Big Picture Redesign, part II
Last week, I mentioned the progress in the site redesign.
For those of you who find this sort of thing interesting, tonight I want to walk you through some of the re-design process. Enough of you have emailed about it, so some of you like this art stuff.
I had a specific structure in mind, using Tabs to keep different types of content separate — more on this later. As to the artwork and design, my office uses a firm that is very big amongst the Hedge Fund/Financial Services crowd. I really like their work, so I asked them to do the site. They said they wanted to get more into blogs, and less into hedge funds (Damn! I missed that — great insight!)
Once we worked out the pricing, we had a meeting as to what I wanted — then began going back and forth by email:
Any ideas for the header graphic? I have been stymied trying to come up with something for that, but then I am not nearly as creative as you . . .
My web designer, a funkified dude named Remo (he does all the wacky photos for the office), wrote back:
I feel like the header should have to do with the name, The Big Picture. So, is it a movie screen? Is it something obscure like a frame or hands framing? I don’t know, we can think of it more. Because the name says there is a lot more than just financial. You have something for everything on the site. So it should be more vague.
How about these . . . ?
(Click for larger versions)
~~~
Above is the 3 column version, below is a variation, and a 2 column version:
~~~
I wrote back:
A few thoughts on the initial design:
1) The key visual identity of any blog is going to be that top header.
I like the concept of some sort of full graphic across it (as opposed
to all that blank space). I’m having a hard time conceptualizing what would go there – I was
thinking of a roller coaster which would look like a stock chart.
I’ll continue to play with ideas and hunt around and see if I can find
something interesting but I do want a graphic of some sort across the
top as that becomes the prime visual cue for the site.
2) The two column design seems to work much better. The White
background you did works better for the larger left column– its much
easier to read text on. The soft beige tone works well for the smaller
right hand column.
3) I do like the tab structure you created – but let’s stay away from Orange as it’s kind of harsh.
4) The nav bar (about, contact, managed assets) might work better as a
more neutral color – beige or black, with the letters changing colors
on rollover. It could also be less prominent — about half the current
height.
5) I found a bunch of interesting icons for the tabs – I’ll send also.
~~~
Remo wrote back to me: Barry do you like these sort of icons for the top portion of your site. We can get a consistent style and these are simple. Let me know.
~~~
Mmmmmm, candy!
I liked those, and so Remo came up with this new design: (Click for larger versions)
It was an interesting idea, but I didn’t love the monitors — looked too much like a trading desk set up.
Note that the layout of everything else was coming together — the Nav bar links below the header, the RSS/Search/Email bar, and the 2 column structure — all ended up getting used in some form.
We tried a few variations. Lots of small pictures (way too busy):
Less pictures, not as small (still too busy):
I liked the logo above, but didn’t love the color combo. I also wanted more clearly identifiable monitors as tv screens. I was thinking along the lines of Robot Chicken-like visuals.
Note the structural changes we made — the right column menu became dropped downs, and the column itself turned white. Very clean and simple designs for the side bar
We made many changes to the final version, but by this point, all the key elements were falling into place: Logo, tabs, nav bar, side bar, lay out.
What does the site look like? Well, it should launch tomorrow . . .
~~~
Tomorrow — whats up with all those tabs ?
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October 28th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
will have to give it a test drive for feel- concept seems spot on though
October 28th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
My “no duh” 2 cents.
I’ve always felt web design is very “look and feel.” Look is obvious. Feel is how it all functions to the user. Not just “do all the gadgets work,” but also: do they make sense, are they located properly, will users find them (especially in a redesign).
Like the look a bunch. Remo was dead on with his Big Picture icons idea.
We’ll see how it feels after the launch. Best of luck.
October 28th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Barry,
Since your site is called The Big Picture, have you considered an ornate framed picture window with a view of a rotating globe? Or how about those 1930s movies that started with the radio tower on a globe? We are talking finance so the colors red and green could play some role.
Just a thought.
October 28th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Why don’t you move it over to FusionIQ?
October 28th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
thanks for sharing.. let ‘er rip
October 28th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Personally, I loved your current design (and content!! That’s what originally drew me to your blog). I liked the current design so much, I emulated it last June on a blog for my daughter – http://www.friendsofava.com
We’ve had nothing but good comments on the good use of white space and how friendly it seemed!
