ModPlug Central

Community => General Chatter => Topic started by: Saga Musix on March 17, 2010, 17:49:00

Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 17, 2010, 17:49:00
So I'm currently working on getting openmpt.com functional. Part of that is creating a new front page. I have settled with a rather simple page layout.

(http://sagagames.de/ithumb/thumbs/site5022pw92.jpg) (http://sagagames.de/ithumb/show/site5022pw92.png)

I guess it's really obvious that the header is currently looking... sub-par, to say the least. It's looking boring and uninspiring. I am not a very good graphician myself, but I know that some people here are good at stuff like this, or at least know people who could be interested in doing it. So what I need is a sleek background and probably a revamped logo - but if the current logo fits your background, there's no need to rework it.
The header area is 920x210 (the 210 pixels height is a maximum, less is possible) and should preferrably stay rather pale and the colours should be "compatible" with the rest of the site. Here's also the logo as it's currently used in that template, as well as a pattern and a sample:

http://sagamusix.de/openmpt/download/logo-less-bright.svg
http://sagamusix.de/openmpt/download/logo-less-bright.eps
http://sagagames.de/ithumb/show/patterns2389ku97.png
http://sagagames.de/ithumb/show/samples3865jr63.png

In general, I think it would be nice to have some patterns and sample waveforms in the header, but how you do that is totally up to you.
It would also be a good idea to keep the logo separate from the background, so that I can include it as a separate graphic file, but that's not mandatory (but it would be better).

If anyone would like to have a go at it, please don't hesitate to do so, I'm looking forward to your ideas! :)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: psishock on March 17, 2010, 20:15:02
hmmm, some sketches, take ya pick

(http://i41.tinypic.com/2d7c9dz.png)
break
(http://i40.tinypic.com/jsj0pd.png)
break
(http://i41.tinypic.com/1sdpjs.png)
break
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2m7ylns.png)
break
(http://i40.tinypic.com/25sy03o.png)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 17, 2010, 20:23:41
Hmm. That's a bit "normal". I could do that myself. :D
I wouldn't include the main slogan ("OpenMPT.com etc") in the image. "discover the music inside", on the other hand, might be included in the picture like it's done on modplug.com.
Some advices:
- turn the patterns by some degrees!
- apply some effects! make it abstract, but not too distracting. just like the different startup logos MPT had in the past.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: psishock on March 17, 2010, 20:51:09
abstract/artistic enough?
(http://i43.tinypic.com/23iyzpt.png)

hmm, mayb i should stick with music, and leave these stuff to youngsters.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 17, 2010, 20:53:15
LOL :cheers:
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 17, 2010, 23:39:49
I can't help it, but the colours fit really well! :P

(http://sagagames.de/ithumb/thumbs/godbless5864ew36.jpg) (http://sagagames.de/ithumb/show/godbless5864ew36.png)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Snu on March 18, 2010, 03:05:54
LOL, that should be an easter egg... like if you click a random spot on the page, the header turns into that.

anyway, ill see if i can come up with anything, ill probably do something in blender
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Snu on March 18, 2010, 07:59:21
ok, got a test render:
(http://www.snuq.com/temp/mpt3dv1.png)

also, if anyone's interested, i made a desktop bg of the 3d logo
http://www.snuq.com/temp/mpt3dlogoonlyv1.png

if anyone has any suggestions on improving it, or if you want the .blend file, let me know.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: LPChip on March 18, 2010, 08:55:07
Quote from: "Snu"ok, got a test render:
(http://www.snuq.com/temp/mpt3dv1.png)

also, if anyone's interested, i made a desktop bg of the 3d logo
http://www.snuq.com/temp/mpt3dlogoonlyv1.png

if anyone has any suggestions on improving it, or if you want the .blend file, let me know.

