. Yes, Thesis is awesome and there are lots of things you can do with it to make your site look great.
PJ – Looks great. Congrats on the Thesis purchase and you picked a great day to remodel!
Yes, it looks great! I’m impressed by your five-posts-a-week plan. Wonder if I’ll ever get there…
Kristin T. (@kt_writes)´s last blog ..Divorce can break/heal your heart
You’re looking great Blogger Dad.
I love all of the changes, especially the photo of your son. He’s a real cutie, and you’re not so bad, yourself.
Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Our Target Audience – Aiming For The Bulls Eye
aaah true blue, just like you – sorry couldnt help myself. hmmm a review tomorrow, eh?
shall return for sure.
Did Barbara just call you a cutie?
I think whatever you do looks great BD, and upping your output to 5 days a week can only be a bonus to us all.
And now I’m hopping over to your About page to check you out . . .
Tara@Sticky Fingers´s last blog ..Review: Seriously Mo Willems, we think you’re the man
Oh come ON. That photo is so old.
I raced over to your About page thinking there was going to be something to, you know, break my Hugh Jackman obsession, but there was that picture I’ve seen before.
**Stamps feet, looks angry** It’s just not good enough.
Tara@Sticky Fingers´s last blog ..Review: Seriously Mo Willems, we think you’re the man
I love blue – nice look and feel to this page
thank you for all your humor, creative energies, and posts, rants, and cartoons, it is always a pleasure to drop by and see what is happening.
Sorry I will miss a few installments, but I need to go on a very long walk…a time out for this writer…but lots will be happening at my place…thanks to many bloggers kindness and good spirits.
Patricia´s last blog ..Understanding Agenda For a New Economy ~ David Korten
The header is great, the blue color just the right kind of blue, and the pic of the young feller just perfect. For Thursday, please go for Angry Letter of the Week. I’d look forward to it. Or make it just bi-monthly so you can squeeze in pics of your son.
jan geronimo´s last blog ..7 Tips to Keep You from Killing Your Own Blog
I think it all looks very spiffing! And I love the little Twitter bird. So cute.
Dancinfairy´s last blog ..Baby project number 3