Saturday, October 24, 2015

Did You Notice? EPBOT (Mini) SITE OVERHAUL!!

You guys, John haz a sad, because no one has mentioned all his GLORIOUS work tweaking the Epbot site design lately.

This is totally John right now. Don't let him tell you otherwise.

Granted, we were pretty much aiming to make the changes so subtle that no one would notice/mind, but what can I say? Men are fickle.

So now I'm going to painstakingly point out all the slight differences, just so you can compliment my husband and also Aric, our web guru dude (gurude? Duru?), and maybe even me, if you count nit-pickiness and demands for a "more cheerful orange" as a contribution.

So first, we added those oh-so-subtle gray sidebar backgrounds:


...to help the content section "pop."

Next Aric embiggened the header design and gave my social media buttons an overhaul:



Then we futzed around with brightening the Epbot title:

... which looked terrible at first.

Until:


AHAAA SUCCESS.

Bigger, bolder, cheerful-er.

And I'm really digging the darker outline on the 'bot.


All together, now: THANKS JOHN! (AND ALSO ARIC!)
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49 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 24, 2015 at 1:28 PM

    THANKS JOHN! (AND ALSO ARIC!)

    I have to say that the only reason I didn't notice is that I'm always so eager to get into the post and read all the awesome stuff and look at all the excellent photos that I scroll down so fast that the header is just a blur. But, yep, when you show me the before and after, then I can definitely see that it is much improved and more glorious and more cheerful and brightened and bolder. So, thanks for the good work, John and Aric! And, Jen, the shade of orange is perfect!

    KW

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 25, 2015 at 7:45 PM

      I'll second this response!!! I love the changes, I'm just several posts behind and couldn't wait to catch up! Sorry, John ... it really does look great!!!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 24, 2015 at 1:49 PM

    Thanks, John and Aric!

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  3. UnknownOctober 24, 2015 at 1:56 PM

    Thank you John, Aric, and Jen

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  4. AnonymousOctober 24, 2015 at 1:57 PM

    I didn't notice because I read this on Feedly and rarely come to the actual site. Sorry. Nice job, however.

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  5. salamanda76October 24, 2015 at 2:03 PM

    Same here. I usually read both this and Cake Wrecks through my Feedly reader and only usually come over directly if I have a comment. Like today! So yes, it looks lovely. Nicely done.

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  6. bridgetwhoplaysfrenchhornOctober 24, 2015 at 2:20 PM

    Looks great! And I love the orange color.

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  7. Ally WajdaOctober 24, 2015 at 2:48 PM

    The site is AWESOME, guys! I didn't notice at first because I was making costume pants for a ren-faire for my fiance.... I was sleep crafting the first go-around, too because I made his pants out of burlap thinking it was linen. So I had to re-make with another fabric from my stash. So I made another pair within hours. And I have another pair to make for Halloween/RI ComicCon.... but awesome job on the site. I love it - I always do. The fun, the cool, the geekiness, the love! You guys always brighten my day - now it's literal, too!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. D.B. EchoOctober 24, 2015 at 3:01 PM

    Capital work! An outstanding job! Clearly, the most dramatic yet subtle series of tweaks to a website seen in this or any century! Huzzah!

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  9. Megan MOctober 24, 2015 at 3:44 PM

    Something's different... DID YOU GET A HAIRCUT? ;)

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  10. FMOctober 24, 2015 at 3:49 PM

    A sign of great design is that it just works beautifully without being so disruptive that it takes away from the content of the web page. Or at least, so says my graphic designer husband and he's usually right. Very nice job, you guys!

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  11. EmilyOctober 24, 2015 at 4:06 PM

    Thanks John (thoJ) ! And Aric! It's the little things.

