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April 8, 2006

Cool Designs April 2006

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 1:22 pm

Successful Blogs Look Successful

Spring is time we think of spring cleaning. I’ve been thinking it was time to show off some of the folks who add to the wonder and beauty of the blogosphere. So here’s the first in a showcase of great blog designs. As I said last December, successful bloggers are constantly trading ideas and talking about things. Design is always a topic folks like to discuss.

As always, click the screenshots to get a closer look.

You’ll never convince me that no one’s listening when Yas, CFrederick, Lindsay, Bocker, and Karsten talk. They bring together ideas, information, and design as news. They’re always thinking and creating.

NOONESLISTENING screenshot

Veerle’s blog was sent to me as a recommendation by two people. She not only knows her stuff. She knows how to make it look easy and fun.

Veerle Duoh screenshot

Brother Jones is the blog of Brother Jones Artworks. This page features the art of illustrator, Dennis. Visit the site to see Don and Doug, and the Brother Jones Band too.

Brother Jones screenshot

Tom Coates, who works for Yahoo, masterminds this intelligent, playful blog. The minimalist design pulls my eyes right into it. I love the best use of highlights I’ve seen on the Internet. AND he’s more fun to read than those serious Google guys.

Plastic Bag screenshot

Design Melt Down is the Studio/Working Blog of Patrick McNeil. It has pages of information and tutorials for folks to browse and learn from, as well as outstanding design.

Design Melt Down screenshot

It’s a magazine. It’s a blog. It’s a walk through an art museum in your living room that feels like a tour through a toy store. Pingmag is like no other blog and uses design to let you know.

Pingmag screenshot

Blogs are getting further and further from the look of the printed page. Take your time. Get ideas for your own blog. Now’s the time to spruce up, clean up, paint, polish, and promote your blog again. Give your brand new curb appeal. Take a lead from the pros.

If you don’t love what you see here, I plan on doing another feature like this, so e-mail me a link to where I might find some other great design at lizsun2@gmail.com.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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7 Comments to “Cool Designs April 2006”

  1. April 8th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
    Successful Blog - More Blog Designs to Discuss said

    […] Related articles: NEW—–>> Cool Designs April 2006 Call for Designers Blog Promotion: Checking Out Curb Appeal GAWKER Design: Curb Appeal as Customer-Centered Promotion Turning Reluctant Readers into Loyal Fans Blog Design Checklist Technorati Tags: 35 sexiest websites A Venture Forth design I Remember Koray Online Living with Music Phil Renaud Travel Dive […]

  2. April 8th, 2006 at 7:35 pm
    Yas said

    Thanks for the kind words, Liz! No One’s Listening has been a bit dormant as of late (lots of software crafting going on behind the scenes) but we should be back to our talktative selves in the coming weeks.

    I loved your last post, by the way. Very refreshing in a 43 Folders kind of way.

  3. April 8th, 2006 at 7:45 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Yas!
    I’ve been reading. I like to keep tabs on my favorite med guy and the crew. I still think your design work is fabublous, always feels fresh and new. Can’t wait until your software is finished. I know it’s going to make folks crazy.

    Thank you for your lovely compliments. I appreciate your words. Like you have time to be reading me. Thank you that’s really cool.

    Liz

  4. April 9th, 2006 at 9:48 pm
    Shirley George Frazier said

    It all looks like eye candy to me, Liz. I’m partial to No One’s Listening and Veerle’s.

    Thanks for bringing these blog designs to light and keeping all of us thinking about ways to keep our templates fresh and visually interesting.

  5. April 9th, 2006 at 9:50 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Shirley,
    Nice to see you coming up for air!
    Yeah They look like eye candy to me too!

    Lots of coloring books there. :)

  6. April 11th, 2006 at 3:12 pm
    Tom Coates said

    Really glad you like the site and the current design. I keep thinking about how much I should be iterating around it and pushing it a little - it really is so sparse that I can’t help suspecting that people probably find it a little shocking and harsh.

  7. April 11th, 2006 at 3:28 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Tom!
    Great to see you.
    Shocking and harsh–NO WAY! Believe me, I’ve made books for a living and run design departments. So I’m super sensitive to such things on the Web, much more than most folks are.

    You’ve managed to get the visual mathematics right so that the eye doesn’t get overwhelmed with what’s going on. You have just enough space between though highlights so that they work visually as “one.” The categories comes off as a brick wall when the reader doesn’t want to explore it. That’s the real beauty of what you did.

    It’s artistic. Simple and elegant.

    Keep using photos, and folks won’t find it stark.

    Liz

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