“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.
Ruth Barringham says
I love the new design. I don’t know why it looks so good and works so well, but it just does. If that makes sense…
Bette says
I absolutely love the new design — it is clean, simple, elegant, and, well…uncluttered!
I’m interested in the photo you chose for this inaugural post. I see the clouds, the sky, the intriguing quote…and then my eyes notice the contrail of a jet passing through. As an engineer, I wonder if you’re commenting on technology and design? Just curious.
joshua becker says
I’d say that about sums it up. For starters, the colors look good on the theme. The clouds and blue skies communicate open spaces—something important to our design. And for me, the plane in the distance represented technology marching on, ever-expanding. Technology offers significant benefit to our lives. But may it never crowd out the things that matter most.
Jeff Pope says
Looks great Joshua. Looking forward to more writings from you in the future!
Liz Smith says
So easy on the eye. I love that I am not distracted by anything other than your excellent content!
Leonard says
Same here, I really like it. Of course it follows the design of other minimalist writers, but that´s not a bad thing. I just love a clean design like this.
Kate says
Nice look!
joshua becker says
Thanks Kate!
Brooks Palmer says
I like the simpler design. There are less distractions. Thanks for making it a more peaceful experience.
Pam says
I like the new design. Very uncluttered and easy on the eyes. My only comment is that after reading your post, I have to scroll back up to the top to click on the comments. Is there a way to put a comments link at the bottom of the post?
joshua becker says
That is a very insightful observation Pam. Thanks.
Toni says
Love the new look. I am older and really appreciate an un-cluttered site. Now if we could just get some other websites to follow suit.
Thank you & Brian
Jay Williams says
Hi Joshua, I am loving the new design. I have followed your blog for quite sometime as I started exploring a minimalist lifestyle. It makes perfect sense you had Brian bring your site to a new level. I own a few of his themes. Unfiltered.me and Becoming Minimalist are awesome sites. You guys are doing God’s work. Congrats