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownOctober 24, 2015 at 4:17 PM

    Good work! :) however, if I may, just a little remark: I browse on Firefox with AdBlock Plus activated (sorry if that hurts your ad revenue), and I have noticed that the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter buttons don't show properly: I only see solid (pretty!) orange buttons when ABP is activated. They work fine when I click on them, it's just that there are no white icons inside the buttons.
    Switching off ABP brings them back though - I don't think this is supposed to work like this, is it?
    (Btw, I can see RSS and Pinterest icons fine with or without ABP)
    I usually see those kind of buttons properly - I thought I should let you know, just in case it's an unwanted bug!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JenOctober 25, 2015 at 11:11 AM

      Innnnteresting. Thanks for letting me know - I'll pass this along to Aric.

      Delete
    2. john (the hubby of Jen)October 25, 2015 at 12:40 PM

      Hi. So one of the optional features of Adblock Plus is the ability to block social media buttons. It's called Fanboy's Social Blocking List. If you have that enabled, those three middle buttons won't show up. You can disable it in the add-ons manager if you really care. Honestly, I never really saw the point in blocking a Facebook button but maybe it bothers some people. Anyway, thanks for the heads up. -j

      Delete
  13. MadTigerKittyOctober 24, 2015 at 4:22 PM

    Thanks for pointing it out. I logged on and thought the page was brighter. I especially like the gray sidebar because it does make the content section pop. It's like a lovely spring cleaning, well done!!

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  14. klavoieOctober 24, 2015 at 4:41 PM

    As someone who lives in the 'can you make it bluer but not too blue' world, I tip my hat to you, John!

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousOctober 24, 2015 at 9:36 PM

    It does look nicer! But one thing in case you haven't noticed - the O in Epbot sits lower than the other letters, and it makes the whole thing look wonky. (I didn't notice until you got us looking, but if you're seeking perfection... :) )

    ReplyDelete
  16. BrandyOctober 25, 2015 at 12:57 AM

    Liking the new look, but I have a small issue... (And it pains me to mention it because I don't want to be a bother.) I read on my iPad and now I can't expand the page to make the print (don't tell my hubs because I pick on him about holding things so far away to read them now :) ) larger to to take w closer look at your lovely pictures. If I try the page snaps back to the original.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. john (the hubby of Jen)October 25, 2015 at 12:29 PM

      That's weird. I just tried it on my iPhone using Safari and some third party apps and it seems to work fine. Are you using another program?

      Delete
  17. TenkoOctober 25, 2015 at 4:22 AM

    It's hard to notice on my phone, but it does look better, especially those social media buttons.

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  18. Luisa in DallasOctober 25, 2015 at 8:59 AM

    Nice (subtle) job, John and Aric! And Jen, for picking just the right orange, of course.

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownOctober 25, 2015 at 9:22 AM

    Thanks, John and Aric! A sign of good web design is when you make changes and no one complains! :) The changes Jen pointed out are about making the website "more" Epbot, and not changing it fundamentally (thank goodness). This is my safe place on the internet, and I wouldn't want it changed drastically. Great job, guys! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. SusieOctober 25, 2015 at 10:40 AM

    I did notice I swear! But I pointed it out to my sister, and she said she didn't notice anything, I thought I was just going insane, so I didn't mention it.

    Imma go rub her face in it now.

    ReplyDelete
  21. freebird7100October 25, 2015 at 10:58 AM

    Hey John and Aric, something looks different. Did you change your hair? Hmm, I know I got it you lost weight? Hmm, oh I see it, you got a new sleeker header! So awesome! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  22. MoeOctober 25, 2015 at 1:03 PM

    Oooh. Ahhh. Eeee!

    Thanks John and Aric!

    (Honestly, this site always looks so fab. You guys make some million-dollar websites look cheap!)

    ReplyDelete
  23. sandraOctober 25, 2015 at 1:14 PM

    Nice work, John & Aric. I really like the Epbot banners that you have been putting on CakeWrecks, too!