Snu, it seems a bit blurry or something. As if its a bit out of focus. This makes it a bit painful on my eyes as if my brain wants to focus on it, but can't. Can you somehow sharpen the edges so it seems more focused?
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Snu on March 18, 2010, 09:17:59
hmm, seems the default oversampling mode in blender is a bit weird with smaller images, changed the mode and re-rendered:
(http://www.snuq.com/temp/mpt3dv2.png)

also made a couple different sized renders for the wallpaper
1600x1200, which it was originally supposed to be at, but i forgot to switch back the render size, and 1280x800 for my laptop's screen:
http://www.snuq.com/temp/mpt3dlogoonlyv11600x1200.png
http://www.snuq.com/temp/mpt3dlogoonlyv11280x800.png
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: LPChip on March 18, 2010, 11:53:58
This is much better :)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 18, 2010, 12:01:48
Interesting...
(http://sagagames.de/ithumb/thumbs/snubg8222ll43.jpg) (http://sagagames.de/ithumb/show/snubg8222ll43.png)

Some more ideas:
- I guess the background could be a tad brighter
- The font doesn't fit too well imho. Maybe some kind of "tech" font would fit better?
- Maybe some kind of motion blur effect would look nice on the background

But this is definietely a step into the right direction. I especially like the waveform on the logo, that is a fantastic idea!

BTW: It might be better to turn off resampling on the pattern texture on the wallpaper picture - i guess a blocky image would look far better than one with poor resampling.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Rakib on March 18, 2010, 14:18:02
I know this thread is only for header help, but the suggested header size is way to big. If you think about most netbooks have the resolution 1024x210. So this means that over 1/3 of the screen would just be the header with no use.

I have made a proposal on the layout. Maybe this would be a better use of space? It's very simple since I only have MS paint but you'll get the idea.

(http://bildr.no/thumb/610435.jpeg) (http://bildr.no/view/610435)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 18, 2010, 14:32:31
well, i guess the header could be decreased in height a bit (like 920x180 or something), that's no problem - i just took the resolution that was already there. The width is perfectly OK for 1024*x displays, so I won't change the column layout. And since the "my account/whatever" stuff will only be visible for administrators, it will stay in the side column as well.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Paul Legovitch on March 18, 2010, 15:00:42
I agree with Rakib, the header is too big for 1024*768 (17" monitors are still in use) as windows usually have borders and 1024 images create an annoying scrollbar at the bottom. I think a little header is always best (I like the 2-parts renoise logo (http://www.renoise.com)).
Also I'm not a big fan of the flashy red :evil:
Here's a more "calm" color scheme :
(http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5188/opensplash.th.png) (http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5188/opensplash.png)
(of course It's not a header, it's a splash screen I made for fun a few month ago. ;) )
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: AlisterFlint on March 18, 2010, 15:05:54
here's a quickie, that'd easily be expand..
(http://www.jeantoerica.com/GMO/openMPT_banner_1024x250.jpg)

and monochrome variations:
(http://www.jeantoerica.com/GMO/openMPT_banner_1024x250_sepia2.jpg)

(http://www.jeantoerica.com/GMO/openMPT_banner_1024x250_burgundy.jpg)

(http://www.jeantoerica.com/GMO/openMPT_banner_1024x250_pink.jpg)

(could you post a PNG version (layered) of the logo, if it's not too much of a hassle?)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: psishock on March 18, 2010, 15:14:36
the pink is the best, take that one Jojo.

Quote(could you post a PNG version (layered) of the logo, if it's not too much of a hassle?)
The logo is a "vector graphic". There are no parts, layers on it at all :D. Use a vector editor to load it up and change it to your needs, then import it to shop, and effect it to hell, and work on the additional parts of the header.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 18, 2010, 15:22:56
Quote from: "Paul Legovitch"17" monitors are still in use
I used 1024x768 when I had a 15" monitor. 17" is normally 1152x864 or 1280x1024.

