[opensuse-artwork] Abstract Backgrounds
Hi! I've noticed that in recent versions the wallpapers have generally moved away from the scenic/landscape images (though we had the chameleon for a bit) with a little branding, to more abstract monochrome type of wallpaper stripped of branding. I was wondering, were there any compelling reasons for this? Seeing the Fedora background (with the hot-air balloons and "Fedora" in the bottom-right) got me thinking a little. There are nice advantages to wallpaper branding: * Users always take screenshots. A completely different user can immediately recognise which desktop they're using if they see their desktop wallpaper, so that's really good for instant identification. * Making users more obviously proud of using openSUSE (this might sound petty, but it happens) I think a huge chameleon is way too bold and generally colour-rich for a background, but are landscapes ruled out? I wasn't sure if I was the only one that preferred a nice landscape so asked a few people, specifically pointing out a few abstract ones (10.2, 10.3, kde celtic) and some other landscape ones (stormgreen, etc) and most preferred the landscape ones and a couple said the kde celtic. Might not be a representative survey, but I think there's good reasons for at least having an abstract background with branding, or a landscape one with such. Any thoughts? What do others prefer? Regards, -- Francis Giannaros http://francis.giannaros.org -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+help@opensuse.org
From the wiki:
"The goal of the default wallpaper graphic is to be unobrtusive and allow the items on the desktop to be seen. It should not hinder the overview of user's desktop. While a solid color background seems to be a perfect fit based on the goal above, the wallpaper also shouldn't be completely dull and boring. It is very likely that a user will customize a wallpaper and even go against the outlined goal, putting a photo of his beloved one as the background. The default graphic however should only be some sort of abstract shape with low contrast of the texture. Abstract shapes work best for two reasons. First it doesn't make the human visual system focus on the background, but the items on top of it and also it avoids cultural or religious specifics. Using a picture of an animal might have such implications and in worst case scenario insult the user." I very much agree on this, I prefer no branding. Usually keep the default wallpaper for a week, then change to something else. Hylke Francis Giannaros wrote:
Hi!
I've noticed that in recent versions the wallpapers have generally moved away from the scenic/landscape images (though we had the chameleon for a bit) with a little branding, to more abstract monochrome type of wallpaper stripped of branding. I was wondering, were there any compelling reasons for this?
Seeing the Fedora background (with the hot-air balloons and "Fedora" in the bottom-right) got me thinking a little. There are nice advantages to wallpaper branding: * Users always take screenshots. A completely different user can immediately recognise which desktop they're using if they see their desktop wallpaper, so that's really good for instant identification. * Making users more obviously proud of using openSUSE (this might sound petty, but it happens)
I think a huge chameleon is way too bold and generally colour-rich for a background, but are landscapes ruled out? I wasn't sure if I was the only one that preferred a nice landscape so asked a few people, specifically pointing out a few abstract ones (10.2, 10.3, kde celtic) and some other landscape ones (stormgreen, etc) and most preferred the landscape ones and a couple said the kde celtic. Might not be a representative survey, but I think there's good reasons for at least having an abstract background with branding, or a landscape one with such.
Any thoughts? What do others prefer?
Regards,
-- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+help@opensuse.org
On Friday 22 June 2007 08:17, Hylke Bons wrote:
From the wiki:
"The goal of the default wallpaper graphic is to be unobrtusive and allow the items on the desktop to be seen. It should not hinder the overview of user's desktop. ...
Francis Giannaros wrote:
Hi!
I've noticed that in recent versions the wallpapers have generally moved away from the scenic/landscape images ... Seeing the Fedora background (with the hot-air balloons and "Fedora" in the bottom-right) got me thinking a little. There are nice advantages to wallpaper branding: * Users always take screenshots. A completely different user can immediately recognise which desktop they're using if they see their desktop wallpaper, so that's really good for instant identification. * Making users more obviously proud of using openSUSE (this might sound petty, but it happens) ...
