Blog Design: Jodi Michelle
I get asked for quotes on blog redesigns quite a bit. Because I am not a web developer or coder I always offer an estimate for the design of blog elements (such as a header and sidebar buttons) as well as a styling recommendation for fonts and photo treatments.
Jodi hired me a while back to rebrand her blog. Jodi had been blogging for over 10 years and was ready to elevate the design of her site - to have a custom look and feel that represented the words and stories she tells. Jodi writes candidly about being a wife and a parent - wading through a complicated world. She is spiritual, curious and sometimes a "mess of emotions" (her words, not mine) - but her love for her children never wavers. Jodi is loyal to her blog readers - always offering up DIY projects and recipes. And her readers are loyal back - always appreciating the stories Jodi has to tell - from her brutal honesty to the more lighthearted side of life. 
I started by designing the blog header. After discussing creative direction with Jodi I really took the time to become acquainted with the content and stories she tells on her blog. I was especially inspired when Jodi said this to me in an email: "Being mindful is a huge part of what I do on a day to day basis and that living inside of these personal boundaries comes all kinds of freedoms and joy.” I knew that I wanted to use real-life textures - like notebook paper and watercolor. Even though Jodi's blog exists online her stories often feel as if they could be written in a personal journal or letter. I wanted to contrast those textures with a blocky typeface - I ended up drawing an alphabet specifically for this project. Another fun tidbit: I used an actual sample of Jodi's handwriting for the subhead "i tell stories" - making it that much more personal and real. 
After nailing down the look and feel by designing the header I moved on to the sidebar button designs and an overall recommendation for layout and post styling. I advised for a streamlined, clean layout - but as Jodi worked with a web developer to implement my design they ended up going in a different direction with the overall layout of the site. 
This project was really fun to work on. Jodi was a really rad client and at times when she started to feel nervous about certain things she trusted me to listen to her and use my expertise to guide her in the right direction.
See more at Jodi's blog here.
LOVE IT. Very nicely done. xo.
i'm so glad you posted this. i have been wanting to ask you to do this for me for some time now, but i'm having trouble coming up w/ creative direction.
it looks great, kathleen!
Lauren / Naurnie - It's less about creative direction and kind of getting an overall idea of what you're all about. Very rarely does anyone come to me with specific requests when it comes to the design execution.
Nicole - Thanks, you!
Do your clients already have a web developer, or do you recommend a developer to use?
P.S. I have to give you some credit as an inspiration--I've decided in my short career that I already know I want to be a freelance designer, and made the commitment to myself that this summer, I'm going for it. My "corporate" design job ends May 27th, and after that I am striking out! Thank you for blogging about it, I know there will be mountains to climb but that taking it one step at a time, I can climb them!
Kristin - I have a web developer that I use but usually my costs + his are way too expensive for the kinds of clients I attract (personal blogs, small business, etc.).
So when I offer a "blog elements" package it requires either the user hire a developer or implement the graphic themselves.
Congrats on going for the freelance life! I'm so flattered that I inspired you a little bit. I hope you're super successful!
Okay, you actually inspired me a LOT, lol! I was doing both design & code for websites (and this summer I seem to have taken on a few projects that would include doing both, lol) but when I'm all started up, I am only going to offer design. I have to design for my coding abilities, which does not leave me much room for creativity. And though it seems web is where it's at, my plan is to focus on print and museum exhibit design. Very niche-y!
Thank you for working so hard at this blog and being so open to us little guys! I'm looking forward to being as successful as you!
Thanks, Kristin! I think it's really great to have a general understanding of what can and cannot be done when designing for web but definitely avoid watering down your talent by spending any time doing something you're not the best at or are not passionate about.
Best of luck to you! Keep me updated!
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