Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour
Don't forget that color is not only a matter of aesthetics but it is a usability issue as well. There are plenty of info on the net about the effects of color on human psychology. Research the subject to see what I mean. I can't stress this enough, this is, by all empirical research, an urban myth. Perhaps colour psychology is a particular pseudoscience/woo, but there is a tangible effect that colours have on humans. In what branch of legitimate science this is studied, I am not sure. The most minimal case for colours must surely be that we associate them with certain things/conditions. Red is blood, blue is water/sky. White is clouds, perhaps death. Green is plant-stuff. Brown is ground, etc. These associations are more than enough to give colour a lot of power because humans are association engines! Naturally - these associations get fuzzy as we try to share them across cultures. What should be at the root of the human interface? The locale. End of story! Still, I respect the choice of a brown palette for no technical reasons at all -- I just respond to it and like it. Again, I wish Kubuntu would adopt it! /d -- Faith is sexed-up superstition. -- pauliej -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour
El 16/04/2007, a las 8:19, Donn escribió: I can't stress this enough, this is, by all empirical research, an urban myth. Sure?? urban mith? Seriously, do you __believe__ that, for example, Apple engineers could have chosen pink color for all the folders and green instead of grey for the app windows? If you're right, I have to talk with my Software Engineering teacher. When she explained basic things about Interface design and usability she __ emphasized__ the importance of colours (and she showed us some works about the effect on colours in human mood/mind/work/usability) into the human-computer interaction. In my opinion this is obviosly __not__ a worthless discussion, and of course, this is not an urban mith. Sorry, maybe this is quite off-topic. Have a nice day! Álvaro. -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour
I think it would be good if the brown colors would be used on a different way, maybe more a desert kind of theme with colors like sandy brown and also green from a cactus. Also using more 3d in the artwork wouldn't be a bad idea. I prefer calling this just 3d because you can create more 3d style effects than the glass or bubble effects which are used already in vista en osx. This way I think Ubuntu will be more attractive and more Linux for Humans. Lauren -- ubuntu-art mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour
Now, I'm certainly no expert, so I don't want to claim any expertise on the subject. However, I do have two suggestions to add to the discussion. First of all, in my experience, I certainly do seem to have a psychological reaction to certain colors. I think all of us have experienced this phenomenon. However, I don't believe that good color design requires using the same colors all the time for the same effect. In many ways, I think how one uses the colors is also important. Now, I'm not trying to argue that brown is just as relaxing as blue--in my experience, blue tends to be more calming. However, I would point out that not every type of blue is calming and relaxing. For example, the high contrast of the dark blues and white sprays of a stormy sea are hardly relaxing. I think because most of us agree that blue is a nice, relaxing color, in design we have used it in such a way so as to produce this effect. My point is, I wonder if it is not possible to do something nearly the same with brown--or at least to do it better than it is being done right now. My second point is an obvious one, and probably does not bear repeating, except that it is a bit of my pet-idea right now, which I would love to see become a pet project. It seems undeniable that color is largely a culturally-based phenomenon as far as color psychology goes. Now, I know that some colors are more universal in their appeal than others, but let's remember that while to some cultures white represents cleanliness and purity, in other cultures it is quite the opposite--the color of death. In America, blue and black are considered formal colors, and we tend to associate stability and truthfulness with blue. However, in Korea (I work in a Korean church and currently live in Asia, though I would not want to speak for all Asian peoples), these feelings have traditionally been associated with pink. If we're going to argue about the default color scheme, we first need to decide who the target audience should be. Also, I think it is important to take in mind all the different problems associated with deciding on a good color design and theme--usability is big, but so is branding. Well, I guess that's all my two cents now. What I would love to see now are some ideas on how to better implement the current color scheme, as I think it can be done--I'm just not artistic enough to know how it should be done. :) Thanks, Brian -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour
I still have to meet with the one who wants to keep it. Just to say, I love the browns and I wish Kubuntu would adopt them too. C'mon, Ubuntu is African and Africa is all about tones of brown and the veld. /d -- ubuntu-art mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour
