When I started the Stormbirds.blog four years ago I did some basic work to make sure that it looked good in the template it was using. Since then I’ve stuck to what I know and tried not to alter the format very much. That said, it’s 2020 and a fresh coat of paint is a good thing to do now and again. Today I’m very happy to show off a new logo, slightly revised colour scheme and a new set of font choices.
As with all things web, nothing should stay the same forever and it’s always good to try new things. At the same time, I’ve heard from many of you how much you like the panel arrangement and how well that works for you so for the foreseeable future I won’t be changing the template.
Why mess with something that already works right?
There may be a few more tweaks over the near future as I try and find the right balance of what I want to see with an updated look for Stormbirds. Hopefully the new updates have a minimal effect on your enjoyment and usability of the site – if anything I hope it improves the overall look and feel! Time will tell!
Update on April 20 – I’m still tweaking what works and what doesn’t work with the new logo. I really appreciate the feedback I’ve had from all over. Change is good but it can challenge the status quo and it’s good to find balance that works. Some aspects of the new logo were working and others were not… we’ll see if the new changes stick or if there’s more work to do.
Stormbirds.blog is a living breathing site to me and so a few tweaks here and there are a good thing when I think it’s going to be for the best. When it’s not, I change it and adapt from there.
Stormbirds 
Hi, it looks too modern to me, I liked the old one better.
Anyway keep up a good work!
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Thanks Void. Funny enough, my logo inspiration is 1920’s Art Deco style. Might need some tweaks though!
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Looks good to me!
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While this is a nice look I think you should try using a light gray blue as a background and change the text to a charcoal gray really like the new logo it’s a wonderful mix between new and old just fiddle the colors a bit
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Thanks Boxcar. I’ll look at some different variations as I move forward with tweaks here and there to the blog experience. Still keeping all of the things that work!
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The template is definitely a strong point. Easy to see right away what’s going on and what you want to read. I think it’s almost a calling card for your site. Anything you do to keep that comfortable vibe is fine with me.
And at the risk of sounding like an old fart – I’m only a semi-old fart – I did like the earth tones. But I’ll adjust.
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Still tweaking things so we’ll see what the final colour arrangement ends up being. I’m liking bold colours right now so we’ll see if it sticks 😉
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Very good! I find it very coherent the redfor/bluefor palette.
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Thanks! I do like the contrasts in the colours!
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I actually really liked the previous one… Was very classic.
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Still trying to stick with a classic theme here but with a fresh approach. May keep tweaking it.
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If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Don’t fall for the kid-like ‘cult of the new’ where websites feel they must exhibit new formats to cultivate a faddish ‘cutting edge’ ambiance. Do as you wish but because you want to do it, not because you feel some need to ‘jazz up’ to hold a fickle audience. Let the idiots buy the latest expensive iPhone or switch from Facebook to instagram to twitter to zoom because it’s the latest thing.
When websites ‘upgrade’ and you must relearn a new system to get the same information I roll my eyes. I prefer the older format as the new deco logo looks like a small red cross on the name and only insiders recognize the IL2 silhouette. Given the use of “Storm” by various White Supremacy and Nazi groups and websites I think the logo should make clear it’s an aviation sim-related website.
I check here daily and value your fine posts. Please continue as you have and change only if you feel it distinctly improves your website.
Thanks,
Stephen (ex-military pilot)
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Hi Stephen,
Thanks for being a regular reader and for your comments on all of this. The reason for the change is definitely driven by my own desire to come up with some updated branding – I’ve been itching to try some new things but at the same time I’ve tried not to mess with what works. I know a great many people really like the way the site is working.
I agree that the logo isn’t quite working out the way I wanted it to. That became more apparent when I went to do social media versions of the logo. I’m going to keep working on it until I find the right balance.
Change is occasionally good even if its fraught with a few difficulties.
I really appreciate you (and everyone) weighing in on this!
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Ah, I like this! The desaturated blue w/ silver logo looks classy, and is much easier on the ol’ eyeball than the vivid red on blue from before. Very nice!!
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Thanks John! Sometimes you have to make a change, go a little crazy and then dial it back a bit to find what’s right. I’m very happy with the new look now. It took a few iterations and I’m pleased everyone was able to bear with me as I went through the process.
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