What do you think?
For all you regular readers out there – I’m trying to redo my header, lose the reference to the new year (for those who weren’t around last year) and come up with something that is also useable as a logo for a new (super secret, for another week or so) project I’m involved in. Thoughts? I may keep changing the header over the course of the day, just to take them for a spin. I can’t figure out how to do as much on this new photoshop program on my mac as I could do on my old computer. It’s making my brain feel like that skinny guy on the beach who gets sand kicked in his face and told to dry up and blow away.
May 27 2009 08:22 am | leftovers
robyn on 27 May 2009 at 8:42 am #
Love it. LOVE IT. I love how bold it is and it’s just a simple branding. Very nice!
Manon from Ontario on 27 May 2009 at 8:43 am #
Hello Julie,
It’s ok, but a picture is worth a million words, wouldn’t you say?
Love your blog.
MFO
Sue (London, ON) on 27 May 2009 at 8:45 am #
I miss the cute picture of your precious sunflower! This red one is very bold, very plain but eye-catching.
I was thinking about your big secret the other day, wondering how thats going. Can’t wait to hear about it when you can tell us.
JulieVR on 27 May 2009 at 8:47 am #
Yes, but I was thinking that there are so many photos in the body of the blog.. maybe having more in the header distracts from them? Plus it seemed people couldn’t tell that W was holding an old camera, taking a picture.. in which case it kind of looked weird.
gwendolyn (Patent and the Pantry) on 27 May 2009 at 8:52 am #
It’s definitely bold, but I found it a bit hard to read, to be honest. I mean, because the font is a bit spread out, I found it … I don’t know, jarring? Plus, I loved the old one with the pictures.
If you love the text idea, I would put the letters of each word a hair closer together, while leaving a slightly larger gap between the words themselves so it doesn’t look quite as much as everything running together.
Um, just my two cents. Good luck with the redesign! Looking forward to hearing more about the project….
JulieVR on 27 May 2009 at 8:53 am #
Yes, I could have done that on my old computer.. can’t figure out how on this new Photoshop program! grrrr
Janjet on 27 May 2009 at 9:03 am #
Text only doesn’t quite do it for me! Your appetizing photos always add to the blog experience. Also I prefer a brighter, sunnier colour scheme than the dark red.
Whatever you choose your site will still be my go to place for ideas and recipes. Thnx!
Rachael on 27 May 2009 at 9:05 am #
Hi Julie,
I love, love your blog and read it often. I think that the Red back ground and lettering are good.
However, I think the red background needs a bit of texture – like an inlay of swirls that are busy at one end and are less busy at the other end (this would look very blog like). Alternatively, adding the texture of brick or some other patter (and introduce another colour?) would be very appealing as well. I agree with your desire to stay away from other photographs, which is why I am suggesting something more graphic as another option.
Keep up the great work and I am super excited to find out about the big secret.
Thanks for keeping the blog alive.
Rachael
Heather on 27 May 2009 at 9:07 am #
I think it looks good!
rea on 27 May 2009 at 9:26 am #
i’m curious, do you have a mission/vision statement for your ‘going in a new direction’ blog? it can be remarkably brief and, even if it wasn’t in the header, it could direct the background of the header.
i like the idea of bricks because of your preoccupation with an outdoor brick oven.
Fiona on 27 May 2009 at 9:34 am #
I love the color (but then I have that all over my own business cards, so I may be slightly biased). I loved the photos, too, though – I wonder if there’s a way to incorporate one or two, depending on what your super-secret project is? I don’t think they detract too much from the photos in your posts, if that’s your worry.
I wish I could help with the kerning. I’m hopeless in Photoshop.
Theresa on 27 May 2009 at 9:37 am #
Oh Julie,
You are nowhere CLOSE to being “that guy”. We see him often…….. sunburned long finger shaped splashes where he missed SPF60 on his Casper-white skin.
I’ll always vote for a photo of W.
JulieVR on 27 May 2009 at 9:41 am #
The thing is – I need a logo that reflects the header of this site, and I can’t use a photo-filled header as a logo. So either the text has to be able to come out and still be recognizable, or I need to lose the photos..
Nancy on 27 May 2009 at 9:41 am #
I like the red, but for me, and I’m sure other regular readers, my eye just flips down to the main page anyway so you could have a picture of the skinny, sandy beach dude and I may not notice!