On 4/14/07, Donn [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I still have to meet with the one who wants to keep it. Just to say, I love the browns and I wish Kubuntu would adopt them too. C'mon, Ubuntu is African and Africa is all about tones of brown and the veld. There is a confusion here. No one is suggesting that the brown is ugly. But the target users for ubuntu are not the Africans where this color enjoys privileged symbolic meaning. Rather Ubuntu aims at the global audience (dominated by western influences) that operates along different cultural lines. And this is the audience that needs to be satisfied. In other words, the choice of a successful color scheme shouldn't be based on personal preferences but rather on the expectations of the global users. Don't forget that color is not only a matter of aesthetics but it is a usability issue as well. There are plenty of info on the net about the effects of color on human psychology. Research the subject to see what I mean. Jmak -- http://jozmak.blogspot.com/ http://jozmak.googlepages.com/ -- ubuntu-art mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour
There is a confusion here. No one is suggesting that the brown is ugly. No worries. But the target users for ubuntu are not the Africans where this color enjoys privileged symbolic meaning. Rather Ubuntu aims at the global audience (dominated by western influences) I'm white and western, I just happened to be born in South Africa! I still like the brown. I think it's a brave and distinctive choice. :) If we are gonna go down the cultural perception road then I always argue for a locale-based theme such that the locale decides the icons, the colours, the fonts, and so on. One size-fits all just don't work. Research the subject to see what I mean. I'm sure it gets deeper than I have the metaphysics for, but I's still likes my browns man! Cheers, /d -- ubuntu-art mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 jmak wrote: Don't forget that color is not only a matter of aesthetics but it is a usability issue as well. There are plenty of info on the net about the effects of color on human psychology. Research the subject to see what I mean. I can't stress this enough, this is, by all empirical research, an urban myth. Color Psychology is an attempt to legitimize a field that was once referred to chromotherapy. It was used in ancient Egyptian and Chinese cultures. In contemporary terms, it is considered by most psychologists to be completely bunk. The American Medical Association dismissed it about a decade ago. Consider the following: In 1878 Edwin Babbit published The Principles of Light and Color: The Healing Power of Color. Babbit believed that pulsing coloured lights shone into the eyes could cure a deficiency in eyesight, correct eye coordination, and general health problems. We know today that ultraviolet light can kill bacteria, but Dinshah P Ghadiali4 claimed that he could cure a patient by shining multi-coloured light upon their bare skin. Calling it 'Spectro-Chrome Therapy', he said that the basic elements of the human body - oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon - all had a corollary colour; oxygen was blue, hydrogen red, nitrogen green, and carbon yellow. He said that the human body is responsive to these four 'colour wave potencies' and to cure disease it was necessary to administer the lacking colours or reduce the colours that have become too brilliant. After 30 years of criminal activity, including immoral relations with a 19-year-old girl who had been his secretary, making over a million dollars selling the device, 12 criminal counts and five years probation, a permanent injunction was issued in 1959 against Ghadiali and Spectro-Chrome, and in 1966, Ghadiali died. Amazingly enough, the Spectro-Chrome is still available by mail order. Do you think that colour psychology has much merit when it is listed on the same page that has astro psychics and UFO spottings? Rather Ubuntu aims at the global audience (dominated by western influences) that operates along different cultural lines. Again, this is rather Western centric. Remember, as of two years ago some of the most lauded designers were popping up in Starbucks and like coffee shop mentality. What was the base colour in most of those schemes? That's right -- _brown_. They won a boatload of awards fueling the organic brown earthy look and feel, and with good reason -- some of that work is _phenomenal_ and had a good deal to do with Starbuck's success. Sincerely, TJS -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.3 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFGIPUPar0EasPEHjQRAlQQAKC1fCDqwNg9gaiiDm8hifmGGD4fjACgw5+g J5sUN2xHp3pDxA9zpRzI3CE= =TMp8 -END PGP SIGNATURE- -- ubuntu-art mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour
Again, this is rather Western centric. Remember, as of two years ago some of the most lauded designers were popping up in Starbucks and like coffee shop mentality. What was the base colour in most of those schemes? That's right -- _brown_. They won a boatload of awards fueling the organic brown earthy look and feel, and with good reason -- some of that work is _phenomenal_ and had a good deal to do with Starbuck's success. But you dont live in the starbucks. On the other hand, you spend many hours every day in front of your computer. The computer is a bit like home. It is unlikely that you paint your living room say orange, or black. jmak -- http://jozmak.blogspot.com/ http://jozmak.googlepages.com/ -- ubuntu-art mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour
El 13/04/2007, a las 22:22, Pascal Klein escribió:
Hi. :)
The goal behind Ubuntu's colour palette is that it should separate
Ubuntu from other desktops. Although the most universally safe (in
regards to culture and gender) and pleasing primary desktop colour is
blue and shades of it, had Ubuntu gone blue it would by colour be
similar to... too many other desktops -- Windows XP uses it, as
does Mac
OS X and even KDE is well known for using heavily saturated blue
tones.
Ubuntu ('humanity towards others') brings earthy and human-skin colour
tones to the digital desktop. Ubuntu could have gone stock GNOME and
used it's green tones (as you mention from the recent 2.18 release)
but
then Ubuntu would loose it's visual uniqueness.
