Re: [ubuntu-art] Whats Up with This?
On Mon, 2008-06-30 at 07:32 -0500, Salane Ashcraft wrote: > This is not a progression. It isn't even that different. The problem > with Ubuntu isn't the color, which has been made worse with this > Alpha. Its the widget style, which is flat and outdated. Its the > fonts, which need to be updated and can be done so with open source > fonts. Its the icons, which look like something designed for Playskool > OS. Its the presentation. I will never stop using Ubuntu, but really, > if we want this to be Linux for Humans, shouldn't we make it look as > best as possible? I think you are being a bit harsh considering this is a very early version of the theme. I don't particularly like it as it is now either, but there is plenty of time for it to improve! Personally I like the current icons. With the exception of the folder icons which i've always felt seem a bit too shiny compared to all the other icons. > > > I am getting involved. I am learning all I can to bring my theme to > life, but it will change yet again. I am going with a lighter color > than its current golden brown, perhaps something whiter. > > > Could someone explain to me how pixmap themes work? > > > Salane > > > > -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Whats Up with This?
On Mon, 2008-06-30 at 13:35 +0200, Kenneth Wimer wrote: > On Monday 30 June 2008 12:29:29 Nick Russell wrote: > > > Rather than necessarily set up opposing 'camps' (not intrinsically a bad > > thing, but it can be), is it possible for people to get involved in the > > development of this theme? - to improve the entirely-to-be-expected > > early flaws. > > Yes, it is possible for others to get involved with this. Ah that came out wrong, I wasn't meaning to criticise you, I was suggesting to the critics that they do something about the theme (get involved!) rather than just criticise. > > > It doesn't appear to have a statement of concept on the wiki with > > screenshots for people to comment on. I know it's possible for people to > > submit bugs against it, but I think it would be useful if it were on the > > wiki as well. The statement of concept is very important, because when > > someone says they don't like it, you can simply point them to the > > concept so they can understand why YOU like it and think it is the right > > direction to go in. You can also explain who the audience is (i.e. it > > may not be designed for the kind of people who are criticising it, if it > > is then that's when you know you need to reconsider aspects of your > > design). > > Actually, this is the first update for intrepid of the long term work we > started during the hardy cycle. The wiki page just needs to be updated :-) Cool. Is the Hardy page about the work done so far still available? I didn't find it on my (admittedly brief) look. :-) > > > IMO the wiki allows designer(s) and critics/audience to respond in a > > much less clinical/technical way to a design than does launchpad. > > I am unsure what you mean by "a much less clinical/technical" way as anyone > who wants to work on this needs to have the technical skills to do so and/or > go through a more elaborate process of submitting their ideas. Sorry that wasn't very clear. I completely agree that the people involved in the actual development need to be technically skilled. I was referring to the wiki (and indeed the forums) as a good place for the community to respond with more general comments about the theme (i.e. I like this, I don't like this, why I feel that way). What I'm getting at I suppose is that whilst obviously there will be technical/accessibility issues which are best reported on launchpad, there will also be more abstract/vague art-critic/audience-critic responses which would be best place somewhere else (forums/wiki/individuals blogs)? > -- > Ken > -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Whats Up with This?
On Mon, 2008-06-30 at 11:15 +0200, Kenneth Wimer wrote: > On Monday 30 June 2008 06:07:29 Salane Ashcraft wrote: > > Hey Everyone... > > What's up with this? > > This is the dark theme that we have put in for testing. It is in no way > finished, ie the "testing". > > > http://digg.com/linux_unix/Ubuntu_8_10_Intrepid_Ibex_Alpha_1_Screenshots > > > > See the complaints? We cannot let this happen. This theme is even worse > > then the default of Hardy > > I appreciate that you do now want this to happen. My suggestion would be to > work on something that you think is better. > > Ken > Rather than necessarily set up opposing 'camps' (not intrinsically a bad thing, but it can be), is it possible for people to get involved in the development of this theme? - to improve the entirely-to-be-expected early flaws. It doesn't appear to have a statement of concept on the wiki with screenshots for people to comment on. I know it's possible for people to submit bugs against it, but I think it would be useful if it were on the wiki as well. The statement of concept is very important, because when someone says they don't like it, you can simply point them to the concept so they can understand why YOU like it and think it is the right direction to go in. You can also explain who the audience is (i.e. it may not be designed for the kind of people who are criticising it, if it is then that's when you know you need to reconsider aspects of your design). IMO the wiki allows designer(s) and critics/audience to respond in a much less clinical/technical way to a design than does launchpad. -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Design of a complete user interface