    ReplyDelete
  24. UnknownOctober 25, 2015 at 1:43 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  25. UnknownOctober 25, 2015 at 1:45 PM

    Cheers to you all, it is very subtle and nicely done!!
    The change I noticed but didn't comment on was the gray sidebars. I don't do a lot online, I read very few blogs (Cakewrecks & Epot are 2 of the 3), and i know ZERO about webpage design, so I just thought it was something Blogspot changed. I didn't realize until this post how much control the actual blogger(s) gets to have over the design of their own page.
    My initial and only thought was "oh the sides changed a little" and I carried on reading the blog as normal.
    I don't do social media and I always scroll immediately to the post, so I didn't notice the header or social media buttons had changed.
    But now that they've been brought to my attention, I do love the new orange, the larger size, and the outline of the 'bot. -

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sara McDOctober 25, 2015 at 7:08 PM

    I'm not sure if this is because of the re-do or if my computer suddenly just stinks but recently your entire site has started flickering for me. I don't think it's my end because this is the only place it happens. Sometimes it stops for no apparent reason and sometimes it stops if I reload the page. It's happening now... woah I'm dizzy.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Robin JKOctober 25, 2015 at 8:55 PM

    The new robot is adorbs! And the whole thing really looks nice. Thanks John and Aric!

    ReplyDelete
  28. TracyOctober 25, 2015 at 9:53 PM

    I read everything in feedly, and I'm sure everyone else does too so that's why no one noticed all of John's hard work ;) It looks great though!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Capn BadgerOctober 26, 2015 at 1:55 AM

    ...and thus did it come to pass that the eyes of the blind were opened, and as they looked up the heavens parted revealing to us, we poor lesser beings, that once again the hand of John had descended from on high to bless us with his glorious work (and Jen pointed it out to us)

    It looks very nice, buddy. You are well renowned for your quality craftsmanship, and this is no exception. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousOctober 26, 2015 at 9:23 AM

    THANKS JOHN! (AND ALSO ARIC!)
    I actually did notice a couple of these changes, but in my enjoyment of the content forgot to mention it. Good job, guys!
    Maureen S

    ReplyDelete
  31. SamOctober 26, 2015 at 10:09 AM

    John - a good web designer's work gets noticed. But GREAT Web Designer's work should go unnoticed because you understand subtle. A very difficult thing to teach people. So as A Costume Designer to a Web Designer - job well done.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Holly DenghelOctober 26, 2015 at 11:50 AM

    Thanks husband John ... and Aric ... And Jen. :)

    Sorry. I probably noticed it looked nice but had no idea what had changed.

    ReplyDelete
  33. JennOctober 26, 2015 at 12:16 PM

    Fantastic updates! Huzzah!

    ReplyDelete
  34. AnonymousOctober 26, 2015 at 2:12 PM

    Aha! Glad you pointed it out! It took the before and after shots to really appreciate the new look fully! Love it! Keep up the great work, y'all! Epbot is my happy spot on the internet and never fails to make me smile! - Jo

    ReplyDelete
  35. Laura P.October 26, 2015 at 5:51 PM

    THANKS JOHN!! AND ARIC! Very nice updates, and great job on being so subtle we didn't notice. ;-) Honestly, even if this site was the least pretty blog on the internet, we'd still come and read because of the content. But it does look really nice, so, well done! And I'm sorry we're not more observant. Please stop with the sad kitty face.

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  36. RonjaOctober 26, 2015 at 9:42 PM

    So pretty!! Good job everyone! (I love posts like this, btw. It's like learning a secret!)

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  37. LisaOctober 26, 2015 at 11:07 PM

    I noticed! And thought I was crazy. Or just hadn't really payed any attention before.

    ReplyDelete
  38. BeckDuerOctober 27, 2015 at 4:05 PM

    I mostly read on my phone, so I hadn't noticed it, but now that I've seen it on the computer, I really like it!

    ReplyDelete
  39. UnknownOctober 27, 2015 at 8:08 PM

    Thanks John!! & the Duru!!

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  40. The Harper FamilyOctober 27, 2015 at 11:00 PM

    THANKS JOHN AND ARIC!!! AND JEN!! :) Whew, sorry for the yelling. :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. CarolOctober 28, 2015 at 3:06 PM

    It looks awesome! Great job guys!!

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  42. KimNovember 9, 2015 at 12:31 PM

    I love the changes! They are so good that they seem to affect the site in a very positive way subconsciously. It's not the kind of change that's too jarring!! Thanks!! :D

    ReplyDelete

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