Simple vs Complex Designs
- Filed under: Tips
Designs with complex structures are typically more fun to look at, but they’re also typically more cluttered and harder to use. I find it interesting that WordPress users haven’t gotten over the “premium” news and magazine themes craze because they’re mostly designs with complex structures (and not exactly done right either).First, I admit it. This wave of WordPress themes imitating the structures of complex print magazines and online entertainment portals featuring multimedia content was a refreshing change of pace for the WordPress themes community. However, when it comes down to it, they look good, but aren’t really useful. And of course, I’m not an exception. Yours truly is also guilty of jumping on the news portal slash magazine design bandwagon here.Second, I have to point out that in a battle between simple versus complex for magazine sites, simple beats the heck out of complex.(Milo brought the magazine designs ranking to my attention a while ago, but I didn’t think too much of it until now. The rankings are based on one-on-one battles between magazine designs on a site called Command Shift 3. It’s basically Hot or Not for web design instead of people.)The number 1 design is from A List Apart, which uses a simple three column layout. Also, the closer to the top of the rankings the simpler the structure. Interesting?Granted, typical “premium” news or magazine themes (at the moment) are designed around multimedia content, but that doesn’t mean you can’t simplify the layout structure. My point here is you don’t need a featured post, a gallery, a top articles listing, and etc., each with its own unique template structure; all sitting on one page.Design around your content and make your site look unique, but at the same time you should simplify where you can and go with what works. For example, blog readers expect to find the RSS subscribe button at the top right hand corner or at the top of the right sidebar. Why is that? No one said that’s the best spot, but it’s “what-works” because many popular blogs place the subscribe button there.
Gotta disagree with you on this one, SP. It’s obvious that when your site is a daily article generator, then sure a simple 2-3 column layout like ALA is great.
But if you have a good amount of content generated frequently, or if you have lots of archived content that needs to be showcased somehow, then the complex “problogger-esque” layout really does the trick quite nicely. Not many of the magazine themes are quite as easy to navigate as the problogger theme (Revolution news comes pretty close), so there’s still a “holy grail” layout that has yet to be delivered.
But, regardless of the fact that I do believe complex (but easy to navigate) homepage layouts work best in some instances, you and I probably agree that this isn’t the reason they are selling.
They’re selling because they’re different than the majority of the themes that are offered for free, and because they take a bit longer to develop. Because the community can’t get that many good magazine/news themes for free, they are willing to pay for them. It’s all about supply and demand.
Exactly Nathan : - )
The selling factor sums up to “Oh not everyone has that !”.
Regarding content management and displaying your content effectively in homepage and popular landing pages, it really does not matter.
One can simply do it with the classic WordPress theme - those who know how to. Those who doesn’t, some premium themes just makes it a *little* easier for them.
WordPress is simple - not essentially as big and complex like Joomla, that it would require a lot of knowledge to figure things out.
I pray that everyone finds this site out and start customizing the default WordPress theme
@Nathan - I agree. They’re different and that’s why people want them.
As for the other point, none of us is going to be satisfied until some sort of test result settles it :), I’ll whip something up for problogger when I have time, but not today.
Today, I have to finish up WPD 10 and hop on the next theme to be released this week.
@Ehab - The default theme has a security bug.
Taken from the standpoint of the theme designer/editor, you’re probably right, they are too complex for the typical WP installation.
But I think the rise of all the news/magazine themes has more to do with WordPress coming out out of its shell as a lowly blog engine and into the light as a viable CMS platform. Granted, its not a Drupal or Joomla, but given how complex those applications are, WP is definitely filling a niche.
Put another way, I think the rise of magazine themes has less to do with a shift in the WP Theme market, and more to do with its expansion. It is with these themes that WP is coming into its own as a viable CMS.
For me. I love simple design and clean.
I love complex designs. It’s professional. I hate seeing to much empty space on a website.
Jordan - When we look at a design, we analyze it like it’s art… unlike the average user. I think that’s why you like complex designs.
