What will the new Zebra modules be?

[Timfonie]

The differences don't have to be very large to be effective (like the example below shows). Even the color differences of the modules in the Unempty Dark Horse skin really help to quickly distinquish the module types.

[Fritze]

There are going on 20 different modules in Zebra, which would mean 20 different colours. They would need to be distinct yet belong to the same balanced palate, ie all colours should be of equal prominence (yellows and reds will need to be pulled back, blues and greens more saturated) and any combination of those 20 colours should work together and be neither tiring to the eye nor aesthetically displeasing.

I just don't think that that's realistically achievable (it hasn't, imo, been achieved with six modules in that mock up).

Someone who knows how to correctly handle colors shouldn't have a big challenge doing that.

[hakey]

There are going on 20 different modules in Zebra, which would mean 20 different colours. They would need to be distinct yet belong to the same balanced palate, ie all colours should be of equal prominence (yellows and reds will need to be pulled back, blues and greens more saturated) and any combination of those 20 colours should work together and be neither tiring to the eye nor aesthetically displeasing.

I just don't think that that's realistically achievable (it hasn't, imo, been achieved with six modules in that mock up).

Someone who knows how to correctly handle colors shouldn't have a big challenge doing that.

I disagree.

The two aims - 1. making 20 or so colours sufficiently distinct, and 2. keeping the palette balanced and avoiding aesthetically displeasing combinations - are contradictory.

As is, I neither particularly like nor dislike the current UI - which is how it should be. In contrast, I would take a positive dislike to a UI that featured so many different colours - the sweet shop/toy box aesthetic is really not to my taste.

Perhaps two colour schemes, neutral and full technicolor, or even the ability for users to easily define their own bespoke module colour scheme?

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[Urs]

I actually like the "tangibility" (for lack of a better word) of the bottom panels in the Diva layout. The tick marks around the knobs are still missing, but I think it could be made into sufficiently distinguishable as well as sufficently "not toy".

Thing is, I've written some extremely helpful design tools for use within my gui toolbox. These are aimed at experimenting with colours and shapes, as a result of the necessity to take on Howie's approach, without getting too plasticky.

The problem with designing Zebra has always been the hilarious workflow with Photoshop and my gui stuff. There are so many different modules and layouts to consider, the thought of e.g. using a 3D software on top of that was just too unbearable. My new improvements in the gui editor get rid of a lot of work that had to be done in external programs, hopefully making a redesign of Zebra a merely pleasant option. I might even dedicate half of next year on just that.

[hakey]

Yeah, I think there's considerable scope for increasing distinguish-ability using texture and 'tangibilty' alongside a more restrained colour palette.

And I think avoiding toy-like comparisons is worth paying some attention. I have a suspicion that a particular visual aesthetic might, through a 'psycho-synaesthetic' effect, influence people's perception of audio qualities - crudely, 'it looks like a toy, so it sounds like a toy'.

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[Urs]

Yeah, I think there's considerable scope for increasing distinguish-ability using texture and 'tangibilty' alongside a more restrained colour palate.

And I think avoiding toy-like comparisons is worth paying some attention. I have a suspicion that a particular visual aesthetic might, through a 'psycho-synaesthetic' effect, influence people's perception of audio qualities - crudely, 'it looks like a toy, so it sounds like a toy'.

Yes.

I do think though that the inevitable "look of appz" these days with their "see through upside down gradient and shiny reflection on top" might change the way we perceive things. That toy-ish look might become iconic for something other than toy (not necessarily "pro" though)

Anyhow, I'm having fun with design again, so we'll see where this takes us.

Urs

[hakey]

I'm having fun with design again, so we'll see where this takes us.

Going off Diva, that should be somewhere good.

[News From The Sky]

There are going on 20 different modules in Zebra, which would mean 20 different colours.

Not necessarily. The 20 modules fall into a much smaller number of groups:

Sound Generators (OSC, FMO, Noise)
Filters/Shapers (VCF, XMF, Comb, SB, Shaper, Ring)
Modulators (ENV, MSEG, LFO, GLFO, MMap, MMix)
Effects/Outputs (ModFX, Delay, Rev, Comp, EQ)

Each of these could be given a color (red, green, blue, yellow); if need be there could be further, subtler distinctions within each family so that adjacent blocks did not look identical. Too many colors just leads to visual confusion, but a logical scheme could both look attractive and make programs more comprehensible.

[News From The Sky]

(In fact, the Unempty Dark Horse skin does this, or very nearly, if I'm not mistaken.)

[mabian]

Agreed NewsFromTheS; toy look is not needed at all, it can be done and stay smart.

- Mario

[News From The Sky]

For the record, I think the ACE UI is possibly the best I've seen so far, at least in terms of the knob values, contrast, etc. - the cables can get messy of course.

Too many UIs try to make the interface look just like an actual physical object, with screws and everything. But I don't need lots of distracting gradients and highlights that don't actually convey functional information; nor do I need tiny indicator dots on overdesigned 3D knobs. I *love* the fact that ACE (and Zebra) show me the current values of knobs so clearly. This is something that physical knobs struggle with - LED collars for pots are expensive! ACE is very clean, very legible, and very warm and inviting. I really love it.

[Bronto Scorpio]

For the record, I think the ACE UI is possibly the best I've seen so far, at least in terms of the knob values, contrast, etc. - the cables can get messy of course.

Too many UIs try to make the interface look just like an actual physical object, with screws and everything. But I don't need lots of distracting gradients and highlights that don't actually convey functional information; nor do I need tiny indicator dots on overdesigned 3D knobs. I *love* the fact that ACE (and Zebra) show me the current values of knobs so clearly. This is something that physical knobs struggle with - LED collars for pots are expensive! ACE is very clean, very legible, and very warm and inviting. I really love it.

+1

Cheers
Dennis

[Sendy]

ElectraX springs to mind as a GUI that's gone overboard on flashy 3D knobs and bells and whistles, to the point that it looks like it would affect usability negatively, admitedly not by much, but enough to make me shudder when I think about it. It's like it's crying out "Look at me I'm a thing! A real thing!" to the point that it makes you question it...

[Gonga]

I think the white lettering stands out really well against the dark gray backgrounds, better than it would against any lighter color.

[Esgalachoir]

Admit! You guys really love the wooden panels in Howie's design!

Maybe they should be toggle-able with a "warmer" switch?

I Have to admit, I like the wood, it adds some visual resonance.
I like that the colors for the modules are different in the Dark Horse skin, but I don't like the colors used, they just feel kind of "toyish" to me.
I know,(:oops:) Zebra is pretty much a toy...but I'm a sellout for earthier colors, and if you don't go earthy, I like to feel like I'm using some sort of interface that would be in the new Tron Movie...
But, there seem to be a number of talented skinners around here, I really liked the skin for ACE that made it look like a Virus Snow, even though the guy didn't spell Mod Mapper right(Mod Maper )
Just me being picky.

- Corin