Well, I thought the same way about the quality, and just can't keep shelling out money for a decent look, so I guess I'm doing a "sucky" skin for myself.

The one thing I am finding, is dispite what the standard response is, it's really not that easy to work in VB, with that insane template system.

I use to do Nuke templates, and though people would turn up their nose at it, sure was a heck of a lot easier to understand and work with, and maybe that's the problem? We are all not rocket scientists here, and there's a heck of a learning curve, and maybe that's why the free skins look so similar.

Add to that certain people have appointed themselves guardians of the code, or some sort of CSS police or something, and expect a standard that maybe is putting off some people as well.

I'm having a shot at it, but then I'm not worried about whether my theme is 100 % validated. It's for my enjoyment, and really, what are they gonna do? Knock down my door, and then beat me with their pocket protectors if I use tables instead of CSS? :)

I sure appreicate the effort that people put into their stuff, and then release it here. Good or bad, doesn't really matter, it's like a gift, it's the thought that counts that's the most important thing.

You might want to take a look at this thread before you consider vbcore on any list of good designers:

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...802#post986802

Well you worded it a lot better, but that basically shows the same frustration that the original poster showed :bunny: And there's really no reason why your site should have to look as though it is based around a forum. It's certainly not a prerequisite of the code. I hope you can find the look that you're after, you're certainly not going to find it from any skinning site around these days, and I think that's what the first poster was hinting at ;)

I fully agree. Your site is unique in just one more way with your own skin (although if your skin was made custom it will be too). First impressions through skins can be important to guests. Most people know a skin is just a skin, but to a guest, it's that first feel.

totally agree :classic:

Well I'm going to speak for myself, but as a designer, I exactly know what you are talking about. However you have to look at it in the designer's view as well. The better the skin means more time put into it, that way the designer will have to charge even more for each skin, and it wouldn't really help them if they sold it at around 25-30 each.

However up to recently I had only desinged custom skins for the clients, but now I'm planning to offer most of my graphical skins to the public as well soon at my website.

There are many other complaints about vbCore... and by the way, reread post#6 of that thread!!

I agree with the styles though, many look the same nowadays. They are all very similar, with a modified color scheme, and a few rotating gradients.

And how do we make something totally differnt while still keeping things userfriendly. Point of the matter is there is only so much that can be done, before its been done to death. Thats what designers are facing today. Just because styles arn't as facny and 56k death as ravios were doesn't mean some of the stuff coming out today is any worse. I bet now you will find styles that are not only pleasing, but they are xhtml valid and load decent on a slower connection. Which when you face facts, there are tons of people in the US alone who are still on dailup.

Zachery, I didn't mean to offend anybody with my comment. I have tried making skins, and they are difficult to do. I also like many of your skins.

What I would really like to see, though, is some real artsy skins. It doesn't have to be loaded with images (which I actually hate) to be unique. I like the ones that modify the layout rather than just the colors/images that most do.

There is nothing wrong with the ones out now in my eyes, but that doesn't mean there isn't room to improve!

I made a style called emotional and it can be found at cinvin.com (sorry for the plug) but I'd call it more artsy than most. But its not the best work.