Rockbox Technical Forums

Support and General Use => Theming and Appearance Customization => Topic started by: rasher on March 25, 2009, 07:15:45 PM

Title: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: rasher on March 25, 2009, 07:15:45 PM
As you might have noticed, the download pages have been changed to not show the table of targets (since it wasn't really helpful, and we want to push people towards using Rockbox Utility).

As a result, the page looks a little dull, and it's still hard to see where you can actually download the utility. For this reason, we'd like to ask you for your help to design a nice "download installer" button we can put on that page. Check these pages for examples of what I'm thinking about:
http://lattice.nidonocu.com/
http://getfirefox.com/

It doesn't have to look anything like that of course. Use your imagination - surprise us.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: motionman95 on March 26, 2009, 01:14:44 AM
Here's what I came up with on the fly.  ;D  ???
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: Llorean on March 26, 2009, 01:41:54 AM
The file seems to be bad. 0kb.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: motionman95 on March 26, 2009, 01:59:34 AM
Re-uploaded.  ;D
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: Llorean on March 26, 2009, 02:04:26 AM
That style isn't really my cup of tea. Personally I'd like something that looks a little more in line with the general look of the site, or of Rockbox itself possibly.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: davidfg4 on March 26, 2009, 02:33:12 AM
I'm no graphic designer, but this is what I made.
It says "Get the" instead of "Download" because the link goes to the Rockbox Utility page instead of a direct download.
Maybe we should have the four main downloads(windows, mac, linux 32 bit, llinux 64 bit) on the download page, instead of linking to the potentially confusing RB Utility page. (see http://69.51.95.200:1828/files/rb/download.htm for a mockup)
Made with Inkscape.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: Llorean on March 26, 2009, 02:38:38 AM
Could you try that with a white or  very light gray arrow by chance? And maybe slightly bigger text?

Also, maybe "Get the installer" will make it clearer. "Rockbox Utility" may still be slightly unclear for first time visitors.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: davidfg4 on March 26, 2009, 02:52:41 AM
Because I cannot attach svg attachments, I put them here: http://69.51.95.200:1828/files/rb/
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: BdN3504 on March 26, 2009, 05:20:15 AM
here's what i've come up with:
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: Llorean on March 26, 2009, 05:43:55 AM
We want a button that leads to the page, not a button to be used as a direct link. Something we don't need to update every time the version number changes, not to mention the file size may be somewhat different between operating systems.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: BdN3504 on March 26, 2009, 06:08:12 AM
...
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: LambdaCalculus on March 26, 2009, 06:50:09 AM
That looks nice.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: rasher on March 26, 2009, 07:05:03 AM
I think it wouldn't hurt if it was a bit bigger.

There are larger versions of the icon here: http://rasher.dk/rockbox/icon/

Edit: Scrap the size thing, I hadn't noticed the forum scales down images. Using Times (or what looks like it) for this kind of button seems wrong to me though. A sans-serif font and less tacky drop-shadow would be nice if you ask me.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: BdN3504 on March 26, 2009, 10:57:50 AM
OK, what do you think of this:
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: Llorean on March 26, 2009, 11:30:38 AM
I really don't like the use of chevrons for arrows, personally. It doesn't look very good to me, especially with them using up all the extra space like that. Looks more like random added emblems than anything. You could probably get away with dropping them entirely if you don't want to use a more normal arrow.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: soap on March 26, 2009, 12:20:38 PM
Petty Officer (second class) Rockbox Utility reporting for duty, sir!
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: ZincAlloy on March 26, 2009, 12:45:02 PM
Cabbie style:
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: rasher on March 26, 2009, 12:57:25 PM
Cabbie style:
I like this one, although it's looks a bit busy. And as Llorean said, we don't want the version and file size on it (since we'd have to keep it up to date, and the file size differs for different versions). I think it should be either "Rockbox utility" or "Download installer". Not both, since that seems to imply downloading an installer for Rockbox utility or something. It's perhaps also a tad too large.

Screenshot attached for reference
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: ZincAlloy on March 26, 2009, 01:27:35 PM
whoops. fixed.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: rasher on March 26, 2009, 02:04:38 PM
whoops. fixed.

Somewhat better. I think the same font size should be used for both pieces of text. Does it need an arrow? Maybe having just the key, rather than the R would look better? It doesn't seem obvious that it's a logo, and so the R looks a bit out of place.

