By Jeremy Gilbert
Managing Editor/Innovation & Project Manager of the Poynter Online redesign
Redesigning Poynter Online is a bit like packing for summer camp. We started with what seemed like a big empty trunk, but pretty quickly filled it up. First there were things we needed to bring from the current site, then we had new things to add and finally there were existing things that had to be improved. In the end, each prototype felt like we had to sit on the trunk to close it.
Your passionate response to our first blog post indicated a hunger to discuss design issues. We see three major threads in the comments: the use of color, visual cues for the newest content and the importance of a dominant visual. Some thoughts about each:
- Color is an important element of the new site. We are creating a stricter palette and will make sure to use color more judiciously in organizing the page. We will reduce the visual clutter by using fewer colors more consistently than we do on the existing site.
- New content will be made more obvious through the use of icons, labels, spacing and, of course, color. Your comments offered some good suggestions on best practices that we will try.
- A dominant visual on our home page may be the single biggest design challenge. We have considered a page of the day or photos/videos of the week as lead visuals, but we are still looking for other options.
As part of our ongoing redesign process we wanted to post another prototype page. Some of the changes you’ll see reflect responses to your feedback and comments. Some changes are attempts to simplify the navigation and some are to bring the prototypes more in line with existing Poynter Web sites, like the Poynter Seminars site.
What do you think? Can you help us better pack our trunk? Could you find what you’re looking for with our navigation? Where would you look to read Jim Romenesko’s blog? What if you wanted to find out about a Poynter seminar? How would you find out about The Poynter Institute? We’re interested in hearing your thoughts.
