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Older articles
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mars |
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Post subject: World Of WarCraft Theme
 Posted: Dec 31, 2004 - 09:55 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Aug 15, 2004
Posts: 4277
Status: Offline
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GlueBeard |
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Post subject: RE: World Of WarCraft Theme
Posted: Jan 01, 2005 - 02:01 AM
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Pirate Critic
Joined: Aug 18, 2004
Posts: 347
Location: The Isle of GlueBeard
Status: Offline
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mars |
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Post subject: RE: World Of WarCraft Theme
Posted: Jan 01, 2005 - 11:59 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Aug 15, 2004
Posts: 4277
Status: Offline
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Thanks,
As you can see from this forum I have been running the gauntlet it seems with different styles lately.. |
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GlueBeard |
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Post subject: RE: World Of WarCraft Theme
Posted: Jan 02, 2005 - 01:33 AM
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Pirate Critic
Joined: Aug 18, 2004
Posts: 347
Location: The Isle of GlueBeard
Status: Offline
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Well, I have noticed some experimentation on your part with some variety in a few areas of design, but I would not concur with the characterization of "running the gauntlet."
My personal assessment would be that you haven't even begun to run the gauntlet, yet. You are still on the tip of the iceberg.
When you are at your creative best, I have yet to encounter any other theme designer in the PostNuke theme design community who exceeds your talents.
However, as even these latest design endeavors demonstrate, you are still confining yourself largely to designing boxes. Everywhere I look, boxes, boxes, boxes. You seem infatuated with boxes.
The Clan1 theme, for example, is, at its essence, 24 boxes. I am going by the picture at the following link:
http://portalthemes.com/PNphpBB2-viewtopic-t-241.phtml
Its only saving grace is its small duet of diagonal lines contained in what are long, vertical boxes, and even there, they are identical on both sides, which strikes no aesthetic chord. There is nothing notable about that theme, from what i could see of it at that stage in its development.
Walk outside your home, and look around. Ignore everything that is man-made, and then count how many boxes that you see in nature.
My point, here, is not so much that your themes should be excursions into nature, but rather, take note of how many irregular lines there are in virtually everything.
Trees, for example, have lots of irregularity about them. Their beauty is not defined by sharp edges or perfectly curved surfaces.
Rivers do not tend to run in perfectly straight lines the duration of their length.
Your HL2 theme has a saving grace - the semi-illusion of colors formed by the triangles, ornage and green, and border one another on the left hand side. The bottom corner of the orange triangle isn't perfect. How unfortunate that you do not choose to break from perfection more often.
The thin green border work of the center block is not bad, but neither does it chart any new ground. Its thinness is its positive attribute, but along the bottom edge of that first center block, it loses itself when it blends dark.
By and large, though, HL2 is another exercise in box construction.
The PT20 theme holds some promise in its energetic and colorful fontwork in the upper left corner. The rest of it? Largely another stack of boxes.
It's not that nothing else about PT20 has any niceness about it. Rather, it's that, for the most part, the rest of it fails to break any new creative ground. I see a number of rehashes of items used in previous themes. Also, like with so many other themes that you produce, you tend to favor darkness and toned down to vibrant and grab the eye.
What about Trendwhore? Nice name, but it commits some of your most common offenses. At least it isn't darkened and toned down.
You started something with the center block border work, by taking a bite out of it, or something, but it's like you just stopped for no reason. I am scared to count how many boxes I could find in this theme. The font work on the buttons is way to small. That tends to be one of your biggest theme design sins. There is nothing wrong with allowing text to be read with ease. I like the horizontal bar that the buttons rest on, especially allong the left and right edges. The wash in the header graphic is too much. Quit washing so much color and potential vibrancy out of your themes. The rest of the border work for Trendwhore just pretty much sucks. It is Plain Jane, and about as exciting as looking forward to eating a bowl of dirt.
Clean PT is a good example, I think, of how to make a theme look boring. I haven't seen many calls, of late, by people looking to make their sites look more boring. Its saving grace? None. I do like, at least, that you tried to depart from your addiction to toned down darkness, bland color schemes, and rigid box orthodoxy. But, try as you may, you simply failed on this one to accomplish much of anything, where Clean PT is concerned. It's an ugly theme. Period.
What about PT16? The font used for the logo held some potential, but I'm not even sold on it. You should look at continually expanding your collection of fonts, since fontwork is one way to easily help distinguish themes from one another. There's tons of themes out there, in all sizes and shapes and designs, and nothing says that you can't mix more than one, even in a given text logo.