Can’t wait for the surprise project and again, am thrilled at winning the new Grazing!
Kathryn on 27 May 2009 at 9:53 am #
I love the tagline, but I find the white & red a bit harsh.
I prefer headers with photographs, but there is definitely an elegance to these designs.
Can’t wait for the big surprise to be unveiled!
Nancy on 27 May 2009 at 10:11 am #
Like the white background – what about a little graphic or pic of W. or something “sitting” on the edge with legs dangling? Eating a giant something!
Cheryl Arkison on 27 May 2009 at 10:32 am #
I like this one better than the one last night. If you can get a photo in the background for the website you should be able to pull the text for print work.
Maybe you can trade a dinner with a graphic designer? I know a designer who might be amenable to doing the computer work for you.
Anonymous on 27 May 2009 at 10:55 am #
Love the new heading – great fonts, nice slogan! I do miss that picture of your son, though. Putting a photo of something in the background would make the heading even better.
LisaMer on 27 May 2009 at 10:56 am #
Overall, I like the header, but the white behind “Dinner with Julie” seems a bit stark. I vote for some kind of texture back there too! Also, I find the font/all caps of “Dinner with Julie” a bit harsh. It seems to yell at me and then the font of the tag line (which I really like) is all soft and flowing.
Can’t wait to hear about your secret project!
Adrienne on 27 May 2009 at 11:02 am #
Love the crispness of the red lettering on white, but I agree it with others that it needs something else. Even some sort of graphics in the background to give it some interest perhaps? I thought that both of your headers (from Dinner with Julie and It Must Have Been Something I Ate) were fabulous so I’m sure you’ll come up with something great. Regardless of what you choose, I’ll keep reading.
Martine Piebiak on 27 May 2009 at 11:03 am #
I think the red line under your title is too thick, I realize you need space for the “come on into my kitchen” tag line. Since you are using come on into my kitchen as a tagline, why not include photos of your kitchen, I loved seeing your kitchen on kitchn do you have access to any of those images?
I always assumed the photo of W with the old camera was to protect his identity, show him but not his face. Go figure I love the sunflower photo from Edgar’s farm. Thanks for asking everyone, it means whatever you end up with we will love more…
Cheers!
Adrienne on 27 May 2009 at 11:03 am #
Trying again. (Got a reject on that last one.) Love the crispness of the red lettering on white, but I agree it with others that it needs something else. Even some sort of graphics in the background to give it some interest perhaps? I thought that both of your headers (from Dinner with Julie and It Must Have Been Something I Ate) were fabulous so I’m sure you’ll come up with something great. Regardless of what you choose, I’ll keep reading.
ran on 27 May 2009 at 11:48 am #
I like it! Bold, distinct, draws the eye. Classic!!
Kathy on 27 May 2009 at 11:55 am #
Hi Julie,
I find the “Dinner with Julie” font a bit harsh. Love the “come into my kitchen” tag line and the font used for that. Could you change the “Dinner with Julie” font to be the same as that one?
Red is the color for eating, stimulates appetites, etc. It needs something though I feel too, in the background of it, something soft.
Manon from Ontario on 27 May 2009 at 12:01 pm #
It’s getting better, love the come in to my kitchen
so inviting, just like you.
You will do fine.
Can’t wait for the big reveal!
MFO
Dana McCauley on 27 May 2009 at 12:08 pm #
I miss the pictures of food which instantly told me that you not only ate dinner but that your dinners were worth caring about.
JulieVR on 27 May 2009 at 12:08 pm #
Kathy – yes tried that (font) but it just didn’t work. I’ll keep trying!
Clea on 27 May 2009 at 12:09 pm #
maybe try lowercase letters or a more relaxed font? the font is a litte imposing and doesn’t totally represent the ‘you’ that comes through your writing
Rebecca on 27 May 2009 at 12:11 pm #
Hey Julie,
I like the red, I like the way the text touches the block of colour. I’m not crazy about the font for “Dinner With Julie”, although I think you’re going in the right direction with its boldness and simplicity. I think the “come into my kitchen” font is nice, but it could have a little more pizazz. Also, I think it should be one word (into) rather than two words (in to). You might want to double-check that with an actual editor, though!
