When good redesigns go bad…
I won’t post much here about this issue, since the comments that have been left at Design by Fire say mostly what I would, only I would say them in a much less hero-worship-y tone.
Unfortunately Andrei Herasimchuk, who is an incredibly talented designer has fallen victim to the fallacy that print design can ever work on the internet. From a usability, accesability and well, logical standpoint that is just not possible. I am not advocating that the “concepts” employed in print design have no place in web design, that is of course blatantly false. Having worked in Print Design for a number of years, I use the lessons learned there in every piece of design I create that is meant to convey meaning to a reader.
Again I am not going to restate the obvious flaws in Herasimchuk’s design, but I just wanted to point some of you budding weblog/website designers to the conversation that is going on over there about this, and show you how even the most gifted designer can drop the ball from time to time.
Stroll on over and visit Andrei Herasimchuk
March 1, 2007
I’m actually interested in which aspects specifically you think from my print-style approach don’t work on the web? You’re being a bit vague here. Thje goal of DxF 2 is to blend the best of print with web fundamentals. It may work entirely, but the only to find otu is to try.
If it winds up being that comments doon’t work side by side with an article, then it’s easy enough to move the comments to below the article with three code line changes. I’ve set up the new site to adjustments like these very easy.
However, unless people get specific about what they think works and what doesn’t, then there’s not much I can do to address those issues and see if it is indeed possible.
Stroll on over and visit Gravity
March 1, 2007
I am looking for the new admin gui. I cannot find it anywhere on your site for download or for demonstration, but I do like the look of your admin login screen.
Is this something I can get? available to the public? Please let me know.
Kind regards
gravity
Stroll on over and visit Mr. Hibbity Gibbity
March 1, 2007
Granted, the only background I have in “print design” is what I learned at Asbury and what I’ve gleaned from an asundry of printed material, but I quite liked Mr. Herasimchuk’s layout.
It felt “familiar”, like reading a printed brochure or a company’s statement of purpose. Clean. Nicely spaced and I enjoyed the larger, bold text which served to break up the body. (Remember, first rule of Fight Clu … no … wait … first rule of print design, break up large chunks of text. Mr. Herasimchuk accomplished just that.)
As a first trial, I think it was a success. The only negatives that I have: 1. The links on the left felt awkward to me. Perhaps placing them in a horizontal row on top would help? Dunno. 2. Yes, the comments section felt a little “off” too, but it was tolerable - at least, moreso than the links, as mentioned in #1.
Just my two cents. Thanks.
Stroll on over and visit Willy
March 1, 2007
Can I test this here? No this is not true, it’s a life preview - awesome!!!
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