Written on August 9th, 2007 at 03:08 am by Darren Rowse
A New Look for ProBlogger - Coming Soon (Very Soon)
Over the last month or two I’ve mentioned on a number of occasions that I’ve had a small team working on a redesign of ProBlogger.
I’m happy to say that some great progress has been made and we are aiming for a release of the new design tomorrow (all going well).
While the current ProBlogger design and logo has served me well (thanks to the talent of designer Rachel Cunliffe who designed it - and who I might say came up with a very innovative design for the time it was done - over two and a half years ago) I’ve increasingly become aware that it’s become a little dated and tired - particularly as I’ve added new features such as a job board, b5 blog roll, new ad formats etc.
While I’m sad to see the old design go and I’m a little fearful of how the new direction will be received I’m also excited to show it off as it marks a new beginning and direction for ProBlogger.
As a result I engaged the services of Ben Bleikamp to redesign the template and Mike Rohde from MakaluMedia to redesign the logo.
Ben and Mike have both worked hard at their tasks and together I think we’ve come up with something both fresh and functional that will hopefully see the site through for some time now.
The Logo
While Ben puts the finishing touches on the new template I thought I’d start the show and tell sessions by revealing the new logo.
So without further ado….
A few notes/thoughts on the process:
- You’ll see that it’s a real departure from the previous logo (and you’ll get a hint at some of the colors of the new template).
- The brief I gave Mike was that I wanted something simple and clean - yet something with symbolism.
- We wanted to retain a ‘P’ but also keep the word ProBlogger.
- The colors are more subtle (no more bright orange/gold - a color that some readers struggled with depending upon their monitors). Having said this - the coloring isn’t a complete departure from the current design.
- The ‘atom’ like design is about community/network (although some who I’ve shown it to have read into it that it’s about the ‘energy’ of the ProBlogger Community)
I’ll be honest in saying that the design of the logo (and the overall redesign of the template) was not an easy process. Not because of the guys I was working with but because there were so many possibilities and potential goals. ProBlogger has come to mean many things to many people and to come up with something that summed it all up was impossible. My hope is that rather than the logo bringing meaning to ProBlogger that ProBlogger will bring meaning to the logo (for more on what I mean by this check out a short piece that Seth Godin posted a while back on Logos - thanks to Seth both for the post and for his feedback on the logo during the testing process).
The template - Teasers:
The new blog template will hopefully be launched in the next 24 hours and once again is another departure from the current design in many ways. I’ve been testing it with a number of readers and the reactions have been encouraging - although some have been surprised by the extent of the changes.
- The new design features no AdSense and will be monetized only by 125 x 125 ads (enquire about being an advertiser here) and a few affiliate programs/recommended products
- The blog itself will be fresher, cleaner and less cluttered
- We’ll be utilizing a footer area to de-clutter some of the sidebar
- The front page at problogger.net will look and operate radically differently - but there will be an option for people who just want to see a more normal looking ‘blog’
The new template is just one step in the evolution of ProBlogger and I’m certain that in the days, weeks and months after we launch it this week that there will be numerous changes, tweaks and new features added - many of which I hope will be a result of your comments and suggestions. I’d love it if you’ll beta test it with me over the next few weeks.
Thanks to Mike and Ben for all their work on this - particularly Ben who has been on the job for weeks now and has poured a lot of time and energy into the project. Thanks also to the numerous people that I asked to look over this logo and template design - your feedback and critiques were all very helpful in refining what we have produced).
So now it’s over to the ProBlogger community to have your say about the logo. As always, your opinion is valued and will be heard - all I ask is that you be constructive with your critiques so that we can continue to improve what we’re building here with the site.
PS: stay tuned for the new template design in the coming hours.
97 Responses to “A New Look for ProBlogger - Coming Soon (Very Soon)”
Practical Archivist
August 9th, 2007 3:35 am
Yowza! That logo is a corker. Very powerful. No wonder people thought of “energy” when they looked at the design around the “P”
Deborah
August 9th, 2007 3:45 am
Yes, I think it is a very energetic logo, I look forward to witnessing it’s implimentation.
