Commentary on web design and other topics by Guy Leech, web fanatic.
Today I launch the first (proper) design of this site; I hope you like it. I say proper as there’s been a couple of other ‘designs’ of this site before, but none of them thought out, planned, lovingly crafted, and what have you. As I’ve recently graduated from my Graphic Design diploma, I thought it was high time to create a style for myself, and to actually start blogging.
This design is an experiment in the contrast of modern and historic design; as, in general, I’m out to make websites somehow different from the norm, I was quite intruiged by seeing what could be done by combining modern design with older elements. The navigation is the “something different” about this site, and I’m loving it. The minimalist style was chosen to emphasise the navigational corners; and the content is all about the contrasting typography.
Speaking of typography, all the headers on this site should be displayed in Futura, if you have it installed. If not, it will be displayed in Avant Garde, Century Gothic, or 20th Century, depending on your system. If you don’t have any of those installed, you’ll be able to enjoy the site with some plainer headings.
There’s still a lot of work to be done (features, bugs, and so on), but those will be an on-going project. For the time being, I’m putting this up there, and seeing what happens. So, take a look around, and tell me what you think.
Works in Progress
Kyle Meyer
13 / 02 / 2008
Safari 3 Mac is also not keeping the navigation in the proper corners as you scroll; nor is Mobile Safari on my iPhone.
Neat idea though.
As for Futura, my Mac recognizes it in both Firefox and Safari. Some people may have a variation of Futura such as “Futura (T1)” that may stop them from recognizing it if the font is not named the exact way it is called in the font-family declaration. My suggestion would just be to do calls for all variations of Futura before cascading to alternative fonts.
Keep up the good stuff. :)
Guy Leech
13 / 02 / 2008
Thanks Kyle.
Interestingly enough, Safari 3 Windows is scrolling the navigation fine — I never knew there might be such a difference between systems. And, my Safari isn’t recognising the Futura I have installed (though I am using Futura Std).
I’ll look into your suggestion; I tried a couple of alternate formats of Futura in an effort to get them recognised, but they didn’t seem to work. I’ll have to site down and go through every possible variation, methinks.