02 Feb 2005 | Bill said...

Karen's blog is really...happy :-) Fresh and simple.

Bill

03 Feb 2005 | headsfromspace said...

The Brooklyn site and Jason's are very striking visually and color-wise (very nice color choices). I suppose Shaun's site might be more technically complex but less warm to the eyes.

03 Feb 2005 | 8500 said...

Gota vote for Karen since she uses interesting images and design in her daily entries of her blog and not just the template.

03 Feb 2005 | Jason Santa Maria said...

So inline images = good design? I do think her site is nice, but not just because of that. Half the sites online do that.

03 Feb 2005 | 8500 said...

Using inline images isn't what makes her design work. It is appropriate and beautiful images that add meaning to her entries.

All the sites nominated use well designed templates.
So should graphically interesting template = good design?

For me it doesn't. The page is not just about the template.

03 Feb 2005 | Jason Santa Maria said...

Who said it was about the template? and if it isn't about the template, what is it about?

03 Feb 2005 | 8500 said...

"Jason Santa Maria said... Who said it was about the template?"

You have the strongest design if only the templates were considered. When you objected to inline images being a deciding factor in a design contest, I assumed that you believe that templates should play that role instead. Consider it a logical skip to keep the conversation moving at a brisk pace. If I assumed incorreclty, please feel free to give us the straight dope.

"if it isn't about the template, what is it about?"

The template is only half of the design. It is an important element but it usually occupies 90%+ of the designers attention.

Most template focused designers create a beautiful shell then shove all the content (the reason that most people visit websites) into block after block of pure text. Adding visual elements that enhance and relate to the content is an important step that tons of web designers miss.

03 Feb 2005 | Jason Santa Maria said...

"... I assumed that you believe that templates should play that role instead."

Nope, just playing devil's advocate to learn that we both agree, design is more than pretty pictures and interesting graphics.

06 Feb 2005 | Yet another Steve said...

I'm sorry, I just don't get what's so great about Shaun Inman. It's too dull (oh that gray!) and unfeeling. The contrast is terrible for people like me who don't have the sharpest pair of eyes.

11 Feb 2005 | Shaun Inman said...

You're so right Steve. That Inman guy's a big jerk too!

Sorry about the contrast, that's something I'm addressing in the new design. (Un)fortunately the overall grayness isn't going anywhere.