Mono-Splat? You’ll understand if you visit the site.
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With this version, in addition to a new design, I completely redid the whole back-end. The old version was done right after EE first came out and I think we’ve all learned a lot about EE since then. At some point I’ll explain some of what I’ve done but for now I’m pulling a Paul and taking a little sabbatical from online life and off to explore some of my analog interests. During this time, I will have limited access to email or the net. Do leave comments/impressions, etc. I will be checking as I can.
(Sure wish 1.4 was out so I’d have something to play with :-)
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Geise.com
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LJ, it’s loaded with floats
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Edit-Add: Had a few minutes so decided to put together a quick-n-dirty overview…

1) It’s pure CSS, not a table in sight. Validates strict (or at least it did before some last minute tweeks last night and I haven’t checked since). Has one little IE glitch that I’m not sure most will notice, will correct that on the next refresh.
2) Everything on the site (static or dynamic) is in a weblog other than a few paths and such in Global Variables.
3) Lots of embedded templates for reusable stuff.
4) The nav (three levels) is in it’s own weblog and categorized. All the nav highlighting is done by comparing it to a URL segment. Some URL segments have no basic EE function, rather are just triggers for highlighting or changing content.
5) Have a very stripped down templating system. In most sections, just an index file. Example: The whole portfolio section (no matter the category/content) is funneled through a single template, changing content and nav based on the URL.
6) It has many different layers (z-index) all sync’d on top of each other. The base layers control the art and colorization. All theme files have generic names, I can swap in a different set without altering any basic code.
7) There are at least eight different variations of each of the base “splats”, all in a weblog tagged to be displayed randomly. Should create an almost unlimited combination. But, I do find the random tag choosing the same individual art element through 2-3 refreshes at times (wish there was a “step-through” sequence like the old pmPro pBlocks).
8) There are other text areas that use the random variable so change also.
9) The way I have my nav, I don’t want parent categories to show and none of the new category plugins or EE category tags can do that so the nav is almost all custom queries based on the URL.
10) In the portfolio section, I started out with one weblog and a lot of cats/subCats. That turned out to be very cumbersome as the category lists in the Publish/Edit screens were overwhelming. I broke that section up into one weblog for each subSection.
11) I have many template/code fragments I can use for varying the layout to content. Right now it’s mainly set in narrow left, wide right columns but I have the opposite plus three-column versions. Also, the lower section of the home page can be used on any page where I need/want a subSection.
12) The art floats so the layout works for different browser windows. 1024x768 is ideal but down to 800 or up beyond 1024 it fills in the blank areas. I’m not a big fan of liquid text columns as the text gets too wide to read confortably. Until all the browsers can handle the max-width parameter, I prefer to have artwork expand or contract to the browser width.

I like this one heaps better, PX.  I can actually read it, tho I did one ctrl +, cos yes, I am blind.  But this one works much better for the blind of us out there.

I have nothing against floats, y’know, it’s just that whenever *I* use them, *I* break something.  It’s a stumbling block that bugs me, and one day I will conquer.

I think the site loooks absotootely gorgeous. =)

I think the site loooks absotootely gorgeous. =)

Thanks! It sure didn’t start out to be “mono”, and it doesn’t have to be, but I like the simplicity. Nothing gets in the way. Where there is color, the color is a standout (portfolio/etc). Tried to place emphasis on stuff the old fashion way, type size, weight, color.

But this one works much better for the blind of us out there

Actually, other than the “intro” text on each page, I believe the font sizes are the same as V4
Shows ya how color, backgrounds, etc. can affect the perception.

Well, yes, but the text resizes much more cleanly in this version. =)

I like the design although for me as well the text-size is a wee bit too small
Nice work, float layouts can be a real bitch…

I’ll probably switch over to specifying the text with em rather than px at the next refresh…have to clean out some cruft in my css anyway.

Nice work, float layouts can be a real bitch…

For some reason they haven’t given me much trouble, maybe it’s the way I divide up and position the page as a whole? Now watch, the minute I say that all hell will break loose.