Edit: It's still rather large
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: BdN3504 on March 26, 2009, 02:15:18 PM
One with and one without arrow, do you want it to be ALL CAPS?
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: rasher on March 26, 2009, 02:21:08 PM
One with and one without arrow, do you want it to be ALL CAPS?
I don't think caps or not is important, but I don't think the text stands out properly on that one. I do like the idea of using the "real" rockbox logo though.

Still not a fan of drop shadow for text.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: ZincAlloy on March 26, 2009, 02:28:54 PM
how about this?
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: BdN3504 on March 26, 2009, 02:31:48 PM
that looks nice.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: Bagder on March 26, 2009, 02:33:39 PM
One with and one without arrow, do you want it to be ALL CAPS?

BdN3504's version is what currently gets the highest score from me:

(http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=21100.0;attach=3556)

Possibly the logo should be slightly more toned down...
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: AlexP on March 26, 2009, 02:36:06 PM
One with and one without arrow, do you want it to be ALL CAPS?

BdN3504's version is what currently gets the highest score from me:

(http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=21100.0;attach=3556)

Possibly the logo should be slightly more toned down...

I would like to see it with a more subtle logo - I find it quite hard to see the text over the logo, and the result is that it looks quite messy. I do like the idea though!
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: BdN3504 on March 26, 2009, 02:39:13 PM
ok, so i changed the opacity of the logo, left out the shadows and made the text bold:
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: rasher on March 26, 2009, 02:48:07 PM
how about this?
I like that! Best one so far in my opinion.

How would it look if the arrow was on one side, and the key on the other? The arrow might need to be a bit lighter to avoid the tilting the weight..

Edit:
ok, so i changed the opacity of the logo, left out the shadows and made the text bold:
Actually I think this is better. The font rendering looks a bit poor though, which is a shame.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: rasher on March 26, 2009, 02:54:09 PM
I like the gradient/texture and font rendering of ZincAlloy's button better - maybe a combination could be made, using BdN3504's layout and idea with the cabbiev2-style button as base?
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: BdN3504 on March 26, 2009, 03:09:41 PM
here's the psd  (http://rapidshare.com/files/213866910/RBdlLogo03.psd.html)then.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: EternalRains on March 26, 2009, 05:26:50 PM
My version:
(http://nsdeleon.wikispaces.com/file/view/rb1.png)
xcf available here: http://nsdeleon.wikispaces.com/file/view/rb1.xcf
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: rasher on March 26, 2009, 05:33:16 PM
My version:
(http://nsdeleon.wikispaces.com/file/view/rb1.png)
xcf available here: http://nsdeleon.wikispaces.com/file/view/rb1.xcf

I like this one as well. So to summarise, if someone could be so kind, I'd like to see:

 :)
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: ZincAlloy on March 26, 2009, 05:46:24 PM
How would it look if the arrow was on one side, and the key on the other? The arrow might need to be a bit lighter to avoid the tilting the weight..

I like the gradient/texture and font rendering of ZincAlloy's button better - maybe a combination could be made, using BdN3504's layout and idea with the cabbiev2-style button as base?

I liked my old version better..
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: rasher on March 26, 2009, 05:56:16 PM
I liked my old version better..
I agree. That didn't quite work out as I'd hoped.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: EternalRains on March 26, 2009, 06:09:03 PM
My attempt to get something closer to ZincAlloy's button style:
(http://nsdeleon.wikispaces.com/file/view/rb2.png)
xcf: http://nsdeleon.wikispaces.com/file/view/rb2.xcf
Zinc, can you please share the original to make it easier for us to see how you do it?
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: ZincAlloy on March 26, 2009, 06:18:56 PM
get the cabbiev2 graphics file and save the style: http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/pub/Main/DefaultWPS/cabbie2graphics.zip
the highlight is just a smaller version of the button shape, semi opaque and fading away.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: EternalRains on March 26, 2009, 06:42:18 PM
More cabbie-ish version:
(http://nsdeleon.wikispaces.com/file/view/rb4.png)
xcf: http://nsdeleon.wikispaces.com/file/view/rb4.xcf
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: BdN3504 on March 26, 2009, 06:48:21 PM
another one
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: rasher on March 26, 2009, 07:49:58 PM
Had a go myself. Probably should be a bit smaller

