Mac Style

[Shelley_c]

This is more of a style review than a forum review. Yesterday (after a long while) I decided to design a mac themed style which is still a W.I.P. I've spent about 3 hours in total on this style and changed/redesigned some stuff (forum Icons, Cat header). I'm not entirely sure whther to go with all the same colour on the gradients but trying other colours have resulted in some naff looking stuff and it didn't feel macish.

Any thoughts, suggestions and feedback would be appreciated. ;) View Style (http://www.vbimageworks.com/forum/index.php?styleid=12)

[King Kovifor]

Well. I'm a pure mac fan. If I have my way, I'm never getting a PC. So I'm going to add my comments.

The three buttons are a roll over and have the X - + signs, so that would be a nice addition.
If you could get the yellow button to be the "collapse", that would be awesome!
What's Going On shouldn't be white, too hard to read.
The roll over color for the forums shouldn't be yellow, hard to read.
The forum markers aren't really fitting into the "mac" theme. IMHO!
The mac Buttons (where you have them flat than rounded on one end) are a round all over...
Other than that, well done! I really like the style!

[Shelley_c]

Well. I'm a pure mac fan. If I have my way, I'm never getting a PC. So I'm going to add my comments.

The three buttons are a roll over and have the X - + signs, so that would be a nice addition.
If you could get the yellow button to be the "collapse", that would be awesome!
What's Going On shouldn't be white, too hard to read.
The roll over color for the forums shouldn't be yellow, hard to read.
The forum markers aren't really fitting into the "mac" theme. IMHO!
The mac Buttons (where you have them flat than rounded on one end) are a round all over...
Other than that, well done! I really like the style!

1. I was thinking of implementing this but I was sure that the grey colour would look right on the orbs. I'll give that a shot though because I wouldn't be satisfied untill I tried inserting the X - +.
2. I'll be changing that shortly. Just haven't got around to modifying the colour setting that will be done when I change the hover links and other text.
3. Haven't got around to finalizing the colours yet. I'll probably do that when all the design work is complete.
4. I've just changed them and designed some folders instead. These will be the 3rd set of forum icons I've designed and they didn't (as you stated) look very macish. (forum Icons changed)
5. These ones are temporary that were quickly converted from the "saturated blue buttons" I released here. I'll be designing a more appropriate set to hopefully compliment the style. (buttons have been changed)

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be taking some of them onboard and making the necessary modifications. :)

[King Kovifor]

1. I'd be satisfied with a black, as though it might be hard to see.
2. The Buttons in the thread are so much better!
3. The forum icons are still not striking me as macish, but better. If that's the last your going to do, they will be fine.

[peterska2]

Not one of your better ones IMO I'm afraid Shelley.

I'm not sure if it's all the greys, but it isn't very easy on the eyes.

Your collapse icons look to be a little thrown in as an afterthought as they are in the middle of nowhere where they are at present. I'd be tempted to either incorporate them into the dots at the left, or float them all the way to the right.

In the actual threads it is a lot better as it isn't as heavy, although maybe some tweaking to the alt1 and alt2 colors might help a bit as they don't really seem to go together too well. However, on the forumhome the alt1 and alt2 look right, so I guess it is the lack of grey in the threads that throw it out there.

As always, your icons and buttons are superb, and work well with the style.

Sorry it's not a very good review, but I hope it helps.

[Freesteyelz]

I'm not sure if it's all the greys, but it isn't very easy on the eyes.


I think the text needs to have more contrast against the grays. That should resolve the problem of reading. As for the overall style you're consistent throughout and that is key. I'd like to see one of the 3 orb in tcat to be used as a collapse button. Maybe the second one can be the "top" button. For a W.I.P. it's coming along very nicely.

Unlike King Kovifor, I'm a PC guy but I love the look of the Mac. :)

[gothicuser]

I find there is too little contrast between the text and backgrounds. Also the frame headers are too bulky/heavy. Do like the overall style though, and yes, I love the mac look!
We use another mac theme here (http://www.cornishserver.com/?styleid=4) though it is 'donation' ware :)

[Dean C]

It's very dull, needs some life breathed into it. After all, since when were macs dull and all grey ;) They have color, they have life. Also your bevel effects are far too strong, try to make them a bit more subtle.

[King Kovifor]

I find there is too little contrast between the text and backgrounds. Also the frame headers are too bulky/heavy. Do like the overall style though, and yes, I love the mac look!
We use another mac theme here (http://www.cornishserver.com/?styleid=4) though it is 'donation' ware :)
Just a note, that is an awesome theme there. Wish I had it. :) LOL.

I liked the old headers. the fit more into the Mac Theme. I've never seen a macintosh with BLACK headers up there. I thought the gray was fine!

[Shelley_c]

Not one of your better ones IMO I'm afraid Shelley.

I'm not sure if it's all the greys, but it isn't very easy on the eyes.

Your collapse icons look to be a little thrown in as an afterthought as they are in the middle of nowhere where they are at present. I'd be tempted to either incorporate them into the dots at the left, or float them all the way to the right.

In the actual threads it is a lot better as it isn't as heavy, although maybe some tweaking to the alt1 and alt2 colors might help a bit as they don't really seem to go together too well. However, on the forumhome the alt1 and alt2 look right, so I guess it is the lack of grey in the threads that throw it out there.

As always, your icons and buttons are superb, and work well with the style.

Sorry it's not a very good review, but I hope it helps.


No need to apoligise Kerry. This is the kind of reviews I'm looking for. I've went a bit apes--t with this style after the comments and placed some strange gradients/designs. Call it a moment of madness.

I liked the old headers. the fit more into the Mac Theme. I've never seen a macintosh with BLACK headers up there. I thought the gray was fine!

I liked them and still have a backup of them. I think the rest of the gradients are not the mac styled look I was aiming for. After the comments (which are appreciated) I'll spend a bit more time designing the appropriate images/gradients to give it that macish feel.

[peterska2]

Let me know when you've made some changes Shelley and I'll take another look at it for you :)

(I hate giving really bad reviews, hence the apology, but I knew that you would appreciate it more than me saying I liked it when I don't as it stands)