My Blog About A Blog

I would guess that when the blogging craze first took off years ago most people considered blogs to be an online version of a personal diary, journal, or newsletter. Then, as blogging began to morph into a variety of forms and it began to seep into the world of companies and the media, our understanding of the blog’s definition became muddled.

While many people rely on blogs for commentary and news updates, I do not believe they have taken primacy as the ultimate information authority… at least not yet. Call me overly optimistic, but I doubt that blogs will ever fully take over the as the only disseminator of news information.

That being said, their influence and popularity are undeniable. However, I see their greatest value exists when focusing on specialty or niche audiences.

One blog, design*sponge, has latched onto this concept wholeheartedly and is quite successful. The site, which launched in 2004, began with one designer and now has a 13-member editorial team. Their target audience seems to be young adults who are of the do-it-yourself nature. Specifically, projects and products that are related to home design, entertaining, and art.

One of its strengths as a blog is the site’s professional, yet conversational tone. In addition, it has a clean visual aesthetic.

Adding to its credibility, the site’s creator Grace Bonney is transparent about the fact that design*sponge does not accept free sample or compensation for their coverage of any products or ideas. For the blog’s audience, this adds trust and authority when it comes to the editors’ selections.

It seems the site’s purpose began as an outlet for expression and observation, but has gradually developed into a collaborative space for sensible creativity and “trend forecasting.” The variety of voices found throughout its pages lends itself to this collaborative atmosphere, which leads to approachability and growth. This is a notable difference between design*sponge and many other design-inspired blogs.

The content appears to be from a compilation of sources including: fan submissions, contributing designers, and the editorial staff themselves researching new designs or products.

While the editors’ opinions are clearly respected, they do not pretend to have exclusive rights on what is considered “good” design. This makes it an inclusive and inspiring site that keeps visitors coming back. The site’s followers add a positive vibrancy that is hard to find consistently on blogs. This is evidenced by the fact that the comment fields are always well populated.

The multiple layers of the site add freshness and dynamism. For instance, instead of focusing only on adding daily design updates, they have a set editorial calendar, guest blogs, city guides, and business advice for entrepreneurial-minded women.

The breadth of knowledge conveyed throughout the blog makes design*sponge feel comparable to your smart and informed friend; the friend who is your go-to resource for a wide scope of suggestions and insider tips.