“Design creates culture.” —Robert L. Peters
Becoming Minimalist is newly designed with version 4.0. If you are reading this post via email, I encourage you to see the new design by clicking here. You will be glad you did.
Before I go any further, I need to thank Brian Gardner for the new theme. Brian is a talented designer who took my ideas, but also encouraged me to consider new ones. I’m excited to have him as Becoming Minimalist’s web designer. And proud to call him friend.
Becoming Minimalist’s previous theme was launched almost four years ago. Since then, there have been a lot of changes. Our readership has grown from 30,000 visitors/month to 350,000 visitors/month. We’ve written books, launched newsletters, and created speaking pages. We’ve added social proof and sharing buttons. Things got cluttered. We were long overdue for a change.
Our goal was to create a new website specifically designed to enhance the reader’s experience. To accomplish this:
- We incorporated a cleaner, simpler webpage with fewer distractions.
- We introduced a wider, easier-to-read font package via Typekit.
- We utilized the same color-scheme throughout the entire site.
- Our new Genesis framework is more lightweight and secure than our previous theme for a more enjoyable user experience.
- We built a mobile-responsive design for tablets and smartphones.
- We optimized the design for Retina display.
- We accomplished much needed house cleaning on the back-end of the site.
I believe each of the changes will be appreciated by both new and returning visitors.
Indeed, we have made significant changes to the site. And yet, Becoming Minimalist has not lost its unique voice. Our logo and colors remain the same. Our writing voice has not changed. And our passion is as strong today as the day we launched this site.
Becoming Minimalist exists to inspire others to find more life by owning less. And this passion will never change.
I am curious to know your thoughts on the new design. Please, leave them in the comment section below.
And if you get a chance, send Brian Gardner a tweet (@bgardner) thanking him for his hard work.
Robinson says
Greetings from Brazil. Reading your posts has just become more comfortable. That counts a lot. Congratulations, Joshua and Brian.
joshua becker says
That does a count a lot. The reader experience was the one thing we considered above everything else.
Dona B says
Ahhhhhhh………so much easier on the eyes. I always look forward to reading your posts with a hot cup of tea and a blanket. This seems to make it an even more calming for me.
Maggie says
So much easier to read. It is my inspiration each morning as I have my coffee. What a peaceful way to start the day. Thank you.
Susan B. Randolph says
Thank you for updating site. This is an added measure to making your message heard visually. Mostly thank you for your inspiration. Making a change in my life for good.
Julianne McDevitt says
The font is perfect ! Just the right size for these 55yr old eyes ! And btw, your blog is daily inspiration for me as I navigate the life I am meant to live !
Nelce says
Adorei o novo design, ficou clean… como deve ser. Parabéns!
joan says
I agree with the complements already made and I love this font size.
sarah says
I am so happy to see the new website layout. It is minimalism put into action. Easy to read, comforting to the eyes, and best of all, no real distractions. Love the website!
joshua becker says
Thanks Sarah.
EmmaMT from CakesBakesAndCookies.com says
Love it!
Anja says
I love the new design – it’s much cleaner and less distracting. I’ve always loved the content, but used Readability to clean up the text. I no longer need to do that now!