“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.
matthew d lyons says
I really like the new design of the site. It’s very clean and, fittingly, minimalist. It took me a while to get used to the color of the background and font, but I found that it’s soft without making me strain. I keep toying with the font style and size on my blog. Currently, I think that it’s too small. Your new site has given me an example of typography done well.
Kudos to you for having the desire and vision, and to Brian for making your ideas come to fruition.
Brian Gardner says
Thanks so much Matthew, really appreciate your comment and kind words. I took a look at your site and do think that increasing the font size would be helpful for the reader, especially since you’ve got such a wide content column.
P.S. Love the why is the site called “my name is not matt?” story on your About page!
joshua becker says
All credit to Brian for finding the font. I think it looks amazing in the brown and softer than flat black.
Brian Gardner says
Can I say “I told you so, Joshua?” #grins
K.H. says
I appreciate any and all measures that make a website easier to read. Great job!
Linda@Creekside says
cool . crisp . spacious . serene
joshua becker says
Beautiful words. They make me smile. Thanks for using them.
Sandi says
True to form…
Paul Kenney (Canada) says
Totally agree – the new design is clean, simple and easy to navigate. Agree the font size might be a tad too big, but love how easy it is to read. Thanks and keep up the amazing work. I have recommended your sight and FB page to many, many friends. Your message is certainly resonating with so many in this ever-increasing chaotic world we live in. Namaste
joshua becker says
Thanks for helping to spread the inspiration Paul. The message of minimalism expands most effectively the old-fashioned way: through conversations with trusted friends.
Jazzy says
Very nice! Very minimalist if I might add!
Kush Sharma says
The first feeling I got when I read your announcement on Facebook was that it’ll be one of those modern themes where you have to keep scrolling down. Thankfully, it isn’t.
Kudos to you for making the original even better, yet keeping its essence. Font size is something I’ve struggled with on my blogs. I still feel that the size you had before this was the perfect one. This one seems a tad too big. Still a great looking theme. Cheers.
joshua becker says
Thanks for the feedback Kush. Font size is one of the common themes I’m seeing in these comments (both good and bad).
And themes that eternally scroll down were never an option. Sounds like we’re on the same page there.
Tim says
Thx for your posts….before the economic downturn I downsized because of divorce to take care of my son and it turned out to simplify was one of the best things that happened in my life also others who lived simply before the downturn are doing much better than others who have too much who cannot sustain what they havethose who were living simply and low that or debt free are now doing far better and living with in more peace then others that I run into in my many business contacts
Neil Azavedo says
Joshua this is what it means to walk the talk. The new design is spot on with your goals.
Minimalist web designs give the readers a feel of reading a book. Thats the best part of it in my opinion.
Great Move..
Diana says
Two thumbs up.
joshua becker says
“Like you are reading a book.” Nice thought.
Carl says
Love the new look Joshua!
The updates make for a cleaner, simpler and pleasing reading experience but it still feels very much Becoming Minimalist.
I’ve been an admirer of Brian’s own site design for some time and visiting his site always makes me feel there is more to strip away on my own (keeping in mind I write about simpler living I should have a simple site design!).
Great work and I look forward to using the new and improved site!
joshua becker says
Glad you like it Carl. Cleaner and simpler was on the top of our list for things to accomplish. As you mention, Brian does that very well.