Prob. stupidest question ever: which layout do you prefer?

I have a blog on literature, personal fiction and book reviews, and I've been changing it periodically since I started it, which is fun, oh yes, but creates confusion for everyone else.

I want to portrait tenderness, sweetness and femininity but without forgetting seriousness (aka I don't want it to look like a teenager's blog).

These are screen shots I just took, but of course I would have to make some amends to make everything fit properly, it's just an outline.

#1: Simple, violetish, easy-to-read. Maybe boring.
#2: This was my first layout, the photo is mine and I think it's pretty original. Problem is, I think the background my take the attention from the photos I put on each post and from the photo of the cover of the book I'm currently reading I put on the side.
#3: This is my current layout, but I think it's maybe too simple.
#4: Maybe too cute? And I got bored of the polka dots.

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14 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree that #2 is getting a bit too busy. My issue with #3 and 4 is that the photo at the top is so long that the page content is getting pushed down to where you can't even see the full image illustrating your current blog post, so the viewer has to scroll down to start reading. I like those simple layouts though. Maybe there is a solution combining the image from #2 and the layout from 3/4?

(I am a graphic designer by training but specialized in book and print design, not web!)

modgrl

I really like 3, I think it's easy to read and not too busy. I get a little sick when seeing a lot of things going on on the same page, especially if any of them are scrolling or moving pictures.

I know what you mean, Rita! Airin, I do like that you're keeping all of these on the simple and clean side. I see a lot of blogs that are poorly designed and hard to read (so many people succumb to the temptation to add all the bells and whistles just because they CAN), and you're doing a good job of keeping it simple but attractive. Not always easy to do!

Queen Mum

I vote #3. Interesting, but clean and inviting.
I do like #4 as well...

Parsley

My take:

Number 1 is easy to read, but too forgettable.

#2 is too busy and distracting

#3 looks great

#4 is my favorite, because the polka dot border makes it distinctive, without getting in the way of the content. You could change the border from time to time for variety.

Irene

Wow, parsley, I like the idea of changing the color and pattern scheme so it's not so boring to me too, without changing the whole blog!

I can imagine changing the border according to your mood, the season, or the content. Is it hard to do?

Now I want to brush up on my Spanish so I can read it better!

rute

another vote for 3!

CocoLion

I prefer 1 and 3. I didn't know you had a blog! I wish I knew Spanish.

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