Re: [ubuntu-art] Long Term Vision Theme
I am new to the art team, and would like to ask where would be the best place to post my new Long Term Vision theme, a follow-up to Gimmie-Human. I would ordinarily post a new theme directly under the Incoming/Intrepid sub-directory, but this is a very ambitious re-envisioning of Ubuntu and probably not totally implementable in one development cycle. I would like to modularize aspects of the theme realization, such that work could begin under Intrepid, and then continue implementing other modules in subsequent releases until completion or another vision takes its place. Its mentioned on the main Artwork (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork) page, as well as the Incoming page, a little lower down. Obviously this is not working, so if anyone has a suggestion to help make this a little clearer, please email me :). If you have a complete concept that is meant to be developed outside of the regular release cycle, such as Blubuntu--please use the /PageTemplate and put your page in /Incoming. Keep it clear and simple. So, the correct place for items that lie outside the release cycle is here: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming Theres a form there that will help you do that :). Make sure you keep us updated on the situation in the list though! For all reading this-- DO NOT email Mark Shuttleworth all your themes. Submit all things to artwork lists and other places detailed under https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Documentation/GetInvolved, as well as probably www.ubuntu-art.org :). The correct person to contact is the Canonical Representive, Kenneth Wimer ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). What you have so far looks great but remember, the only developer resources we have are the ones we can muster up ourselves :) -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
[ubuntu-art] UDS Report.
I'm at UDS, and after speaking with kwwii, and _MMA_, I have written a few notes, as well as some personal thoughts. This is mostly for the planning process itself, but I am sending it to the list so everyone is clued in as well :). Things we discussed: Dark theme, and incompatibilities from programs with hard coded values. In terms of this, the current plan is to push a dark theme into Ibex ASAP so people can begin to file bugs against the applications in question. The largest problem at the moment, is Icons. In order to create an entirely cohesive theme we need to completely create our own set to fit. However, there have been concerns raised about those icons that don't match. This is especially accentuated by the fact that one of the current proposals are the etched solid icons. However, this will always happen: and in order to ever break out of Tango we need to start somewhere. Tango is off the table--however, those that Human currently doesn't fill since its been commissioned (in Dapper?) will show up as Tango. In terms of where we need to go: 1. We need to decide on a direction, 2. We have to lock down the minimum number of worthwhile stable contributors. 3, and go from there. One item that was raised was whether Canonical will purchase a new icon set. It would certainly be easier on our man hours. Hopefully, if this happens, the commission agreement will demand that the contracted company supply Free artwork and make the sources available. Icon themes: Besides the dark theme, etched glass etc: Perhaps we should revamp Human, and extend it as well? I haven't tested whether Human is mostly compatible with dark themes as it currently stands, and I will look into that. There is also the option of looking into a variety of other already available gpl themes. We can customise and extend those. Dark Theme Dark Theme: If we do this, would we have to produce a companion light theme as well? Or is the carryover from the last release sufficient for those who prefer or need to work with something lighter. There is also the question where people will accept a dark theme in which some applications with hardcoded values produce some undesired results. I think this is mostly a nonissue, as long as we can file bugs for the major apps like FF. If we can pull off something that looks impressive, or even just great looking-- people will be satisfied. In art, the big picture always matters the most. It doesn't matter how wonderful an eye, or finger is, if everything else is executed poorly. In the same aspect it doesn't matter whether your icons are jawdroppingly beautiful or your windows decorations if all else is not. If things are cohesive, they don't have to be amazing looking. Even if they are just quite good by themselves--when combined it can make for an experience most impressive. It is the whole of the work that applies. Developers, and Packaging One major concern is that we have no developers really interested in developing for us--but the larger issue is that we still have to find packagers. Hopefully, we can do that here at UDS. However, MMA has informed me that the launchpad bzr can produce .debs, so this may be somewhat mitigated. However, afaik (feel free to correct me) the community theme package has still thus far not been produced? I'll talk more about the community theme package and its importance later in this psuedo-essay. Infrastructure: We also need to reduce the mess and make everything easily viewable. This may come from ubuntu-art.org giving us a category or it may come from a set of guidelines following along the lines of Fedora. One idea was that people need to successfully contribute something in order to post about the project. This would definitely reduce the amount of naysayers and those with mouths that run, but feet that do not walk. We have to decide whether these restrictions are necessary if we use a gatekeeper as described lower. --- My Thoughts: What We Need In terms of being even relatively successful, we need to do something artistically strong and distinct. What does it mean to be 'strong'? This means something that is cohesive and presents the same look and feel. This means something conceptual behind it, even if it is something simple. Why do we need a concept? This is the only way to unify many disparate parts, especially in terms of working with multiple contributors. I think, an important part of this, to be successful, is a _gatekeeper_. This may be someone at UDS, but mostly likely will be the concept or mockup originator. What makes something artistically strong. To be artistically strong-- this means we have to have defined our vision greatly, in VISUAL terms. Which means supplying our references, studies, and notes. However, the visual component is the most important. Any competent artist, the ones we're interested in, will be able to pick up the major elements and most probably bring an interesting twist to it as well. I think that the artwork 'team',
