Post by Erica Weiss on Jul 20, 2013 0:24:50 GMT -5
Howdy all. Hope your babies are well fed and fast asleep.
Anyways
Part of revamping the site includes not only changing up the RP scenario a bit, but to rebrand and reposition oneself so that it can be nice and pretty and new for us that have been part of the site, and can assist with the attraction for people who are interested in the site.
With that said, it wouldn't hurt to at least consider making some changes to make the site as a whole seem a bit more BSG-ish. A quick discussion with Onas led to the mutual belief that the red hazard sign thing in the site's background is not appropriate for what we are RPing. Therefore, this a prime example (and opportunity, with the revamp) to try to shake things up and make it more apparent that this is in fact, the best BSG AU RP option out there.
Rather than have a red biohazard-lookin sign, here are some suggestions, things that come to mind from a casual google search:
One option is to have a background like the interior of the ship
www.tombsofkobol.com/images/bg/bsg03-bay02b.jpg
www.galactiguise.com/sets/images/galactica_floor_1.gif
of course, the above images would be edited and resized appropriate for a site background. Just a suggestion to consider.
We could also, instead, choose a background more like space or something, to reflect the nomadic fleet and such
davidocchino.com/tutorials/battlestar-galactica-titles-photoshop-tutorial-art/battlestar-galactica-background-art-by-david-occhino-large.jpg
Onas/Tyler also contributed some suggestions to the site background:
www.fanpop.com/clubs/battlestar-galactica/images/3997174/title/vipers-wallpaper?ir=true
1ms.net/battlestar-galactica-prop-41562.html
3.bp.blogspot.com/-PmkMJiDtFGg/TtzQ1909QRI/AAAAAAAAA6M/uFUEsEY1n1I/s1600/battlestar-galactica-wallpaper-hd-5-731205.jpg
I personally, must immediately protest these suggestions (sorry Onas
) largely because of a design issue. As awesome as the images are, they're rather extremely detailed and designy/graphical. Too much action and images for the background of the site creates something called "noise", and could either hurt the eyes of people viewing the site, or could be a distraction for those that just want to read the little letters of their RP.
I insist that we go a much simpler route for a background, like this:
hdmoviewpp.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Battlestar-Galactica-Logo-Wallpaper.png
the above image of course, could easily be photoshopped to reflect BSH.
Aside from the biohazard sign, the current background works because it is also simply of design. I'm recommending that we change the background to reflect the site more accurately, while also maintaining the simplicity of it.
Ok.
Second thing!
Yet again, not trying to diss anyone for their valiant efforts, but I'd like to call for a change of the banner as well. The information on it is accurate (its still gonna be BSH), and the background ship image is a good idea, but (as a publisher) the typeface is driving me crazy. If that could be edited (by me or someone else) to look more cleaner and more official looking then I think it would do the site good.
Its one of the first things newbies look at when they visit the site, so a much better image tells them "its ok to take us seriously".
One more thing! (sorry)
Compared to the other two things above this is small, but also matters if you intend to be consistent in reimaging the site.
The headings "Welcome, Chat, The Fleet, Staff, and Affiliates" are all made with the BSG typeface (which is ok) but it could be cleaned up.
I've worked with the typeface myself, and I know that there's a variation between the "uppercase" and "lowercase". The difference being, how the word connects to the other words around it.
If you look at an offical BSG logo, or the opening title shot of a episode, the typeface connects much smoother. Quickly compare that to the headings on this site and you'll see what I'm talking about
I generally have this same concern for the banner, which i called for some editing earlier.
Basically, the typeface is fine, but should be tweaked just a bit to look a bit cleaner. Maybe thats just being super picky, but I personally believe from a design perspective that consistency and conformity is what helps make a site from good to great.
Ok Sparrow, you've ranted enough, just wrap it up already
Essentially, I wanted to post this as its own thread so that we could encourage designers on this site to contribute, as well as to potentially coordinate with the admins so that they could oversee, contribute, and approve new designs.
sorry about the wall of text.
CHEESECAKE.
-Sparrow