QuoteAlso I'm not a big fan of the flashy red
Well, red happens to be the colour of MPT... :oops: But yeah, I already toned the red down a bit, it's less aggressive than in the original logo concept.

AlisterFlint: Get InkScape, a free vector drawing tool. Then you can export the logo into any size you want.
I like the background of that logo, btw. Maybe it could be merged with Snu's header?
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: AlisterFlint on March 18, 2010, 15:26:15
yup, open it in CDraw. thanks for the heads up  :wink:

Quote from: "Jojo"I like the background of that logo, btw. Maybe it could be merged with Snu's header?

i can certainly export it in layered PNG, or high res TIFF..
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: psishock on March 18, 2010, 15:30:22
QuoteWell, red happens to be the colour of MPT...
the hell with traditions :D, invent some new color schemes that are looking solid and cool, no reason to stick with old standards when we can innovate and bring more pleasant stuff. :D
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 18, 2010, 15:34:22
Well, I don't find the new page design very unpleasant to look at, so I don't see a point in changing traditions either.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: psishock on March 18, 2010, 15:42:36
me neither, just said that there is no point reasoning with "red was our trademark color from all the start, lets stick with it everywhere", when someone could come up with an interesting and great idea.

The old central forum is a great example, red is really overused there, while we have tons of product and companies that are using red as their main color for their product (renoise, ATI radeon), and still can keep a solid and pleasant looking site, keeping the logo design color palette on the minimal level.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: AlisterFlint on March 18, 2010, 16:12:08
here's the banner:

(http://www.jeantoerica.com/GMO/openMPT_bannerOnly_1024x250.jpg)

and a high-res revised veriosn of the logo..
http://www.jeantoerica.com/GMO/OpenMPT_logo_used2.jpg
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: psishock on March 18, 2010, 16:19:05
you got a bit of a female human blood on the camera sir. Please clear the lens after each joyful truncating murder recording sessions, or at least, before filming the ompt pattern list (or random daw mixer panel) from distance. Its good for the optics, and for getting rid of evidence also.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: AlisterFlint on March 18, 2010, 16:53:26
it's ok, i'm spoofing my IP..
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 18, 2010, 17:11:15
hmm. that doesn't look very much like MPT in the background. :P
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: AlisterFlint on March 18, 2010, 17:24:08
ahaha indeed..

at time, it was just a rough, for show&tell.. i can edit and insert MPT views there  :)


[edit] done, and updated the file online [/edit]
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: g on March 18, 2010, 20:39:43
I really like the bubbly red and the stained logo. I disagree with any catchphrase though.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: LPChip on March 18, 2010, 22:11:40
A very old header (actually my version before I made the one that is on the forums right now)

(http://files.lpchip.com/temp/header.jpg)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 18, 2010, 22:59:28
That's indeed quite...old. :\
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Snu on March 18, 2010, 23:31:34
ok, took saga's suggestions into mind (lightened bg and added motion blur to it, changed font)
(http://www.snuq.com/temp/mpt3dv3.png)
not sure if i quite like the motion blur, but definitely like the font more.

also, if anyone's interested in using the 3d mpt logo, here's a nice high res render without the background:
http://www.snuq.com/temp/mpt3dlogoonlyv1nobg.png
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: uncloned on March 19, 2010, 00:04:48
Quote from: "psishock"abstract/artistic enough?
(http://i43.tinypic.com/23iyzpt.png)

hmm, mayb i should stick with music, and leave these stuff to youngsters.

I have to admit this one says it all in direct and easy to understand terms

Seriously I like it best!

Though some might argue that the flying spaghetti monster should replace Michelangelo Deity!
Title: Headers
Post by: Really Weird Person on March 19, 2010, 05:17:37
That still looks quite nice, Paul.

