reflections

Aug
30 25 Comments

Miscellaneous

Smashing Designs

I can’t imagine that anybody out there is waiting for baited breath for me to start writing regularly once again - after all, there’s a massive selection of places you can go for an interesting read! Until my workload lightens again (hopefully in about a week or so) you could do worse than to check out Smashing Magazine’s 45 Excellent Blog Designs article.

There’s some awesome blog designs in the post, broken down (quite unusually) by the platform on which the blogs run. Some of my favourite themes are featured in it - including Veerle’s Blog, NorthxEast, FreelanceSwitch and WebDesignerWall to name but a few!

What’s bizarre though is that this blog is also featured in the roundup - something that I’m dead chuffed about, especially since Smashing Magazine is one of my own daily reads and a real source of inspiration to me! Thanks guys - I’m truly honoured to be included!

25 fantastic comments...

johno August 30, 2007 4:33 am

Much deserved. You’re making a habit of this now. I’ve seen this site mentioned on several such sites. Now, when I hear about a post discussing “best designs”, I immediately think, where’s Paul’s?

I can empathise with you re being too busy; wheere does all the time go!? I’d love to have more time to blog, but when it comes down to paid work or free blogging…

Anyway, good luck with work. Actually, I was waiting with baited breath , and I’m sure I’m not the only one. However, we’re a patient bunch, so np.
David Airey August 30, 2007 11:55 am

I’m with John, and the guys at Smashing Magazine. You fully deserve to be mentioned in the list, and I know you put a lot of effort into this look.

Also, I’m another who was waiting with baited breath. Fortunately I’m also patient.
Leanne August 30, 2007 1:34 pm

Yours deservs the mention, Paul! It’s a great design, incredibly thought out and your detailed elements tie everything together so professionally! Congratulations!
inspirationbit August 30, 2007 5:27 pm

well… finally, modest Paul comes out of his shell and shares his excitement with us

Just like Johno said - whenever I see Best Designed blogs, I think of yours… and now also of iLT

Was it your British humour to say about the “baited breath”?

of course, I’m waiting with baited breath for you to come back.
If you need any help with your work, let me know, I’ll do everything for you to get some free time and write for this blog.
Charity August 30, 2007 7:57 pm

Hey Paul. Just saw that you made the list yesterday on SM, so wanted to pop over to congratulate you! You’ve had a lot of (well deserved) recognition for this theme. Way to go! Did you have any idea when you were working on it that you’d get so much acclaim? My own theme is getting on my nerves these days, but I’m at a loss for inspiration (and time). Anyway - job well done once again.

p.s. Smashing Magazine is one of my favorite reads too.
Aaron :: miLienzo.com August 30, 2007 10:23 pm

Can I have your autograph?

- Good stuff Paul, I’m chuffed for you - and kind of jealous. I once emailed SM about a design I did to see if they wanted to feature it… they didn’t.
Randa Clay August 31, 2007 3:56 am

Congrats Paul - I was glad to see your design in that article and well-deserved too.
Paul August 31, 2007 11:26 am

Johno,

Thanks mate! I’d love to know where all the time goes too! I’d much rather do free blogging (and other personal projects) over paid work, but my wife doesn’t seem to share my sentiment…

——

David,

I did put a lot of time into the current theme, but I certainly never thought it would end up being featured by the likes of Smashing Magazine!

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Leanne,

Thanks! I’m glad the detail hasn’t been missed actually, because it’s one of the things that I like most about most of my favourite sites!

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Vivien,

LOL @ me being modest! Thanks for your offer of assistance too. All the outstanding work at the moment is dependant on me unfortunately, but paid delegation of jobs is something that I’d like to explore during the coming year - maybe with a view to creating a virtual design studio?

——

Charity,

I honestly never thought that so many people would like my reboot… I did it purely for me, as it seemed like the appropriate thing to do at the time! If I was my own client, I’m not sure that I’d put up with my own nit-picking and pixel-shifting!

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Aaron,

You can mate, so long as you don’t ask me to sign anything that’s usually covered by clothing! Don’t worry about the kick-back from SM… I’ve had so many rejections in my career as a designer that I feel like a transplant organ!

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Randa,

Thanks! It’s really given my confidence level a well-needed boost… Of course, getting this sort of praise for a design naturally means that you need to exceed it’s quality with the following redesign!
Ron Smith August 31, 2007 1:45 pm

Awesome look and totally deserves to be up there, it would be real dope if you were handing out the template though…..
Paul August 31, 2007 3:07 pm

Thanks for your comment Ron! I plan on making a public release of the theme just as soon as I do my next reboot. Given how quickly I got bored of my last look, it could be sooner rather than later!
Damien King - Website Design Blog September 1, 2007 1:48 pm

No need to be so modest Paul - it’s a great blog design, and you deserve as much recognition for it as possible.

Oh, and stop delaying Britster too
Paul September 3, 2007 3:55 pm

Thanks Damien! I’m not delaying Britster on purpose - pretty much everything is ready to go, but we decided that a little more time was required to complete testing and get our press packs together! Believe me, I want to see it fly as much as everyone else!
Asgeir Hoem September 3, 2007 11:00 pm

I browsed through this list in my reader. “Wait, that’s Paul”. Congratulations, and good luck with Britster!

“We even spell colour right!”
Paul B September 6, 2007 9:23 am

Paul,

It’s about time you had your designs recognised for what they are - fantastic designs

Looking forward to the next reboot - perhaps 2 for 2?
Tess September 7, 2007 2:54 pm

I’m having a peek only
Congratulations! I’m happy for you!!!
Paul September 7, 2007 6:16 pm

Thanks guys! Nice to see you (briefly) surface too Tess!
Ren September 11, 2007 11:41 pm

I love your blog design. Superb superb superb!
Paul September 12, 2007 4:09 am

Thank you Ren - that’s very kind of you! Consider me a new reader of your blog.
hso September 14, 2007 9:04 pm

Nice! Indeed one of the nicest mods of this theme I’ve seen thus far!
J David September 16, 2007 9:24 pm

Just so you know, I found you via BlogRush, so at least its working for you!
Vic Grace September 16, 2007 10:32 pm

Just dropped in to say Hi. You came up on the BlogRush that I just put up on my site.

You might like to join the initiative that I started “Warm the Globe thru Friendship” it seems to be going around the world and gets your blog known at the same time.

If you are interested you will see the link on the top right on my blog.
Paul September 16, 2007 10:44 pm

Thanks Sunny - that’s high praise indeed coming from you mate!

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J David,

I’ve never heard of BlogRush before, but it seems like a great idea! I have *no* idea how I got in their feed though! Perhaps it has something to do with the Flog Blog app I recently installed on my Facebook profile..?

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Vic,

Thanks for stopping by - you have an interesting life, and a blog to match! Good luck with the Warm the Globe project; I’m sure the concept will work well for everyone involved, but I don’t support link-trains personally so I’ll be unable to join in!
Vagner September 24, 2007 4:50 pm

Now that I’ve seen your blog i must say it’s well deserved
Genevieve September 27, 2007 3:57 am

This is my first visit here, but I agree that you do have an exceptionally cool-looking blog. Enjoyed the link to the article and the look at the others on the list. When I grow up, maybe I’ll have a blog like that too.
Paul September 28, 2007 12:40 pm

Thank’s Vagner - I’m glad that you like it!

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Genevieve,

LOL @ “when I grow up”… I’m pleased that you enjoyed the article!