On Fri, 2008-05-30 at 14:19 +0200, Klaus Bitto wrote: > > I'm not necessarily suggesting we should radically change the > UI, I'm just suggesting that from a design point of view it > seems odd to have an art team which doesn't appear to be able > to make decisions about the the UI as a whole. Or am I wrong? > > > I guess that's because usability (» Placement of panels, menus etc.) > comes before the "mere art" or "decoration". > > So, actually ubuntu-art might just be a glorified color changing team. > Changing colors can make hell of a difference, > though. I agree that it can, but I still think it would be good for art to be able to at least suggest UI layout changes (ie, not just in mockups), at the moment this seems almost to be considered outside our remit. Erno [szerencsefia] Here is the answer from wiki.ubuntu: "The decisions are made by our Self Appointed Benevolent Dictator for all final say and direction for the default artwork in the Ubuntu product." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SABDFL But isn't it the case that Mark makes the final decision but he doesn't actually design the UI himself? Which implies that someone designed the current UI (ie not just the art team, but someone who did the layout etc). Who designed it for Mark to decide upon? We should be in touch with whoever is in charge of this to make sure our 'colour changing' is going in a complementary direction to their UI layout design. If no one is responsible for this (ie, the decisions are made ad hoc by the programmers of the various apps, gnome panel, etc etc) then that strikes me as a problem. Should there be a UI team? - As a separate or subteam of art to make sure these ad hoc decisions are unified? -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
[ubuntu-art] Design of a complete user interface
Just a quick question for discussion sorry if this has been discussed before). Who in Ubuntu is responsible for the overall main user interface? i.e. Placement of gnome panel or panels, placement of menu and icons on the panel and how this fits in with the theme. Because it strikes me that many of the themes which are currently only mockups require more or less radical UI changes. Ones which are already 'in production' like New Wave are ones which haven't messed with the UI layout. I'm not necessarily suggesting we should radically change the UI, I'm just suggesting that from a design point of view it seems odd to have an art team which doesn't appear to be able to make decisions about the the UI as a whole. Or am I wrong? If so, how do we communicate with those people who do make UI layout changes? Are some of them on the art team? Or are we in fact just a glorified colour changing team? (Excuse the provocative last question, I just want to provoke discussion). -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] New Wave - Proposal
> However, the proposition for a New Wave mailing list is not bad at > all > -- but in that case we should try keeping posting sometimes on this > one > to show we are still alive, and to give interest to other people. Yes, I think if possible we should have a separate list and keep ubuntu art list postings to occasional status updates. Hi, The new icons looks great. I'm working on the icons that were missing in the Elementary theme. I already committed icons for File Roller, Alacarte, System User, Users and Groups, and I made a new one for F-Spot that I going to upload later. Do you think that I should continue making the missing icons? Or it's better to focus on some other stuff first? Do people think there should be monochromatic status icons for every major app which is installed by default and which puts itself in the taskbar, even things which aren't system services (e.g. Pidgin, Tracker, Rhythmbox etc)? I vote probably. Keep up the good work. -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] New Wave - Proposal
I think its much better like this, especially the white. Btw, is it possible to have a special mailing list (on launchpad?) just for New Wave? I feel we might be clogging up the art mailing list a little? On Mon, 2008-05-19 at 23:50 +0200, Giuseppe Pennisi wrote: > While I was working I thought this: > > http://img519.imageshack.us/my.php?image=menuproposalsh9.png > > http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=menuproposal2lz0.png > > I like this. > > For me in this way we get a sense of continuity with menu. > > Giuseppe P. > > -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Newsplash usplash mockup updates
On Fri, 2008-05-16 at 08:53 -0700, Troy James Sobotka wrote: > Nick Russell wrote: > > I've updated the original mockups on the wiki > > <https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/Newsplash> to address > > concerns/criticisms and I've added a few new ideas and variations on old > > ones. I've also started a forum thread to gauge community interest in a > > new usplash <http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=4971501> > > While I can appreciate your want to change a certain aspect of Ubuntu, I > would ask if you think a traditional development-centric component based > design works for overall aesthetic impact? > > That is, your design clearly moves toward a given presentation. Does > that presentation work in the 'bigger picture'? Is there an overarching > style that it fits in with? Etc. > > Worse, voting is death, especially on something of this nature. > > If you would like to have a very real world example, go about your > houseappear no matter what, > with a digital camera. Photograph small studies of say -- door handles, > a chair, a type of hard wood flooring. > > Now pick any one and put it up for a vote. In the end, the vote is > meaningless as it doesn't give you a true and accurate evaluation as to > how all of the pieces are going to work together in the total design. > > Two pennies... > TJS > > PS: If you want further insight into some of these ideas, I would > encourage you to examine the terms Gesamtkunstwerk ( > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesamtkunstwerk ) or Coccinity ( > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concinnity ). > > Hi there, I see what you are saying. But as I indicated when I first posted about the usplash, I'm not primarily an artist, and created these mock ups more to stimulate debate