Redesigning.

A lot of blogs/design sites are undergoing redesigns lately. While I think I started that trend with the redesign of this site a couple months ago (just kidding, they paid no heed to me), some of the redesigned sites are works of art, and some still need some work (in my opinion).

The first edition of Jad's 'Weekly Wrap' gives an insight into some of the redesigns going on lately.

Here's a list of the design sites I read that have been redesigned:
Design Cubicle
Design Informer
Creattica
And Jad's portfolio page

So anyway, I'm already tweaking the site a bit more. I wasn't completely happy with the design of the portfolio section. After I finished it I thought the design took away from the content, and it's taken me a bit to figure out what I really wanted. Though it's still in progress, you can take a sneak peak here. Comments and questions are much appreciated.

The back end is a VERY lightweight CMS package called Stacey, and I love it. It was very simple to tailor the template to fit in with the rest of the site, as well as morph the downloaded template into something even more simpler and fluid. I feel that once I've learned it all about the CMS, that I'll be able to ditch the template idea all together and just create my own.

Upcoming over the horizon is also a first-time design for my personal portfolio site. Mind you, there's nothing much there yet, and it ends up linking back to this site. My portfolio site is going to have pretty much the same design examples as my portfolio on here, since, well Redd-Design is a one-woman operation and most of the work I do is for clients anyway. I will be including my photography as well as sketchbook stuff and some other projects, and a couple of pages of the other random hobbies, so besides a portfolio page, I'm expecting it to be a hub of my life.

So there's a little bit about redesigns, don't forget to follow us on Twitter and add us on Facebook!

- Ashley

Just a couple of pics...

Have a list of changes to do to the site in the next week or so...so stay tuned to that.

Till then, here's a couple of pictures of my pets from this past week.

Print is not dead!

It's just old and forgetful.

Remember when color TV appeared? Ok, maybe you don't, and I know I wasn't around, but I know I enjoy watching movies in black and white sometimes. Color TV is the mainstream, and it's now a big deal if a director shoots a film in black and white. It's a conscience choice. Same with design.

The new wave with design is the web. If it doesn't work online then it won't work at all! Going viral, social media, web 2.0, who cares?

Print does, poor print.

The fact is, people still like print. It's just the convenience of computers that are making them take over. Check this out: http://boingboing.net/2010/03/04/free-ebooks-correlat.html

There's nothing like picking up a book and flipping through it, or putting up a wicked cool poster on the wall. I enjoy reading articles on my Blackberry while riding the T, but I always have my sketchbook with me to take notes on something or to use as a reference.

The fact is, yes, print is dying, but not in the way you'd think. Print is dying as a standalone against the web, but used as an addition it can be a powerful tool. What are your thoughts on print?