Maybe the header could be some random code. :lol: I know, the joke is lame, but I have a friend who says that I am the master of those, so, what can I say?
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 19, 2010, 08:06:14
Snu, that looks indeed worse than I thought it could look, probably because the pattern are so far away, compared ot my own poor tries where it was rather nearby.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: AlisterFlint on March 19, 2010, 09:10:54
another quickie..
(http://www.jeantoerica.com/GMO/openMPT_banner2_1024x250.jpg)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: kit beats on March 19, 2010, 11:54:05
Quote from: "Jojo"LOL :cheers:

Hahah, great stuff up in here!
I like it the way it is now but there are some refreshing new banners that catched my eye :welldone:
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Snu on March 19, 2010, 19:11:32
ok, the blur looks a lot better with a closer pattern background:
(http://www.snuq.com/temp/mpt3dv3bgcloserwithmotionblur.png)
i definitely like the closer pattern better, but still like it a bit more without the blur:
(http://www.snuq.com/temp/mpt3dv3bgcloser.png)
for comparison i also made an updated no blur version of the far away one:
http://www.snuq.com/temp/mpt3dv3nomotionblur.png

anyway, ill probably be without internet for a couple days, be back sunday or monday.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 19, 2010, 19:24:48
that looks a lot better indeed! I really like the last one.

(http://sagagames.de/ithumb/thumbs/snulogo3590cc75.jpg) (http://sagagames.de/ithumb/show/snulogo3590cc75.png)

I'm a bit puzzled about where to put the "OpenMPT.com" text - I though that something like this might work:

(http://sagagames.de/ithumb/thumbs/headblend1720qa09.jpg) (http://sagagames.de/ithumb/show/headblend1720qa09.png)

This is of course just a quick mockup, the logo would have to stay in front of the semi-transparent stripe. Maybe we should also stick to a slightly smaller header as rakib suggested, something around 180px height maybe? Width would be the same of course.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Snu on March 19, 2010, 20:04:49
ah, didnt know you wanted the openmpt.com text in there, would it be better to put it in above the 'discover the music inside'?
i think it would look better if it were the same font and angle.
if you like the transparent stripe, maybe i could have it come out from behind the modplug logo and continue to the right side of the image, something like:
(http://www.snuq.com/temp/mpt3dv4test.png)
frickin laser beams!
...er... sorry

just a really quick test, i can make the shadows and lighting a lot better, probably use a different font, and im thinking of making the transparent stripe warp the background like a glass effect.  
i also like your second idea for the positioning tho, i could do that too.
but no time to play around with that right now, gotta run.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 19, 2010, 20:10:18
Well, as I said before, the openmpt.com text is supposed to be plain HTML! at the moment, it doesn't have enough contrast, though, and that's why I came up with the white stripe. Given that you could make it look really good in the image, we could think about dropping the HTML idea, but it would have to look really good then. :)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: LPChip on March 19, 2010, 21:29:50
I honestly don't like the last headers so much, because they're pretty "busy". A lot is going on on it, which is quite distracting. Maybe if you fade out the back to be more whitish (change brightness/contrast to be more brighten) it might look better.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: psishock on March 19, 2010, 23:07:07
just take my artistic one. :D Cannot beat it by awesomeness, thats for sure.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 19, 2010, 23:32:58
Well, if you provide the money for possible lawsuits... sure!
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Harbinger on March 20, 2010, 19:56:12
I REALLY like Snu's sendup. Myself, i wouldn't mind downplaying the red, and making the "theme" more techno and futuristic. While i like the idea of showing a sample of the Pattern Editor, it should stay a bit more in the background. Do a distance blur on it, so that the side of the Pattern Editor sample farthest away gets blurrier. Also, see if you can move the waveform INTO the font you're using (you may have to thicken the font, but don't forget it must be VERY readable and clear). If you want to "noise it up" a little bit, used blurred out waveforms, perhaps in a metallic chrome, and fade it into various parts of the background.