about a possible new usplash than anything else. In fact, as I recently posted on the forum thread, I'm not averse to the current usplash remaining. As for the voting aspect, I actually posted on the forums not primarily to put my ideas to the vote, but because I was secretly hoping someone who knows a thing or two about usplash might take up one of the designs, or be inspired (or so disgusted by my designs!) that he or she would come up with their own for Intrepid! But I think you are saying that the integrity of an idea may be watered down if it is put to the vote? I think that this is probably true, but then not all design/art is necessarily about creating an overall whole which gels is it? I'm not necessarily advocating this for ubuntu (it would be a usability nightmare!), but you could argue that a more fractured design where the pieces don't fit together is actually more interesting? I think your comments raise another interesting point, can there be such a thing as 'community art', and if there is does it tend to be 'better' or 'worse' (sorry for the clumsy wording) than an overall design which has a single or small number of creators? This is kind of the ultimate question for a project like Ubuntu, and the open source movement in general. In the end, in order to create an overall concept which looks good, is consistent and easy to use - I think you are right that the 'traditional development-centric component based design' probably doesn't work, but its tough, because I'm neither an artist or a developer, but as you say I want to 'change a certain aspect of ubuntu' so I'm sort of stuck in the middle. So why am I bothering? Well because I agree with the philosophy of ubuntu and want it to spread as far as possible. In terms of my 'big picture' it would be that philosophy, rather than anything strictly 'aesthetic', which is why I focused my designs on the coming together of the circle of people, and what they produce in the centre of that circle. And why did I choose the usplash, because its the first thing people see, so they should get that philosophy straight away. Though, I suppose the logo does that anyway - without any fancy animations Thanks again for your comments, Nick -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
[ubuntu-art] Newsplash usplash mockup updates
I've updated the original mockups on the wiki to address concerns/criticisms and I've added a few new ideas and variations on old ones. I've also started a forum thread to gauge community interest in a new usplash, feel free to add any comments you have there, on the wiki page, or to me personally via email if you'd prefer. Thanks, Nick. https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/Newsplash http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=4971501 -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] New Wave
On Thu, 2008-05-15 at 18:18 +0300, Anton Kerezov wrote: > В 15:57 +0100 на 15.05.2008 (чт), Nick Russell написа: > > On Thu, 2008-05-15 at 22:31 +1000, Nicholas Kraak wrote: > > > In terms of Usplash, someone mentioned a smooth splash screen > > > similar to the Mac OS X startup splash where the loading bar moves > > > smoothly. We may not be able to do that much be our usplash > > > seriously needs changing, its ugly as hell. You may consider looking > > > at Fedora's and OpenSuSE's spash screen, both are very smooth and > > > beautiful. However, if we're going to stick to something simple, I > > > quite like Linux Mint's Splash screen. I definitely think simple is the way to go, but I'm not a fan of any of those usplash examples personally. They all rather busy. I prefer a black background with just the logo, progress bar (and 'ubuntu', if necessary). Any thoughts people? Any other good designs out there on the net? > > > > > > Any thoughts? > > > > > > -Nicholas > > > > I've added a slightly simpler usplash concept to the wiki, scroll down > > to Concept 2. > > Very good work. Can the corners of the Ubuntu logo be anti-aliased for a > smoother image? Btw I like the first concept because it is more original > (no OS will have such a uspalh). Can a fade-in animation be used to show > different parts of the logo (ex. the red dot then the other part below > and so on)? I think we can add gradients to the logo so that it looks > better. For a reference color palette look at the wiki - Pallete > section: > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/NewWave You're quite right, the logo/text definitely needs anti-aliasing. To be honest I'm not much of an artist, these are just rough mockups of ideas I've had (influenced by ideas I've seen elsewhere). I probably will anti-alias and generally touch up the mock-ups, but as for making it look really professional, and indeed making the real thing that would have to be done by someone who knows a thing or two about usplash Anyone like that on this list who might want to take up one of these concepts, or come up with their own for Intrepid? Failing that, any good guides to making usplashes on the net? I could learn... > gp wrote: > > Anton, > > have you already registred the project-theme in LP ? > > Othewise, we could try. I think it's very important for developed in a > > right way for thinking that it can be considered a possible default. > > > > I never registred a LP project but I think that I can try to help > > you. > > I haven't registered it because don't know to and I've never done this > before. It is a good idea though and I will see what I can do about it. > Can anybody help? Cory, Who, Kenneth? Just found these guides via recent planet ubuntu re setting up a launchpad project http://jam-bazaar.blogspot.com/2007/03/11-steps-to-creating-new-launchpad.html http://jam-bazaar.blogspot.com/2008/05/creating-new-launchpad-project-redux.html -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Newsflash: Newsplash
