Web design is a frequent itch for me, as inspiration comes from everywhere. Quite often, I come across a beautiful site that has a clever element here or an interesting pattern there, and get the urge to redesign my own.
But as there’s no such thing as a perfect athlete, there’s no such thing as a perfect design. Minimalism, while functional and accessible, tends to lack personality. Style — while beautiful and full of character — tends to be biased and stagnant. I find myself in a constant state of flux between the two ideals.
Right now, I’d love to have a bigger canvas, something like Days With my Father, where I can display my photos in a much larger format (because, really, the impact of a photograph is lost when it’s small). I’d love to have items organized by columns fit that perfectly in a grid, aligned along natural vertical rules. I’d love to have something a little more complex, something that invites a viewer to explore further.
But I’m happy with this one. It does what I want. It looks right, no matter what day or mood I’m in.
Having a design that matches my situation is important to me, which means they generally don’t last longer than a few months, as I tend to evolve within that time. There have been many times that I’ve written, “This is the last redesign for a while”, only to be unsatisfied in some way and to change it within a few months. I unveiled the current one at the beginning of the year, and it’s probably the one I’ve been most satisfied with. Whenever the itch strikes me, I browse through the archives and admire how clean everything is, and how different types of content seems to work in the same area. Then I realize how hard it would be to come up with something better, and the itch goes away.
So no redesign for a while.
Promise.
oh the redesign itch. when it hits, it’s difficult to overcome. sometimes it’s better to just succumb (:
as an aside, thanks for linking Days With My Father. it’s beautiful.
The problem is that I succumb too often, and spend much time redoing things. As long as we’re content with the design we have, there’s no need. So I hope your hiatus doesn’t mean you’re changing the beautifully clean design you had last. :)
Do you ever wonder if you could redesign yourself? Silly I know as no one is supposed to be perfect.….but damn if I don’t wish I could be a little closer to it
Re: Web Design Itch
No scratching in public or at taiji class and try Gold Bond® Powder — first wash and dry the affected parts and then apply that healing dust liberally!
Not related to your post…
but I wrote something that I started thinking about after I read one of your posts… Very in the address to one-time/current significant other style you frequently use. I love those posts… Anyway, maybe you’d like the bit of writing?
@Lucy — I like to think that I redesign myself all the time. Even our bodies go through a cycle and replace the entirety of our cells in seven years. Are we ever really the same person?
@Michael — I would have thought that Purell would be more of a priority, especially when doing interactive exercises!
@Maeko — I’m going to take a look right now…
I know exactly what you mean. I think the highest goal of good design is to reach that equilibrium between style and a clear visual hierarchy. As soon as the former muddies the latter, you’ve erred.
Not that it hasn’t been said before by far greater minds.
Function Schmunction. STYLE STYLE STYLE. Ok maybe a streamlined, stealth function.
@Andrew — I can totally see how an equilibrium would suit many situations, but I find that sites with one extreme or the either are the ones that take my breath away. Otherwise, they don’t stand out nearly as much.
@Xibee — Stealth functionality is as difficult as stealth style. Many people believe that function forgoes style for the sake of things like accessibility, but just as not making a decision is still a decision, minimalism is still a style in itself.