[dot]blueprint » Web Design

[dot]blueprint redesign

Brian — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:50:40 +0000

This home page has gone through a couple of redesigns. I am very happy with the current version. This version puts the site under the power of WordPress thanks to the use of the Thematic Framework. My initial goal was not to redesign this site but, after using Thematic for TeeOff Post, to build a true business web site using a child theme for potential public release. Well, I hit a mental block as to the direction of the child theme and decided to use my efforts for the benefits of this site.

This site does not use WordPress in the traditional blog sense. The focus is on delivering information with clear page navigation, as in a traditional business site, with an added blog component. The screenshot to the right is of the previous version of dotblueprint.com. It featured the two components of the business with easy navigation. The new design delivers that same clean look and ease of use but, improves the site with better navigation while delivering more effective information from the start.

TeeOff Post Redesign

Brian — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:29:25 +0000

With the 2009 golf season heading into the winter, I felt it was time to update TeeOff Post. I wanted to use one of the WordPress frameworks to deliver updated functionality and search engine optimization – SEO – with the flexibility to develop child themes to make future adjustments to the site easier. I went with Ian Stewart’s Thematic Framework.

The redesign was not a drastic one, as I wanted to continue to deliver plenty of content on the front page. I also wanted to keep the prominent feature section at the top, which was made possible (and easy) with code from CozmosLabs.com. Finally, I still wanted to have links to other categories and their recent titles. In the previous version of TeeOff Post, there was a “Featured Post” section on the left sidebar. I wanted to open up the content area so, I decided to put these featured posts at the end of the content. They are now boxed across the bottom of the content section, above the footer.

The next change for TeeOff Post will come editorially where readers will see new features to compliment the weekly tournament coverage.

Bresnan Golf Company: Web Site Redesign

Brian — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:05:10 +0000

I worked with Bill Bresnan, the head golf professional for Colonial Springs Golf Club in Farmingdale, New York, to build a web site that he could use as a way to communicate with members, students and other professionals. We originally built BresnanGolf.com in the winter of 2008 and redesigned the site for the 2009 season.

The original design for the Bresnan Golf Company web site (below on left) featured a blue and grey color theme with a navigation bar on top and basic logo to the right. The links led to pages with information about lessons, club repair and the pro shop.

For the redesign (screenshot on right), we made the site more spacious to make it easier to navigate and read. The site has a charcoal background and features the company logo prominently at the top of the page with navigation links below.