While I like the idea of transparent backgrounds, and I like the colours of your design, I don't think your current background does justice to the content, my eyes are too busy trying to settle on one colour. It's the blue that eventually pulls me in, but there's a colour battle always going on in the background, so it's hard to concentrate.
Another themes that has caught my eye recently and that uses a similar technique is Magnus Jepson's Woodpress theme.
Otherwise, in terms of layout etc, I think it's excellent, simple and effective.
I'm new around here so I'm not sure how much my 2 cents are worth, but I'll say them anyway! I like the design itself, layout wise, it's really good. But as Andrew says, I'm not sre about the background, it makes it harder to concentrate on the text. But I do like the transparency, but maybe with another background...
But I like that, even the background is fine for me. For a better readability, maybe you could make a bit higher the opacity under the text and/or put some text-shadow in your CSS for the people with modern CSS specs supported by their browsers.
ahh yes, i forgot about line height. Thanks for that. Allright I'll try the text shadow thing. And even if it doesn't work in IE, IE6 has a different look anyway. As for IE7 its their lost I guess (as stated when they view the site =)). Thanks! That was very helpful.
I think the type needs some work if you are going to keep it very typographically rich.
The whole design feels a bit too balanced, in that it works well but lacks some sort of rhythm to pull the eye around to appreciate other elements of the design. I think a splash of colour or a more intense navigation would help it along for sure!
Andrew
Written Nov. 28, 2007 / Report /
While I like the idea of transparent backgrounds, and I like the colours of your design, I don't think your current background does justice to the content, my eyes are too busy trying to settle on one colour. It's the blue that eventually pulls me in, but there's a colour battle always going on in the background, so it's hard to concentrate.
Another themes that has caught my eye recently and that uses a similar technique is Magnus Jepson's Woodpress theme.
Otherwise, in terms of layout etc, I think it's excellent, simple and effective.
benbacardi
Written Nov. 28, 2007 / Report /
I'm new around here so I'm not sure how much my 2 cents are worth, but I'll say them anyway! I like the design itself, layout wise, it's really good. But as Andrew says, I'm not sre about the background, it makes it harder to concentrate on the text. But I do like the transparency, but maybe with another background...
Other than that, I love it...
d43
Written Nov. 28, 2007 / Report /
Good job even if it reminds me a bit too much the beautiful theming work of Garret Murray (Manacial Rage).
silvertje
Written Nov. 28, 2007 / Report /
I agree with Andrew. The background is giving my eyes a bit of a hard time especially because of a lack of contrast with the text. Keep going!
seraphlm
Written Nov. 29, 2007 / Report /
Thanks for the input! I'll try to change something in the background. What do you guys suggest?
Why the background was inspired by Maniacal Rage. Maybe to close?
d43
Written Nov. 29, 2007 / Report /
In fact, the layout reminds me this maniacal rage version and the background this version.
But I like that, even the background is fine for me. For a better readability, maybe you could make a bit higher the opacity under the text and/or put some text-shadow in your CSS for the people with modern CSS specs supported by their browsers.
‘.entry p, .entry h2 {‘
‘ text-shadow: #333333 2px 2px 2px;‘
‘}‘
Maybe a larger line height for the paragraphs could improve the readability too:
‘line-height: 160%;‘
And a bit more space between to entries too.
Hope it will help ;)
isdereks
Written Nov. 29, 2007 / Report /
Remember that IE will not support that.
seraphlm
Written Nov. 30, 2007 / Report /
ahh yes, i forgot about line height. Thanks for that. Allright I'll try the text shadow thing. And even if it doesn't work in IE, IE6 has a different look anyway. As for IE7 its their lost I guess (as stated when they view the site =)). Thanks! That was very helpful.
veckd
Written Dec. 1, 2007 / Report /
I like this. I like how the content stays with you as you scroll. Good work ;)
PixlNinja
Written Dec. 2, 2007 / Report /
Hmm not bad.. but only black .. still Simple
Nice work
Johnny
Written Mar. 13, 2008 / Report /
I use a wood background on my site, but it's a light background applied to the body element and not the content or the wrapper. You can see it Here
darkmotion
Written Mar. 14, 2008 / Report /
I think the type needs some work if you are going to keep it very typographically rich.
The whole design feels a bit too balanced, in that it works well but lacks some sort of rhythm to pull the eye around to appreciate other elements of the design. I think a splash of colour or a more intense navigation would help it along for sure!