Loving Karen Rutherford's newly redesigned website
Friday, 6 March, 2009 at 10:59 PM 
When Indianapolis-based freelance writer, Karen Rutherford, first emailed me to inquire about what might be involved in her having me redesign her website, I immediately followed the link she'd provided in her email and checked out her existing site to see what it was all about. Because I'm nosey like that. Right away I got caught up in her writing, found myself laughing aloud more than once, and thought, "I really hope she will want me to do this. I'd like to work with her."
Turns out she did want me to, and I very much liked working with her. We were on the same page, all along the way. Not that everything I suggested was a good fit. Not that she loved all my ideas. In fact, at first I provided her with some design samples that just didn't work, at all. But the collaborative spirit of this redesign was on the mark, every step of the way. And one morning, I literally woke up with the idea of her new site's banner playing in my head. I ran to my computer and emailed her, half asleep. "Sit tight before you spend too much time looking at the ideas I sent you last night. I have to try something else. I'll email you again in a little while." That's one instinct I'm definitely glad I followed.
Karen wasn't looking for a bleeding edge design. (Which works out nicely, because that's not what I do.) What she did want was to take her site to the next level. She's used a standard Squarespace template for several years, and while it was actually quite nice, she was ready to have something designed with her in mind. Something distinctive.
We rolled out her distinctive new site tonight. If you get a chance, pop over and take a look. I'd love to hear what you think!
Reader Comments (4)
Holy toledo, I'm famous. :) Thank you for dedicating a whole post to me, me, and me. Actually, it's about working together and your creativity and faboosh banner design, so I do want you to know that I get that it's not all about me, after all. :)
I enjoyed the experience so much and while still in awe of that sudden and early morning moment of clarity, I understood your creative process and was so glad to watch it in action.
So, thank you, Melody Watson. Thank you. It's all just lovely.
Melody, the site is wonderful. And I might add has you written all over it. I would have know you design it without being told. I love the use of photographs through out the website. It makes it so much more personel. Good job dear friend. And Karen, I enjoyed your writing.
Love it! It's interesting and clean. Slightly quirky and very accessible. Hey! Like YOU!
Thanks, ya'll! Karen, I'm really glad you like it. Actually, I'm glad you all do. :) Funny you think it has me written all over it, Tamara. Brenna, "slightly quirky and very accessible" works for me. Thanks!