The problem with being a web designer is that when you get tired of your blog design and want to change it, you can. And I seriously need to stop doing that considering I just re-designed less than a month back.

I just wasn’t too happy with that design, though. It was just too different from my business site DotsnDashes. This one isn’t exactly a replica either but it has similarities and uses some of the basic design features from that website.

I’m thinking I’ll stick to this design for a bit.

So what do you think?

In that case let me present to you the The Non-Designer’s Design Book

This has to be one of the most recommended design book of all times.

Why?

It is a very simple read. It is great for beginners and acts as a good reference for designers who have been at it a bit.

It offers design guidelines with great examples on how to properly utilize them. While, at the same time there are examples of designs that do not follow the guidelines and still look great!

Bottom line: Design guidelines are just that - guidelines. They are not rules that have to be followed at all costs. The book does however, warn you against common design mistakes that amateur designer’s usually make.

An example: Centering Text.

I’m sure you have seen websites where the entire text and I mean the entire content is centered. And it is almost impossible to read. Want to know why?

It is because the human eye reads from left to right. Try noticing it - when your eye reaches the end of a para, it automatically moves to the left edge. Centering the text means it has to stop at different points on the left side, every time. Very tiresome for the eyes! So not only do you strain your eyes, it also does not give a clean look to the website.

That does not mean centered text never works. It works for headlines. It can work for small bits of text and so on and so forth.

But isn’t this book for print?
Yes, it is and no it isn’t.

Like I said the book is about basic design guidelines. Although it focuses on print, the examples and content applies to design in general and can be adapted to web design.

So seriously if you are looking to get a head start and have some basic knowledge in the field, this is a must read. Even if you don’t design yourself, this will be a great help in working with designers and in enabling you to recognize why a design might not be working for you.

Check out The Non-Designer’s Design Book

I seem to be in a redesign everything I see mode lol.

Not only have I recently redesigned this blog, I have also gone ahead and done a complete overhaul of DotsnDashes Website Designs.

I have made both designs wider as I needed the extra space and it gives the site the much needed white space.

DotsnDashes looks so different from what it used to now.

See the old design below:

Click here to see the new design.

The one downside of being a web designer is that you are bound to get tired of your own designs and keep changing them way too many times.

As far as this website goes, it is the first change.

Quite different from the first design as well. The colors are muted and it has an overall calming and soothing effect (very important for a blog that will be visited again and again - I hope). If I were to choose an element to represents this design - that’ll be Earth

Now that gives me an idea. May be I will create 3 more designs and get over with the rest of the elements, too

Well one thing’s for sure. I can work straight for 12 - 14 hours and come up with a complete new blog design. No, it won’t work as fast for you as I need to discuss your blog, get the design approved and consult you every step of the way. Consulting myself doesn’t take very long so that takes care of it.

The most important change for this blog is a wider design. Since it is a personal blog, and just an outlet for me as a designer and a writer, I said what the heck.

So what do you think of this design?

Better late than never!

I admit the blog has been up for over 6 months but I just got a bit lazy (ummm read busy).

Finally added my portfolio –> go check it out