Comments on: How to Redesign a Blog: Redesigning DPS

By: Ryan Bickett

Ryan Bickett — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:31:59 +0000

Great post. I am currently working on a new blog design. While this post covers a redesign, I still gained a lot of great insight from this into the areas I should be focusing on as I begin the process of designing and building my new blog.

By: Kenney Works From Home

Kenney Works From Home — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:18:06 +0000

Oh yeah, it was so funny I didn’t know you had finalized a new blog design yet and I went over to your blog to show my wife something I thought cool about your site and it was totally different. I was like hey babe come check out the new design.

Anyway, I like it. It’s sweet.

Kenney
The Work From Home Secret

By: Jason Annas

Jason Annas — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:41:39 +0000

Great article, I like how you broke it down and can’t wait for the next article.

Love the redesign too.

By: TechMata

TechMata — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:29:32 +0000

I take a look at DPS and it is a very nice site. How I wish I have designing skills.hehe

By: SEO Tips

SEO Tips — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:22:39 +0000

Great process looks excellent in my opinion :)

By: Make Money Online Tips

Make Money Online Tips — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:33:18 +0000

The new design looks very clean and nice. Good evolution of DPS.

By: John

John — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:35:41 +0000

Interesting to read about, but design is not something I feel competent to take on. I use a template from Squarespace, which I can change quickly. I wish there were more choices, and maybe there are since I “redesigned” a few months ago, but it’s a better option than learning design. I don’t have the time.

FYI, a couple of words are misspelled. It’s “chock” full, not “chalk.” And free “rein” not “reign,” although the latter could be also be a play on words.

By: J.D. Meier

J.D. Meier — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:38:57 +0000

I agree – structure is key.

It seems like there’s some definite patterns and practices for user experience that work way better than others.

I’m surprised when some blogs make me work too hard for finding basic features.

By: Trey Baird

Trey Baird — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:13:26 +0000

That looks really awesome. I can understand the importance of planning ahead, and building the frame first.

Thanks a lot for clueing us into the process of what you do. The timelines also help to put it into perspective. You’re a professional, and it still takes you that long to properly do it. A good reminded to beginner bloggers, that there is no instant gratification in this industry!

Kudos.

By: Gary Lee

Gary Lee — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:04:29 +0000

I just found DPS a couple of months ago and was just starting to get used to the old design when BAM, you guys threw in the new one. It took me a while to get used to it, but I’m slowly coming around. The even more ignorant part of me just realized it was THE Darren Rowse’s other project. It really is a great resource for tips . . enough so that i started my own photography blog – http://www.mrgarylee.com/photography

By: rikin

rikin — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 04:08:53 +0000

There’s some great tips here for new bloggers and designers too. And in regards to this site …even though you use Thesis, as do I, a lot of thought still has to go into the actual design. It drives me bonkers sometime.

Cheers!
-rikinontheweb

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:19:04 +0000

Thanks for the look behind the scenes of the redesign – it’s interesting to see how you approached it and executed it.

(FYI, there are still layout issues with DPS in IE6, particularly around the tags at the top of the blogs.)

By: Matt Brett

Matt Brett — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:28:38 +0000

Thanks so much for the warm response, everyone! Darren told me his readers would really enjoy a look behind scenes of the DPS redesign. It appears he knows his readers well. ;) @David at Animal-Kingdom-Workouts.com: I normally stick to smaller projects - blogs for individuals and such. But last year I redesigned Comic Book Resources, which is still the largest project I've worked on since I started freelancing. I also worked with Chris Pirillo a few months back on his social media WP theme.

By: Alex | Blogussion.com

Alex | Blogussion.com — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:08:34 +0000

Awesome insight. I am still learning some things in the design department, and a reflection post from a great designer such as yourself will really get me to think through my process a little better.

Can’t wait for part 2.

By: James

James — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:52:04 +0000

DPS haha sorry

By: James

James — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:51:43 +0000

Not everybody knows what DFS looked like before — you should probably post a before-and-after shot.

By: Justin Wright

Justin Wright — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:48:03 +0000

Great advice! I do a lot of theme customizing for people and the hardest for me is figuring out what the people are looking for. The design is really important, as well as a timeline like you suggested.

By: Steven Ings

Steven Ings — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:31:35 +0000

I’m a new blogger and there are a lot of points here that will help immensely as I continue to develop my blog.

Thanks for the great post. The new design is a great improvement.

By: Gennaro

Gennaro — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:00:29 +0000

Re-designing a successful blog is a bit of a risk. People don’t generally like change (except for in politics). That being said, innovations in technology make it vital to re-design occassionally

By: Mark Daymond

Mark Daymond — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:52:55 +0000

Some sound advice here. I have a new website to work on and I am trying to resist the temptation just to dive in. This reminds me that I need to spend time planning out what I want.