Hi Hylke and Francis, scenic wallpapers are my preferred type. Blue sky or some other monotonous color in the top left corner to make icons visible is fine. I don't change background often as it is used to identify currently booted version, but simple abstract images are not used here. The last Red Hat I installed was RH9 and I was amazed with backgrounds and effect that it had on guys in a class. They thought windows is good looking, but after RH9 they changed opinion. On the same computer I installed SUSE 9.1 and while it was better technically you can guess what was booted more often. Power of graphical design is amazing. PS. Francis your answer landed in the wiki mail list. -- Regards, Rajko. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+help@opensuse.org
Rajko M. wrote:
On Friday 22 June 2007 08:17, Hylke Bons wrote:
From the wiki:
"The goal of the default wallpaper graphic is to be unobrtusive and allow the items on the desktop to be seen. It should not hinder the overview of user's desktop.
...
Francis Giannaros wrote:
Hi!
I've noticed that in recent versions the wallpapers have generally moved away from the scenic/landscape images
...
Seeing the Fedora background (with the hot-air balloons and "Fedora" in the bottom-right) got me thinking a little. There are nice advantages to wallpaper branding: * Users always take screenshots. A completely different user can immediately recognise which desktop they're using if they see their desktop wallpaper, so that's really good for instant identification. * Making users more obviously proud of using openSUSE (this might sound petty, but it happens)
...
Hi Hylke and Francis,
scenic wallpapers are my preferred type. Blue sky or some other monotonous color in the top left corner to make icons visible is fine. I don't change background often as it is used to identify currently booted version, but simple abstract images are not used here.
The last Red Hat I installed was RH9 and I was amazed with backgrounds and effect that it had on guys in a class. They thought windows is good looking, but after RH9 they changed opinion. On the same computer I installed SUSE 9.1 and while it was better technically you can guess what was booted more often.
Power of graphical design is amazing.
So true, this may sound stupid, but I choose my distro based on the (default) looks of it (now openSUSE). And yes, RH9 to Fedora4 were all beautiful, I switched to SUSE around Fedora 4. :P I still think the default should be an abstract wallpaper, but with a lot of beautiful alternatives to choose from. Currently there's nothing interesting shipped with openSUSE, I really like the photo's of Garrett LeSage (http://www.opensuse.org), I use them a lot as my wallpapers, I think he was also responsible for the wallpapers in Red Hat. So maybe we can ask him to release some of his pictures under open terms and ship them with the next openSUSE. :) Hylke -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+help@opensuse.org
On Saturday 23 June 2007 07:33, Hylke Bons wrote:
Rajko M. wrote: ...
The last Red Hat I installed was RH9 and I was amazed with backgrounds and effect that it had on guys in a class. They thought windows is good looking, but after RH9 they changed opinion. On the same computer I installed SUSE 9.1 and while it was better technically you can guess what was booted more often.
Power of graphical design is amazing.
So true, this may sound stupid, but I choose my distro based on the (default) looks of it (now openSUSE). And yes, RH9 to Fedora4 were all beautiful, I switched to SUSE around Fedora 4. :P
I still think the default should be an abstract wallpaper, but with a lot of beautiful alternatives to choose from. Currently there's nothing interesting shipped with openSUSE, I really like the photo's of Garrett LeSage (http://www.opensuse.org), I use them a lot as my wallpapers, I think he was also responsible for the wallpapers in Red Hat. So maybe we can ask him to release some of his pictures under open terms and ship them with the next openSUSE. :)
Hylke
The visual appeal works always. If you have few equal options, and without recommendations all operating systems are equal, you will select visually appealing one. Than if that fails in some substantial way you will look for another one. Although I knew that there is no commercial successful software with poor graphic, I was amazed how strong is the influence. It is probably better to offer as default some clean photo, that is close to usability ideal, and as alternative abstract ones, if someone likes them. Apropos Garrett LeSage is this the one http://flickr.com/photos/garrett/ . Looks nice. Another source of good photos is http://photo.net . -- Regards, Rajko. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+help@opensuse.org
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Could be useful as well to include some wide-screen wallpapers.
IMO wallpapers shouldn't be distracting nor overloaded.
