WK1: BLOG RESEARCH

BLOGS

Our tutor gave some examples of blogs around the internet

below are a list of quirky sites that have sparked some inspiration:

http://cupofpea.blogspot.com/

http://littlebrownmushroom.wordpress.com/

http://www.lenscratch.com/

http://www.1000wordsmag.com/

http://hotshoeblog.wordpress.com/

These are obviously all professional and i doubt we actually have to produce a site to this standard. BUT its good to bounce ideas. I can get a mind set of what layout seem to be easy on the eyes what text stands out and what colours are legible. I want to aim for a more off-the-wall design, much like "CUPOFPEA". I also love the boldness of the Alec Soth's "LITTLEBROWNMUSHROOM" I also like the idea of opening the site with a giant photo and artist names, like in another one of his site's "1000WORDSMAG" which apparently was a blog but was made into a magazine, where are "LITTLEBROWNMUSHROOM" was originally drafted from books.

Iv been browsing the internet for quite some time and have used sites such as "STUMBLEUPON" to research into more sites that i can gain information on:

http://bluepoppyjewelry.blogspot.com/

http://www.howsweeteats.com/

http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/

http://lovefolly.blogspot.com/

http://francesmaylive.blogspot.com/

http://allthedelightfulthings.blogspot.com/

I've basically found out that there is a blog for  just about anything! The fashion seems to be very cute and simplistic, white back ground with some scrawl-like sketches show on "BLUEPOPPY". Alot of illustrations, how-to's, very bright and catchy. However, the "ALLTHEDELIGHTFULTHINGS"blog is a layout I wish to avoid. The patterns are distracting,  the text is too small and hard to read against the colour scheme - the whole things just seems to clash. So yeah, a simple yet quirky design is much needed.

Iv decided to go with a blue colour scheme, as this can be bright yet easy on the eyes, with a basic layout which came with the presets of "BLOGGER." The name of the blog had to 1. not be taken 2. relate to photography and 3. match the template. "THEBLUESTAIN" as this could provide an icon or illustration to accompany the name as well structure the colour scheme  to work continuously run through out the blog. It also relate to chemicals involved in  developing and printing processes in the darkrooms using toners & bleach. I designed a logo on Photoshop using ink blots I found on "GOOGLEIMAGES"  and combined them with a text downloaded from "DAFONT." This also allowed me to create a matching name badge for the site which I placed at the bottom.