PeterAnglea.com Redesign

After almost three years, it was time to revamp my website. Now that the semester is over and I’m at home, I found the time necessary to complete the new site. During the semester, I worked on some design concepts on and off and eventually finished a basic XHTML/CSS layout. My next task was to convert my design to a WordPress template (WordPress is the Content Management System that powers this site). For the web aficionados out there, here’s a rundown of some more technical elements.

I used the GIMP to create the graphics for the site. The main image is, of course, the watercolor-esque background at the top. I placed a stock image (which I modified to look like a painting) behind a white layer mask and painted portions of the mask away using some free watercolor brushes I found online. That is what gives it the watercolor brush-stroke effect.

To add some extra pizazz, I decided to use some font-replacement technology to utilize a fancier typeface for the headings and main navigational links. I am using the Cufon javascript library and the font is called “Nilland.”

The neat thing about this design, is that it can be re-skinned very easily. That is, I can change the background image at the top and make a few small changes to the CSS and… viola… the site has a completely different feel. You may see it change from time to time with the various seasons or for holidays. It’s very versatile.

So, take a look around and let me know what you think!