[Do you see the new blog header? If not, hold down the ‘Control’ key and ‘F5’ key at the same time to refresh your page if you aren’t seeing the new header.]
When the seasons change, I’m often motivated to change as well. I purge clutter, enjoy new seasonal food kicks, and break out a to-do list before succumbing to disorganization in 3 days time. Ah, it’s great.
The other day I was reading an article about improving the appearance of a blog. It said, ‘If your website had no text at all, would people know what your blog was about?’
I imagined my blog without text. All that was left was a creepy, glow-y profile picture circa 2008. Yikes.
It was kind of like looking back on my Grade 2 picture seeing myself with a side pony tail and a scrunchie.
Oh wow. Thanks Mom?
I’d like to think this new header is clean, fresh, and seasonal. Aside from my dying basil plant, I was able to grow these vegetables in my garden this summer (the picture, however, is from 2010).
My plan is to create a new header for each season shooting local and seasonal produce. So if you hate this one, it’s only going to be around for about a month. For Fall, you’ll probably see gourds, squash, pumpkins, candy corn, apples, etc.
For Winter, you’ll probably see snow, ice, and extremely unflattering winter boots circa 1994. For Spring, dirt and mud. You get the idea.
This header was a close second with a new and improved tagline…
My third idea was a Chocolate Chunk Toffee Bar dipped into a Green Monster. It demonstrated a lovely balance of health and indulgence, but perhaps not the most photogenic header of all time.
PS- Photoshop owns my soul.
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I thought it would be fun to have a discussion about blog headers today. What makes a great blog header? For bloggers: Did you design yours or have someone design it? What do you love about your header or want to change? Feel free to link to your blog in the comments.
love the idea of changing with the seasons
K, I read your blog regularly (rarely comment :)). And I think you’ve got a great blog, but I have to share something I’ve been holding in, and I figure now’s the time to share it- I’m not a huge fan of the design. I’m a web designer so I can’t help myself! I’m not trying to be negative, but just constructive… :)… take it or leave it :)…
Would be good to have your top menu be the same width as your header image, it looks strange to have links going over the edges. Also, the font… I know the blog is “Oh She Glows” (love the name!) but I don’t think the actual words need to be glowing… I would take that PS effect off :). In general, its always good to have type faces in their most natural state for optimal legibility and clarity of message. Less is more, as they say. Overall, I think It would make your site much cleaner and more sophisticated. And you seem like a sophisticated lady :). And your wonderful content definitely deserves an equally wonderful design!
Just a couple tips! I know you didn’t really ask, but as long as we were on the subject, I couldn’t help myself…
Thanks for your input Meghan!
One of the things I wanted to change was the header at the top not lining up. Still working on little kinks like that, if only there was more time in the day to do everything I wanted on the site.
I agree that the words look cleaner and more professional when not ‘glowing’ too- I compared the two and noted that myself, but I just couldn’t resist. ;)
I know, it must be a ton of work keeping up a blog, so I can imagine a lot of the little details pile up. I’ve always wanted to start one, but I never seem to make the time to actually get it together. It’s a lot of work and I admire what you’ve done!
This reminds me of a quote that a prof in an electronic-publishing course I took used to say (all the time) “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” :) I admit, I ‘did’ (and still do?) more often than I should have!
I’m so sorry but I’m not a fan of the new header :( it’ll never stop me from visiting though!! I just think the lighting is so much prettier and fresher in the original and chocolate headers. But of course, to each their own!! Looking forward to the next header! :)
No offense taken Tania. lucky for you it’s only up for about a month or so! ;)
you should definitely incorporate that old school photo into a header. hahaha….you know we all have those…your mom was nice enough to keep yours close by so we could all enjoy it :)
now that would be a header!
Oh this post is SO TIMELY!! for me!!!
I have been working on another blog project and website project (i have it linked in the signature line of my emails if you want to check it out) but have single-handedly created a new webiste AND a new blog. And both of them need proper headers.
And then loveveggiesandyoga needs a new header, too.
So in the past week or so, it’s become apparent that I need THREE new headers. Two of which can be the same, I guess and tie in the theme.
I need someone who isn’t going to charge me hundreds and hundreds of dollars to do it! And who ‘gets’ my style and vibe.
Love that you made yours in PS. I am a big Lightroom girl and really am clueless about PS :(
The veggie one…rocks!! Great work!
Love your new header. I love the runner-up too :) Thanks for sharing about the article! I can’t change my header, but I can add pictures elsewhere. I love the school picture of you too by the way. I can’t tell you how many years I had a side ponytail + a scrunchie in my school pictures. It was probably most of them from grades 1-6. Yikes! I cringe. Have a great day!
I love the new header. It’s super crisp!
I love it, and I am the same way, always re-arranging and organizing…change is a good thing! Love the colors!
Realy like your new header. It’s fresh and I think your idea of changing in every season is fun! That said, I also miss seeing your picture.
I made the headers for both of my blogs with photoshop! I needed something quickly once I got my blog up and running, but I’m thinking it needs an update as well =)
Love the fresh veggies on yours!
I was lucky enough to have a friend of the family design my header :) I like the new header I think it looks nice and fresh!
Awesome! Love the new header and the idea to change it seasonally :) My fiance is a graphic designer so he does all my blog stuff for free! We are in the middle of redesigning my blog right now and I have so many ideas of what the header photo should be it’s hard to narrow it down!
I loved your other header because of how serene it made me feel when I opened your page! This header is great, too. I love the group of yummy fresh veggies!
Your site always looks so clean and fresh!
I liked your old header! But only because you could see your face – you’re an important part of this blog too, not just the fresh seasonal food!!
Change is always nice and refreshing and the new header is a great representation of the bounty you are about to harvest from your garden. I love the changing season idea and can’t wait for the Fall one. Actually, I just can’t wait for Fall in general so I look forward to your header changing because it means it’s Fall! And sweater weather! Love sweater weather!
My header is just a picture of me (and my son) that I felt best captured how I am feeling right now – happy and content!
i am not very knowledgeable with website design or any of that but i was so happy that i managed to create my snacking squirrel header all by myself…it took a few days to finalize the right font i wanted but i love it so much, it always proves to me that my creativity is better than i think :)
xoxo <3
Your header is beautiful :)
thank you Angela <3
Love the new header – definitely fresh and clean.
I just spent hours upon hours working on different variations of my header. I like doing it myself – gives me a sense of accomplishment…but then there is no one to blame when it isn’t just so!
What program did you use to create the new header?
Photoshop :)
I LOVE the new header! It’s perfect for OSG :)
I would love to make a fancy header for my blog but I’m pretty limited technologically and if it’s not broke, I probably shouldn’t try to fix it. I did manage to stick up a rainbow up there on all my pages so that’ll do for now :)
Eek this post made me realize that my blog is totally lacking a header. How boring!!! I guess I should change that soon…
I LOVE your new header. But I guess it won’t be around for long since fall is so soon. I can’t wait to see what that one looks like!
I love the new header! It looks so clean and crisp. I also love the side pony tail….so bad ass :)