The Voodoo That I Do (part 5)
Now that I’ve settled on the colors, POV, and time of day that I want to use, I need to begin populating the graphics. As I mentioned before, I’m going to begin with the wallpaper, login, firstboot-left, and anaconda_header. The wallpaper is important because it will set the tone for the overall look and feel of the graphics. The firstboot and anaconda pieces are important because of the relative proportions. Thhe choices I made in my earlier evaluation phases may not work well with a tall, narrow or short, wide image. I need to make sure that I can create images that will match the choices I’ve made, yet still meet the proportions of these two graphics.
Once I’ve satisfied myself that all three images work well visually and thematically, it is time to fully populate the graphics set. I typically just proceed down the list described in ReleaseGraphics Wiki. Each piece poses its own unique challenges. The syslinux-splash uses 16 colors, and with 5 colors already reserved, the total flexible colors is only 11. In addition to 16 color limitation the GRUB requires lighter colors so as to allow the black selection bar to be visible. For each piece, I must meet the constraints described while still matching the theme. Since I have followed the design process, kept sight of my requirements and goals, and made good visual choices in each evaluation phase, I now have a complete graphics set that is both useful and aesthetically pleasing. I feel that it captures the spirit of the Flying High theme and meets the goals that I had set for myself.
The complete set, with full size images, can be viewed here.
Hopefully these posts have helped to give some insight into the process I use in creating graphics. As an artist, I should never be afraid to explore new ideas, but having a careful design process keeps my ideas focused on my goals. The various graphics software packages provide great creative potential, but without careful consideration of design requirements, its easy to get carried away. I find it important to stay on track and my process is what helps me to do that.
Next Step…
Graphics are then sent to the engineers. From here, there are typically 2 major causes for image modifications…technical and visual improvement. Upon passing on the images to their respective package maintainers, technical issues might arise requiring changes to the mockup. Designs are then reworked in collaboration with the various maintainers to achieve the best visual and functional product. In Fedora 7, the introduction of Face Browsing will require additional time and flexibility from the designer and programmer to determine the usability as well as the visual approach and set standards on which to build. Changes to mockups and images created thus far can also come from user feedback for visual improvement. During FC6, reports that the images were too dark when viewed on various monitors were extremely important. They determined the modifications that resulted in the the final version.
PHOTO CREDIT
The following is to acknowledge the people who generously allowed me to use their photographs in the creation of graphics for this release. GPL
Gabriel Fernandes (Brasil), Sunrise Panorama
Jean-Christophe Froidevaux, balloon
Lynne “Wolfie” Lancaster, Night Sky 1
Angela Sevin, Up up and away ( cc-by 2.0)
colinedwards99, Northampton Balloon festival 2006 (cc-by 2.0)
February 14th, 2007 at 5:35 am
It seems to me that since we now ship the Echo icons by default it might be a good idea to use them in the artwork. The old bluecurve icons appear in both your firstboot and splash images.
Additionally, how would the gdm face browser scale for multiple users, I see you tested with 3 users but how would we handle say a 10 or a 100 user setup - a scrollbar?
For the anaconda_header, anaconda_prompt and grub splash the lack of contrast between the top part of the ballon and the background tends to make it look like there is no top part.
Aside that I really like the new artwork, has any thought been given to matching up a gtk theme and window decoration to complete the look?
February 14th, 2007 at 6:09 am
splash-small.png reminds to update it as it still use Bluecurve. I Like the overall design as it incorporates not only flying-high theme, but some borealis and planet element like skies ans stars.
February 14th, 2007 at 7:43 am
Diana! your images are breathtakingly beautiful. I would be happy to put them on my wall any day.
Unfortunately, they are not going to hang on a wall, they are going to make up a desktop theme. Their beauty makes them a bit too much in the face of the user, they are too detailed.
There is an evident risk of a camoflage effect. I.e. if you put an icon on the desktop it will hide in the background image.
Even if people like you and me can spot an icon on it, and read its text, there are people with less than full eye sight to consider.
A good rule of thumb in this kind of situations is to never have details that are less or equal in size than the normal size of an icon.
Hope you drag in some people with usability and accessability skills to help you avoid yet another fedora theme disaster.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:39 am
*UNBELIEVABLE!* These are so lovely — you keep topping the previous release. It might be nice to shoot a little love to the Fedora contributors who started down this “balloon” path, since it was obviously the right way to go. Keep up the fantastic work.
February 14th, 2007 at 11:25 am
I’m loving it!
February 14th, 2007 at 11:55 am
It is AWESOME!
I have no words.
You can see the work work of a professional in those designs !
February 14th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
beautiful!
February 14th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Glad to read this article
Just to say that the title html page of this URL (http://people.redhat.com/dfong/fc7graphics/) is always whith FC6
February 14th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
I agree with Uno, I love the images but I hope the background won’t be too cluttered in the final release. FC5 was brilliant.
Saying that I guess this is all just personal preference. Keep up the good work! Oh, and I agree with the other comments about Echo icon theme too…
February 14th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Excellent work Diana!
Are these going to make it in FC7T2 release?
February 14th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
[…] orschlag für das Fedora 7 Artwork umsetzt. Einige erste Bilder des Artworks kann man sich hier anschauen und sich eine eigene Meinung bilden. Danke an Sebastian Vahl Tags:artwork , […]
February 14th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
I love the graphics. I eagerly look forward to a face browser.
February 15th, 2007 at 5:44 am
Keep it up your good work Diana!!
It’s Excellent stuff, great designs…very good…my 2 cents
February 15th, 2007 at 7:32 am
Very nice!
February 15th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Your work is great.
But there is an “error” in the wallpaper.
If those are sun rays, then the moon is lighted on the wrong side.
February 15th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Amazing work! Would be nice to have the KDE splash screen use rounded corners as well, and the GRUB splash screen use colors that more closely match the rest of the images (darker blue), but .. wow.
February 17th, 2007 at 2:03 am
Awesome work. I really think the whole balloon thing works well!
My 2cents, how about an animated shooting star across the starry skies :¬)
February 18th, 2007 at 4:06 am
Great work! I love your graphics for Fedora!
I also think the old bluecurve icons are outdated.
Cheers!
February 23rd, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Beautiful work. And thank you for sharing how you go about the design process on your blog. It doesn’t get explicitly mentioned very much, but I think the graphical appeal of something like this very important to the feel of a distro and we (Fedora users) are lucky to have you doing this. Thanks!
February 23rd, 2007 at 4:49 pm
After using the RHGB image for a few days, I have a slight reservation about it — the orientation of the balloon accentuates the convex feel of the dialog box, making it feels a bit bloated?
Perhaps it might look a bit better if the balloon comes out at a different angle. Just my 2 cents — thanks!
February 23rd, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Wow! I’m not a Fedora user, but I saw a link to your images on Planet Ubuntu. The balloon pictures are just stunning.
February 27th, 2007 at 4:35 am
miss D,
great images
can’t wait for the release
it’s one of the things i like about fedora
thanks
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:01 am
Good article, it is true that I learn
nice site
April 6th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
I’m a graphic designer. I’ve been observing the different distros with an esthetic perspective. I’m sure Fedora 7 will be the most beautiful Linux distribution at the time of its release. I’m impressed by your work, the atmosphere and the delicacy and harmony of the design.
Congrats on such a nice job!.
Good design is something the Linux world is deserving.
You just raised the esthetic bar for all the other distros.
Kind regards.
June 5th, 2007 at 10:33 am
that’s a good ideas!!! I will try to do it !!!