October 28th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Less is more. Simple, big & bold. I’d bet most of your readership is male – don’t overdo it
October 28th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
yeah, total, nice evolution, looks like you’re on the right track..
a Q: do you intend the images w/in the ‘TV Screens’ to change periodically?
other than that, the others, above, hit the big points..
October 28th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I have been reading your content for a year and never even once looked at the actual site, I read it on google reader. It is no longer relevant what your site looks like.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I really like colors on the first one, I think the colors really do fit your personality best, however the logo on the second one really works better. Earth tones are just a little too mellow for your personality ;-)
Also the tabbings are a lot more clean on the second one, see if you can get the color scheme of the first going on the second example.
The examples towards the end are very cluttered and confusing (although very pretty). If I were a first time browser to your site, I would just stare at the pictures instead of the content below it. My eyes go for the many images way too quickly and they don’t convey any information. The gradients and vivid colors don’t draw me below either, it keeps me up. (That kind of vividness is like nitroglycerin, need to use it sparingly and carefully, e.g. as a pointer to navigation.)
October 28th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Sorry I mean the tabs are a lot more clean on the first one (but the lines are more clear on the second one for the second nav). I’d also be a little confused about the two navigations above and below the title …
October 28th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I like the 2 column layout and the section tabs. It has that look of more than a business letter. Not keen on the duo lines of drop down tabs. imo About_Contact_Manage Assets_Research … tabs in the right hand column list style
The new logos being introduced. I like the old one. It reminds me of the tv series The Big Valley with Barbara Stanwyck.
I’m not one for convincing folks to change logo design, and I’m in the graphic biz.
1st logo looks like a 110 instamatic cartirdige. 2nd logo looks good for a stock photo agency.
All them pics, whatever size are busy for a header. People will be surfing over them looking for a link to somewhere. That .png file dumps and then shrinks, I guess I need an update to view it full scale.
Reminder – the Posted by: should be on top of the post. Google doesn’t recognize your style; ie matching dialog with poster. I’ve seen that confuse new posters many times.
The last tryout seemed to involve avitars. That suggests a login process. I’m in favor of moving in that direction. But I won’t post in a blog (that I would have) if I don’t intend to be a regular. But a local paper and a lawyer are going at it over defamation of character in a zoning issue. In that same paper someone posted using my namesake on another issue. I stopped visiting that site years ago. At least I think my namesake has.
I’m in favor of a government or commercial regulator for namesakes. I hear corporations and probably government agencies are looking the web over for birds of a feather before hiring. And I think thats fair, so long as there is not evil going on.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
The top two look best, but could still be reduced/simplified.
The bottom four are just plain hard on the eyeballs…BLEECH!
October 28th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Hopefully your web designer will take into consideration those of us who increase the size of the text. Currently the sidebars bleed into the main content when I bump up the text size.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Hi,
The logo rocks!
Jorge
October 28th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
you should just let the pros do what they do, and dont interfere.
the first 2 designs were clean and good.
all the screen grabs after that were a joke – you could tell the “client” had gotten involved.
the designers were laughing at you when they sent the one with 10,000 pictures, trust me.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I wonder what seeking alpha likes about the redesign?
October 28th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
content & functionality. That is what readers want. Design should be clean, simple, not busy, yet allow you to sell advertising that meshes well with the CLEAN site and doesnt make it too busy.
content is king and thats why we are here.
functionality allows us to browse, use, and get more out of your sites resources
focus on those
October 28th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
How about using some type of unrecognizable big picture of something Wall Street as the background? You know, one of those super close-ups of say, the balls of the Wall Street Charging Bull? Just sayin’
October 28th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
you should allow sharing via facebook. roubini has this type of functionality.