(http://rasher.dk/rockbox/download.png)
http://rasher.dk/rockbox/download.xcf

Edit: smaller versions.. feel a bit cramped
(http://rasher.dk/rockbox/download-238x100.png)
http://rasher.dk/rockbox/download-238x100.xcf
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: audio-i on March 26, 2009, 11:40:45 PM
Edit: smaller versions.. feel a bit cramped
(http://rasher.dk/rockbox/download-238x100.png)
http://rasher.dk/rockbox/download-238x100.xcf

I would vote for this version  ;)  If "Installer" gets center aligned under "Download", that would give "more room feeling", in my opinion. And note that in the smaller version, the Rockbox logo fade is less subtle, which also may contribute to the cramped feeling you mention...
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: pixelma on March 27, 2009, 01:32:49 AM
Edit: smaller versions.. feel a bit cramped
(http://rasher.dk/rockbox/download-238x100.png)
http://rasher.dk/rockbox/download-238x100.xcf

I think the background still looks a bit busy with the "full depth" logo (even if lighter) and so the font isn't readable everywhere. Did someone try using a plain version similar to the cabbiev2 background there, probably not in light grey though ;)?


P.S.: I somehow liked the idea to use the favicon "note" somewhere in general, although the first result wasn't so nice.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: BdN3504 on March 27, 2009, 04:30:06 AM
using a plain version similar to the cabbiev2 background
Update: added layer shadow and rounded the corners a bit.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: rasher on March 27, 2009, 04:37:32 AM
I would vote for this version  ;)  If "Installer" gets center aligned under "Download", that would give "more room feeling", in my opinion. And note that in the smaller version, the Rockbox logo fade is less subtle, which also may contribute to the cramped feeling you mention...
(http://rasher.dk/rockbox/download-238x100-2.png)
http://rasher.dk/rockbox/download-238x100-2.xcf
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: BdN3504 on March 27, 2009, 05:21:52 AM
I put everything which was posted in this thread together, so you might have a look and decide intuitively which pleases your eye the most:
(http://i42.tinypic.com/8yc3rt.jpg)
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: rasher on March 27, 2009, 06:35:42 AM
I put everything which was posted in this thread together
Great idea - I added some letters for easier ID.
(http://rasher.dk/rockbox/8yc3rt.jpg)
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: yapper on March 27, 2009, 07:11:33 AM
'I' looks best to me.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: Llorean on March 27, 2009, 07:30:19 AM
I'm for 'I' as well.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: AlexP on March 27, 2009, 07:51:01 AM
I or F :)
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: LambdaCalculus on March 27, 2009, 09:04:55 AM
I vote for "I" as well.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: ZincAlloy on March 27, 2009, 09:30:01 AM
G
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: audio-i on March 27, 2009, 09:47:57 AM
"I" (better with a capital I for installer?) or "G"
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: Bagder on March 27, 2009, 04:25:15 PM
G
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: soap on March 27, 2009, 05:19:50 PM
"I" (better with a capital I for installer?) or "G"

So close to the correct answer.  ;)
The answer is "G" or "I" with a capital I for 'Installer'.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: gevaerts on March 27, 2009, 05:26:38 PM
I, but with a capital I
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: GodEater on March 28, 2009, 04:16:58 AM
Ditto what gevaerts said.
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: Chronon on March 28, 2009, 06:52:31 AM
G, or I with a capital "i".
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: Bagder on March 31, 2009, 05:54:29 PM
I believe the "I" with a capital I is what I now put on the download page. Have a looksee and feel it in real life!
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: rosco_pc on March 31, 2009, 07:09:39 PM
May I suggest to add a smaller version of this also on the front page in the supported devices section?
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: kugel. on April 01, 2009, 12:24:15 PM
I'm for I as well.

However, I think we should come up with a name too. "Installer" doesn't sound appealing and doesn't have much recognition value. Why not just say something like

"Download Rockbox Utility




(The official, all-in-one installation and update suite)"
Title: Re: Art request - "download installer" button
Post by: Llorean on April 01, 2009, 12:28:32 PM
Because people coming to the site for the first time know what "Installer" means, and have no idea what "Rockbox Utility" refers to, and while the description can be there, it aids in immediate recognition if they just see "Download Installer" and know immediately that's the link they want.