Meanwhile i love doing graphic arts, so i'll work on my own ideas! 8)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: oxxi on March 21, 2010, 08:17:20
Is there going to be a poll so everyone can vote for their favorite one?
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 21, 2010, 12:54:15
If there are going to be a few more "entries", maybe. At the moment, though, I don't see a point in making a poll, since I think that Snu's header is currently the only usable one.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: bvanoudtshoorn on March 21, 2010, 13:27:18
Quote from: "Jojo"Well, as I said before, the openmpt.com text is supposed to be plain HTML! at the moment, it doesn't have enough contrast, though, and that's why I came up with the white stripe. Given that you could make it look really good in the image, we could think about dropping the HTML idea, but it would have to look really good then. :)

Nothing wrong with using both... It's perfectly reasonable to use basic CSS text-hiding techniques to use a header image whilst keeping the site accessible to screen-readers and document parsers.

Using appropriate "alt" and "title" attributes on the images, though, is probably the best way to go -- it's accessibility-friendly, semantically correct, and degrades well.

As an aside, are you coding the new site using HTML5 elements? (<header>, <footer>, <nav>, and so on.) If you're worried about IE support, I can help out with that. :)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 21, 2010, 13:32:45
Quote from: "bvanoudtshoorn"Using appropriate "alt" and "title" attributes on the images, though, is probably the best way to go -- it's accessibility-friendly, semantically correct, and degrades well.
Yeah well, currently it's a background image, but it wouldn't be difficult to put a blank image on top of it with the appropriate alt/title attributes set. The main reason was that image text often looks cheap and uninspired, so the font and its surroundings would have to look really good.

QuoteAs an aside, are you coding the new site using HTML5 elements? (<header>, <footer>, <nav>, and so on.) If you're worried about IE support, I can help out with that. :)
No, I'm using an accesible XHTML 1.0 theme. I was not going to change the code (apart from custom CSS hacks of course). The only IE problem I currently have is that I want the "subscribe to feed" menu link is supposed to be on the far right side of the menu. The whole menu (including this link) is an unordered list of course, so I thought that I would simply use float:right; for this element - but that looks weird in IE (it's positioned on the right side, but also a few pixels below the other buttons) - if you know how to fix that, let me know. :)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: LPChip on March 21, 2010, 13:42:58
Quote from: "Jojo"
Quote from: "bvanoudtshoorn"Using appropriate "alt" and "title" attributes on the images, though, is probably the best way to go -- it's accessibility-friendly, semantically correct, and degrades well.
Yeah well, currently it's a background image, but it wouldn't be difficult to put a blank image on top of it with the appropriate alt/title attributes set. The main reason was that image text often looks cheap and uninspired, so the font and its surroundings would have to look really good.

QuoteAs an aside, are you coding the new site using HTML5 elements? (<header>, <footer>, <nav>, and so on.) If you're worried about IE support, I can help out with that. :)
No, I'm using an accesible XHTML 1.0 theme. I was not going to change the code (apart from custom CSS hacks of course). The only IE problem I currently have is that I want the "subscribe to feed" menu link is supposed to be on the far right side of the menu. The whole menu (including this link) is an unordered list of course, so I thought that I would simply use float:right; for this element - but that looks weird in IE (it's positioned on the right side, but also a few pixels below the other buttons) - if you know how to fix that, let me know. :)

Ah, yeah. IE is weird in that. Try setting the same line-height: and height: to all the menu items including this RSS button. IE threats line-height and height differently than other browsers, but setting both usually works cross-browser.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 21, 2010, 13:53:10
I have tried that before and it just makes things worse. IE always does this if the float:right; element is listed after the other floating elements.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Rakib on March 21, 2010, 15:04:25
I'm not happy with the resolution, it's too big.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: AlisterFlint on March 22, 2010, 14:47:48
another lead:

