Yes, it’s a shameless cross promotion! But I’m really happy with the new design of my website (not blog, site). Web-Betty is where it all started for me, 10 years ago. Scary to think I’ve had the same email address for over 10 years!

Thanks to the following:

The Horizontal Way: For reminding me why 4 years ago I went with a horizontal theme. I’m so glad to be revisiting The Horizontal Way.

Jo’s Web: For the Old Ephemera Photoshop brush set. Love ‘em!

Design Reviver: For providing the list of great vintage textures and brushes.

PSD Rockstar: For the list of grunge fonts, where I found Grunge Serifia.

For all of you requesting reviews, remember that I’m a designer, and would be more than happy to fix all the things I hate about your site. And for those of you who would like the chance, it’s your turn to review the reviewer. Post a comment and tell me what you think of the new design.

Did you notice there wasn’t a “thing of the week” last week? I just wasn’t inspired by much. With all the browsing I do, you’d think something would’ve stood out. Even StumbleUpon failed me, which is rare. All that ended today when I received the mysterious note “Here’s a good way to spend your Friday!” Ooh, what was it? A nice beefcake site? 101 things to do with human hair? Nope. It was the thing of the week!

I have to admit, I’m featuring this site as much for the COOL products, as I am for their über-minimal design. Without further ado, this week’s TOW is:

World Wide Fred

From the moment I clicked on the link KrUsher sent me, I was mesmerized. This is one site where the design is PERFECT for the delivery. All focus is on the wacky-yet-must-have items for sale. If you’ve read any of my other posts, you’ll know I’m a fan of clean, simple design. This site is actually too simple, which is why it totally works!

But enough about the design! I must have the calf & a half and the Please Hold. My birthday’s in 3 days…who’s buying?

In addition to the ROW, I’m also going to try a TOW, or “Thing of the Week.” Again, there is no rhyme nor reason to what I choose, however, TOWs will all have one thing in common: good design, or at least elements of good design. While a site might strike my fancy, if its design sucks, what’s the point? Besides, you deserve a little more insight into my thinking, if you want me to tell you 10 things I hate about your site.

This week’s thing is:

The Regulars

I stumbled upon this site while browsing on one of my favorite showcase sites. Of course it was the guy in the gas mask that piqued my interest. I had to click. Then I had to keep clicking because I can’t seem to find, nor understand, what exactly this site is for/about. They are breaking the first rule of the internet!! What in the hell is this site for?

Normally, I’d be completely turned off, but their minimal content and maximum mystery factor has me intrigued. And there’s always the people in the gas masks. Very disturbing.

I do love the overall design. Clean, simple, consistent. I like the simple background design, and the calming color scheme—especially since the color scheme is completely at odds with the images of people in gas masks.

I am disappointed that it appears this site is no longer maintained. The most recent date on anything I could find was 2006. For a 2-year old site, however, this one holds up quite well. A true sign of good design.