Community Forum Skin Project

[ainwood]

A while back, I worked on a new forum skin - a Civ 5 forum skin. It is actually now selectable from the forum drop-down style selector at the bottom left of each page - called "Civ V (revised)".

I didn't update every single element (it still uses defaults for a number of infrequently-used buttons etc).

It is "OK", but I'm no artist. In particular, I think that the buttons look pretty horrible, and some are the wrong size (the chevron in the link to a quoted post, for example). So, I figured I'd throw this open to the community.

If you'd like to contribute - then great. There is no payment, and benefits are limited to an acknowledgement, and knowing that your artwork may be seen by hundreds of people every time they refresh a page.

The base images are located HERE. For people who want to contribute, I propose that they post in this thread as to what areas they are working on, and then work on "groups" of icons / buttons etc, posting either work-in-progress or finished products here. What I mean by "Groups" is (for example) the thread icons - there are different variations for "hot" threads, threads that people have posted in etc etc:



Image names are case-sensitive and must be kept to the same names. But, format can be changed* (eg. to .png).

By having people post their work in progress, then others can choose a separate forum element and develop something that they think will complement someone else's work.

At the end, we will put it to a vote on which are the best elements to use, and make up a theme based on that.

So... who is keen?




*I recall that the forum software requires that the displayed extension by ".gif" for most files, but the underlying format is read and interpreted by the browser - i.e. you can create a .png, and rename it as a .gif, and both the forum software and the browsers will be happy.

 

[Irkalla]

I think we'd do well to go with a dark theme. It's more civ like. I dislike the banner up top, I think it should be like the old CFC with just the logo and such.

We could go all-in on the Civ 5 look. I believe it to be achievable. I'm going to try and snag all the glory and try and make a more fitting logo. Hell, I'll try making a few more contributions and keep them in this post too.

Also more century gothic pls

One question though. You guys should consider getting together a design team that can work on a development fork of this forum. There are many of us who would be proud to contribute.


G&K Style Logo Prototype

Spoiler :

 

[Kyriakos]

Maybe also ask Balthasar from the CivIII forum, since he does this sort of Logo-based graphic a lot.

In fact i think you might want to consider opening a special "Forum skin art work" forum, for the short duration this project takes to be completed. Since if it is just a thread in the OT/Feedback forums, you can be sure that most of the people who see it have zero artistic skills.

 

[ainwood]

. Since if it is just a thread in the OT/Feedback forums, you can be sure that most of the people who see it have zero artistic skills.

there is an announcement in every creation &'customization forum.

 

[Leugi]

Amazing! I'll be happy to collaborate.

Here's what I have till now:





And other buttons following the same style. Also, for threads and forums I suggest using these (I know there are others already, but I think civilian icons are far better for threads, and I like the world congress thing for forums):




And for forums:




And here is the rar file with all the files in their folders:

Here

 

[Bowsling]

Hmmm, I like the colours on this skin a lot better. My only complaint is that the V in Civ V shouldn't be as prominent, since, y'know, we do more than just Civ V here. Leugi's button's are fantastic.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

I also like Leugi's buttons.

I'm using the new skin now and it looks great! I really like it, very pleasing to the eyes. Thanks Ainwood.

 

[Synobun]

I'm liking the new skin colour scheme a lot. Once the buttons are better I think I'll switch to it full-time.

 

[Birdjaguar]

I'm trying it, but all that white is not the green I'm used to....

 

[Birdjaguar]

I like the >> button that links back to a quoted post, but it is too large.
The purple "multi page" dot seems unnecessary since multi page threads have page numbers that show how many pages there are.
I'd prefer something other than a happy face to show that I've posted in a thread
I do like Leugi's buttons.

 

[Leugi]

Glad you like the buttons

2 options for the header, I decided it's better to remove the "V" as you guys said, because the forum doesn't only apply for CivV... I'm using a bit of the box art for the background.

Option 1: Thunderfall's Civilization Fanatics Center, using the text its using right now.

Spoiler :

Option 2: Thunderfall's CivFanatics. So, couldn't we just call this place CivFanatics? I think many of us identify this place with that name because of the url.

Spoiler :

 

[Irkalla]

Glad you like the buttons

2 options for the header, I decided it's better to remove the "V" as you guys said, because the forum doesn't only apply for CivV... I'm using a bit of the box art for the background.

Option 1: Thunderfall's Civilization Fanatics Center, using the text its using right now.

Spoiler :

Option 2: Thunderfall's CivFanatics. So, couldn't we just call this place CivFanatics? I think many of us identify this place with that name because of the url.

Spoiler :

No banner background. Simplicity is key.

 

[classical_hero]

Option 1 is better, but remove Thunderfall's, since we don't need it any more. Plus make the lettering in the centre so that it is the main thing you look at. But I'm still sticking with the dark blue, since it is best for my eyes.

 

[Synobun]

I'd only approve of a banner image if you could code it so it is as wide as the screen. The wider the screen, the more of the banner is seen, but even with the smallest screens you can see the "primary" portion of the banner. If that isn't possible, then the text image we have now with Turnip Green would be great.

 

[SamSniped]

That theme is awesome! Can i suggest maybe a bit darker of a gray in the background of the posts, a banner that's also compatible with tablets, and no V in the banner?

 

[Birdjaguar]

I like both options.

 

[ls612]

Glad you like the buttons

2 options for the header, I decided it's better to remove the "V" as you guys said, because the forum doesn't only apply for CivV... I'm using a bit of the box art for the background.

Option 1: Thunderfall's Civilization Fanatics Center, using the text its using right now.

Spoiler :

Option 2: Thunderfall's CivFanatics. So, couldn't we just call this place CivFanatics? I think many of us identify this place with that name because of the url.

Spoiler :

The lettering for option 1 looks great, I'm not so certain about the image in the background. I kinda like having the solid background with the art in the foreground like it is now.

I dislike option 2, because while we do generally call it Civfanatics, many of us also call it CFC (short for Civilization Fanatics Center). So simply for historical reasons I think the site name should remain the same.

 

[ainwood]

Hmm. I had an idea, and the community have already started to expand on it, and run with it. Thanks!

I had initially only considered the development of a civ 5 skin / style. Given the fantastic resources we have in terms of artists here, it makes sense (if people are willing) to develop more. I think a forum to organise will help - will get on to that later!

 

[Leugi]

I dislike option 2, because while we do generally call it Civfanatics, many of us also call it CFC (short for Civilization Fanatics Center). So simply for historical reasons I think the site name should remain the same.

That's a good point... So here a backgroundless png:

 

[sukritact]

Very nice! I prefer leugi's second option for the logo.

I'd help, but I'm not sure what's actually needed;

Edit: I tried modifying Leugi's logos to match the BNW gold effect.

Spoiler :