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/__0vXWF2Y4pI/S6eBiRnOKJI/AAAAAAAAAGI/CdVHVvNYCC4/s912/openMPT_banner5_1024x250.jpg)

and a link at the mockup (http://picasaweb.google.com/AlisterFlint/OpenModPlugTrackerGraphicLab#5451468315964609778)

and a slideshow of left-overs (http://picasaweb.google.com/AlisterFlint/OpenModPlugTrackerGraphicLab#slideshow/5451452878733985890)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: uncloned on March 22, 2010, 18:06:33
looks great - might want to find the "r" though :-)

(http://www.acmh-mi.org/thumbtack.png)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: AlisterFlint on March 22, 2010, 18:15:10
hehe, good catch!  8)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Paul Legovitch on March 22, 2010, 20:18:04
My take on red :)

(http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/4703/openmpth1.jpg)

(http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8412/omptmockup.th.png) (http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8412/omptmockup.png)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: AlisterFlint on March 22, 2010, 21:25:56
i like the color scheme in the back..
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on March 23, 2010, 12:41:24
I dunno, that looks very 1997 to me.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Snu on August 26, 2010, 10:11:18
well, since this thread seems to have been forgotten, but the header is still being worked on, i figured i would post the latest version:
(lightened, made smaller, and tweaked a couple things)
(http://www.snuq.com/temp/mptlogo/mpt3dv4.png)
and with a slightly defocused background:
(http://www.snuq.com/temp/mptlogo/mpt3dv4defocus.png)

i think i like the second one more, i feel like it brings out the text a lot more

this has really been a great project for me, learning a lot about the blender compositor, but im still kinda a noob at it, so thanks for all the suggestions.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Louigi Verona on August 26, 2010, 11:00:35
Quote from: "Paul Legovitch"My take on red :)

(http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/4703/openmpth1.jpg)

(http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8412/omptmockup.th.png) (http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8412/omptmockup.png)

This one is really good, especially if you tone the red sign down a bit.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on August 26, 2010, 11:13:27
It's also very 1999...
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: KrazyKatz on August 26, 2010, 13:07:03
What's about the including Modplugs classic expression "Its the music, stupid!" instead of "Discover the music inside" ?
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Rxn on September 01, 2010, 22:31:28
Too offensive.

Guys, the headers here are really bad, you could tell that there are no
graphics enthusiasts here.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: residentgrey on September 02, 2010, 04:08:31
Actually I am an enthusiast, just way too out of practice and taking care of income issues right now.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Rxn on September 02, 2010, 17:35:12
We could try sending scouts to Gimp user forums, explain the situation and
ask for some advice.

BTW, I personally think the main MPT drill machine logo is fairly dated as
well, we probably need to figure this out too. Also, red color appears to be
somewhat screaming into the face, it does not characterise the community
(which is fairly laid back) the least
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on September 02, 2010, 17:41:45
Well, I've also got an artist from my demo group working on another header, let's see what he comes up with. I don't think that the tone of red that I use on the site is very "screaming". Of course bright red is screaming, but this is far from bright.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Rxn on September 02, 2010, 17:57:20
I found your blog-like layout fairly interesting, do I get it right, that any
member of the community will be able to make posts and others would be
able to comment?

That seems like an interesting evolution of the forum.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on September 02, 2010, 18:02:11
Quote from: "Rxn"I found your blog-like layout fairly interesting, do I get it right, that any
member of the community will be able to make posts and others would be
able to comment?

That seems like an interesting evolution of the forum.
The site can only be edited by the project contributors, but everyone can post comments.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Rxn on September 03, 2010, 12:36:58
On the other hand, why not have a few randomly loading headers created
by the community members?
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on September 03, 2010, 13:52:01
That would imply that there are enough good ones. So far, I only like Snu's efforts. And as said, I have another banner in the works by a member of my demo group. If there are enough good ones, this could probably be done, but we'll have to see how many we can get first.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Paul Legovitch on September 06, 2010, 00:33:18
Here's another try :
(http://miroir.perso.neuf.fr/msc/mpt/ompt_head_A.png)


