Reinvention: Slow going and second thoughts

June 21, 2006 | 7 Comments

This is the fourth in a series of posts documenting and exploring my online reinvention. See this post for more.

What’s gone before

I’ve decided to lay Asterisk to rest.
I’ve set down some goals for what I want with my new site
I’ve tossed around some ideas
I outlined my goals (split into three groups; content, technical and creative)
I’ve talked a bit about the specific “features” I’m looking to include
I’ve shown you some of my creative process

Slow going

This site is taking me forever. I’ve got my designs worked out (more on that in a second) and I’m in the process of chipping away at the templates. It seems like I can’t find the time to just sit down and knock it out.

At the same time I’ve been working on nailing down a CMS. I’m really leaning towards hacking up some stuff in MT again (although the new site should be much less complicated than what I’ve got now) but I also really want to try something new.

It all comes down to time.

Second Thoughts

In the last week or so I’ve had some serious second thoughts about this whole project. There are a few reasons for this but what strikes me as the most important is that I’ve got reservations about the design itself and how its executed.

I like it personally, and the feedback I’ve got from the people who’ve seen it has been good. However, I’ve developed issues with it. I’m no perfectionist, not by any stretch, but…well, let me explain.

I feel like what I’ve got now, with Asterisk, is pretty darn good and design-wise I’m happy with it. I can see a few things I’d like to improve (I don’t believe any Web design will ever be perfect) but I’ve really got what you’re seeing down to it’s essential core. Then again, I didn’t do this because I disliked the current Asterisk design.

Anyway, the new design, while much more expressive and fitting of my personality (which were my goals going in) is also less effective in several ways.

It’s got unnecessary elements. Mostly things that I, personally, find aesthetically pleasing. In that way it’s somewhat gratuitous visually. Not too bad, but…
It’s not as cohesive from the homepage in. Meaning the homepage is tighter than the content pages and I’m not sure it’ll flow well as is. It’s a design problem I’ve not been able to solve and I’m not sure I want to compromise on it. I also don’t want to go back to the drawing board.
From an information design perspective it’s not quite as clear what’s important. This is sort-of by design as I’m splitting my focus content-wise, but I’m not sure I like how it all comes together.

Now I realize that this might be a by-product of having worked on it for so long — it’s been slow going from day one. In addition it could be I’m simply being overly critical. I’ve been reading all sorts of great books on design the last year or so, and learning a lot, but it’s had a side effect of making me a bit more critical, especially of my own work.

It could also be that I’ve been doing much more client work of late and much of that doesn’t come out the way I’d intended. Dammit if I’m going to let something I’ve got full control of get away from me!

Anyway, I am excited about the design but feel that it might need something that I’ve not been able to find. Hopefully I’ll stumble across that last bit that it needs to bring it all together, but so far it’s been eluding me.

Such is design I guess. Knowing more and having more experience doesn’t always mean things get easier. In my case I’m going through a phase where my flaws really stand out! My plan is to push onward as I’ve got time and launch the new site.

If nothing else I’m sure it’ll build character.

Filed under: Reinvention
Keyword Tags: web+design creativity design design+education cms

Comments

1. Chris Griffin said:

Sounds like you are being overcritical and a perfectionist to me, but what designer isn’t? A designer’s biggest critic is himself/herself.

Your personal project is for yourself, not anybody else. So what if you want elements in your design that are only for aesthetic purposes, who’s stopping you? If you want to put purple unicorns all over your design that’s your choice. If you want to use nested tables with a flash intro that’s your choice. You are the “client”.

I think you are treating your personal project too much like client work. Personal projects you can break and bend a lot more rules.

Posted on June 21, 2006 03:59 PM | #

2. william doyle said:

This kind of reminds me of what one of my english composition teachers told me in university. When you are going to write something (or in this case design something) you start somewhere and you just keep refining until you get something that you can truly be happy with. I tihnk you are in a similar situation in terms of your site. You are clearly a great designer and what you have is good, and if you keep chipping at it, you will eventually get something you are really happy with, not to mention another great design. Keep up the good work!

Posted on June 21, 2006 06:24 PM | #

3. Scott McCracken said:

For years I have been stuck in the “back to the drawing board” state of mind. I’ll create something, only to find something else online that is cooler, cleaner, more organized or just plain prettier. I clean my canvas and start again.

The problem is, it’s been years now and I have nothing to show for it. I’ve read 1000’s of blogs, books and articles and know the ins-and-outs of nearly everything I’ve wanted to learn. You have an amazing head start - a wildy popular blog that you’re putting to rest simply out of the desire to start anew.

I’ve been there as well and I find through all the research, building and tweaking, the hardest part is simply pushing the button to send it all live.
Don’t be afraid, you’re a master at your craft and there’s a whole world of people excited to see what you have to offer.

Start simple, build a solid foundation and add on as neccessary. I have no doubt whatever your new project is, it will be amazing.

Posted on June 21, 2006 09:02 PM | #

4. Keith said:

Thanks for the votes of confidence! I really appreciate it!

Posted on June 22, 2006 06:48 AM | #

5. Chris said:

I feel your pain. My last redesign I decided to go with stupid simple. No extra bs. just words and photos. I hardly have enough time to do that…

Posted on June 22, 2006 03:02 PM | #

6. Jeff said:

“A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.”
- George Patton

My entire life has been completing projects for clients…. Sometimes pounding out an entire website in a weekend…. But when it comes time to create my own portfolio site/blog? I am experiencing the same thing that you describe. Scott McCracken’s comment makes a very good point: “You have an amazing head start - a wildy popular blog…”

I know the feeling though– you probably want it to be so much for so many reasons. I would say that if you know you “wow” your clients, then just create something that equals the excellence that you provide to them, and expresses a lot of what you want to convey– and then use the “chipping away” method mentioned by William Doyle.

I have no doubt that it will be great. I am excited to see what you put together.

Posted on June 23, 2006 10:45 AM | #

7. Sally Carson said:

I fully sympathize with your situation. Unlike you, I have the advantage of living in online obscurity – my user base is something like 12 people. I don’t know if I’m in a position to give advice or anything, but maybe it’s helpful for you to know that I have been a fan of your site(s) for several years, and I always enjoy coming here for fresh perspective and inspiration.

If I were to try and give advice, it would go something like this: Sometimes, you just gotta say “fuggit”! Don’t be afraid to make crap, just keep some creative momentum no matter how you feel about the work you’re producing.

Posted on June 26, 2006 10:35 AM | #