It is hard to find a common ground in this entire regard. A lot of
people like Ubuntu's colour palette whilst others dislike it. Those
that
dislike it are free to change their desktop and it's looks quite
easily
(that's what the other themes that are shipped with the CD are there
for). As far as I understand it Ubuntu will continue to use it's
current
colour palette though the primary desktop colours might change (within
the limits of the colour palette (ie. see the changes from Hoary to
Dapper)). :)
Hope that cleared up a few things. :)
-Pascal
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Hello everyone! first of all (off topic) I want to apologize because
I don't have enough time to reply all the e-mails, I'm quite busy
finishing my career, so sorry everyone.
Ok, I've read a lot of times in a lot of websites/blogs etc. this
statement: people don't choose ubuntu because of brown/orange/red
tones. Some people would think that this is a worthless discussion
but I find really interesting.
I think that I said before in another discussion, that what Pascal
Klein in saying isn't the only thing that we have to consider about
the colours of the distribution. We need to realize that User
Interface is a science, and it's not just trying to separate ubuntu
from another distros/OS's. In my opinion, and what I've learned, the
colour palette must be useful for make ubuntu different _and_
functional (gray , blue or light shades are a great colours to make
your desktop a confortable place to work) both.
But I would go further, I find more important the user experience,
the usability, all those facts related with Human Computer
Interaction than just making ubuntu different. The visual aspect of
an app or an OS now isn't focused on what the programmer likes, now
it's a _very_ important part of the computer science. Now is as
important as coding.
So why we're taking this fact (ubuntu general look/aspect) just
thinking in being different than the others?
Why not try to be _better_ than the others?
Yes, I know that this is quite insane, but, why not reconsider ubuntu
general look?
Maybe not for Feisty or Gutsy, but we can start thinking about for a
future version. Maybe we can plan a great launch for ubuntu, not just
a 6 months version, and we can start thinking about the interface of
that big launch. I know, this is quite weird, but that would be a
great chance to win new users.
So, that's all folks. I hope I will be able to write again soon.
Cheers!
Álvaro.
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Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 jmak wrote: I wrote: Colours are _culturally_ and _temporally_ rooted in meaning. Look to the colours of traditional wedding wear in Japan or different parts of tribal Africa for examples of cultural meaning. Look to the tonal differences between the 60s and 80s pop culture art for temporal examples. While I agree with you that the meaning of a color is culture dependent, but the question is how do you apply this principle in a cross-cultural context. After all, computer use cannot be reduced to a single cultural location but it is global. You can't. Attempting to do so would be no more foolish than attempting to invent your own language and hoping that it would work in every locale. It is silly to attempt it, and not worth it. It is not out of the ordinary to suggest that a design should choose an audience and speak to it. Companies that make creative design decisions don't worry about appealing to everyone. They choose a target and attack it. So Alvaro has a point here. During the years, I installed ubuntu for many computers, (mostly for teenagers, the children of my friends) and so far, in each case, I was requested to change Ubuntu's default color scheme. I still have to meet with the one who wants to keep it. I couldn't more strongly disagree. Brown is a great base colour when rounded out with a full design palette. Ubuntu currently suffers most desperately on at least the following three points: 1) No specified audience to speak to. 2) No communication goals. 3) In relation to the topic, lacking a well designed palette to communicate (2) to (1) effectively. Earth tones can work wondefully towards communicating 'earthy' ideals when implemented in the design structure. That said, when you fail to apply those notions, or worse -- as Ubuntu does -- use 'brown' just for 'browns' sake, you end up in a mire of mediocre design. Again, it is no huge leap of faith to suggest that brown _can_ work when supported with thoughtful design. Colour alone will do __nothing__ to change a user's opinion. Thoughtful design _will_. Ultimately, poor design will yield complaints that are all over the map. Generally, people will choose the most obvious thing -- in Ubuntu's case it is brown. It is less about the brown and more about the absolute vacuum concerning design matters relating to audience and communication goals. Middle grey 'appeal to everyone' mentality creates _zero_ 'must have' or 'need' in _any_ individuals mind. Sincerely, TJS -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.3 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFGH600ar0EasPEHjQRAkK/AKDsxsGn1T2/c0Cw1nYkypl4brbHiwCfQi/W sFPW9OuxW7pe3UGY6DAE89U= =ZvWw -END PGP SIGNATURE- -- ubuntu-art mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour
