September 27, 2007
The future of clusterflock (initial concepts)
Back in May we started gathering thoughts for a redesign of Clusterflock. Months later (apologies on that—where did summer go?), it’s time to take a look at some initial concepts and throw in your 2 cents.
A couple things to consider: These comps are done in Photoshop. It’s a quick way to visualize an idea, so what you’re seeing is a big image. It will load slowly.
Also, I’ve just tackled the top of the page. If you’re missing content (like recent comments or obligatory buttons and links), those will likely resurface at the bottom of the page (footer).
Here are 3+ variations to get this conversation started back up.
Drop a comment with what bits you like, what bits you don’t, and help us refine what to explore for Round 2.
comments
Thank you, Chris, these look great! It’s going to be hard to decide.
I like #3′s overall layout because of the multiple modules, but I prefer the existing colors and all-lower-case logo.
I think any design that improves readability and displays lots of summarized content is going to be a nice improvement.
many thanks as well, Chris.
I prefer something in the 1st or 2nd categories and I wouldn’t mind a complete redesign of the logo and the color scheme.
structurally (and visually), I really like subtraction
I like everything, Chris.
But I especially like the spare look of the first two options you present. After all, as you point out, there are possibilities for more Stuff at the bottom, if those possibilities are desirable.
These are great, Chris. I’m most inclined to #2. I like its clarity and the simplicity of the design, and I love the sliding “flock” in the logo–it captures the spirit of the site. I’m personally drawn to the elegance of #1, but I’m not sure elegance is our game. The colors and general look of #3 are young and happy, and since I’m old and sad, I don’t like that.
This is exciting!
Chris, thanks. All three look great.
Elegant: I like the stark simplicity and the generous whitespace (maybe more in the posts column?)
Simple: I like single column layouts and like the Elegant proposal i like the full width header. I agree with Michael on the all lower case logo, although I am interested in the canted ‘flock’ in the thumbnail
Fun: I like the clustering idea, and would be interested in seeing how it could be used in the other designs (showing tags or categories for posts, not necessarily the tag cloud in a side bar.) And maybe the sidebar and main column need to give each other some breathing room.
Overall Im really happy to see this. Exciting.
Deron-Subtraction is so easy to like
what Cindy said. (what a shock)
I probably have a reaction to #3 that’s a bit more negative than others have noted so far. I don’t know–it’s just that whenever there are too many things too close together I start to think of the kind of sales technique that aims to produce a general nervousness that the seller hopes will translate into impulse buying. So, I really like the simple version much better I think.
A less-rather-than-more busy design remains my preference, but I’m glad Sean brought up the possibility of incorporating the ‘clusters’ of #3 into a spare-looking and -operating site. Hmmmm . . . not sure exactly what I envision. I don’t like tag clouds — don’t like the way they look or the space they consume, and I almost never use them. Maybe all I’m thinking at the moment is the appeal of being able to navigate to ‘flockers’ and/or to ‘clusters’ within one overall ‘clusterflock’. And I like to imagine the two words stacked vertically.
Then again . . . maybe not. Or maybe.
Put me down for #2. Count me in with Michael for lower-case, and in with Deron for color changes.
I like the flavor of the Meal Plan number 2. Although I struggle with the fun time potential of the clustering/tag cloud/categories. I like the logo in #1 but not for the lowercase, more for the dots- they work well. I am not against the all caps in number 2 either. Great work all around though.
I definitely love number 1 but love the clustering tag categories. I wonder what I would think if I saw the more “traditional” flock colors on number #3: envisioning and seeing are always two different things. I tend to like the lower case and definitely think that dotes are generally in order.
All in all, good stuff.
I’ve been meaning to add I’ve always liked the “scatter-shot” dots over the logo. I’d sure miss them, if they went away. Looking at it I’ve often wondered which piece of shot I am.
The traditional clusterflock color scheme — like so?
That Chris. He anticipates everything.
Hi Chris and the flockers–
I would like to see a hybrid of 1 and 3. I love the traditional logo as used on the proposal #1 and the website now and the more simple, spare layout of the page. I also like the layout of the categories section on #3. Could we a mockup that combines these two proposals?
Yep Vin and all. I’ll be blending some bits from each for refinement this weekend.
One last comment, Chris… My wife and I were talking about the new designs (she prefers the elegant proposal with the approach to tags presented in the third proposal.) As she said, “clusterflock raises the level of discourse on the internet. The site design should reflect this.”
Smart lady.
vin.
You see, Sheila, this is exactly what I like about this Chris fellow.
Great work on them all!
If I had a choice…. I like the 1st and 2nd, (more the 2nd) – they are simple and as a site that relies on the content. But then again I’m a regular reader, not sure if the 3rd one will pull in some more readers with the initial layout.