This one may be a bit closer to the original logo colors :
(http://miroir.perso.neuf.fr/msc/mpt/ompt_head_B.png)


Site mockups :

(http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/3343/sitea.th.png) (http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/3343/sitea.png) (http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/5894/siteb.th.png) (http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/5894/siteb.png)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Rxn on September 06, 2010, 08:20:44
Your wave is clipped very badly.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Paul Legovitch on September 07, 2010, 14:56:36
I also made a very simple logo / icon for the fun :
(http://miroir.perso.neuf.fr/msc/mpt/ompt_icon_64.png)
icon 400*400 (http://miroir.perso.neuf.fr/msc/mpt/ompt_icon_400.png)
logo (http://miroir.perso.neuf.fr/msc/mpt/ompt_logo.png)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Rxn on September 07, 2010, 18:09:42
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4149236/Diagrams/OMPT.png)

The original vector file (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4149236/Diagrams/OMPT.svg).
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on September 07, 2010, 18:35:53
Dunno, but that looks more like a logo for a player to me, and not a tracker.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Rxn on September 07, 2010, 19:55:28
The svg file can be opened in Inkscape (http://inkscape.org/), a freeware vector graphics editing
tool, fairly simple to use and yet quite powerful, definitely a must have.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Exhale on October 01, 2010, 06:11:01
(http://www.host-me-free.com/uploads/2a912d573e.png) (http://www.host-me-free.com)
Here's one I did last night for the site :)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on October 01, 2010, 11:29:29
While I personally think it doesn't fit too well as a default header for the site, I very much like this variation of the logo and I think it could be used for special sub sites, for example a compo site! :D
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Exhale on October 01, 2010, 11:56:24
Quote from: "Jojo"While I personally think it doesn't fit too well as a default header for the site, I very much like this variation of the logo and I think it could be used for special sub sites, for example a compo site! :D

Lol, I got a bit carried away I think, but if you guys want the .psd, for the logo variation, I can post that here sometime :)
The flames are separate from the original design, and the vectors were done in freehand, so just give me a shout if there's anything you guys want.
I'll make some other versions this weekend. I've finally decided to spend some time on the things I believe in, and this is one of them - so, expect more... every now and then ^_^
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on October 01, 2010, 12:41:59
Hmm, PSD. I don't really have anything that can reliably open PSD files (SVG would be preferrable, but I see that this might be impossible here), but I suppose the PSD file could still be put in the graphics archive. BTW, the "m" looks a bit incomplete without the plug that used to be below the letter... :)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Exhale on October 01, 2010, 13:08:34
Quote from: "Jojo"Hmm, PSD. I don't really have anything that can reliably open PSD files (SVG would be preferrable, but I see that this might be impossible here), but I suppose the PSD file could still be put in the graphics archive. BTW, the "m" looks a bit incomplete without the plug that used to be below the letter... :)

I didn't like the second plug - in fact I'v come with a lot of new modplug logos which I will post here too. :)
I'll take a copy of the normal logo with me home from work so I can play with it the way everyone's used to. I'm just going to keep myself occupied this way for a while...
messing around doing some design that I enjoy - its been a while since I'v wanted to design anything outside of work, so its a good thing for me personally.. ie. if I get annoying, just ignore me
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Exhale on October 04, 2010, 11:42:10
(http://imgboot.com/images/Unwin/4.png) (http://imgboot.com/image.php?u=Unwin&i=4.png)

this is something everyone can use :)

(http://imgboot.com/images/Unwin/2.png) (http://imgboot.com/image.php?u=Unwin&i=2.png)

And here's my idea of what the modplug logo should change to, its simpler, and I think it will stay in people's minds longer because of that.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: KrazyKatz on October 04, 2010, 12:29:37
Digs the Retro feel of the first one.
I think the 2nd one while very clever is a bit too ambiguous.