David Scott
August 9th, 2007 3:46 am
Can’t wait. When the leaders of the pack change everyone watches. You could almost do anything and people would like it. :)
Matt Wolfe
August 9th, 2007 3:52 am
I think it’s going to look really great. I like the new logo.
Online Presence :: Make Money Online
August 9th, 2007 3:57 am
Darren, the logo is really cool. Its gives a good hint on the colour combo’s for your theme :-)
Ali
August 9th, 2007 4:00 am
Looking good Darren. Can’t wait to look at the new design.
Ian
August 9th, 2007 4:00 am
I like the logo, lots of energy. More “pro” looking than the current logo.
Can’t wait to see the redesign!
Tia
August 9th, 2007 4:01 am
LOVE it! The circle to me, speaks of the connectivity and vibe of web 2.0; I love the clean look and the boldness of it. Bravo! Can’t wait to see the new template!
Stavanger
August 9th, 2007 4:01 am
The logo is definitely a step up, but I have to say the symbol is a bit common and cliche. Better font can also be used.
Can’t wait to see the template, I have an impression that it will be very, very clean.
Aaron
August 9th, 2007 4:02 am
Great look. Kudos to you designers.
Bachelorium
August 9th, 2007 4:02 am
Bold move Darren. Best of luck.
David Culpepper
August 9th, 2007 4:17 am
The new logo is very impressive and as mentioned above I can see why people think “energy” when they see it. I like it… can’t wait to see the new template.
Terra Andersen
August 9th, 2007 4:18 am
Great stuff, can’t wait to see the new layout! The new logo looks nice! Great branding! *=)
Glen Allsopp
August 9th, 2007 4:24 am
I love it when people change templates; i always find it enjoyable to see what people come up with. I really like the new logo, didnt as i glanced at it but looking at it more its definitely very powerful. I will be sad to see the colour scheme go as its something ive very much closely related with ProBlogger
I hope the new design brings more income and increased usability like you mentioned
Heres to the start of something even more special, Cheers!
Tim McSween
August 9th, 2007 4:27 am
Great job on the Logo. Nice bold color. Can’t wait to see the new layout.
Bloggrrl
August 9th, 2007 4:28 am
Hey, I’ll take the old design! :-)
Truden
August 9th, 2007 4:28 am
I’m sorry to disagree with the logo design.
The circle can be associated with community without the dots in it, but can never be associated with NET.
The first association brought by your logo, Darren, is physics (weblog about physics)
I like the colors and the rest of the logo banner.
MMJ
August 9th, 2007 4:30 am
Nice logo but in my opinion is too similar to MakaluMedia’s logo: makalumedia.com/images/theme/logo.gif
Milos
August 9th, 2007 4:32 am
Personally I think that the crucial thing about ProBlogger is the content and design is only here to make us feel comfortably as we read. But after some time this always same blog design becomes boring and the fresh one is going to be a real freshness for all us readers. I’m very curious to see the new template in action.
Adnan
August 9th, 2007 4:36 am
Hey Darren - the new logo looks awesome, and I can already tell I’m gonna be a fan of the new colour scheme rather than the gold stuff at the moment. I’m so excited about the new twist to the homepage and can’t wait to see it.
I’m also intrigued as to how the private ads will work out for you. I’m sure with a more dedicated advertising position, you’ll be able to charge more, and that will probably make up for your missing Adsense income.
Good luck and I’ll be checking back in a few hours - don’t forget to tell us when the new design is out!
Tranix
August 9th, 2007 4:41 am
I like the old logo. This new one looks like a high-tech logo
Martin Muehl
August 9th, 2007 4:47 am
I’m with Truden - I would associate it more with physics. And it doesn’t look that different from MakulaMedia’s own logo. Anyway, looking forward to the new design!
Kim
August 9th, 2007 4:57 am
That’s a slick-looking logo Darren. I’m excited to see the evolution of this site.
