Massive Design Update
StudyBassers! I just pushed a massive design update to the site. My Frankenstein was looking a little too...Frankenstein. This has been a long time coming, and it's paving the way for me to post more lessons and tools. There's so much more to add and do!
First, What Didn't Change
Don't worry! I didn't change the lessons you are learning, lesson order or presentation. You don't have to start over. This is just a visual update.
I didn't go overboard and move anything to a new place. You shouldn't feel lost or disoriented. Instead, everything should just feel more comfortable and functional with less effort on your eyes and brain.
Supporting Members:
You might find some of the learning apps you use have minor changes like button sizes or text differences, but their functionality was not changed. The differences are cosmetic. (Also, be excited. Some great new stuff is coming your way! Thank you.)
Overall Improvements
Overall, the site has more unity throughout, and I've fixed and improved many quirks, problems and annoyances. Pages should be lighter, load faster and function better.
This is probably the biggest design change I've made in over a decade. It was thousands of decisions big and small, and just about every page of the site for desktop, tablet and mobile views has been improved.
Naturally, there are so many pages, details, devices, browsers and operating systems, I've surely missed something. If you see anything problematic, let me know.
Here are some further highlights:
Broad Design Changes
Font and Legibility
I've changed to a more comfortable font for reading and it agrees better with music terminology, teaching and discussion.
Font Size
This may feel like the biggest change. The font is smaller, but do not fear! Long ago, I chose to make the font size larger than average since I knew many of you were reading from a greater distance while playing your bass. When I made that choice, browsers didn't have per-site display settings and options.
How to Adjust Your Font Size
In your browser, you can easily increase or decrease the site's font size and it is remembered until you change it again.
On desktop, press Ctrl (or Cmd) and +/-.
On mobile, click the three-dot option button to set page size.
Font Colors
I've kept the global StudyBass orange that you're familiar with. What I've improved is, where reading is involved, I've given text a higher-contrast hue that is more readable. I think you'll find it more agreeable to your eye.
Margins, Width and Whitespace
I've changed the widths of many pages for, again, better readability. Everything conforms better and is more consistent site-wide.
Better Breadcrumbs
I've improved the breadcrumbs site-wide (the little text trails that tell you > where > you > are).
Forms, Inputs, Buttons
These all work and look better.
Mobile Design
I've made big improvements in the mobile layout of the site. Some content—like music notation and fretboards—can be challenging to present on a small device. Try the site in landscape orientation and portrait to see when one works better than the other for this sort of content.
Dark Mode
Dark mode got a big makeover. I think you'll enjoy the improvements with the color scheme if you use it. Toggle it on/off in your settings or in the page footer.
Study Guide and Lessons
New Header Layout
At the top of the lesson pages the header helps you know where you are in the lesson hierarchy better. It's clearer, shows your progress within the lesson block and helps tie the lesson pages together more. The titles are sized more appropriately causing fewer layout issues.
New Icons
I've updated a few of the icons for the lesson features.
Text
Text:
Basically the same.
Media
Media:
Basically the same.
Exercises
Exercises:
Now a repeat symbol which is what you must do to get better!
Songs
Songs:
A record icon for the recommended songs list.
Quiz
Songs:
A true/false answer icon. Less confusing than the circled question mark from before that many interpret as "help."
Mark Complete
Now, when you mark a lesson complete, the status color changes just like your progress square in the lesson block.
Images and Graphics
I've made some improvements here. I have a number of images to add. I don't use AI or stock images; as for 23 years now, I only use my own photos, drawings and designs. Let's all keep being the creative beings we are. The human touch!
Home Page
A while back I changed up the home page, but didn't announce anything about it. Quickly explaining what StudyBass is can be quite challenging. It's a work in constant progress.
What's Next?
I won't call this new StudyBass design complete yet, but it's a huge step forward for you and me. For you, it's easier to navigate and learn from. For me, it is laying the infrastructure to bring you more lessons and other content.
I've barely even scratched the surface of what I teach my private students. Many of the issues I've fixed here or am working on have been preventing me from adding what I want in regards to lessons, exercises and more. I can't wait to share more. I haven't even got to the good stuff!
Keep studying...
Andrew
