Thread: My First Skin Concept: Windows 7

Originally Posted by NSFW

Good call. Nobody will know the idea was poached.

I'd grow that circle as much as possible though, to make the buttons bigger and easier to hit with your eyes on the road.

Check post 1 I feel like all my previous work was in vain haha at least i caught it early

Originally Posted by colin

Man, don't even fret about stuff like that! I've redesigned mine 4 or 5 times, and each one takes HOURS of coding. At least you caught it early, you said it yourself!

Keep on going, hell, there are VERY few skins I like -- I mean VERY few. I think graphical design is a very important part of this and I wouldnt ever be able to use one of those plan typical skins. It doesn't have to be cluttered to be nice -- as you've shown. A little bit of a background and some gradients here and there are wonderful.

Good work, keep it coming. Looks like we share similar design ideas.

Yeah, well it's a good thing I enjoy it I guess huh? I can see this is going to be a long road to perfecting everything to how I like it. I put up the most recent version of concept #2. I need some opinions on which one I should continue with. Or maybe I will just finish both? haha. I like aspects of both. I am just trying to figure out which one other people would want to use!

You may have a tough time with the wedge concept getting each wedge to come up separately when selected -- RR uses rectangles to define everything.

Originally Posted by spamminator

You may have a tough time with the wedge concept getting each wedge to come up separately when selected -- RR uses rectangles to define everything.

Oh yeah I forgot about that. Well I will just make her glow then, haha.

I like #2 a lot. That's probably not a surprise.

Pressing the middle button (currently the Windows flag) could switch between two versions of the button ring, so you have one set of buttons for frequently-used stuff (music, nav, phone), and a second set of buttons for rarely-used stuff (configuration, etc).

Consider moving the button right to the side, so that instead of two smallish areas for album art + something TBD, you just have one larger area for album art. That's enough stuff for the main screen, IMO.

BTW, I am in awe of your graphic skill. If I did my own skin it would be black-and-white, with no gradients, and just boring text on the buttons.

Originally Posted by NSFW

I like #2 a lot. That's probably not a surprise.

Pressing the middle button (currently the Windows flag) could switch between two versions of the button ring, so you have one set of buttons for frequently-used stuff (music, nav, phone), and a second set of buttons for rarely-used stuff (configuration, etc).

Consider moving the button right to the side, so that instead of two smallish areas for album art + something TBD, you just have one larger area for album art. That's enough stuff for the main screen, IMO.

BTW, I am in awe of your graphic skill. If I did my own skin it would be black-and-white, with no gradients, and just boring text on the buttons.

Man thats another good idea!!! I am going to move that over tonight After I watch some TV. Actually I owe my friend for my graphics skill, he has taught me everything I know, and has put in countless hours helping me get to where I am! I am always learning (you can always learn something new), and that's what I hope to gain from this project. Thanks for all the tips and everything guys, it helps me out more than you know! I also uploaded a new REV, but its gonna change thanks to you NSFW.

Off-topic - I just noticed you've got an STI, you might like this: http://www.codeplex.com/ssm

I'm using it in a Legacy GT, in fact it's what's on my CarPC more than anything else.

Originally Posted by ihateafropaul

Yeah, well it's a good thing I enjoy it I guess huh? I can see this is going to be a long road to perfecting everything to how I like it. I put up the most recent version of concept #2. I need some opinions on which one I should continue with. Or maybe I will just finish both? haha. I like aspects of both. I am just trying to figure out which one other people would want to use!

I say finish both... either way you appeal to all the masses, and you will get help from both sides. The reason I like the first design most, is you have access to all your main screens at every screen. So if im on the music screen and decide I want to watch a video, I can just click the video icon at the top and wah-lah! The other way, it seems I have to click twice, in two totally different areas. Once to close the media screen, and second to open the video player.

Both concepts have their pros and cons, I think the first concept could benefit from larger buttons at the top, maybe get rid of one of the buttons, respace the rest and enlarge it just a little bit (just a little). The second concept could benefit from larger text particularly around the album info, if you choose to keep it on the main screen. I think the little side modules are a great idea, and making them customizable is certainly possible. I already see the benefit of having a weather, OBD2/TPMS, and GasPrices Module right there on the main screen. Also the module idea doesnt make the layout too cuttered in my opinion either, it gives it a nice professional look almost.

We need more opinions on this... I think its a great start and a great opportunity for people who havent found a skin that suits them to give their opinion to help out.

PS: The major widescreen resolution is 800x480. All of your images have been posted at 800x460. Just wondering where the other 20 went? haha