LearningNerd
August 9th, 2007 5:04 am
I like the logo, but I have to agree with Truden that it made me think of physics first. Energetic, yes, but energy as in science. It’s a good, strong design, but I’m not sure it really says “blogging” to me… And since I’m not much of a designer, I can’t say exactly what kind of logo would say “blogging”. I wish I could come up with a suggestion, but I don’t have anything right now. All I can say is it could use a little something — either something extra or something to get rid of. Something a little more fun and light to minimize the serious, scientific feeling about it.
Erik Karey
August 9th, 2007 5:08 am
Logo looks great, can’t wait for the new design to launch!
April
August 9th, 2007 5:10 am
Personally I feel there are too many “web 2.0 feel” logos around like this. They’re all starting to look the same and it bores me. If you look at the contest section of the digital point forum you’ll see that most of the logos are designed in this way.
Brandon J
August 9th, 2007 5:12 am
Your site is impressive to me the way it is now. I’ve always heard that you shouldn’t have a lot of white space; however, you have a lot of white space and you are one of the best bloggers out there.
Can’t wait to see what the new blog looks like.
Brandon J
Money for Military
vargas
August 9th, 2007 5:15 am
Looks nice. Can’t wait to see the new blog template.
Andrew Ferguson
August 9th, 2007 5:16 am
I like the sound of the new design :)
I got a bit of a physics feel from the new logo, but my first reaction was that it looked like the ubuntu logo. I’m probably just focused on that particular flavour of linux at the moment because I’m installing it on a work box right now.
I like the thin font for ‘Pro’ mixed with the thicker, coloured, bold ‘Blogger’.
Bob Walsh
August 9th, 2007 5:19 am
Mike Rohde does powerful good work - he did my 47hats.com logo a month or so ago. Darren, seeing your post reminded me it’s high time I share how Mike turned my conflicting desires into a great visual too!
Contest Blogger
August 9th, 2007 5:30 am
Lookin good Darren!
Marija
August 9th, 2007 5:31 am
I like the new logo, and the colors (they are not completely deferent to the current ones, which is good because I’m used to them and I relate them with you and your blog). I believe that the new design will be amazing and that it will reflect “problogger personality”.
Julie
August 9th, 2007 5:42 am
I like it Darren! Can’t wait to see the rest tomorrow. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that everything goes well. :)
Jan
August 9th, 2007 5:49 am
I’m very curious about the new design. The actual design of ProBlogger is like an old apartment: I like it, because it’s familiar, but it’s a little bit cluttered and the wallpapers are -ahem- aged… ProBlogger on the move! Will there be a reopening party? ;-)
Brad Isaac
August 9th, 2007 6:03 am
Ben does some great work. In fact, he did *cough* my blog’s theme. I get compliments all the time about how great it looks.
Sophie
August 9th, 2007 6:13 am
I like the new logo. I know what Truden means about the physics feel but that kind of design also always has a good dynamic feel to it.
I remember dimly from my old IT job what a challenge logo design is - it’s so easy to go round in circles for months and months revising all the options!
pearl
August 9th, 2007 6:14 am
those are my favorite colors! I like the logo…can’t wait to see the rest of it!
bontb
August 9th, 2007 6:20 am
nice one let me know if you want template for free
GlobalTravel
August 9th, 2007 6:24 am
the new logo design looks great can’t wait to see the whole layout when it is launched…
Jason
August 9th, 2007 6:50 am
I wouldn’t normally think it’s possible, Darren, but after seeing the logo, I think ProBlogger might even look more professional.
Martin
August 9th, 2007 6:57 am
RE: the logo talk- I think that in the context of the full website, the logo won’t have anyone thinking they’ve visited a physics site, and the words ProBlogger are distinct enough to make the content-topic fairly obvious. Well done D, look forward to see what magic you’ve worked.
Lars-Christian
August 9th, 2007 7:20 am
Like the new logo, and looking forward to seeing the new design. I hope that you will clean up the typography (i.e. fonts), because I honestly can’t stand the fonts that are being used in this template.