October 28th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
RE: Header graphic
Barry,
You should either change the 16 pictures with one (i.e. “the”) picture, or change the blog name to “The 16 mid-size pictures” :)
Besides the inconsistency of having a singular name and plural objects in the header, I think the 16 disparate objects between all those tabs and navlinks make the header so confusing. (e.g. ppl will start clicking on those pictures thinking it will take them somewhere)
The goal, then, should be “if someone sees ONLY the header, he/she should be able to guess the idea of the site”
I can see in a few months you would change it to a grpahic more consistent with the TBP name. maybe something like:
- A man on top of a hill, overlooking a forest where a business man is trying cut his way through the dense trees. To the man on top of the hill a clear path just west of the business man is obvious ( the “can’t see the forest for the tree” concept)
October 28th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I like the final version. I’m going to hazard a guess that the header with the screens eventually gets replaced with banner advertising. It’s too expensive an ad space to ignore. But ease into it and see what you think. Nice design on the new logo.
I’m of the keep it simple school – especially when it comes to navigation. Looks good to me.
Congratulations!
October 28th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
RE: Logo
The logo looks like a modern-design chair with the speaking cloud inserted…that would make it look like the blog of a psychiatrist
I think you’re on the right track though.. I like the blog sign inserted in letter b.. you just need to figure out how to also include letters “t” and “p” into your logo.
RE: Header pic idea
If you didn’t like “the big picture” of the forest and tree, here is another one:
- Two pictures, 1st is 1/3 of the header, 2nd is 2/3 of the header. 1st pic shows a business man against a grayish brown wall pulling on a grayish brown rope…. 2nd picture zooms out and shows that the man is pulling an elephant’s tail
October 28th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Not simple enough for the under 30 crowd. Logo should be a bull fighting a bear, with the outcome in doubt. T. Rex vs. Triceratops type of thing…
October 28th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Personally, I prefer the first two designs. The others seem too busy for me. The icons are cool, just don’t let them overwhelm the rest of the stuff on the page.
just my 2 centavos.
October 28th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
The last one you show is nice too though
October 28th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
barry,
freakin’ awesome logo. looking forward to the launch. especially stoked about the addition of seymour skinner as a contributor!
October 28th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
If you’re thinking of doing a movie-screen logo, put it in a “chart porn” theater ;)
October 28th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
nice barry, keep it clean/simple/ less is more.
and congrats on the big day. been busting your balls, so kudos to you, a win is a win.
that said, puts at the close.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Icons are really Web 2.0ish. I like all your choices. Will have to see how it works.
Only two suggestions:
1. Maybe narrow the header vertically. I, and I imagine more and more people, use a laptop. The format of laptop screens isn’t very tall and the browser frame and tabs eat vertical space.
2. Make sure it works on mobile phones. If they are good designers, it shouldn’t be a big problem.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Love the blog, Barry, so I’ll be here no matter what you do.
I’ve been in marketing communications for 30 years, and I have to agree with commenter ‘nullpointer’. He/she could have been much more diplomatic in the way they expressed it, but….:
“the first 2 designs were clean and good.
“all the screen grabs after that were a joke – you could tell the “client” had gotten involved.”
Sorry, I’ve seen this hundreds and hundreds of times and I’ve yet to figure out how to explain to a client why they’re wrong. Let’s just say that you should let the content express your ideas, which can be complex, and let the aesthetic setting serve as a counterpoint of welcoming simplicity and clarity. If this was a silly consumer site with visitors who have nothing better to do than try to figure it out, the later ideas would be OK. But essentially, this is a b2b site, and visitors are here for information and commentary. Save the games for a games tab.
Simpler isn’t always better, but it is 98% of the time.
Just an opinion. I think Remo was closer to what you really need before you started telling him what you want.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Hi Barry
the final header has images that look like buttons. Can they be used that way? If not its confusing. Play down the second row of links “About” “Contact” etc they dominate your primary links. Bottom line simpler the better. People come to your sight becuse you have interesting timely things to say and you keep your site fresh and updated. We want to get to your content and not just finance. Maybe categorize more I come to your site for views on finance, music and to here from a strong interesting personality.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
October 28th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I would actually like to see a similar header and color scheme, but with updated content and functionality…
October 28th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
I don’t like looking at sites that look too corporate! Loses my trust, since I know they do not have my interests in mind.
I didn’t like the minyanville web site at first…you wouldn’t think that it is based in New York! But it’s growing on me for the reason above. Distinctly non-corporate looking and yet has world class contributers.
A web page that has a community feel about it is what I like. I think the design of this page as it is has that flavor and it would be a shame to lose it.