A gelatinous alien that got missiled!
Duck and Cover!
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: psishock on October 04, 2010, 13:14:14
Quote from: "Exhale"And here's my idea of what the modplug logo should change to, its simpler, and I think it will stay in people's minds longer because of that.
(http://imgur.com/a79YH.jpg)
Tentacle rape anyone?
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Exhale on October 04, 2010, 13:57:02
Quote from: "psishock"
Quote from: "Exhale"And here's my idea of what the modplug logo should change to, its simpler, and I think it will stay in people's minds longer because of that.
(http://imgur.com/a79YH.jpg)
Tentacle rape anyone?
lol, its just a font I like, but I dont see a tentacle there, I saw it as a guy mixing / djing. Just went searching on google for tentacle to get an idea of what you guys are talking about - T_T what have you exposed me too!!! and I didn't find anything...
So, in conclusion - I'm a trained graphic designer, so I can come up with more - lol. But that last logo says omp in case you were wondering and I still think it would be effective.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on October 04, 2010, 14:08:42
I can also see all kinds of things in the latter logo, but not what you want me to see. :D
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: uncloned on October 04, 2010, 15:55:53
Quote from: "Exhale"

this is something everyone can use :)

(http://imgboot.com/images/Unwin/2.png) (http://imgboot.com/image.php?u=Unwin&i=2.png)

And here's my idea of what the modplug logo should change to, its simpler, and I think it will stay in people's minds longer because of that.


I'm afraid it made me think

"the tracker formerly known as modplug"

sorry.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Exhale on October 04, 2010, 18:05:41
Wow sorry to offend you. I just thought it'd be simpler. And look cooler. I'll take it off, just guys look at both of them on a white background. Anyway. I'll bring you some variations of that first logo, without the fire, tomorrow. And i'll do some simple banners. In hindsite i should have written, that its something along the lines of what i think modplug should change to. For print, but now that i think of it. Why? Ok. I'm a dreamer.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: g on October 04, 2010, 19:24:05
Quote from: "Exhale"Wow sorry to offend you. I just thought it'd be simpler. And look cooler.
I agree! Except for the plug. I don't like thte plug in any of the logos and I don't like the "pattern background" in any of the banners. Then again, I couldn't do anything half as nice.
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: uncloned on October 04, 2010, 19:27:20
what I meant is that is was reminiscent of Prince's "symbol"
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Exhale on October 05, 2010, 07:06:20
(http://imgboot.com/images/Unwin/logos.png) (http://imgboot.com/image.php?u=Unwin&i=logos.png)
(http://imgboot.com/images/Unwin/logo.png) (http://imgboot.com/image.php?u=Unwin&i=logo.png)
(http://imgboot.com/images/Unwin/1b1.png) (http://imgboot.com/image.php?u=Unwin&i=1b1.png)
(http://imgboot.com/images/Unwin/1b.png) (http://imgboot.com/image.php?u=Unwin&i=1b.png)
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: MisterX on October 07, 2010, 03:52:19
Wow, how cool to see the old logo taking on some new life!!
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: kit beats on October 08, 2010, 01:29:22
Quote from: "Exhale"last night for the site :)
That Exhale flamez banner cought my eye, smooth. Lets do that one! Fire it up!
Title: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Exhale on October 12, 2010, 10:07:57
(http://imgboot.com/images/Unwin/6logos.png) (http://imgboot.com/image.php?u=Unwin&i=6logos.png)

here's some other versions of the logo (look on white background)

(http://imgboot.com/images/Unwin/1b_2.jpg) (http://imgboot.com/image.php?u=Unwin&i=1b_2.jpg)

a variation of the prev design
Title: Re: In search for a good site header (hello graphicians!)
Post by: Saga Musix on April 29, 2012, 16:58:16
As I still found Snu's banner to be too crowded, I have now sticked to something completely different and more compact; In fact, I've redone the whole site design. But of course it's still using Snu's great take on the original logo.