Rebecca
August 9th, 2007 7:21 am
I LOVE the logo! But I hesitate to call the color scheme more subtle, combinations of black & white or black & red are some of the most powerful color schemes that exist. The added gray is the only reason this one works, it makes it infinitely softer and less obnoxious. Black & red by itself creates some pretty nasty associations.
I wonder what personality traits most people associate with the current color scheme? Undoubtedly you come across as friendly. The new one will be more professional.
Sprezzatura
August 9th, 2007 7:32 am
Christ on a crutch, that dots in a circle thing was done to death and then some as far back as 2001. The current logo’s not perfect, but at least it’s a little more unique.
Asako
August 9th, 2007 7:36 am
Is not it scary to change templates when you have built so much database of good blogs? Maybe, I am just not familiar, but only the thought makes me scared. I am crossing my fingers. Are you also going to change the platform one day from WP to something else?
Your logo looks great!
Paul Stamatiou
August 9th, 2007 7:36 am
Mike did you right! I’m loving the logo.
tejvan
August 9th, 2007 7:51 am
No adsense is an interesting development for a blog about making money online.
It definitely looks more professional without adsense but maybe its easier to talk about adsense if you use it.
AL
August 9th, 2007 7:55 am
Gosh it’s about time! I never read ProBlogger outside my feed reader. I hope the new design is more readable.
Roberta
August 9th, 2007 8:06 am
Nice new logo! Very creative looking….
We’ll still be coming in droves to read everything you have to say. The design just puts the icing on the cake! :)
Daniel Condurachi
August 9th, 2007 8:17 am
sorry to tell you but the logo is not looking that good. The design is… well, at least 3 years old. You deserve something better. I bet that Mike can do a better job. I know that he like circles and to put the letters from the name of the company in them (look at his logo). I think that he can try harder and come with a better result. Cheers!
Tyler Michael Jonsson
August 9th, 2007 8:20 am
I really like the new logo! The color scheme and professional look of it are really great, I cannot wait to see the rest of the new design!!!
Deelip
August 9th, 2007 8:27 am
Current design of the site sucks.
you took right decision to change it . I hope I will see the new site when I wake up, gonna sleep now. :)
Grant
August 9th, 2007 8:34 am
Deelip - i don’t think the current design ’sucks’ (no more than your own one does with that pixelated picture of you). It is in need of update but I think it’s distinct and works pretty well.
Michael Martine
August 9th, 2007 8:42 am
I like the bold font and the darker, earthy colors. I look forward to the new design.
Carl Coddington
August 9th, 2007 8:50 am
The amount of information you give is incredible. Congratulations! I can’t wait for your new blog design.
Veronica
August 9th, 2007 9:07 am
Regardless of my opinion of your new logo (I do like it), I’m glad you’re changing. Your old logo is nearly identical to the logo for Planned Parenthood here in the States- I never thought it was copied on purpose, but I could never get out of my head that I’d seen it before.
HolisticGal
August 9th, 2007 9:13 am
I’m also curious to read your blog posts regarding the ”no adsense change will make. I know you can sell enough ads to make up for it, - it’ll be interesting to read the posts around advertising in the future.
Rich Owings
August 9th, 2007 9:16 am
Oooh! Can you offer some t-shirts for sale?
Chuck
August 9th, 2007 9:50 am
This should be interesting, Darren. I must admit, I find your blog a bit cluttered and the colors somewhat anemic. I suspect some of this is due to my partial red-green colorblindness.
But you consistently have spot-on content…so I think a more robust template should suit it well. I’ll be back in a few hours to check it out! ;-)
RT the fitness guy
August 9th, 2007 9:55 am
I think it is really a bit dangerous changing the trademark. Changing the site design is one thing but changing a logo is another.
Do you think it will have any negative results Darren?
Johnny
August 9th, 2007 10:20 am
can’t wait to see the new site design although your blog would rock just as much as is.
