Blog Designs As Inspiration

[incka]

I'm sure most of us are sick to death of seeing blogs in search results and mentioned in news articles, but you can't deny many of them have really good designs - really simple good designs.

I'm starting to try web design myself, instead of getting others to do it for me, and I've found myself looking at blogs for ideas and inspiration. No, these are not design blogs, but blogs are anything, from supporting Ralph Nader to one about German Shepard puppies.

So why am I looking at blogs instead of competition for design ideas? Because the standard of web designers is to use loads of eye-catching features on their designs. Sharp images, bright colors, #000000 black text, etc. Sure, you will catch the persons attention, but you won't make their stay at your site enjoyable and relaxing.

Blogs seem to use quite alot of CSS styles, dotted borders, dashed borders, large white borders on a white background. These seperate parts of the page, making it easy to digest.

Pastel colors are often used alot. Here are a few of my favourite ones:

<table cellspacing="30" cellpadding="0">
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#7BA7E1" width="70" height="70">
&nbsp;
</td>
<td bgcolor="#93BF96" width="70" height="70">
&nbsp;
</td>
<td bgcolor="#65747C" width="70" height="70">
&nbsp;
</td>
</tr>
</table>

These colors are unusual, but easy on the eye and relaxing.

Another feature of designs that is relaxing is fading. It's very easy to do in photoshop and other graphics programs.

Use Trebuchet as it is a very relaxing font. Use it instead of Times New Roman or Arial.

[Shawn]

I'm glad you like my new design. I like it too.

[incka]

You've obviously used blog designs on that.

I've seen alot of sites popping up using them. Simple is elegance. There are too many designs that are cluttered and sharp on the eye.

[Mike]

Yep, I've always liked that style. Simple and relaxing.

I'd rather have that than a templatemonster design, although in some cases a more graphic design is better. In any other sites I make though, they will be similar to what you said Sean.

Although about the font, I'm not sure if it would be possible to use everytime. Do all computers have Trebuchet installed? They should, but some come with limited fonts etc.

[incka]

Use it as a image. Shawn does that. It's not the main keyword so why use it as a <h1>?

[Nick]

Here is some more inspiration

http://cssvault.com/2004/05/index.php

[incka]

They're nice designs.

[James]

Trebuchet MS is the font I've been using since I saw http://www.AListApart.com

I personally love http://www.simplebits.com that design IMHO is stylish, and simple, and just generally good.