Have a mirror of the site set up locally with all the plugins/modules so hopefully will be able to add a lot while I take my little sabatical.
PS: Sure wish I had 1.4 to play with :-)

Nice, idiosynchratic, and impressive client list. Text is rather small but what you did for Best Buy is impressive enough to warrant making the effort to read.

Looking at your list of how things work, feels familiar—lots of usage of segmentage.

idiosynchratic

Is that good or bad ;-)

well, I probably spelled it bad but meant it good

]well, I probably spelled it bad but meant it good

Thanks…I took it that way…as unique to me :-)

I like your webdesign very much.

The only thing I like less is the text-size and I agree on that with e-man and Adam Khan:
It’s raaather small.

It seems to be a trend in web design. Our web agency wanted to put the text in very
small size. I don’t like too small fonts.

Fortunately for me Firefox and Opera allow to increase text-size very easily.

Unfortunately quite a lot of internet newbies don’t know about these browser
features or use MSIE.

After the first glance on design I took a little time to get deeper into the content.
It’s just great. That’s what I’m looking for on the web: fresh, well structured
and relevant content!
PXlated have a good sabbatical and see you soon back here with more good
design&content.

]I like your webdesign very much.

Thanks. There will be a whole lot more when I return from my little sabbatical.

It seems to be a trend in web design.

Yes, designers tend to like a little bit smaller text (that’s a generalization). But most designer sites do use text that’s a point (or two) smaller than others. On the other hand, bloggers tend to use fonts 2,3, sometimes 4 points larger than average (again, a generalization). :-)
I once did a study (for BestBuy) of the top ten eCommerces sites and the top-ten general news sites to determine the most prevalent text sizes used. The most common sizes were 9 and 10pt, for text, the sizes I’m using. :-)
(At some point I (or maybe one of you) should revisit and update that study)

Man, I wish that was true.  A lot of bloggers use fonts around the 6 point size or smaller.  Especially on livejournal.  And dark text on dark backgrounds or light text on light backgrounds. Ugh.

I think 10 and 12 point are the general standards that I see.  I’m pretty sure Amazon’s is 12 point, except some of the smaller links, at least I have no problem reading their site. =)

Lisa - 29 November 2005 11:17 AM

Man, I wish that was true.  A lot of bloggers use fonts around the 6 point size or smaller.

Yes, if they are using a standard template from one of the services, they can be the “normal” size used by us designers ;-)

I think 10 and 12 point are the general standards that I see.

They sure weren’t when I did the study and nothing jumps out and says “they all changed” when I surf. Of course, there are so many variables (screen rez, browser settings, etc) that you never really know what a single individual is actually seeing.

I’m pretty sure Amazon’s is 12 point, except some of the smaller links, at least I have no problem reading their site. =)

If you look at their CSS, they don’t specify a lot of things specifically other than tabs and heads. All the text (product descriptions, etc) are specified as “small” and there are a lot of things specified as “tiny” or x-small”. So, it depends on your rez and browser settings. Their Editorial/User reviews (the most text heavy areas) are not specified and that text looks the same as mine to me. :-)
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You want to see a real mess, view Amazon source.

Great design - really got me wanting to explore what was on the site.  Congratulations.

Looks good on Mac with Firefox.

Looks like no one has sounded off yet ... You could be the first.

OK…cool.

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Oh.  Ok, I guess I could do that…

Registration is currently closed.

  Well doya want comments or no?

I like the splats…the column structure and usage is interesting…I did have to bump the font size up to comfortably read the content.  I also thought some of the titles (“Best Buy ... eCommerce Website”) would be links - in addition to the little arrow graphics.

For some reason I kept having this notion of making your eyes one of those Flash pieces that tracks cursor position..

Well doya want comments or no?

Ooops :-)
Closed them while I redo the whole member template stuff.
(Some developer had to go and change everything ya know…look at all dem tables again…hand on gun, looks at Paul and Rick)