The left block of PT16 shows some attempt to deviate from the norm, which is a plus, but I am left undecided on what I think of it. Maybe if the rest of the theme departed from the norm, as well, then this theme might have come to something worth spending some time exploring, while in one of my analytical moods. Still too many boxes.
Now, PT15 is better, but still leaves a lot to be desired. That thing in the upper left corner I like. I don't know what it is, but I like it. The top red header graphic just doesn't cut it. It held potential, but that potential wasn't developed. The left curved side of it just doesn't work with anything else in that theme. The color, and the color of the left block, don't help it, any, either. The left block is ugly. It has some decorative work in the bottom corners, but by and large, taken as a whole, the left block is ugly. You also continually resort to all capital letters on your buttons, and you also tend to resort to unimaginative fonts when doing buttons. PT15 also seems to sit off-center. If you go off-center, it had better be worth it. This time, it isn't worth it. The little white lettering that one can't read, in the header graphic, adds nothing to the aesthetic equation. Spend more time making the header graphic text legible. Give the small, illegible textwork a rest for a while, and concentrate more on focus, legibility, and projection of image. Too much abstract art, of late.
I'm looking at the Angles theme now. I wish that i wasn't, but I am. The color scheme sucks. What in the Hell were you thinking, when you went with that color scheme?
Where the angles meet, it creates a visual focal point. Now, this could have amounted to something, if you have fleshed it out, but you didn't. You plopped it down,a nd left it to die from loneliness. Shame on you, Mars!
And look at all of those straight lines. Throw away your ruler, and depart from the vertical and horizontal perfection of the straight-edge. You're designing themes, not teaching geometry class.
And who were you designing this Angles theme for? An ant hill? It must have been, because the whote fontwork in the upper left corner is about the size that an ant would use. Why do you do that? You constantly and continually bruise your themes by using fontwork that is just too damned small. Is Ray standing over you with a stick, threatening you if you use bigger fonts? What good is text, if users can't read it, or if they have to strain to read it.
Now, the World of Warcraft theme has my attention, once more. The ornamental work im gold I like. The background of the black diamondesque horizontal bar near the top I like. The gray diamonds, the 8 of them, I like. The gold trim I like, but I would like it better if you weren't pandering to the gods of horizontal and vertical straigh-edges. Straight lines, even gold ones, are still straight, and do not win awards for creative genius. It still counts as border work, and I know that you are more crative,w hen ti comes to border work, than just sticking with long, straight lines. That shield thing at top center the jury is still out on. It could have been nice, if it has been more decorative. But, you were skimping on creativity, and going with straight edges and smooth curves. Did you run out of ornamentation?
Do you know what I dislike the most about teh World of Warcraft theme, Mars? It's like two big gold-trimmed boxes.
Pah!! Boxes, boxes, boxes.
Quit building boxes. |
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Ray |
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 04, 2005 - 12:43 PM
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Information Hound
Joined: Aug 17, 2004
Posts: 686
Status: Offline
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I have been giving this a lot of thought over the past few days and thinking about all the postnuke and other similar CMS sites that I have seen. One thing that I have not noticed in any of them is the same thing that you are looking for from Mars.
Could you find me or us some examples to demonstrate this "out of the box" style of theme that you are referring to? |
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GlueBeard |
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 04, 2005 - 05:50 PM
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Pirate Critic
Joined: Aug 18, 2004
Posts: 347
Location: The Isle of GlueBeard
Status: Offline
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Almost every PostNuke, PHP-Nuke, MD-Pro, and other similar CMS themes that I have seen fall into the category of emulating boxes. Of course, maybe that's why you, yourself, have had difficulty finding some out of the box examples, Ray.
The more innovative sites tend to use HTML or Flash, more so than PHP.
Most sites that I visit that have redeeming graces usually also have at least as many drawbacks as they do positive attributes. On occasion, I will send Mars a link to a website, to point our a particular something that I like or dislike, or when I come across a fellow theme crafter that I feel tends to be above average in their design of CMS themes, compared to most that I have seen.
I don't normally save these links, though, Ray.
Of course, I could be wrong. Maybe people all want their stes to look a lot like every other CMS site. Maybe people crave distinctiveness, creativity, originality, and uniqueness less than they do similiarity, conformity, cookie cutter, and box-type sites.