Marilynn on 27 May 2009 at 12:17 pm #
love the new heading – love and read your site almost every day –
Should it not read – Come into my kitchen????
instead it says Come in to my kitchen – check with someone on that…
robyn on 27 May 2009 at 12:42 pm #
I may be alone here, but I really really really like the plain red with block lettering. It’s such a strong statement and such a good brand/logo for yourself. “Dinner” implies that this is a food blog….I don’t think pictures are necessary. You have pictures everyday that you post. If there was any confusion about the type of blog this is, reading one day’s post would cure that.
Just my two cents! You could drop the banner completely and I’d still love your blog!
Karen S on 27 May 2009 at 12:57 pm #
Julie,
Still love your writing and your food’s getting even more interesting and beautiful, but I don’t like this one. It doesn’t give the warm feeling the original did – it feels very corporate. And it hurts my eyes to stare right at it and read the words.
Please don’t hate me…
mmac on 27 May 2009 at 1:01 pm #
Late to the game so not seeing the version with the tagline. I find it kind of stark — not as warm and wonderful as the posts and food and you. Loved the old font and the photos but understandthat photos won’t work for what you need now. If there’s any way to soften it up just a bit that would work. Colour is fine.
Vivian on 27 May 2009 at 1:06 pm #
Hmmm…Very bold, the white uppercase DINNER WITH JULIE, but the red background seems to scream. I’d tone it down to something darker but still in the warm red zone. For the tag line (which doesn’t appear on my header) I’d use the same font, smaller point size, lowercase with a “…” preceeding it ending flush right. The concept could be softened with a bit of curling graphic (eg steam, vines or a dot pattern at either end (from top to bottom of header) and done in a lighter tone of the main colour. Perhaps “join me in my(the)kitchen”, “enter my kitchen”, “cook with me”?
JenF on 27 May 2009 at 1:27 pm #
I find the font is too narrow (each individual letter doesn’t seem wide enough to me – the vertical lines could be broader). I think that adding a drop shadow to the text would really help soften it up, but also make the text stand out from the background. Good luck!
H.Peter on 27 May 2009 at 1:44 pm #
The header is secondary to your post. We wil always read them.
Unless you are going corporate with your super secret project….
Anonymous on 27 May 2009 at 1:50 pm #
I’m a little mystified – all I see is white uppercase “dinner with Julie” on sort of brick red. No tagline. I like the ideas involving some sort of swirly graphic in the background. As it appears on my screen it is rather stark.
PS what’s the word on SD starter? Has that ship left port?
Anonymous on 27 May 2009 at 1:51 pm #
Sorry, it’s Tina out by Strathmore. Not anonymous at all…
charm on 27 May 2009 at 2:38 pm #
Seems a bit boring. Doesn’t match the warmth and coziness of the site.
Ann on 27 May 2009 at 2:42 pm #
I miss the wonderful photos in your old header – so warm and inviting. I have to admit this plain, red header doesn’t do anything for me.
I agree that newer readers might not get that W was holding a camera, but just use another photo – that one of him in the sunflower was so precious!!
I’ll always read your blog every day no matter what your header looks like, but I do like the original/former header better than this new one.
Can’t wait to hear more about your super secret project!
JulieVR on 27 May 2009 at 2:46 pm #
Yes, thanks for all your feedback! I guess the big thing is I need a useable logo, and something so big and full of photos isn’t going to be usable as a logo elsewhere. So maybe I’ll try to come up with something that utilizes photos here, but the text part can be pulled out and still be recognizable on its own elsewhere!
Christina on 27 May 2009 at 4:30 pm #
Hey Julie,
So I’m going to put in my two cents (I’m no marketing guru or anything but I did major in it in College and worked in Oil & Gas sales & marketing for 3 years helping and witnessing the company I worked for get branded). I’ve read a few of the comments (don’t have time right now to go through them all), and here’s what I think ….
I’ve been following you now for well over a year and when I tell people about you and your blog, one of the first things I say is how funny you are. I think you’re too fun/funny/energetic/outgoing/etc. for this header. Don’t get me wrong, I like the header, but it’s too …. I guess boring, for a lack of a better word. I guess it’s my believe that when “branding” (which is essentially what you’re doing here) you should really try to depict who you are. I think it’s important to take into consideration how people think of you and know you, or I suppose how you WANT people to see you (and although I don’t know you that well, from what I’ve seen over the past year+, I doubt think boring is what you’re going for). Have something that screams “JULIE”.