My 2cents…
October 28th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
fugly, thankfully i have google reader.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
For me, the Big Picture encompasses the idea of a world view. The idea of not only being able to see what we are used to, but to make an effort to see what we previously overlooked, or have been unable to perceive. Then there is the process of taking that information and using it to make an approach that implies knowledgeable action.
October 28th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I think that when you first open “The Big Picture” website you should see a super closeup of two brown eyes, and a slow pan back shows a nose, then an odd smile, until finally you see that “The Big Picture” was The Mona Lisa, all along, and the pan shot keeps pulling back until at last you see the back of a man’s head and over his shoulder, hanging on the museum wall, is The Mona Lisa.
Then Barry turns his head to look into the camera and says, “See. How big the picture is depends on your perspective.”
October 28th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
My opinion is rarely useful as I’m rarely in the majority.
That said: I’m with dark1p.
My take: I think regular readers of the blog on the web would prefer simpler. White or beige background is good. Beige is warmer.
I’ve grown rather attached to the purple sidelines, myself. ;)
Thanks for the transparency on the redesign…pretty cool stuff.
October 28th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Make sure it works on mobile phones. If they are good designers, it shouldn’t be a big problem.
Posted by: Mike in NOLa | Oct 28, 2008 10:20:52 PM
that’s going to be a big one, going fwd:, even bigger than today..
nextgen(~2.3) GRMN devices, at the minimum, are going to be ‘opened’ to the enviro, the ‘cloud’ will be invited in…e.g. your ‘gas pump’ will be dispensing more than petroleum distillates…
having a ‘light’ version’ for ‘thin clients’ would be radical..
October 28th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
The logo is derivative of a version of a “Burton Snowboards” logo (their logo has taken many forms over the years). You could get sued for that. I would imagine your designer may be familiar with the original.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:47 am
I check this site everyday and want to say that you are a smart guy and a gentleman Barry.
Anyway, since you asked about the site design, the thing that doesn’t work at all for me is the left sidebar. It covers half your post text on my set-up as I’m a couch-surfer on a wide-screen tele so I use a large text setting.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:47 am
I don’t think it matters all that much. Most people read a blog by scrolling down from top until they get to the posts. Then they read the posts. I’d guess that the main navigation tool is the scroll bar, or two finger scrolling on a Mac.
I think your new artwork is a bit busy, but that’s strictly a matter of taste. You are a business site, so busy may be the right style. Unlike a magazine, which someone might buy or not buy because of the cover art, no one is going to follow or not follow a link to your site because of some artwork they have not seen yet.
You might want to make sure that your first blog post isn’t too far down the page. Some people in my household like little one inch and two inch high windows so they might not even get to realize that your site is a blog if your header art is too big and they get bored scrolling it.
Also, whatever you do, don’t get icon-itis. If you can say it with words, you may not need to use icons. Text has a lot of advantages. For example, you can’t search for a word in an icon in most browsers, but you can search for a word in text.
I suppose you do have to update the look of your site now and then the way Dell, HP and the others have to update their machines whenever Apple comes up with a new design. You don’t want to appear to be behind the times.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:49 am
How about big type announcing that there is no affiliation with Seeking Alpha?
October 29th, 2008 at 3:15 am
I care far more about the content, but Jesus that header is loud.
Take a cue from Apple.com’s minimal, ultra user friendliness.
October 29th, 2008 at 3:43 am
I liked the hand framing a picture, but if you want “The Big Picture” logo to be evocative of your multi-purpose site, you might experiment with having the picture logo a bit larger and play around with something like a “maelstrom of quest.”
Just for filtering ideas, you can see what the Moody Blues have done with album covers:
http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/moodies/mbworks.htm
…particularly these three:
http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/moodies/mbquest.htm
http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/moodies/mbevery.htm
…and the hand would possibly work I think, like in this:
http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/moodies/mbchild.htm
October 29th, 2008 at 4:16 am
I don’t know if this has been suggested but having links open a new window would save the time of TBP page reloading after reading the link; just close the new window and TBP is still there.
October 29th, 2008 at 5:34 am
Barry,
I really like the concept of the little pictures, although I agree that how it was applied was “too busy”. However, it is a great concept. It reminds me of the Talking heads album where the picture of the group was comprised of Polaroids. (The actual art is at the RocknRoll Hall of Fame). Not as hot on the “Oval Tubes”–I actually think they’re more distracting than the bunch of little pictures.