Yeah ! I love your idea ! For example, when installing from the live CD, after selecting the language, it would ask to select a theme... and the theme would be instantly applied to the current live ubuntu (it would be the same window than the gnome theme selector), and then it would be stored so that when ubuntu is installed, it is already with the theme selected at the installation ! sorry for the bad English... Yann Dìnendal Le 14/4/07, Brian White [EMAIL PROTECTED] a écrit : Hi, all. This certainly isn't the first time we've seen this discussion cropping up on the ubuntu-art mailing list. I remember a year or two ago someone suggested that because themes are such a personally subjective matter (and for many they are the the first and easiest way to personalize one's computer, along with the wallpaper), perhaps we should offer a small selection of theme options at install time. Now, I know that some might argue that we already do offer multiple themes that are easily changed once installation is finished. This is true, however, I think it would be an easy, fun and even rewarding option, especially for new users to be able to initially customize your own computer (it is *your* computer, after all) right from the get-go--the first time you boot up your new ubuntu machine, it asks you which theme you would like to use, with Human as the default. My mother used the Luna theme for Windows XP for the longest time (her work computer...I have her on linux at home, of course!), but not because she liked it, but because she didn't know how to change it. Linux is about choice, and I think this is a nice and simple choice we can offer people right from the beginning to demonstrate this ideal. This is probably something to bring up more on the development side of things than the ubuntu-art group, but I thought I would mention it once again since it seemed a relevant option at this point in the discussion. In regards to some of the other elements of the discussion, Ubuntu, itself, as many of you have suggested, is cross-cultural and rooted in different meanings to different people. I agree that there needs to be a stock ubuntu look, and I think the Human theme works admirably for that purpose. But I would be very curious as to what would happen if we asked people from all different cultures to come up with their own ubuntu theme. I think it would be really neat to see what the world can come up with. Naturally, this is not a project I could see being completed in the near future, and it would certainly take a certain degree of cultural sensitivity. But, I think it would be really empowering, then, once ubuntu started up to have a selection of 5 or 6 themes that were perhaps based on these culturally-derived themes so that anyone who runs ubuntu can immediately feel, Hey, this OS feels right--it's like it was made for me. We offer a selection of languages at install time, why not a selection of themes, as they seem to be culturally relevant (or at the least, personally subjectively relevant), as well. Well, I always halfway appreciate this discussion and halfway dread it when it crops up. I guess here's my 2 cents. :) Thanks for everyone's hard work. Most appreciatively, Brian -- ubuntu-art mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art -- ubuntu-art mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour
Hi, I think that Brian has a very good idea although I am not sure if it is realizable or not at this point in time. Why not create an entirely flexible theme which can be adjusted by setting certain values? The installer asks you several questions; one of them could be What is your favorite color? (ok, maybe I am simplifying things here, but you get the idea). I think this idea is worth investigating. Of course, this would rely on a *very* well implemented color scheme - funny how that keeps popping up, eh? Ken -- ubuntu-art mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour variations on splash
On Tue, 2006-18-07 at 22:31 -0400, jmak wrote: Thanks for the comments. Tomorrow, I will change the black to something else. I am going to make a few color variations. If I might ask, can we postpone the colour variations until a little further down the road? Colour is a minor tweak. We need to get more of the gloss style variations on the board first. This means the top gloss, hills, more busy less busy, etc. Remember the source image: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Archives/6.06/Ubuntu?action=AttachFiledo=gettarget=gnome-session-splash.png Thanks guys... TJS signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
[ubuntu-art] Colour psychology
Dear artist, I believe you find usefull following links with information about colour psychology and take them into account during creating *Ubuntu artwork. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_psychology http://www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/color/a/symbolism.htm http://www.bharatmatrimony.com/astrology/color.shtml http://www.three-musketeers.net/mike/colors.html http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/color2.htm With regards Petr Tomeš -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour palette suggestions
Niel Drummond wrote: sorry I removed this page (it wasn't working very well anyway).. will try and fix it if mark and others agree to have such a thing I think a strong palette and consistent approach are essential - but don't want to deviate from the current Ubuntu logo colours so would ask you to bear that in mind in your planning. At some stage Canonical will hire a full time art director and that person will assume responsibility for the "big picture" of Ubuntu and Canonical branding. Till then, it's an ongoing discussion between me, Jane Silber, a local London artist and members of the Ubuntu team. Mark -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour palette suggestions
Troy James Sobotka wrote: On Sat, 2006-17-06 at 00:31 +0200, Niel Drummond wrote: well I didn't much like the hodge podge of new theme ideas scattered around https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ArtworkTeam/Drafts/ so I created another page, in an effort to reduce the clutter. I don't know how much room there is to adjust the palette spectrum away from the defaults listed in the DIY marketing selection of the wiki. Mark will probably comment on this matter to clarify. sorry I removed this page (it wasn't working very well anyway).. will try and fix it if mark and others agree to have such a thing - niel -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Colour palette suggestions
On Sat, 2006-17-06 at 00:31 +0200, Niel Drummond wrote: well I didn't much like the hodge podge of new theme ideas scattered around https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ArtworkTeam/Drafts/ so I created another page, in an effort to reduce the clutter. I don't know how much room there is to adjust the palette spectrum away from the defaults listed in the DIY marketing selection of the wiki. Mark will probably comment on this matter to clarify. signature.asc Description: This is a digitally signed message part -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