Re: [ubuntu-art] UDS Notes: Artwork
Sorry, I think an enter somewhere went through:: this is just an incomplete draft. I should be finished with this sometime today. -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] next meeting
For easy conversion to your location: http://timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?month=11day=1year=2007hour=15min=0sec=0p1=0 Wiki references updated. -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] art team meeting topics
I suggest, that part of item two: 2) the process for contributions and a more accessible method to contribute A Gallery system should be implemented (technical resources allowing) for dedicated image submission, be it mockups, screenshots of themes, etc. This would be far easier and cleaner to group an or artists work, or a set of images following a theme together. Also, this would alleviate the mass loading of images or the need to create thumbnails and figure out the wiki system. This would allow for more structured commenting and editing of works. This would entail that the wiki would stop being used as a place to place images, but left for writing guidelines and placing examples, and written ideas. I believe that this could potentially make a one easy place for anyone to find, and see progress. Work would be done on mailing lists, irc and the wiki of course, but it simplifies the image process. While also giving the community a place to focus, and without all the work clutter that would come from monitoring systems currently in place. Thanks for your time, nothlit. -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Let one thousand flowers bloom
-- Forwarded message -- From: nothlit [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sep 24, 2007 7:36 PM Subject: Re: [ubuntu-art] Let one thousand flowers bloom To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yes, as discussed on IRC. It seems theres a great perceptual divide, as evidenced by the brouhaha on the forums. One of our goals (as in those that subscribe to the mailing list, as there is no actual artwork team) should be to minimise or abolish such a divide. There is one thing I have been wishing for, for a few months now. That is, to repurpose art.ubuntu.com (is it shut down again? I can't remember) as a better platform for the Hardy Artwork process, rather than using the wiki. Also, much thanks to 23meg for his reporting to the forums. Nothlit. -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] ubuntu-art Digest, Vol 27, Issue 17
Hey, thanks for taking the initiative to try to improve the process, and for keeping your comments constructive. Re: your concerns-- This time around we've further attempted to make sure the process is more transparent, and to try to get more of the community involved. To this end, I've started a wiki page, https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Hardy . Most likely after the coming meeting-- I will try to spread this where I can-- in the meantime there is a link to it straight from the main wiki artwork page. In terms of documentation-frustration, it is unlikely (afaik, and feel free to correct me, those in the know) for any of the community artists' work, to be chosen as a default. The guidelines, are there to just make sure that people go in the right direction, and are intentionally loose to allow for creativity. There is no wrong direction persay. Their work will still be appreciated and likely placed into the community package. Palette-- we're not really allowed one. As for the forum ambassadors acting as a liason, that is a fantastic idea. Much thanks again, 23meg. Roadmap: Actual artwork, is a thing that will most likely stay with the artist, until they are ready and post it to the website. Some of the work and most of the discussion goes on in chats between the artists-- as an ad hoc thing.. While I don't think formalising such a process would be a good idea, I welcome any suggestions on how to make more apparent the progress that is going on. While not completely specific to your mail, there is something I want to address: there is a reason why irc and the mailing list is used, rather than the forums. People want to get work and discussion done-- and such places are where people are located that will help them achieve that end. Posting it to a forum potentially leads to a lot of offhand, unhelpful comments and such (Drive-bys). In terms of productivity, using the two other sources of discussion are a wise choice. That being said, I reiterate that the ambassadors as a liason in the future is a good thing. Nothlit. (Feel free to correct me on any of the statements I've made!) -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] ubuntu-art Digest, Vol 27, Issue 17
One thing I forgot to add: the artwork dates are same as everything else, there is no artwork specific timeline. https://wiki.ubuntu.com/GutsyReleaseSchedule However, right after this email I will add a link to the relevant wiki page. TBH, afaik, its all freeform until the Beta Freeze. But in terms of the roadmap you've described, I do hope that the ambassadors can help us with that part. I was writing more, but I see you've come in to IRC and I'll update here after we work things out. -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
[ubuntu-art] Community Branding
Hey guys, I know stuff has slowed down some, so to that effect--I've posted some sketches and mock palettes. I encourage you all to do the same, or to continue to contribute to the brainstorming going on at the wiki article. Links Palettes - https://people.fluxbuntu.org/~nothlit/communitytheme/gutsy/colours/mock_proposed/ Sketches - https://people.fluxbuntu.org/~nothlit/communitytheme/gutsy/sketches/ Wiki - https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Collaboration+Progress -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
[ubuntu-art] Community Branding
Hey guys! Its great that we're throwing things out there, but remember--the key words, collaboration and progress. The most important thing right now is to contribute to the discussion of what these words mean. Without that, we can't select a pallete that achieves the message, of what we think our keywords represent. The main goal so far is just to get a gdm, gnome splash, background--if we can't achieve that--we can't do anything else. In terms of this so far being no different from the previous Ubuntu themes--we haven't even laid anything out-- it can look however we want it to look. The only thing thats been defined so far, is our basis, our central theme from which all else sprouts, that being the two keywords, collaboration and progress. As I said, the most important thing is defining our concepts, throwing ideas out there-- so what do you think these two words in concert mean? Do they represent the advance of technology, of many fields of knowledge coming together to produce spectacular results--does it represent the evolution of ideals, of politics... Whats more advanced--simple or complicated? What represents things coming together, to produce something greater than the whole? Please contribute! Link: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/CommunityTheme/Collaboration+Progress -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Community Theme