On Thu, 2008-05-15 at 22:31 +1000, Nicholas Kraak wrote: > In terms of Usplash, someone mentioned a smooth splash screen similar > to the Mac OS X startup splash where the loading bar moves smoothly. > We may not be able to do that much be our usplash seriously needs > changing, its ugly as hell. You may consider looking at Fedora's and > OpenSuSE's spash screen, both are very smooth and beautiful. However, > if we're going to stick to something simple, I quite like Linux Mint's > Splash screen. > > Any thoughts? > > -Nicholas I've added a slightly simpler usplash concept to the wiki, scroll down to Concept 2. -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
[ubuntu-art] New Wave bugs
You made already know about this... The synaptic package manager and other sudo programs don't seem to be themed correctly. The progress bar is blue and the buttons square rather than nice and rounded. Keep up the good work! Nick -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Newsflash: Newsplash
On Thu, 2008-05-15 at 11:27 +0100, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > ? 10:49 +0100 ?? 15.05.2008 (??), Nick Russell ??: > > On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 9:03 PM, Nick Russell > > wrote: > > > > > > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/Newsplash > > > > > > Not really my idea, but just wanted to get discussion going about > the > > > Intrepid usplash. Let me know what you think! > > > > > > Thanks, > > > Nick > > > -- > > > ubuntu-art mailing list > > > ubuntu-art at lists.ubuntu.com > > > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art > > > > > > > > > > On Thu May 15 02:21:18 BST 2008 ?Brett Alton brett.jr.alton at > > gmail.com wrote: > > ?> Too Debian like -- only has 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% incrementals. > > > > One way around this is, as I suggest on the wiki, to make the ?25%, > 50%, 75% and 100% logo increments > > just loop to replace the current ping-pong progress bar, and then > when that part of loading is done > > have a progress bar below takeover. If that makes sense? > > > > Good idea guys! I had similar thought about the load process. Keep up > the good work! > > Anton Ok, I've made some changes to better flesh out the concept, address the lack of a progress bar, and use some grey from NewWave! Let me know what you think. -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Newsflash: Newsplash
On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 9:03 PM, Nick Russell wrote: > > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/Newsplash > > Not really my idea, but just wanted to get discussion going about the > Intrepid usplash. Let me know what you think! > > Thanks, > Nick > -- > ubuntu-art mailing list > ubuntu-art at lists.ubuntu.com > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art > > On Thu May 15 02:21:18 BST 2008 Brett Alton brett.jr.alton at gmail.com wrote: > Too Debian like -- only has 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% incrementals. One way around this is, as I suggest on the wiki, to make the 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% logo increments just loop to replace the current ping-pong progress bar, and then when that part of loading is done have a progress bar below takeover. If that makes sense? -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
[ubuntu-art] Newsflash: Newsplash
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/Newsplash Not really my idea, but just wanted to get discussion going about the Intrepid usplash. Let me know what you think! Thanks, Nick -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] New Wave
The firefox menubar font colour looks to be ever so slightly different (white?) to the colour of other windows menubars (light grey?). I've attached a screenshot (if attachments come through on this list...?) Nick <>-- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] New Wave
On Sat, 2008-05-10 at 10:32 +0100, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Hi! > > Here are the first taskbar icons (added on the wiki): > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/NewWave?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=taskbar_icons.zip > > If you have any remark/question/request about color/size/shape please > don't > hesitate. Also, I don't really know what others are missing (a > bluetooth > one? Network warning?...) so please tell me which ones I should make. > > Cheers, > > Fran?ois Really like what you are doing with New Wave. I noticed in some of the wiki screenshots there is an icon theme with little ubuntu logos on the some icons (most visible in Nautilus) which in my opinion is far too dark. I think that title/menu/status bars etc should be black or grey just as you've made them, but the actual content of a window that we have to interact with should be colourful (probably brown/orange/red) - i.e. folder icons etc. I also think this will really give New Wave a chance of being default (if that is you intention?), Mark likes his brown/orange/red! My feeling is that the most common icons to appear in the taskbar (aside from those you've made) are Tracker, Pidgin, Evolution Calendar alert, Rhythmbox, Remote Desktop, Transmission, Package Manager and Bluetooth. I realise some of these are applications, but I think it will ruin the unity of the theme if some taskbar icons are monochrome and others not. How do we actually add the icons to the New Wave theme so we can test? Also, I noticed a potential usability problem. By making the title bar and menu bar appear as one, it is easy to automatically and mistakenly click and hold on the menu bar in order to try and move a window. I think part of the reason I did this myself is because I've come from Windows Vista where the menu bar (well, its gone actually, but the strip where it used to be!) can be clicked to drag a window just as readily as the title bar can be. Relatively minor I suppose, but just thought I'd point it out! Keep up the good work! Nick -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
