You might have noticed a change

When I switched to WordPress from Ghost I knew I’d spend a lot of time adding plugins and editing the theme instead of actually writing, but I think my distractions have been for the better. If you’re reading this then you’re already starting to explore the new website. But here’s a quick run down.

New logo

Thanks to the ultra talented Yan Gabriella we have a smashing new logo and outlook on life.

Although it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to the old “Disney princess” cover image (also made by Yan), the new logo radiates youthful energy yet is grown-up enough to support tough topics like suicide and sex, which is the main reason for the redesign.

The previous logo—although gorgeous—seemed to distract from the seriousness of the tougher issues. Even though the people who read this blog are young, they deserve to have a space that is adult enough to handle all topics and questions.

But the old logo is not gone for good. I just can’t bring myself to completely erase every trace of the image, so the subscription page will still be graced with its beauty.

New website

Yeeeesss it is similar to the old website, but I simplified it! I’m still working on editing the colors and fonts but, God willing, the design you see now will be Windmill Ways new face.

• The featured posts that used to be at the top became related posts under each entry.
• The website opened up with lots of white space (so shiny) so your eyes can take a breather.
• And as always, no annoying adsense ads. I may one day open a pateron account in case you want to help me stop surviving on Ramen and pizza…

Interestingly, if you find this kind of thing interesting, switching to the simple-er theme actually made my website slower. So I tried a bunch of new tools, compressed some acronymns, and deleted excess so my site speed went from 8 out of 100 to a lighting fast 22!

Okay…so that’s still pretty slow. But for an amateur blog with tons of graphics, I’m happy with it for now.

New newsletter

The newsletter had not been redesigned since I started it in 2016. Seriously…the first one looks the same as the last one I sent.

But not anymore! Your eyes should now enjoy and “open concept” email that has been chiseled to reveal something like Michaelangelo’s David underneath.

If you’re not getting my newsletters in your inbox…

I’m a regular person with a regular newsletter. Why should you care about signing up? TBH, I’m not sure I can answer that question. I’d be notoriously bias. But every day I pick through thousands of stories to write. I pray and meditate, pick the one weighing most heavily on my heart, stare at the blinking cursor until it magically converts into words, and sporadically share them here.

Sure, you could check in daily or whenever you think of it, but the best way to know when something new and exciting was just added is to get it from your inbox.*

*Shameless self-plug

Thank you for reading about web design! It’s a neglected corner of our society. Click the button above to sign up and support a blogger near you.* 😉

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I’ve been waiting to share this video since it was shared with me in my International History of Animation class (yes that’s a thing). Since we’re talking about change, now seems like as good a time as any. Enjoy!