Creative Design Awards now open
I’d like to give you credit for implementing what I believe is an excellent design element into your website or blog. Be it a great logo, footer, use of imagery, or something unique that I’ve not seen anywhere else. Hence my humble Creative Design Awards.
Today I’ve chosen five people who I feel are worthy of a Creative Design Award.
- Andrew Davies with The Paragon Muse blog
- Jen Huls with her Pop Stalin Design website
- Aaron Russel and his spoof iPod / Napoleon Dynamite advert
- Anonymous (for fear of clowns finding out) and The Paper Bull blog
- Phil Renaud with his Blogging the Light Fantastic
The Paragon Muse > I chose Andrew for an Award because of his blog’s header image. I really like the design. It’s one that stands out with its cleanliness and simplicity.
Pop Stalin Design > Jen shows us that your website footer doesn’t need to be dull. She keeps the design consistent with the header, adding a fun element to the last thing you see when scrolling down.
You can see Jen’s footer in full glory by clicking here.
iPod / Napoleon Dynamite advert > I don’t know how to use Adobe After Effects. Aaron obviously does. Perhaps he’ll fill us in on just how long the complete ad took to create. I think it’s a job very well done.
Here’s Aaron’s version and here’s the original on YouTube.
The Paper Bull > If you’re ever wondering how to create a unique blog header, take a leaf out of The Paper Bull’s book. Some cardboard, a few snapshots and a duvet cover are all you need to avoid copyright infringement.
Visit The Paper Bull by clicking here.
Phil Renaud: Blogging the Light Fantastic > I can’t remember exactly how I came across Phil’s blog, but I do know it was one of the very first I ever read. Phil get this Award for his custom blog template, for his large text size (always a plus) and for his use of large images (everyone loves an image). Good job, Phil.
Visit Phil’s blog by clicking here.
Do you know of anyone worthy of a Creative Design Award?
Related posts on David Airey dot com
36 appreciated comments to “Creative Design Awards now open”
What are your thoughts?
Simply fill in the form below. All comments are moderated so you may experience a short delay before yours appears. Comments should be respectful of other voices in the discussion, and I reserve the right to edit or delete comments at my discretion.
Please use your real name — keywords not accepted.
Wow – I’m honored by the nod David. Thanks.
Thanks for your encouragement & the comments you’ve supplied to my pages.
Great idea! And those are some great blogs. It really makes me want to start making my own theme lol.
David – I am starting to work on a redesign for Essential Keystrokes. You have inspired me to give it my all, because I want one of those awards!
Great choices to start with! I’m off to check them out.
Nice idea David. The criteria’s pretty loose. I’m looking forward to submitting my favorite work. I’d love to put that badge on my site.
Is there a time limit for how long one can brag?
I’d give one to yourself for how the badge looks – oops, I think I’m sucking up.
This feature is cool. It is proof that everyone has a different view of life, and there are a few with the artistry and skill to back it up. The theme on my site has raised a few positive comments, maybe cast your eye over it and see what it does for you, if anything! cheers.
TPB, it was my pleasure to have you amongst the first winners. It’s a novel header so well done.
Dinner, Char, seems like I’m not the only one thinking of a redesign then! Good luck with them.
Ed (Roach), I keep the criteria loose so it’s open to as many bloggers / site authors as possible. There’s no time limit on bragging rights, although if you’re like the rest of us I’m sure you’ll not rest on your design laurels.
Ed, I left a comment on your site. Glad you like this little feature of mine and thanks for coming over.
[...] was pleased to see that David gave me the nod for: implementing what I believe is an excellent design element into your website or blog. It can [...]
Hmm…I think I might do some designing too. Did I make it in the top fifty? ;)
If it were a photography award you’d be up there at the top, Beth Ellen.
Should you feel anyone else is worthy of a design award, by all means make a post about it, linking back here so I can enjoy the work too.
I’m hoping that this article will help us to uncover a few more great design works.
I designed my blog banner and all my icons! :) Well, you know I am just having fun here David.
Hurrah – I’m a winner :D
Many thanks for the award David. If truth be told I’ve not been entirely satisfied with the video (isn’t that always the case) – so it’s incredibly encouraging that other people are enjoying it.
FYI – it took well over 30 hours to hand-draw the colour swooshes in. Would have taken a lot less if I had a computer more up to the task. Lots of waiting.
Thanks again. As soon as I get the chance the badge will be proudly displayed on my site.
Cool Idea with this award!
Beth Ellen, shhhhhh, I’ll sneak you a little badge via email.