Hey guys! So the poll has closed and the two words are collaboration and progress. We're going to whip up a few palettes--that will then be voted on, feel free to contribute your own. I've layed out a brainstorm here https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/CommunityTheme/Collaboration+Progress, please add to it-- especially imagery/motifs. Sorry for the hectic and seemingly spontaneous direction change--I think this way we can convey a message far clearer. In terms of more direct/quicker collaboration--feel free to hang out @ #ubuntu-art on irc. nothlit out. -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Community Theme
Hey--we've decided on an Interesting way to design a concept. I've come up with a few words that represent some of the aspects of ubuntu-- you can see my musings here https://people.fluxbuntu.org/~nothlit/communitytheme/gutsy/literature/concepts.html. Its some I've come up with, and some taken from some polling of a few Ubuntu irc channels. Anyways--we have a poll set up for these key words, and we plan to combine the two most popular into a single concept that we will build upon for this release. The poll is here, and should open up relatively soon: https://launchpad.net/~ubuntu-art/+poll/ua-community-theme-poll . It'll close 72 hours after its opened, hopefully this is enough for most of you to catch this and take a vote. This will be a secret poll--nobody will know who has voted what. This will also be done alongside a thread in the forums-- and we hope to generate a few palettes from this, which will also be voted upon in the future. Thanks for reading this--and start voting! :) -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
Re: [ubuntu-art] Community Theme
On 5/1/07, Ravi Shanker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This is in response to the https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/CommunityThem ehttps://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/CommunityTheme - I was too looking this to happen. I didn't know there are less people in the artwork community. Anyway, before we proceed, we need to put some time discussing about the current available theme on Gnome and other OS, what they represent, how they are good, and also which of them are better than other and why. This would probably lead us to know human feeling and reactions about the themes. We should not ignore what currently is available, they lead to better judgement and production. Yes, this is a great idea--but we also need to decide what we want to do, and make sure we don't tally too long on what others have done. This is easily the sort of topic we could discuss on forever, without getting anything done. It may be better to do this quickly generally, and then focus on it as we work on specific aspects of the theme. Right now Ubuntu looks very general, Fedora is working on better than best, but no steps taken to break the limit on Ubuntu. DOnt forget to work on mouse cursor theme too, look at MacOSx mouse thme and also Redhat BlueCurve mouse theme, they are beautiful. Don't forget jimmac's great cursor work. Yes, this is something we should work on, but cursors are usually pretty general--do we want an Ubuntu themed cursor? (One thing I would definitely want to avoid is the logo/animals being splashed everywhere all over it.) One thing I would like to say (please dont flame :)) Tango is a good icon theme, but when I look at it, why doesnt it attract much, I came to the point that it totally lacks sharpness. In my designing time (though i am not a good and professional designer), I learn that sharpness gets more attraction, sharp edges are better with auto contrast they produce. Even a dull color but in sharp mode creates better visualisation than colorful less sharp objects. Try it working (take a pic blur the region around a small portion and then look at it in fullscreen, your eyes automtically attaches to sharp objects and regions). Current MacOSX and Vista has some sharpness in theme, (though vista lacks it in Folder views). So, the keywords in neXt theme production should be: *Color *Contrast *Sharp *Clean *Real Space Objects (3d Feel) When we look at desktop, it should be in real sense. A desktop table, with light at a point, papers and objects on the table, shadows due to light above, minute details in the object to make it little more realistic, better contrast to figure the defference among objects and environment, sharp edges and corners. Look at the real desktop, and you can imagine it. Now, what about clean. My perception is that, a clean desktop and theme is more used (and used for more time than others in hands of those theme changing humans) than over modern and bright, glossy and very colorful themes(where color seems to pour out anytime). Real space objects are those which gives the sense of universal light, depth, space and 3d. It can be created using the consistent shadows, shines, perspective draws etc. This, would definitely depend on what feel we want, and what we want to achive. For example we may want an african wilderness look--we would probably want more ragged, even fingerpaint like icons or rough earthy visualisations. In terms of Tango, its not meant to be super sharp--its designed to fit well on multiple sizes, and in all environments (MS, Linux, Apple--Light and Dark.) The colors are supposed to be middle of the line--and its strokes are supposed to fit well everywhere. Now, we can definitely mold an icon theme to be more daring than this. However, how much do we wish to take into account integration with other icons (that our theme may not cover) into this? The more we stray--the more jarring the impact will be when people wander out of our scope. Let me know what you think. We should also fix time over IRC to meet at #ubuntu-art Thats a great idea! I'm sure most of you guys are in the US--throw some suggestions of a time next week most of you can make? A thought: What aspect of people do we want to target? The sense of community? Of hipness? Should they feel like they're using the most advanced system? The most friendly? What are we trying to achieve here? Lets throw some more ideas out there! -- ubuntu-art mailing list ubuntu-art@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