Kinda late in the game, but seeing where your going inspired–can I send a pencil drawing of a banner concept?
October 29th, 2008 at 6:53 am
I do not have any comments on your new design but one. Those television screens look like buttons. By consequence, their is too little difference between your tabs above and those screens. Otherwise, good job!
October 29th, 2008 at 7:30 am
The Wall Street Journal just recently also did a redisgn of their online Journal. And since you are both offering a similar (high-quality) product why not somewhat mimic them….It looks like they went with a slightly smaller more technical/scientific style font, with neutral colors like tan, black & burnt orange, to go with their classic blue text on white.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:27 am
There is a lot of darkness in those big header/tab blocks.
One of my favorites for visual design is J-Walk. Nice use of white; very open, easy feel. He also has an automated program to change the header graphic every day – not the whole thing, just the background picture. There is a limited number of options – enough to be familiar, not too many so the site looks strange every day.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Hey, Barry. We just went through a redesign of both our site and our blogs.
I am a big believer that less is more, so I have to tell you that I’m not a fan of the new header.
Way too much going on. Looks like you are trying to cover off everything this blog might be interested in. I’d stick to one image and a great tag line rather than multiple images.
Moreover, I think its a great idea to add a photo of yourself in the header. Blogs are personal, so the photo makes a great connection.
You can click on my username for a look at mine, which is an offshoot of Kedrosky’s header.
Either way, glad to see you made it through the process and looking forward to the launch.
Best,
George
October 29th, 2008 at 8:54 am
The more over-the-top graphics and eye candy you add, the more you take away from the spirit of the blog’s sense of independence and unbiased viewpoints. That’s what currently makes BigPicture standout from every other financial blog. When I read your content, I don’t feel like it was produced by some intern working for SeekingAlhpa or TheStreet.com. Follow Yve’s lead here. Minimalism conveys truth.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Winston :-)
“you should see a super closeup of two brown eyes”
make um black eyes, cold, calculating, sharks eyes
now gotta go check the Moody covers
October 29th, 2008 at 9:42 am
My first impression on your new site:
I like the layout, the logo, the structure, the colors. I do not like the choosen visual, it looks like a general store, too much, too colorful, a bit too gimmicky. Makes the site smaller than it deserves and seems to be a step back not forward – my opinion. The name ist the BIG picture, so I would prefer the screens, perhaps with another picture when you dislike it. The screens are clear as you and your posts, tidy, nobel, giving more importance to the content.
Sorry, you asked for my opinion :-)
October 29th, 2008 at 10:20 am
think one big picture, not a whole bunch of tiny ones.
October 29th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I agree, the header is too busy. If you are going to use a picture I’d go for a single one that gives people the impression right off of what you are trying to lay out. Something like this, it is self explanatory:
Click to enlarge
The Big Picture
That pic tells your viewers a lot. It implies unique perspective and the level of your qualifications. It sends a nice clear message and challenge to the person who has just crossed your threshold
The tabs seem all right. As long as they are clear and get people to what they are looking for then they work
October 29th, 2008 at 11:58 am
I like the first one – I think the cleaner the better. My opinion FWIW
October 29th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Less is more
busy is bad
I’m sure you’ll pick something cool, you’ve got some good ideas going, a nice coast to coast headline banner is a great idea, just don’t have it marching down the page too much. More than 1.5 inch or so and you start crowding the content, and that’s why we are here.
October 29th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Please, please minimize that “dead” header area. I know it’s important to give the site an identity but it’s basically useless screen area that regular readers will have to scroll by just to get to what they’re trying to read.
The trend across almost all publication sites and weblogs has been to minimize this kind of static content, with good reason. You want to get the real value of your site, the posts, up as high on the page as possible!
I’ve roughly done a reverse wireframe of that last design posted — out of the entire page, more is being dedicated to branding than anything else — and most of that space (the screens) don’t really even do much in terms of promoting the brand… you may have 30%+ dead space.
http://screencast.com/t/xXrGl352b
Sorry to be so critical, but I love the current layout and would really like to see you move towards something that’s more effective and pragmatic than turn into another overbranded corporate site.