hate to be a buzz kill, but it looks too dark for good blogging, white (or close to it) is still best. The grey and white you currently have is perfect.
i took the dark path myself…but i’m finding my way back.
A Sneak Peek Of The New Design
You may not remember but just over a month ago I won pimp my blog, which is a contest held by Syed Balkhi each month in which he rewards a commentator with a custom blog design. Well, over the past month I have worked with Syed to create a custom theme for this blog, and I want to know your opinion on the mock up below.
Sneak Peek Of The Design
Tell me what you think
20 comments - add yours
JamesDesign
November 11, 2008
Ben Tremblay
November 11, 2008
Looks good buddy. It is not the best design I’ve seen of course because some are pretty hard to beat but that’ll be an improvement for you as you’ll go from a free theme to a unique theme that only you will have!
The only part of the theme I’m not sure is the subscribe/search box. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something I don’t like…Maybe the positioning of the items within the box, I don’t know there’s something wrong!
Apart from that it looks all good! Congrats for winning the theme!
Simon
November 11, 2008
@ James – I noticed you are using dark – in my opinion, the content area should always be almost white which I have.
@ Ben – thanks for the lengthy and honest feedback – the reason I have posted this is to see what can be improved upon in the eyes of my readers so that I can make the necessary changes to make it best suit my readers needs – customization isn’t too much of a problem for me as I do know HTML and CSS.
Thanks for the positive feedback as well – btw, what’s your record time in solving the rubik’s cube – i saw the post on your blog
JamesDesign
November 11, 2008
Hey Simon, my apologies as i misinterpreted your design, i see now you would infact be having the all important white content areas.
Yes having an all dark site like mine is a bad idea. Thankfully though i learned my lesson and I’m almost finished redesigning and rebranding it.
Your new design will work well.
godspeed
Hussein
November 11, 2008
That’s a great design. But I think it’s too dark.
Ben Tremblay
November 12, 2008
@Simon: My record is something like 1:45. When I reached sub 2 min that was enough for me so I then switched to 4x4x4 and then 5x5x5, a different challenge! 
Me Debt Free
November 12, 2008
Mmmmmm not sure, but looks a little dark.
Maybe I’ll reserve judgement though till I see the finished thing, with content and ads etc….
Simon
November 12, 2008
@ James – don’t apologize, all I want is an honest opinion
@ Ben – we should have a cube off
Dan
November 12, 2008
Wow nice! Is it going to incorperate flash? I have to agree with Ben regarding the subscription box though…
Simon
November 12, 2008
@ Dan – no, there won’t be any flash for SEO purposes – glad you like it though
SEO Test
November 12, 2008
Simon, I like the color, cause my favorite color is Black.
If I is you, I’ll move recent post and Popular Post box in the header to the left, if I want that box as the main spot.
SEO Tests last blog post..A Sneak Peek Of The New Design
Freddie Taylor
November 14, 2008
Not a big fan of the color because I just feel sites should be open and airy if that makes sense.
Like how the featured the recent & popular post are. Switch the subscribe box to the right site of the page. Most people are use to them over there and you get to further feater the internal links to your site.
The header to the right could be a space for additional advertising or affiliate products. I suppose the ads are goign to go into the black box on the right and content on the left.
Keep working, I think you are going to have a great theme. Wish I had a custom theme, but I am not complaining…for now!
Good luck!
Simon
November 14, 2008
Thanks for the feedback Freddie – you have a few suggestions that I will take into consideration.
You have a nice theme anyway, even though its not custom
Space Waitress
November 14, 2008
It’s very good looking. Any updates based on the feedback you’ve gotten so far?
Norhafidz
November 15, 2008
the only word that I can say is = WOW
Article Submit
November 18, 2008
I Like the new layout, but i agree with Freddie Taylor on the colors. It is always best to use lighter brighter colors if you want your website to look professional.
andy
November 28, 2008
Nice Design! I can’t wait to see it!
andys last blog post..Make Money with InLinks.com
Erwin Tan
November 29, 2008
Nice layout.. Congrats!
I wish I can win a nice layout like that someday..
Erwin Tans last blog post..Unleashing The Niche Genius In You
How to Blog
December 2, 2008
That looks great, I really like the color themes. I would suggest making the post boxes bigger, but I’m excited to see how this turns out.
How to Blogs last blog post..What is Twitter Flipping?
Car Trader
December 2, 2008
Looks quite dark to me. For me, a blog with bright colors is more advisable. Secondly, there are many magazine style themes available with great room for customization. Having said that, the color scheme that you have chosen, will look great, if you go for some good contrasting colors in the foreground.
I hope it turns out good,, Good luck!!!
Cheers!!!