Application Themes and Skins - It’s Design Time

Luke Miller has sent me a suggestion via email:

"Probably not a “sexy” request and I have less than zero talents as a graphics designer but I would like a simple High Contrast, Black and White skin. Something similar to the High Contract Black and High Contrast White themes in Windows 7.

While not “pretty” this would be a big help for many of my older users.  While not visually impared, they would benefit immensely from simply two color High Contrast themes. It would also be helpful for those who are color blind. I am sure that many others would benefit from having this as an option to include in the skins we ship with our apps."

Keep 'em coming ... 9 days to go!

Another suggestion from Matthew via email:

"I think that a skin with a prototype look can be useful, not only for communicating that an application in the design stage, but also to indicate that an application is connected to a development database. Users will understand that any changes they make aren’t affecting production servers.

The initial blueprint design doesn’t resonate with me as much as a hand-sketched skin.

Both Balsamiq Mockups and Expression SketchFlow use these concepts for skins that communicate an early stage of design work. By creating a similar, but unique skin, I believe you could create a look that would have a range of uses."

4 days to go, keep the ideas flowing!

~ Rachel.

Another email suggestion. This time from Maarten Wiltink. I really like this retro suggestion:

"We're in the process of completely redesigning and rebuilding all our existing products on the XAF platform. One of the old platforms is the AS/400 (as many people still know it) and the screens look _quite_ different there. Minimalist. Strictly functional.

We feel that it might immensely help user acceptance if the new product, even though offering all the new functionality of a Windows-style UI, could look more familiar and less daunting to some of our more conservative users. Even aside from those, a simpler look might be a hit with power users who simply don't care for dancing flamingos in their forms.

A large part of the terminal experience is of course the monospaced font and the (mostly) green-on-black lettering - although I'm partial to amber-on-black myself."

3 days to go. We're on the home straight!

~ Rachel

Auke Teeninga has been back again with a whole slew of suggestions ... too many to post here but here are a few of them:

Old Windows style:

•        Like a basic Delphi windows 95application (tothpaul.free.fr/.../ftp400.jpg)

•        Oldicons

•        Glitchyhotzones

Under construction:

•        Trafficsigns as buttons

•        Black Yellow / Red White ribbons (www.certra.be/under_construction.gif)

•        Constuctionextra's like bolted plates, H-beams

Lego:

•        Lego bricks!

Bloc note:

•        Background:preprinted lines or squares, marginline (www.sxc.hu/.../435184_note_pad.jpg, uploads.siteduzero.com/.../93731.png)

•        Font:Handwritten (Pen/Pencil)

•        Fontcolors: Mainly black/blue

•        Extra's:Highlights with yellow and green (www.scripturezealot.com/.../book-marking-peter.jpg), Folded corners, torn pages

Awesome ideas!

~ Rachel.

Some over active spam filters prevented Luca Centimeri's suggestion getting to my inbox on the 9th Sept, but his vote also goes to the high contrast skin:

"Maybe because I love the dark background on my laptop,

I would like to see a theme like Microsoft Expression Blend 4.

You can see some screenshots here www.softpedia.com/.../Microsoft-Expression-Blend-Screenshot-58549.html as an example"

Thanks Luca!

~ Rachel.

Mark Rendle has a one word suggestion that says is all: leopard.

Short and sweet ;-)

~ Rachel