My Tired Los Angeles Blog

The author, a Los Angeles-based venture capitalist, shares his experience of having a blog that had become outdated and tired. He found it difficult to update the design himself using Wordpress, and hiring designers proved challenging due to communication issues.

• The author preferred to focus on writing content and wasn't skilled in visual design.
• He considered switching to a blog platform with easier design capabilities but found it too much work.
• Hiring designers was a challenge as he couldn't effectively communicate his aesthetic preferences.

Jess Bachman to the Rescue

The author's blog redesign journey took a turn for the better when he reconnected with Jess Bachman, a designer and collaborator. Jess had previously helped him with a startup infographic, demonstrating his ability to translate ideas into visually appealing formats.

• Jess was described as opinionated, smart, visually talented, and willing to provide honest feedback.
• He helped the author overcome his fear of using cheesy stock photography, leading to a more visually appealing blog.
• Jess's design skills extended beyond blogs, as he also helped the author improve his PowerPoint presentations.

Website Redesign and Visual Design

Jess took the lead on the website redesign project, creating a fresh and modern look for the author's blog. The author was particularly fond of the image Jess created depicting the older and younger versions of himself engaged in a debate.

• The author initially wanted to use the image on the homepage but decided it was too narcissistic and instead placed it on the "about page."
• Jess's work involved not only aesthetic choices but also improving the overall user experience of the blog.

Collaborating with Visual.ly and Kyle Taylor

The author praises the work of Jess's company, Visual.ly, which provides high-quality infographic design services at reasonable prices. He also highlights the contribution of Kyle Taylor, a visually picky and talented designer from Upfront Ventures.

• Kyle was responsible for bringing Jess's design concepts to life on the author's blog, transforming the visual design into a tangible reality.
• Kyle implemented a visually stunning image of Los Angeles, the author's hometown, as the home screen banner for the blog, creating a strong visual connection with the author's location.
• Kyle's involvement extended beyond the blog, as he also offered to help the author relaunch his web series "This Week in Venture Capital" under a new name.

Lessons in Los Angeles Venture Capital

The author concludes by expressing his gratitude to both Jess and Kyle for their contributions to the blog's makeover. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration in creating a successful and visually engaging online presence.

• The author encourages readers to explore the redesigned blog and provides links to follow Kyle on Twitter for updates on the web series relaunch.
• He also invites feedback from readers on further improvements or additions that could be made to the blog.