Hope I wasn’t too bold in my comments. Just my thoughts, looking forward to what you decide and the reveal of your new top secret project!
Kathy on 27 May 2009 at 4:57 pm #
I like what Christina just wrote. It – the logo, the branding, the header – has to be as “you” as it can be.
I don’t get a sense Julie that “you” are this rather stark looking header and the font used for “Dinner with Julie”. Can you use something more playful perhaps?
Rebecca on 27 May 2009 at 5:06 pm #
Sorry Julie but I’m not loving it. I think that it’s too bold and that you are too warm of a person to have such bold type. I love the “come into my kitchen” slogan and I like the font for that slogan but the other one just isn’t working for me. Just my two cents though.
robyn on 27 May 2009 at 5:24 pm #
I’m still loving it. I think I know you pretty well, and it suits you. My two cents AGAIN. Is that 6 cents I’ve put in now?
Marcia on 27 May 2009 at 5:29 pm #
I agreee with many others: the red is not doing it for me! All of your kitchen and food photos give me the impression that you live a life streaming with natural light. The header is so dark and heavy feeling compared to your sunny kitchen, your sense of humour etc.
There’s a knitting blog I read sometimes that has solved the problem of incorporating photos into the header at http://www.januaryone.com. The gals who blogs is also a photographer, so she has a monster collection of photos she’s taken, and somehow, they magically rotate through her header. Everytime I click onto her sight, there is something different, even if it is just seconds later (but I have no idea how to do this). She has her blog name under the photo in font that never changes, and has become a kind of signature. Worth checking out anyway! Love your blog!
Anonymous on 27 May 2009 at 5:29 pm #
i think a header with picture is more attractive
Brigid on 27 May 2009 at 5:41 pm #
You are a great photographer and I really enjoy your photos. So plain text is okay, but I enjoyed the photos too. If you are inviting people into your kitchen maybe a background photo of your kitchen?
Sherry on 27 May 2009 at 6:08 pm #
I loaded the web page and started to read the text. It wasn’t until I was directed to the header that I even notice it. I guess it didn’t draw my attention or capture me. Good idea trying out different ideas. You have the best cooking blog, so thank you!
Teresa on 27 May 2009 at 6:38 pm #
Hi Julie,
I’m one of your biggest fans, I LOVE your site! As for the header, I’m with Christina, you need something that screams Julie & (your family)- Love the photos idea…
Can’ wait for the reveal…
You’ll figure it all out,
Teresa
Elizabeth L. on 27 May 2009 at 7:07 pm #
Hi Julie,
So much to think about! My favourite thing about your old homepage is the picture of W. To him, it is perfectly normal to take pictures of food/dinner. If you could keep that, it would be lovely.
I agree with the comments about the font and spacing being a bit off–I am one of those font geeks that pays attention to those things. I love the red, but it is a bit too standard for how creative you are. Off the wall, but what if you did the intro with the big drop-down first letter (as in a novel–I don’t know the technical term). I think you are worthy of that kind of ‘drama’(for lack of a better word). Your website should be as beautiful as you and your food are.
JulieVR on 27 May 2009 at 7:44 pm #
You’re all right! Christina – totally dig the brand thing. But it’s harder than it sounds to come up with an ideal representation of yourself through graphic art, particularly when you’re not a graphic artist!
Mary on 27 May 2009 at 8:39 pm #
I love the picture of your son, it always looked to me like he was holding a camera. It is always the first thing you see on the header, and I would miss not seeing him. Makes me think of my son when he was little.
Carolyn on 28 May 2009 at 3:18 am #
I like the current version, with the photos and your Dinner with Julie. Both the pictures of your son and the cookies are so inspiring and appropriate, and tell the story about what your blog is about – family and great food!
Kathryn on 28 May 2009 at 3:29 am #
I wanted pics: you brought them back and now I must comment again. I really like the look of the text on colour (not overlaid on a photograph). I think you lose the tagline on this one. The photograph of W is so cute, but maybe for branding and logo purposes, the simple text is better.
Manon from Ontario on 28 May 2009 at 5:21 am #
Perfect! I love it
MFO
Kelly on 28 May 2009 at 5:27 am #
Not so sure about the picture of W. If you are inviting people into your kitchen, should it not be
a(n) (obvious) picture of your kitchen? I love the pics that were used in The Kitchen earlier this month. If you want to include kids,the one with the 4 kids in the window kind of screams: come in! You also mention that your favorite element of your kitchen is the nook. Just a thought.
