De-Aparting

Over 7 years and 167 issues later, the time has come for me to step down as creative director for A List Apart.

Jeffrey gave me a shot all those years ago to work with him on some amazing projects. Eventually, this reflected inward and we worked together with Eric Meyer to revamp A List Apart into something worthy of its content.

We concocted a simple system for issues, branding each one with unique colors to mark the event, and articles shepherded with editorial illustrations by Kevin Cornell. And it was all writ large for resolutions as gigantic as 1024 x 768. We introduced a shared identity system for the site and for ALA’s sister organizations: An Event Apart, and the yet to be created, A Book Apart.

A List Apart was a lot of firsts for me: first big community project, first largely editorial website design, first website intended for a screen over 800px wide, and more. None of those things may seem remarkable today, but back then they were, and they still mean a lot to me now.

I’ll miss the ebb and flow of the content stream, helping shape the stories, and working with some seriously smart folks. Working alongside them on ALA helped make me into the designer I am today.

A shiny new version of the site is planned for early next year that’s going to be awesome. Besides, they can’t get rid of me that easily, I’ll be hanging around the new site writing about design and typography. And I’m still full steam ahead on A Book Apart with Mandy, Jeffrey, and the gang. Onward!