I couldn't recall all of the times that I have come across a posting, though, wherein the individual posting has lamented about how so many PostNuke sites, for example, that they have seen have looked the same, or almost identical. Many people on PostNuke.com, for example, have complained down through time about the need for more better looking themes. But, on many occasions, I have simply stopped in on a site at random, and browser through its forums, just to see what people think about a given site's theme, or about what could be improved about a site.
When I refer someone to a theme crafter, I tend to refer them to Mars here at PortalThemes.com. But, if you think that I should be referring them elsewhere, by all means, who do you think that I should refer them to?
That said, I criticize what I dislike, regardless of who is the aurthor of it. Some of Mars' handiwork I like. Other, I dislike. Unlike many, though, at times, I will go into specifics and into detail about what it is that I like or dislike. Furthermore, not all of the criticism that I articulate of Mars' handiwork do I post here in these forums. Last night, in fact, after Mars sent me a link to a theme that he is working on, I sent him a 10-point or so small critique about some observations that I had about that theme which he is working on.
It is also worth pointing out that many want something better in themes, but are unable to articulate what it is that they feel would make an ideal or a perfect theme.
Most of the theme designers whose handiwork that I have encountered over time I would rate their handiwork as being average or below average. Now, those individuals may not like that characterization, but I stick with it. Hell, where I am concerned, my ability to craft a theme suffers in many areas, such as, first off, I suck at art to begin with. Even people who suck at art can appreciate artistry, however. I try to acknowledge it where I see it. Not long ago, in fact, I took time out to compliment a font related web site on how their web site looked. Thus, I don't mind giving credit where it is due.
Perhaps you have entirely different feelings than I do on such matters, Ray, and if you do, that is fine by me. I suspect that, like so many other aspects of our individual lives, our own respective experiences will vary widely.
If Mars thinks that I am full of shit, well, he can always just say that.
You know as well as I do, though, Ray, that, at times, Mars has crafted a theme, and both you and I have, in some instances, liked what Mars did with the theme better than the revisions which came later from his clients who were purchasing the themes in question.
I have been busy with other things, of late, but had some more time recently to post regarding some of the newer custom themes that Mars has started drafting.
I suppose that I could just always pat Mars on the back, and say, "Hey, that looks great, or that looks nice, when, in fact, I felt completely to the contrary. But, that would serve no purpose other than to maybe inflate Mars head with false and insincere flattery, which would be utterly worthless in my book.
People are always on the lookout for new, improved, and better, and this is true in many areas of life, but it also holds true in the area of themes for their CMS websites. If it weren't true, nobody would ever bother paying either Mars or someone else for a custom theme. If originality, creativity, and uniqueness are not worth spending money on, then Mars should simply close up shop.
As a general rule, however, I don't think that the frontiers of CMS theme development have been pushed very far, yet. I also feel that people, as individuals, often favor a more individualistic approach to their own website. People, by their very nature, are individuals, and individualism is an attribute which tends to permeate the processes of human creativity. This is one of the reasons why so many websites cater to so much varying and different content.
Even if some people didn't go about constantly harping about the need for a better mousetrap doesn't mean that they wouldn't try and use one, were it created. The same, I feel, holds true about themes and theme design.
Should a theme be 3 columns, a header, and a footer? Should it be 2 columns? 5 columns? The answer, of course, will vary, depending upon what the webmaster's needs or desires are.
If no one pushes the envelope of theme development, though, then that envelope will not be pushed. Some felt that if God had wanted man to fly, then He would have given man wings. Others, however, were more innovative and open in their thinking, and continued to push the envelope, and now we have air travel as a result of their efforts.
Because a human mind is what ultimately designs a theme for a CMS, I am partial to the belief that we have not yet reached the apex of theme design. Along the way, many mistakes, errors, and oversights will be made. That is the history of human society in almost every venture, though.
The fact that I continue to look for themes designed from an out-of-the-box vantage point demonstrates that at least some do. Maybe I am alone, in that regard, but I somehow doubt that I am that unique or alone, where my thinking on CMS theme design is concerned.
And, as long as least 1 person is not content with the status quo of miles and miles of boring, drab, unoriginal, and non-creativity themes, then there is at least hope that improvement in theme design will continue to occur.
Unlike some, though, I, at least, am willing to both state my points of contention or criticism in the first instance, and I am also willing to then provide follow-up feedback, rather than just saying the equivalent of, "That sucks."
I have also suggested to Mars in a private message, previously, that he should look at getting into the PHP-Nuke theme market more.
