MediaSavvy Looks a little different today. I've been using Moveable Type's Plain Jane template with a few modifications. I really like the way it look. However, I began to realize that it gets some of its good looks by making text gray, instead of black.
I've been noticing more and more gray-text sites lately and it appears to be a mini-trend, even among those who don't use MT. Poynter's new site is the latest example.
Unfortunately, this design gets a lot of its power from reducing text to a gray block--just another design element instead of something to read. I've decided to strike a blow for contrast and change the color of the blog body from #666 (coincidence?) to #000.
It's not quite as beautiful, but it's a lot more readable
Posted by bp at November 18, 2002 03:07 PM| Link
personally, I don't like the grey... causes eye strain... anything that makes it harder for people to read can't be a good thing... pretty design isn't always the same thing as useable design.
just my thoughts ;)
Posted by: john on November 18, 2002 04:27 PMYes, poor contrast is evil. I do not read sites that give me headaches.
Posted by: Rotwang on November 19, 2002 07:18 AMOK, this isn't funny anymore, bring the readable text back.
Posted by: Ummm on November 21, 2002 06:29 AMNow you're toying with us. Nice readable body text, but then non-black navigation links, and gray subtitles. Gray subtitles?? Why de-emphasize your headings, the things you want to stand out on the page?
Posted by: K on November 21, 2002 09:41 AMOops. I changed the style sheet, but not the template, and it overwrote my changes. It should be permanent now.
Posted by: Barry Parr on November 21, 2002 09:41 AM