I’m waiting for the new release this week as well :- ) and thanks for the tip on Kubrick - damn !
Simple wins every time…especially when you’re NOT a “vector-art ninja” like me:)
Btw, Nice tip on putting the RSS subscribe button in the upper right. I use feedburner (like many) but it’s commented out right now as having “0″ subscribers looks kinda lonely.
there’s obivously two sides to this story and choosing one style over another is always going to make this a subjective topic.
I agree what you have to say about designing around your content to make your site look more unique. But you can only do so much with a “news/magazine” style website to make it look unique. Ultimately its going to have to display pretty much what every other other news/magazine style website has to display. (As far as elements are concerned, not the design look)
Now if a personal blogger tries to use this same approach, that’s totally different since a news/magazine style isnt going to be the most effective approach to take for their type of blog.
I think “premium” news/magazine style websites are the first of many premium type themes to come as there’s many more audiences to cater to.
BTW, can’t wait to see the new design!
Although the title is Simple vs Complex Designs, this discussion is more along the lines of simple vs complex layouts/structures.
While the minimalistic, grungy, collage, and etc. looks are subjective, I don’t think the same can be said about simple vs complex structures.
Even if a magazine or blog requires an unusually complex layout, my point here is the simplest out of all your complex layout possibilities will be the best.
do you still sell hosting? If so, let’s rock.
Chris - I temporarily blocked all new sign ups for hosting because I’m focused on the themes club at the moment.
Simplicity is only good when done and designed right with colours, textures etc. A too simply design with wrong choices is actually worse than a poor complex design.
But yes generally simplicity is better
New Design is up! Looking smooth!
not too sure about the logo, but I guess I’ll get use to it
WOAH! New design is up… and is looking G-REAT! I also am seconding the “not sure” about the logo/robot or the font. But this is MUCH better than the white one you had. Based on your last two themes, you must really like brown and red together. hah
Oooh, i like the new design! I was browsing the net and decided to check if yo had finished your new design and wala here it is!
this new design is incredible
Thanks guys, it’s not complete yet though.
Nice to see that you have skinned your blog with a Brand new design.. Nice colour schemes , Totaly different from your past White schemes.. I like this
[…] Then there’s Pat Dryburgh’s site which takes the idea to comical extremes. Recently WPDesigner commented: “…Blog readers expect to find the RSS subscribe button at the top right hand corner or […]
[…] Then there’s Pat Dryburgh’s site which takes the idea to comical extremes. Recently WPDesigner commented: “…Blog readers expect to find the RSS subscribe button at the top right hand corner or […]
[…] WPDesigner » Simple vs Complex Designs: Designs with complex structures are typically more fun to look at, but they’re also typically more cluttered and harder to use. I find it interesting that WordPress users haven’t gotten over the “premium” news and magazine themes craze because they’re mostly designs with complex structures (and not exactly done right either). […]
[…] Small Potato: a) provides a preview of his tenth WPDesigner theme, to give an idea of what to expect for his future club themes b) berates careless paid theme designers who fail to check whether any external code they’re using in their themes is licensed for commercial use c) discusses the merits of simple vs complex designs […]
I think for me simple design is ok but youe comlex design is interesting.i will try to use it in my blogs.
Who the fuck is this tosser ?
Mate you don’t get it AT ALL. Simple fact you brought out a site for MONEY ONLY
means your clearly don’t get it at all.
This is a disgrace! and it makes me ill
Well it matter’s not because clearly you have a lesson to learn. Don’t try to buy your way into our world
Now go piss off, you haven’t the slightest clue
I love simple design and clean but i will try it.
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I love simple design.
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I love simple design.
nice design
great design
gr8 article!!
its rocking!!
excellent
it works..
excellent
nice work..
its working
Its’ a case of each to their own. Some people will prefer simple designs while others go for a more complex look. If people are prepared to buy themes then why not, as long as they think they are getting a deal then that’s all that matters. Simple - complex if the user and the owner are happy then so be it.