JulieVR on 28 May 2009 at 5:31 am #
I was thinking I’d make a bunch of different versions with different images. The boys in the window is a great shot, but the two central ones aren’t even related to me! guess it doesn’t matter if they were in my kitchen!
Tina on 28 May 2009 at 5:42 am #
Hey, I really like this version! Really like it.
Kathy on 28 May 2009 at 6:02 am #
Hi Julie, I like this one a lot! I also like Kelly’s suggestion of the pic of the 4 kids in the window. You could overlay the words “come into my kitchen” on top of that picture.
Cathryn on 28 May 2009 at 6:10 am #
Julie, you’ve got an innate sense of style and design, and are an artist to the core. I’ve always appreciated the essence of you that exudes through everything you do. The new design needs to keep with what you want to communicate combined with conveying who you are. Simple and complex. Playful and serious. Inquisitive and inspirational. . . You’re taking it to the next level here, and looking to define all that and more in one visual statement. If you still have difficulty defining that, I’d love to come into your kitchen and help with the design. . . if not the photoshop (which is driving me a bit bonkers too!)
Karen S on 28 May 2009 at 6:49 am #
Awesome!!!
This one is much much much better…we still know it’s about food and family and fun, but you still have the logo you need.
Though I agree with everyone in that we’ll still read you no matter what…and continue to tell others about you.
I also agree the sunflower picture of W would be perfect for summer and farmer’s markets and so on.
Karen S on 28 May 2009 at 6:51 am #
Hey, are you looking to create the logo for a book? I just realized the shape reminds me of the cover of the original Grazing…though yes it is just a rectangle…you know what I mean.
erin on 28 May 2009 at 8:16 am #
Julie, I like the red, and I like the cookies (which makes it seem Christmasy, but Christmas is good for me!) And I love the picture of W. I remember when you posted that pic, and you wondered if he thought it was only natural to take a picture of your meal before you eat it. It made me think about my own kids, and how things have changed since I was a kid – what I took for granted vs what they do.
maria on 28 May 2009 at 9:39 am #
Looking good. I only just saw this iteration, but it’s a nice classic look where you could switch out the photos or even the background burgundy and retain the feel. I thought W was taking a photo too with a nice medium format camera. The only thing that strikes me now is the burgundy has maybe a bit too much visual weight – I wonder what it would look like if that part were shorter and the bottom photo a bit taller, like 1/3 to 2/3 split instead? I know lots of bloggers who change their headers up every month or season, this header would work well for that.
Natalie (Michigan) on 28 May 2009 at 1:11 pm #
Julie, I’m surprised you don’t know (or know someone who knows someone who knows someone) a graphic artist who you could exchange a dinner for a logo.(although you will do great on your own too)
Robyn on 28 May 2009 at 2:03 pm #
The design is typographically lovely. Clean and simple. Maybe just a little kerning so that the words stand on their own. The colour is lovely and goes beautifully with the star cookies. You are not only one smart cook, you are also one smart designer.
BTW, I made the bone-sucking maple rosemary ribs for company this week. What a hit! The baby-backs were tender and tasty. Thank you!
Lesli on 28 May 2009 at 2:33 pm #
Hi, been lurking since the beginning – lol…big fan, btw…Okay, just a thought…Dinner with Julie, right? Do the star cookies really say dinner? How about a Julie Dinner Special – something that looks fantastic and says ‘dinner’, y’know? Or keep it simple – a vintage kitchen tool/item or two?
I really have enjoyed reading about all of your ‘dinners’…
Anonymous on 28 May 2009 at 4:53 pm #
I think the big red background is a little bold. An oval around your name, instead of a rectangle, and perhaps turn on some transparency on the red so we can see the image in behind, might look good.
angiebean on 28 May 2009 at 5:21 pm #
I agree with the last post the red background is bold and the lettering can get fuzzy in it, especially if it is going to be blown up i.e. T.V. screen size.
You should make the red a little translucent and shadow the lettering (I know this is difficult in Photoshop but is definitely easier in Illustrator). You may even want to shadow the red in front of the picture.
I love the font on the right. You can also shadow that is it doesn’t get lost in the picture.
Love the blog, hope it continues!