Mindanao Bob
August 9th, 2007 10:31 am
The new logo is GREAT! I look forward to seeing the new site!
elizabeth
August 9th, 2007 10:45 am
I like the logo. I’m fond of red on websites.
Balajoe
August 9th, 2007 10:48 am
Great logo - prominent word “BLOGGER” strike out.
Webd360
August 9th, 2007 11:10 am
Great logo and this post got me excited to see the new design
David Mackey
August 9th, 2007 11:16 am
I like the new logo. Very nice.
Ari Shohat
August 9th, 2007 11:18 am
Darren, the new logo rocks and will serve you and yor instant recognition for years to come very well!
Angel
August 9th, 2007 11:25 am
Can’t wait.
SingForHim@Real Life
August 9th, 2007 11:43 am
Love the new logo! The colors pop, and the atom makes me think of working together in a sphere of influence. Great job.
Ian
August 9th, 2007 11:55 am
The logo looks too similar to a few I’ve seen, people will think you’re ripping off these site, or at least your designer.
http://makalumedia.com/images/theme/logo.gif
and http://www.blogbullet.com/wp-content/themes/anaconda/images/logo.png
Jim Moon
August 9th, 2007 12:32 pm
Hey Darren, I love the new logo… It really seems to project a good sense of the Community Spirit whilst still holding fast to the Problogger name.
Awesome, I can’t wait to see the new site.
Jim Moon
John Bennett
August 9th, 2007 12:38 pm
I think the logo looks good. Looking forward to the update.
ameh
August 9th, 2007 12:54 pm
Great logo and this post got me excited to see the new design http://english.oooooa.com
Jason Heath
August 9th, 2007 1:02 pm
Great logo, Darren! Looking forward to checking out the redesign.
Brian Purkiss
August 9th, 2007 2:43 pm
BRAVO!!!!
I can’t wait to see it!!!
kapy
August 9th, 2007 4:08 pm
eagerly waiting for the all new look ProBlogger
Lorna
August 9th, 2007 4:11 pm
WOW! Your new logo looks mighty impressive! Kudos to you and the designers; I eagerly anticipate the launch of your blog’s new look.
Truden
August 9th, 2007 5:28 pm
Oh, no!
BogBullet’s logo design (comment 70 - Ian) should make you reconsider your logo, Darren.
Is that logo made from http://www.makalumedia.com/
Too obvious similarity.
Oyvind
August 9th, 2007 5:52 pm
I like the direction of the logo, but I think it’s too complicated. Too many elements. As it is now, it has four, maybe five parts:
The circle (with three circles on it)
The P inside the circle
ProBlogger - with two different colors and sizes.
I would have considered using just the name, the “ProBlogger” part. That is the best part of the logo as it is now. Just ProBlogger in black and red.
The P inside the circle looks like it’s falling down because it’s lower than the P in ProBlogger. It’s probably because the P in the circle is lowercase, but it still looks strange. Also it looks strange that there are two P’s after each other, looking different. One is lowercase, but is positioned somewhere between where a lowercase p would normally be placed, and where an uppercase P would go. The P in the circle has a gap inside, the P in ProBlogger not.
The tree circles around the P. Because the P inside the circle has a downward stem, that makes the lovest circle “stick” to the p, while the other two are “floating” (difficult to explain).
The space around the P in the circle I feel is too small. It looks as it’s trapped. I would consider leaving space at least as big as the thickness of the lines of the P on all sides. Especially in the upper right part of the P, I think there’s too little space.
And finally: The spaces between the grey circle and the red circle, between the red circle and the grey balls, and the grey circle and the ProBlogger are not in harmony (in my opinion). It looks like the left grey ball is closer to the red circle than the other two.
I like the direction, but there are things missing in the execution.
All these are just details, details, details. And it’s very hard to make an amazing logo. And secondly: There are just my opinions, just that. :-)
I’m looking forward to see the new site design! Thanks for making an excellent website. I’ve been reading ProBlogger for several years, and while other so-called “blog help”-sites just turn the deck every six weeks, you manage to crank out new interesting material all the way. Brilliant.
