New Design Layout and Logo
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Reading time: 1 – 2 minutes
I felt that the website needed a facelift and design that was up to date with what’s happening these days.- I’m still in the process of making some changes here and there. Overall I feel like the clutter factor has been decreased.
*POST UPDATE*
Some new benefits of this design:
- Search Bar - allows you to search for stuff. I’ve applied the “search unleashed” plugin. It works great
- Social Media Links in Navi - gives you direct links to social media activity happening at Leechon and of my own. Keep in touch sooner and get responses faster!
- Social Media Links in Posts - give you the ability to share with your friends the post directly on facebook, twitter, or stumble upon.
- Current Projects Under Main Navi - Less clutter, neatly organized, easily accessible. No more need to scroll down to see the project any more.
- Clean Design – more white space gives the feeling of open air and welcoming nature.
I’ve also been meaning to update the Leechon logo. Finally did it!
What do you think? – Criticism (good and bad) is welcome 
Yusuf Chowdhury Says: 21.07.09 at 9:34 am
Salam alaikum ahki,
I like it way better then before. Now you can make T-shirts with this:)
aleenakhan Says: 21.07.09 at 9:35 am
Diggin the new site bro, although in my opinion the navigation needs to be a little more prominent!
AlBaraa Says: 21.07.09 at 9:39 am
@Yusuf –
Walaikum asalaam bro. T-shirts? hmm…might consider the idea. What other ideas you go?
@AleenaKhan -
RE Navigation, what do you suggest? Bigger text? Bolder letters? both? Different font? Change of colors?
aleenakhan Says: 21.07.09 at 10:40 am
Slightly larger text, and maybe even adding a hover background.
AlBaraa Says: 21.07.09 at 10:51 am
Tried the text – alignment went wry so I put it back. As for hover background – will look into it.
Jawaad Ahmad Khan Says: 21.07.09 at 11:27 am
Awesome new design…in addition to those t-shirts, how about some buttons?
http://twitpic.com/b416g
Aarif Subzposh Says: 21.07.09 at 11:34 am
Salaam bro,
Um I like the old logo better, just because for some reason the gray L doesnt look nice on the new logo. I liked the orange L.
Zaied Says: 21.07.09 at 1:10 pm
Assalamu Alaykum Belal,
Very nice masha’ Allah. The only comment I would make is that its not 100% clear where you want your audience to start off when they come to the site. Maybe hiding older posts and making the latest one more prominent…….just a thought…..
MR Says: 21.07.09 at 1:42 pm
Nice job. Primary nav needs to stand out more.
Now critique my HD video that I did!
AlBaraa Says: 21.07.09 at 8:47 pm
@Zaied -
I’ve made a few updates to the design since when you posted.
The path that I want new comers to the site to follow is to basically be introduced the what Leechon is (about blurb) and then be directed towards some of the projects that have been completed. If they find value in the stuff being presented, they can continue to peak their interests by reading the blog posts and resulting in becoming a subscriber.
So far RSS subscriber rate has been building in a healthy manner, however there’s a 3% opening rate. Out of the 32,000+ subscribers, I get about 1000+ to open when ever there’s a new post.
I’m in the process of recording a series titled “Two Cents” – Once production of episodes for that is complete, The objective will be to direct people toward those specific videos over the course of their visit to the site.
@MR -
Will do inshaAllah – is there anything in particular you’d like me to focus on in the video?
flower Says: 22.07.09 at 2:10 am
asalama alaikum
i like the older logo better, this one is kinda blah to be honest and looks more unprofessional , also ur home page looks a bit disorganized, i dnt know it just seems very crowded with a bunch of things, and maybe add some colour to the background inshaAllah it looks kinda plain
Zaied Says: 22.07.09 at 8:57 am
Belal,
follow up question (I hope you don’t mind): the “about blurb” on your home page does not mention anything about having the “Islamic Framework” mentioned in the tag-line. Which one describes leechon best?
Some initial thoughts off your response:
1) I would move the blog posts off the home page, but have a prominent link to them – you might want to retitle it “Leechon Blog” or “Read my blog” or “Read our blog”
2) If you want them to know about you first then move to projects, I would structure the page that way – put a short vid or description about Leechon as the most prominent thing, and then move the wonderful project bar you designed right below that – and try to fit into the screen without a need for scrolling
I am no expert of any sort, but in my own business and branding studies, I did do a bit of research and work in web usability. One rule I have come to appreciate is “Don’t make them think”. your site should be instantly clear to anyone who comes to it……a good read might be “Don’t make me think – a common sense approach to web-usability”. Short and with helpful tips…..
I hope this is beneficial. Keep up the amazing work man. May Allah reward and bless your efforts.
AlBaraa Says: 22.07.09 at 9:30 pm
@Flower –
I’ll def look into adding some color and flavor in the future. I guess you can look at it as a white canvas which will be painted inshaAllah.
@Zaied -
I don’t understand the question. – I figured since “Media with an Islamic framework” is already the tag line, I felt no need to mention it in the about blurb. What do you think?
RE Thought # 1
By “title” are you referring to the big logo on top or in the space where the current project logos are? – I def like the idea of moving the project logos to their own page like I have for past projects (which will get a complete portfolio site of its own soon inshaAllah.
RE Thought #2
I agree. Great insight.
Ameen to your du’aa and jazakallahu khairun for the kind words