Design matters

Good design matters even when you are the only one using it.

A recent upgrade to Parallels Plesk on our main server added a lot of new features and solved some problems for our email users.

The upgrade changed the theme for the control panel and so our previous branding looked ugly with the new design. Even though I am the person who uses the control panel the most often, it was important to update our branding on the control panel to keep it looking professional and avoid the distraction of the ill-fitting logo.

Before:

Our logo in the top left corner had a transparent background.
Our logo in the top left corner had a transparent background.
Previous branding on Plesk detail
A closer view

After Plesk upgrade:

Branding on Plesk detail
With the background color change, the old branding is unreadable and ugly.

After uploading our standard logo:

New logo on Plesk detail
The new logo looks better, but the white background is uncomfortable.

After new branding:

Final branding on Plesk detail
With a transparent background and recoloring the text, the new branding fits much better.

I could have spent more time getting it pixel perfect, but I am pleased with this solution.

As you can see, design is often a process of making things fit for their purpose.

In this case, our design fits these purposes:

  • links this Plesk control panel with the rest of the services we offer
  • instant recognition of who is responsible for the control panel
  • not distracting from the main purpose of the control panel

What irks you about the design of the tools you use? Do you need some help to fix it?