Jeffro2pt0
August 9th, 2007 8:00 pm
I think the new logo looks damn sexy. A hell of alot better than your current one.
Aaron James Cooke
August 9th, 2007 8:57 pm
Not keen on the logo, seems a little to 1999 to me.
Martin Neumann
August 9th, 2007 8:58 pm
Very impressive logo, Darren.
What I’m more looking forward to is the overall colour scheme of the blog - and if a lot of the colors are taken from the logo then I’m sure it’ll be a winner.
I like your hint that the new design will be less cluttered -sometimes less is more.
Also, very glad you’re dumping the yellow/gold. :-)
Really looking forward to the new design - bring it on ;-)
CatherineL
August 9th, 2007 9:23 pm
Great logo Darren - although there was nothing wrong with your original one either. I’m curious. Why are you removing adsense? I thought adsense was one of your biggest earners. Do you do less well with adsense on this blog than on your other ones?
Looking forward to seeing the new design.
Darren Rowse
August 9th, 2007 9:41 pm
CatherineL - AdSense performs pretty averagely on ProBlogger. I earn more from it on other sites where i’ll keep using it but here on ProBlogger I’m finding a better earning potential from the 125 x 125 pixel ads.
MDB
August 9th, 2007 11:06 pm
Looks like you are going corporate with that logo… not just pro. I am looking forward to the new look.
Uzair
August 9th, 2007 11:09 pm
Nice logo…But the graphics around P mimic those of Ubuntu
kher Cheng Guan
August 9th, 2007 11:55 pm
Frankly, it’s not much different from the present one. The color TONE is still the same. Mid-dull shade. The typeface for the name ‘PROBLOGGER” is also rather SIMILAR; rounded edge and “widen or flat” font. In fact the letters “PRO” is the same as the present logo, only now it is in big cap.
It’s a good design, but nothing spectacular.
RYan
August 10th, 2007 1:39 am
Bringing sexy back with that logo Darren!
Alan Bradford
August 10th, 2007 2:13 am
I like it a lot. I’m excited to see the new layout - in fact, I’m all sweaty with anticipation to tell you the truth.
Actually, if I’m being completely honest - I don’t usually read your posts from the actual problogger.net site. I read it from Google Reader, and then open the original item if I want to drop a comment. Nevertheless, I’m still excited to see what you’ve got brewing.
James Joyner
August 10th, 2007 2:45 am
I like the new logo and freshening sites is usually a good thing although, like Alan Bradford, I generally read you via RSS and click over only to comment.
I gather from your other remarks that you’re moving to a non-traditional “magazine” format vice the standard “blog” reverse chronology. That seems to be a trend, with a few major blogs headed in that direction. I’m still not persuaded that it’s more beneficial.
I’ll be interested to see what you do with the footer.
Oyvind
August 10th, 2007 5:06 am
I made a suggestion. Hope I’m not offending anyone, designer or you, Darren!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandnewbrain/1058497101/
Zac Davis
August 10th, 2007 5:57 am
I actually like Oyvind’s logo a bit better, because it seems a bit more simpler. Regardless, I like the new style and new color scheme. I can’t wait until it goes live. IT will add a little more spice to your blog.
Doug
August 10th, 2007 6:50 am
The new logo looks good Darren. It has a very ‘new’ look to it. Keep up the good work.
Adriaan
August 10th, 2007 11:24 am
Mike Rohde has designed all my app’s icons (including the one for ecto3, forthcoming). He’s a great guy and he made you another fabulous icon. Good choice!
Index.com.my
August 10th, 2007 5:12 pm
woww… looks very professional …. congrate!! Darren
Dacha
August 10th, 2007 7:17 pm
Great logo, excellent neat design - now you talking with a style ;)
Liz Strauss
August 12th, 2007 2:30 pm
Fabulous, Darren! Bravo all around!
Leave a Reply