Aaron, I know exactly what you mean by not being happy with your own work. You’ve probably noticed a continuous change happening with my website for exactly the same reason.
That’s great you want to show show the badge on your site! If you think it could look more appealing just let me know and I’ll see what I can do.
Oh, and thanks for commenting Philipp.
Just a thought, maybe the ‘official’ winners could be listed in your sidebar?
This is a terrific idea David!
Truly great.
I wonder where you got the idea for this meme? =)
*grins*
Nice thought, Aaron. I might create a page for the winners.
I’m glad you like it, Jason!
ilker, certainly your thinking blogger award did play it’s part, amongst a couple of others I’ve seen lately.
This is a really cool idea. And I think that of all people, you are one of the best judges of what great design is. How often will you be doing this feature?
PS, recently it seems like you are the only one ever looking at my blog…
[...] just found out that our lil’ muse header was deemed Creative Design worthy by David Airey himself in his inaugural Creative Design Awards. To say we’re deeply honored is an understatement. [...]
[...] am one of five winners in the first round of the Creative Design Awards. I have been awarded the prize for my spoof iPod / Napoleon Dynamite [...]
[...] David Airey, I am thoroughly impressed. Not that the design awards are a stunt by any means, but this little competition is an absolutely fantastic idea. Not only are you estalishing yourself as an expert, but you are building a brand! [...]
Very nice, and all are very well deserved. Once I redesign my new blog, perhaps I’ll try my luck;)
This is a good idea. Found this through the paper bull and am pleased with what I see!
Silliness aside, (on my part, :)) I really find these designs you posted very inspiring. I would love to rethink my design in the very near future. :)
Hey fellow-Vertigo-themer ;-)
Great little award, I’d love to post on my blog. Call me partial, but my VA did a knock-up job with my EmpowerWomenNow logo.
It’s a love-or-hate thing…I love :-)
BTW, the awardees so far ARE incredible designers…totally a field of their own.
Peace.
Thanks a bunch man, good selections :)
J David, not sure how often I’ll run with this. Weekly or monthly? I haven’t thought too much about it. All submissions are very welcome, and the more good ones I receive the more I’ll post.
Lorissa, by all means, I’d love you to let us know of your redesign. Likewise with you, Beth Ellen. :)
Scot, Ponn, thanks for stopping by, and Phil, it’s my pleasure featuring your site here. Keep up the great blogging!
Hi David!
What a great wake-up call this morning :-)
BTW, if you haven’t seen Scott Davis’s theme, design at http://www.findingyourmarbles.com/ is top-notch…by far one of my favorites!
His designer gets my nomination.
Once you solidfy the contest timeframe, rules, etc. this is a great award that’s sure to go viral!
I’m subscribed so I can always stay posted.
Peace, Ponn
Hi Ponn, I’d actually looked at Scott’s theme. It’s designed by Mike – view his website here.
If you have any ideas for how I can carry on this award by all means I’d like to know.
Cheers.
Hi David, I see Ponn has nominated me and you have already correctly identified Mike Cherim as my designer. I’m very impressed with my site’s design, (I was just telling someone how I like to just open my site and look at it) so I’ll 2nd Ponn’s nomination, but for Mike, not me. ;)
Scott
David,
This is my first visit to your site, and I must admit, I really like what you’ve done to Brian Gardner’s Vertigo theme – beautiful.
I’ve been wondering something lately though; how much do you have to change a theme before you can feel you’re able to remove the link in the footer?
This is a nice idea by the way.
Scott, thanks for the nomination. I’ll bear that in mind.
Armen,
Thanks for visiting my blog, and for commenting. You ask an interesting question – How much do you have to customise your WordPress theme before you can remove the credit link in the footer?
I’m all for giving Brian Gardner the credit he deserves, but it’s an interesting question.
Thanks for paying a visit to my blog David.
So have you any thoughts? Maybe it’s an idea for a post?
Contests are a great way to get links, give you authority in your field, etc.
I’m thinking out how I want to unveil my contests, so I’ll keep you posted with ideas.
My initial thoughts are: daily or weekly is way too much, and annually is not enough. I’ve seen some monthly (based on # of minimum submissions) and give different ranks of the award, honorable mention, full award, etc.
You have different kinds of awards, footers, logos, headers, etc. This is a great way beginning!
My best always.
Time to redesign my blog! Great idea. Good way to showcase good design.
[...] I’ve had to drop David Airey’s Creative Design Awards badge. I was actually quite proud of David’s award so it’s a shame to see it go, but [...]