I totally agree with Gare about the blue. Another thing I noticed that bothers me is the dark brown background on the Xart logo, it is too close in value to the blue check mark and the check mark gets almost lost as a result.
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I totally agree with Gare about the blue. Another thing I noticed that bothers me is the dark brown background on the Xart logo, it is too close in value to the blue check mark and the check mark gets almost lost as a result.
OK currently the blue is gradient starting at #FF3AABF9 and ending with #FF4249F5. What would you like them changed to as this seems to be a hang up on answering my actual question. Also, here is the logo to play with. I don't have the Xar file.
Attachment 99052
Grace,
Here are some of my color experiments. They are down and dirty so just view with a grain of salt. The two largest are similar to what you have except for the check mark.
I have not yet reached any conclusions. But I do have my favorites.
Attachment 99053Attachment 99054Attachment 99055
I agree that the middle column seems redundant and find it even confusing. I would suggest to change "Current Value" to "Set Value". To make clear that you can only change the values in the "Set Value" column I suggest adding arrows and padlocks to the respective sliders.
I agree with the comments about the blue interface. It is quite jarring.
I also have a question: what do the pictograms at the bottom of the interface stand for?
When I replied yesterday half of what I wrote got lost. I said that I really liked your ideas and would it be possible to have .XAR file with the buttons.
Thanks
I attached the .xar file for the above interface mock-up. Sorry that the file is a bit messy because I put it together as I went along.
The logo is attached here as vector art, and I used one of Larry's color schemes. Thanks to Mind's Eye for the treatment of the "art" portion, and I believe the subordinate text is Adobe Myriad Condensed Bold (or Black).
Attachment 99065
-g
If you like when I get home I will put together vector version.
Larry: psssst. I attached one in post #130 :).
Took me about 12 minutes to do, based on Mind's Eye, my work, your work, and some scraps we have up on this thread.
Done.
Work on some card tricks! :)
-g
Thanks Gare
You're welcome, Grace and I have a suggestion for all, to help finish the look of the UI and all that:
Keep background elements neutral in color. If you insist on a gradient, make the subtle transition from 65% warm grey to 25% warm grey, or add a slight tint of hue to it.
Remember that the control are the "stars of the composition. In order of visual importance, it's the logo (what the program is), the controls, and then the "chrome", the padding, the background.
Larry offered a lot of compelling, attractive, and distinctive color schemes. Dont' go with empirical color opposites the way some of us were taught in school. Use a primary color as part of your building process, then a complementary color (not an opposite, but one that supports the primary color), and then an accent color to call out something visually.
Here's a riff on some of Larry's schemes. Now, the colors might not strike you as perfect "companions" and some can be lighter and less saturated, but look at the "chemistry" between the groups of colors. Use this for inspiration as far as the entire UI goes. You only need 3 colors out of these swatch samples, I believe, and they've been calculated by a friend and programmer, Sivam Krish, not necessarily to make "wallpaper"—bland pastels of the same hue, but rather to inspire and provoke the audience at first glance. They don't clash—they just have a profound relationship the more you look at any combination within the group.
Attachment 99073
I haven't given this 100% of the time or consideration it deserves, but everyone, please bear in mind that colors and color combinations speak to your audience in any way you've arranged them. Color is a language: decide what it is you want to say!
My Best,
Gary