MuTools

artificial · Post by **artificial** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:42 pm

Hello guys!

I try to create a new skin for MuLab! But before I go into detail in designing, I just would love to know, what you think of the general design. So here's the preview.

So, what do you think of it?? Feedback (positive and negative) welcome!

Cheers!

art.

tomica · Post by **tomica** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:54 pm

its a good start. i prefer smaller and more detailed guis though, but since more people actually like stuff that is big and easy to read, i believe it actually makes it a plus for your skin.

now, the dark red looks real nice, but i think you should make the white a bit dirtier. and not towards gray, but towards yellow. you know, like old paper. i think it might make a nicer contrast, and its easier on the eyes. perhaps the far right of this palette here:

http://www.colourlovers.com/palette/740824/Contexts

also, i like the fact that its minimalist and clean. but it deffinitely needs some details, color transients maybe? of course, this is just my opinion.

and yeah, those buttons on the right side of the record button need a change of font.

artificial · Post by **artificial** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:45 pm

Thanks for the feedback, tomica!!!

now, the dark red looks real nice, but i think you should make the white a bit dirtier. and not towards gray, but towards yellow. you know, like old paper. i think it might make a nicer contrast, and its easier on the eyes. perhaps the far right of this palette here: http://www.colourlovers.com/palette/740824/Context s

I had the same feeling too that this "pure white" is a bit too white, so I'm gonna try to find a nice color! Maybe a mixture of white and ochre/yellow or something...

also, i like the fact that its minimalist and clean. but it deffinitely needs some details, color transients maybe? of course, this is just my opinion.

Well, it was my intention to create a minimalist skin... ^^ I don't know, if color transients are really required... (i'm going to change the background color first... maybe they are not directly required then... we'll see hehe!!) what do you exactely mean with details?

Oh... and yeah, the audio and events button definitely need another font, they are nearly unreadable!

Okay, I try to do some changes now, and then I'm going to post another preview!!

Thanks again!

art.

artificial · Post by **artificial** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:46 pm

okay, here's the modified version:

greets

art.

DaveL60 · Post by **DaveL60** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:01 am

Definitely moving in the right direction. Not quite there yet (tho I don't have any specific suggestions), but I could get to really like that look.

DaveL

artificial · Post by **artificial** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:50 am

Thanks for the feedback! I'm gonna try to improve it in the next time, but yeah it's nice to hear that it is going in the right direction!

cheers art.

SampleScience · Post by **SampleScience** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 2:12 am

It's looking good but it's not quite there like someone said earlier. Maybe if you're looking for a minimalist GUI refer yourself to some "references" to see what's missing. The colors are good but for me they look "vintage"... anyway, I'm no expert but keep on working on it please because MuLab need more skins!!! thanks!

jpumphandle · Post by **jpumphandle** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:15 am

Just my 2 cents, but it looks a little too harsh for my taste. I wouldn't have any use for the skin myself.

To get my attention, I would like to see more gentle colors and more detailed art work.

As I said, just my 2 cents.

artificial · Post by **artificial** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:55 am

Okay, once again guys, thanks for your suggestions!!

I try my best to find a good solution... and yeah, i know, that skins are always a matter of taste.. so please understand, that it's impossible to create the ultimate skin for everyone... because, the one will like it and the other will not!!!

thanks again, and maybe i gonna upload another screenshot today, when i'm at home again!

cheers and bye

art.

artificial · Post by **artificial** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:09 pm

okay, here's another version:

cheers!

art.

tomica · Post by **tomica** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:22 pm

here's another skin wip that needs feedback. ^^
now, i know that tiny detailed graphics aren't everyone's cup of tea, but i pretty much love them. so i'm making this skin. now that its reaching it's 80% finished stage, i would like to hear some critique, or other thoughts and impressions, if anyone has some. here is the preview:

http://i40.tinypic.com/x1dlyv.png

and...

@artificial
hope you don't mind me posting this here. i thought it would be a neat idea to use this thread for all skin wip's.

artificial · Post by **artificial** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:51 pm

hello tomica! I think it's a great idea, to have a skin wip's in one thread - so I don't mind! haha

Your skin looks really interesting... it goes in another direction compared to my skin (honestly I prefer more minimalist skins - but I really appreciate your work

)... it's great to get different guis, so everyone can choose his favourite one! I think this makes a DAW really attractive...

bye!

art.

pljones · Post by **pljones** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:42 pm

@tomica: Looks really sweet! I can but nitpick.

I'd prefer "FF" over "FW" for fast-forward -- that is, if "RW" is rewind, rather than backward. I'd prefer "Aud" over the zigzag for audio recording, again for consistency of using names rather than symbols. I had to check the default skin to work out what "1234" meant... though once I had it was so obvious.

Finally, the Part and Player panel could handle some of the little labels.

Of course, you'll need to do internationalized versions...

tomica · Post by **tomica** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:23 pm

hooray for the feedback!

@artificial
glad you approved of this. we should both post our work here (and anyone else who needs feedback for their skins), so that we can find, through positive critique and tips, the best solutions for making our stuff look good. thanks!

@pljones
well i realised the same thing about the fw button this morning. it's supposed to be FastForward and ReWind so i have no idea how the hell i came up with FW. ForeWind?
now, the little zigzag on the audio recording button is annoying me too, because... well yeah, all the buttons are supposed to be labeled with letters, not ilustrations. but there's no way i could label it aud because all three letters are full width. mid fits perfectly because 'i' is a thin letter. so when i realised that aud couldnt fit on a button, i was like grrrrrr! :]
anyway, the sine symbol was the best compromise i could think of, because using au, ad, wv (for wave) would be just plain stupid.
and finally, yes i cant wait to label the part panel. i will do that tonight hopefully!

thank you for the comments!

theorize · Post by **theorize** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:50 am

artificial: I think your skin is going in a good direction, I like the yellow better than the gray. Even though the grey looks cleaner, it doesn't have the life that the yellow does, maybe just try turning down the luminosity just a hare and also the saturation to make it not so bold, I dunno. You've got a good thing going on with making everything so clear though, keep it up.

tomica: 100% behind your concept of detail and totally respect the way you're doing it because I know the amount of work that takes (well at least for me). I did notice some nasty jaggies though on some of the curves, i didn't zoom in but it looks like you need to anti-alias them, although some curves just can't be done proper without heavy AA.

f**k it i guess I'll join the party and resume work on mine, i'm super-curious as to what changes were made to the skinning in this new release.

MuTools

KVR Audio

maybe a new skin