I realized that redesigning the blog periodically is as important to me as the actual creation of content. Designing this blog is part of my creative expression, and therefore an essential part of my creative process. I guess that’s why, when I was feeling drained and uninspired at the beginning of this year, I kinda knew that it was time for some design therapy around here.
So here we are.
Inspiration & Brand Board
Living room / Wall / House Plants / Desk
I didn’t want to change a lot of things from last year’s branding, however, there were a few things I wanted to incorporate and correct, specifically the following:
- The DR in DREAMS. I’m not sure if anyone noticed in the last redesign, but the “DR” in “Chasing DReams” was actually rendered in serif while the other letters were sans serif. If you’ve been a follower of this blog for years, you know that “DR” in fact is the initials of my family’s names—”David and Rhiza” and “Dawn and Rain“. I kind of wanted to incorporate that to the logo, although it all came out cryptic. I reckon no one really gets it, especially those of you who are coming to this blog for the first time. So even if I’m sentimental like that, that little cryptic element had to go.
- Charcoal instead of that strange navy blue hue. Again, I wanted to make the brand more classic and relatable; besides, the navy blue hex I used was coming out differently across browsers and devices. A solid charcoal color, on the other hand, looks more straightforward and feels more matured.
- Clean lines and typography, geometric shapes, white spaces. More of these, yes.
Pantone Color of the Year: Serenity
As you know there are two Pantone colors for 2016, and one of them is Serenity. If it were up to me, I probably picked Serenity + a light shade of green (or maybe mint!) instead of Rose Quartz. After all, blues and greens have always been my colors.
Serenity doesn’t only look refreshing to the eyes but it’s such a beautiful and romantic word too, don’t you think? Trivia: On our wedding day, my husband serenaded me with his original composition entitled “Serenity” just before I walked down the isle. You can listen to it here if you want. ;)
I’m going to stop the talkies here now!! It’s time for another year of chasing dreams.
Happy new year to me!
So inggit; good way of inggit, that is! I wish I can also design my blog as amazing as you do. Ang ganda nito, Riz. Bagay talaga sa’yo lahat ng dine-design mo. :)
I love all your blog designs! (Chasing dreams’ and your clients’) They’re clean/minimalist, classy and very pleasing to the eyes. They say, content is king and design is queen. Your blog has both! I wish I have talent for both writing and designing. And you know, others may say that you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover but I usually stay longer in blogs with good design hehehe. Someday, when I’m ready, I dream of a blog design as nice as yours. The rose quartz version, perhaps? Haha. Happy New Year Riz! :)