A Lesson in Redesigning Your Blog

It is with excitement, love, and inspiration that I introduce to you the new The Mess in Messenger. Over the past two or some odd months I have been working with an amazing designer (Jenny Highsmith) to create a new clean, feminine and tattoo inspired The Mess in Messenger. The beginning was only difficult because my vision wasn't clear. I was throwing out too many competing ideas. Jenny just wanted me to be happy and ultimately we ended up scrapping the majority of my ideas and going with the amazingness you see now.

SOME NEW THINGS YOU WILL NOTICE ABOUT THE MESS:

* Less Mess
* Easy Navigation & Simplicity
* Tattoo, bicycle, and feminine inspired
* Streamlined Feed
* Links to my Instagram, Etsy, Pinterest and Facebook (These will all be uploaded and in the works soon so please subscribe to all)
* You can pin and share my posts (YEAH!!)
* Popular Posts
* My Instagram feed is streaming all the time
* Perfection

IN THE COMING MONTHS LOOK FORWARD TO:

* More Updates, Pictures, Fun and CONTESTS!
* Tat.Tues. inspiration
* AN ETSY Shop and portraiture
* Vlogging (fingers crossed)
* Style posts that will hopefully be taken with a new camera that I am hoping to afford
* DIYs
* A greater look into my world and the Mess

HERE IS THE PROCESS:

1// FIND A DESIGNER.  I spent approximately 6 months compiling a list of blogs I liked and their designers.  The blogging world is neat because you have the opportunity to follow sidebars and posts to other amazing bloggers.  And that was the case with Jenny.  Through the blogging grapevine I found her.  Check out portfolios if you are unsure.  Look for a designer with the aesthetic you are looking for. What I liked about Jenny and Savannah also, is that there could be 100 edits.  But until you are satisfied, they continue to work, to realize your vision.

2// COMMIT.  Having someone remotely design your blog, for some, is a daunting prospect because you are entrusting another person to take your visions and personality and bring it to life.  It is also a financial and contractual commitment.  My designer is a professional so expect to pay.  It is not a huge leap of faith if you find an amazing designer.  But to commit to the change in your blog and the process is a must.  Also be committed to tell your designer everything your want.

3// CONTACT.  Can you believe that this entire blog was designed over email collaboration?  Once I was determined to begin my journey I contacted Jenny.  Her portfolio is amazing and her style similar to what I wanted my blog to be.  She is a blogger with Savannah from Maidae. I loved Savannah's style of blog and knew I wanted something similar. I was super stoked to be paired with Jenny.

4// QUESTIONNAIRE.  Jenny asked me to fill in a questionnaire about all the elements I wanted in my blog (colours, alignment, descriptive words, fonts, style, love of other blogs).  After that was submitted the fun began...

5// COLLABORATION.  This is an arduous process but one that shouldn't be taken lightly.  Jenny was great.  She listened to all my ideas, when I didn't like the product she worked hard to change it, and she gave me her honest opinion.  (Her idea ended up being the best...LESSON - Trust your designer!!) I threw her ideas, she designed from them, and then we'd go  back and forth, tweaking.  Sometimes I asked her to start from scratch, even though all designs she presented were sweet.

6// FINAL DECISION.  At some point you will get what you envisioned, be overjoyed and say "Stop the Designing!  It is amazing!"

7// THE LAUNCH.  It is with so much excitement that I launch the blog.  Yes there will be some tweaks technically speaking, but visually this blog speaks to me and hopefully to you guys too.

STAY TUNED THE NEXT WEEK!!!  TO SAY THANK YOU I AM HAVING A SPECIAL CONTEST OPEN TO ALL MY PRESENT AND NEW READERS.  THERE WILL BE A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

(the above image was borrowed from Jenny's site so I could thank her and promote her)