Smashing WordPress: Beyond the Blog

Tagged Syntagma

The Moneyizor Network Magazine just launched, with design from yours truly. It’s based on the previous network magazine designs (Allusionz, LifeTimes and 21st-Century Phi) that I made for Syntagma way back. John wanted Moneyizor green since it’s all about money and things like that, and who am I to argue when he comes running with his wad of notes?! Also, I like green.

Moneyizor screenshot

Pretty sober design, as it should be when money’s involved if you ask me. Check out Moneyizor and read John’s launch post over at the Syntagma blog.

Just a short break from my Away status:

Syntagma Media just got updated to the WP-Syntagma template I’m doing for them. Also, Stage Latest shows how a site in the Allusionz network magazine looks. Over the coming months you’ll most likely see upgrades to the complete Syntagma network, 50 or so sites…

I have a few things left to do with these templates, including squashing some nasty IE6-ness, but then it’s all up to John & Co. I’m sure he’ll do nicely.

Expect a more in-depth look at why I did the way I did with these templates in the near future.

Away-state continues…

As you might know, I did the network magazine design for Syntagma Media, and they turned out nicely with increase of traffic, good vibes and all. Now I’ve officially started to work on the new Syntagma network template that will be rolled out all over the 50 or so blogs under the Syntagma banner.

John posted about it here, so I’m lifting the lid as well. The goal is to do something that fits for a wide range of types of blogs, matches the network templates, and looks good of course. I have a bunch of ideas as always.

In other news, I’m hoping to re-design my own blog in February. It’s way due since it isn’t ideal for what I want to do with it (always have big plans, good tip) nor for promoting my services as a designer and blogger.

LifeTimes screenshotI’m pleased to announce the launch of the third and final (for now) network magazine that I’ve made for Syntagma Media: LifeTimes.

A brownish red is the color theme for LifeTimes. I wanted to do it in green first, but couldn’t quite get it to work the way I wanted. Actually, I could, but I’ve used that particular color scheme for one of the upcoming blogs in my own network, and I felt both these project deserved their own identities, so we went with this one. Or rather, it could have been a bit greenish, but John lost his lunch from my first go at it so I refrained from pushing it…

As usual, John has a launch post up over at the Syntagma Media blog.

So what’s next? Well, we’ve made a few additions to all three magazines already, an editor’s note feature. A few more tidbits and all three magazines are done. Sweet.

I’ll have to poll you guys to see which of the three you like best.

AllusionzIf you’re interested in the blogosphere, you have no doubt heard about Syntagma Media. The owner John Evans has spoken extensively about his upcoming magazine concept.

Well, it’s here, and I did it for him.

Introducing the first version of Allusionz, the network magazine within the Syntagma Network. Take a look, and read John’s launch post over at the Syntagma blog.

I first spoke to John about the Allusionz project after the interview over at Bloggertalks. He liked the design of the site, and after a few mails back and forth he hired me for Allusionz. I’ll also do the upcoming magazines, which of course build upon the same platform.

I can’t wait to see the reactions in the blogosphere. If all else, it’s a huge step from what I guess people would expect from Syntagma, knowing their design history.

Speaking of design, I just published a new interview over at Bloggertalks, with überdesigner Chris Pearson. Interesting read if you ask me.

Now I’m off for a full 24 hours or so, heading for a Slayer concert and intake of beer. I can’t wait to check the inbox as well as the feed reader.

Oh, by the way. I am for hire, and have dedicated a page about it. Don’t be a stranger.