My current one:
http://linux01.gwdg.de/~pbleser/files/wallpapers/wallpaper_82.jpg
(don't remember where I got it from)
My last one:
http://interfacelift.com/wallpaper/details.php?id=436
A few "abstract" aqua-alike ones I took here and there, adding an
openSUSE logo:
http://linux01.gwdg.de/~pbleser/files/art/
cheers
- --
-o) Pascal Bleser http://linux01.gwdg.de/~pbleser/
/\\
Pascal Bleser sanoi seuraavaa:
A few "abstract" aqua-alike ones I took here and there, adding an openSUSE logo:
I like this one http://linux01.gwdg.de/~pbleser/files/art/openSUSE-bartelme_at-bc_blue.jpg -- Jan-Olof 'Osku' Eriksson http://opensuse.fi -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+help@opensuse.org
Branding still too large for my taste, i prefer it small and in a corner. Backgrounds look cool though. :) Hylke Jan-Olof "Osku" Eriksson wrote:
Pascal Bleser sanoi seuraavaa:
A few "abstract" aqua-alike ones I took here and there, adding an openSUSE logo:
I like this one http://linux01.gwdg.de/~pbleser/files/art/openSUSE-bartelme_at-bc_blue.jpg
-- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+help@opensuse.org
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hylke Bons wrote:
Branding still too large for my taste, i prefer it small and in a corner. Backgrounds look cool though. :)
Just do ahead and do, gimp is your friend ;)
Read here for information on where to get the original ones:
http://linux01.gwdg.de/~pbleser/files/art/README.txt
(as said, I just added the openSUSE logo, IANAA ;))
cheers
- --
-o) Pascal Bleser http://linux01.gwdg.de/~pbleser/
/\\
Made this in inkscape: http://bomahy.nl/hylke/Aurora.png Hylke Pascal Bleser wrote:
Hylke Bons wrote:
Branding still too large for my taste, i prefer it small and in a corner. Backgrounds look cool though. :)
Just do ahead and do, gimp is your friend ;)
Read here for information on where to get the original ones: http://linux01.gwdg.de/~pbleser/files/art/README.txt
(as said, I just added the openSUSE logo, IANAA ;))
cheers
-- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+help@opensuse.org
On Friday, 22. June 2007 14:56:35 Francis Giannaros wrote:
I was wondering, were there any compelling reasons for this?
Visibility of desktop icons?
There are nice advantages to wallpaper branding: * Users always take screenshots. A completely different user can
Users don't take screenshots of wallpapers. Applications do cover wallpappers. There are other ways how to make a desktop recognizable as SUSE desktop like the look of the start button or having a little chameleon in the window deco. Bye, Steve -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+help@opensuse.org
On 7/10/07, Stephan Binner
On Friday, 22. June 2007 14:56:35 Francis Giannaros wrote:
I was wondering, were there any compelling reasons for this?
Visibility of desktop icons?
For strong landscapes, perhaps. This isn't the case with less noisy landscapes, and it certainly isn't the case because of a little branding in the bottom-right.
There are nice advantages to wallpaper branding: * Users always take screenshots. A completely different user can
Users don't take screenshots of wallpapers. Applications do cover wallpappers.
Windows don't always cover the desktop, whereas the majority of screenshots are full-desktop screenshots. Branding in the bottom-right corner would still be visible in the majority of non-maximised windows scenarios. There are other ways how to make a desktop recognizable as SUSE desktop like
the look of the start button or having a little chameleon in the window deco.
The K-menu button is indeed important, but I see no valid reason for why a little branding on the wallpaper has to be missed out. Kind thoughts, -- Francis Giannaros http://francis.giannaros.org -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+help@opensuse.org
There are other ways how to make a desktop recognizable as SUSE desktop like
the look of the start button or having a little chameleon in the window deco.
The K-menu button is indeed important, but I see no valid reason for why a little branding on the wallpaper has to be missed out.
Kind thoughts,
I like a little chameleon in the K or GNOME menu, it was the case but it has been removed after 9.3. The advantage is that it's always visible. Hylke -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+help@opensuse.org
On 7/10/07, Hylke Bons
There are other ways how to make a desktop recognizable as SUSE desktop like
the look of the start button or having a little chameleon in the window deco.
The K-menu button is indeed important, but I see no valid reason for why a little branding on the wallpaper has to be missed out.
Kind thoughts,
I like a little chameleon in the K or GNOME menu, it was the case but it has been removed after 9.3. The advantage is that it's always visible.
The Kickoff menu in KDE has geeko, but SLAB on GNOME doesn't, yeah. Kind thoughts, -- Francis Giannaros http://francis.giannaros.org -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-artwork+help@opensuse.org
participants (6)
-
Francis Giannaros -
Hylke Bons -
Jan-Olof "Osku" Eriksson -
Pascal Bleser -
Rajko M. -
Stephan Binner