If you think that people should just be content with what Mars designs on his own, then I certainly wouldn't agree with that. It is interesting and worth observing, I feel, that Mars has these forums available for public use, so that he might gather input and feedback from people on what they are looking for in themes and in theme design.
What ultimately constitutes "out of the box" is dependent, I suppose, on what one is already sue to, or upon what one has already previously seen and encountered. Not knowing what all websites that you ahve visited, I have no real basis whereupon to ascertain what you feel fits this bill, Ray. Our experiences are going to vary, depending upon which websites that we visit.
If you want a websites to go to, where people are continually looking for new themes and new designs in themes, then I would recommend PostNuke.com, for one. They even have a showcase where people can post their own websites' URL addresses, so that others can go and check them out.
In looking at thems, though, I do not limit myself solely to just PostNuke themes. I try to develop a broader perspective than just that. On numerous occasions, I have encountered other CMS themes which I felt looked better than the vast majority of PostNuke themes that I have seen over time. I sent Mars within the last coupel of days, via private messages, a couple of links for some of the more recent decent looking themes that I have encountered, over the last few weeks. If he still has those links, then perhaps he can share them with you. I thought that some of their themes were fairly decent, even when compared against Mars, though even they still suffer from some of the same criticisms that I have offered about Mar's handiwork on occasion. Aesthetically, though, I thought that some of them were fairly nicely rendered.
Also, on occasion, various sites or individuals sponsor theme design contests. If peopel were content with teh status quo, Ray, I seriously doubt that anyone would sponsor or participate in such theme design contests. |
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GlueBeard |
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 04, 2005 - 05:58 PM
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Pirate Critic
Joined: Aug 18, 2004
Posts: 347
Location: The Isle of GlueBeard
Status: Offline
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I think that it is also woth highlighting and pointing out that many CMS webmasters use the respectve themes that they are using because those particular themes were available and out there for the using.
Many webmasters rely upon what is available, but that's not to say nor to suggest that they wouldn't be happier with better designed, more original, and more creative themes that are outside of the box, or which are boxless. |
Last edited by GlueBeard on Jan 11, 2005 - 07:15 AM; edited 1 time in total
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Ray |
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 04, 2005 - 09:13 PM
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Information Hound
Joined: Aug 17, 2004
Posts: 686
Status: Offline
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Quote:
When I refer someone to a theme crafter, I tend to refer them to Mars here at PortalThemes.com. But, if you think that I should be referring them elsewhere, by all means, who do you think that I should refer them to?
I really dont think I implied that in my post at all..... 
Im very happy for Mars that you refer people to his site here and I hope that you continue that practice for his sake. All I was looking for was an example or two of a theme that is not solely based on boxes. Somewhere in your above post you did mention a few instances of what you consider as not being so boxlike, namely, the use of flash and html. I now have a better idea of what you are referring to.
Thanks,
Ray |
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Ray |
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 05, 2005 - 11:37 AM
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Information Hound
Joined: Aug 17, 2004
Posts: 686
Status: Offline
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| Yes it does help! Thanks for sharing that site with us. |
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DSoroudi |
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 21, 2005 - 02:12 AM
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Joined: Oct 22, 2004
Posts: 25
Status: Offline
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| mars, any update with this wow theme? when will it be completed, and will it have a matching pnphpbb2? |
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mars |
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 26, 2005 - 09:32 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Aug 15, 2004
Posts: 4277
Status: Offline
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| Gotten sidetracked with some custom themes but this will be the first one I come back to when I have some free time. |
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mars |
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 01, 2005 - 09:23 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Aug 15, 2004
Posts: 4277
Status: Offline
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Quick update.
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bulkhogan |
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 02, 2005 - 07:06 PM
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Joined: Feb 01, 2005
Posts: 2
Status: Offline
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I need to buy a WoW theme .. That looks ok minus the horde guy  |
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bulkhogan |
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 02, 2005 - 07:07 PM
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Joined: Feb 01, 2005
Posts: 2
Status: Offline
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here is a pretty cool one but its php nuke. http://www.eawow.com/
was lookin for a postnuke one that doesnt need AT Lite |
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abbahost |
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 04, 2005 - 05:53 PM
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Joined: Feb 04, 2005
Posts: 5
Status: Offline
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Hello Mars
Need any help with the theme?
let me know.
I have some experience in designing wow themes and will be gla
Art
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Webmaster for
www.abbahost.com
www.eawow.com |
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