6th Place: Sweet Slumber by Daniel Goffin
Author: Daniel Goffin
Final Score: 81%
Description: Sweet Slumber is my contribution to this nerve grinding contest. The deck of cards is mixed once more and a new game begins. Follow your inner dream in your sweet slumber but be careful... gastly things lurk in the shadows! The inspirations for this theme are roughly based on my preference for kitsch, blood, "Alice in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll and the twisted computer game.
Biography: I consider myself a pretty wasted macaddict. After the consumption of other themes i've finally found the formula for my own version of these seducing optical enhancements. One step closer to world domination!
It takes a lot, most of you do know this already and study is only a part of it. I'm currently enrolled at the university of arts in Kassel, Germany where i'm being taught how to delude other peoples minds through illustration, animation and film making. In my remaining spare time (yeah, whatever!) i sharpen my skills in sound - so to speak - music production, surfing, capoeira and things too numerous to mention...
Comments
Posted by Phillip Ryu (Panel) at March 28, 2004 10:31 PM
This is definitely one of my favorite entries. The pink is pretty shocking, but the artistry and the sheer uniqueness makes this really stand out. Blood pustules... yum! While perhaps it may not be the most usable theme, Sweet Slumber is definitely pretty beautiful aesthetically. Good luck Dan!
Posted by Harlan Lewis (Panel) at March 28, 2004 11:12 PM
It's safe to say that there's nothing else like this out there, and the amazing thing is that it manages to do this without really stretching Apple's design constraints.
I can't imagine using this as a theme on my computer for very long, but I can imagine loading it, inviting a PC friend over, and chuckling to myself as he ogles my desktop.
Posted by Steve Streza (Panel) at March 29, 2004 10:13 AM
I can't really decide if I like this theme or not, but it's definitely, um, interesting. :)
Posted by Max Rudberg (Panel) at March 29, 2004 11:36 AM
I love this theme! The details are so impressive, and although I don't enjoy pink so much, there is definitely a lack in Pink themes so I think this theme would be very appreciated. I can't think of any real flaws, except that the disabled push button should be the same style as the disabled radiobutton/checkbox.
I just love the style! Great work!
Posted by William Bart (Panel) at March 29, 2004 11:43 AM
Frightening but imaginative and well-executed. Also do-able strangely enough.
Posted by Joe Kohlmann (Panel) at March 30, 2004 10:06 PM
I fell in love with this mockup the second I saw it. Everything about Sweet Slumber is so well thought out and it obviously shows. I wanted to write more but there's just nothing to critique! It's purely amazing. The pink and purple doesn't bother me at all, strangely. As William Bart put, I can't see a single part of this theme that would be undoable through the current theming technology, which is excellent! There's nothing more to say, I can't think of anything! I can't wait to see this one all over my Mac. Amazing work, Daniel.
Posted by ZachRL at March 31, 2004 12:07 AM
Very original. Despite personal differences with the color scheme, I feel relatively safe dubbing this the Tim Burton approved entry.
Note of course that I feel relatively unsafe speaking for Mr. Burton, but I invite him to try arguing with me about it.
Posted by Angel Rendon at March 31, 2004 12:23 AM
This theme is very ugly, awesome rendering of the widgets though.
Posted by Bruce Baugh at March 31, 2004 12:26 AM
This seems like it shouldn't work as well as it does, but it's oddly captivating.
Posted by Vincent Grouls at March 31, 2004 04:14 AM
Although the colours don't really appeal to me, I like the theme very much.
I am a big fan of minimalism, in everything I encounter, however I do like a break from it all sometimes and this theme would be ideal to do just that.
Even Daniel's comments simply attract me to start using it :-)
Posted by [ idle. ] at March 31, 2004 06:40 AM
Wow, thankx for the headz up so far.
When i created this i knew i was not going to swim in the same direction as most others do. But that is just another one of my ticks, i fancy going the opposite direction. One of the reasons why most of the elements look workable is that i've taken a indepth look at themepark and bugging other themers (thankx Harlan for all your patience with me).
All of the elements (the ornaments) where drawn by hand before actually "rendering" them in PS. Of course i could have done with out the analogue sketching and shading but i feel saver this way and there are elements that would just look boring without that certain extra touch.
unfortunately some of the cool things (such as the subtle vertical line texture) get lost in the compressed jpeg but they would aswell on a CRT so i guess i won't matter that much.
@ max: yeah i already thought about the inactive button but somehow wasn't really satisfied with the look of it...
[ idle. ]
ps. i still have a whole bunch of other neat idea for themes. If this one is realized (and believe me it will sooner or later) i will make 3 other variants including spades, diamonds and crosses. all with a different color approach. The full theme will also include a complete icon set aswell as some handdrawn wallpapers. ;-)
Posted by Dan Shannon at March 31, 2004 10:26 AM
I absolutely love it! It's crazy cool, and SO /Alice in Wonderland/! Awesome.
Posted by eyevaan at March 31, 2004 11:11 AM
yesyesyes -
I hate the pink but this work! Dan Shannon said, "SO/Alice in Wonderland/!" and that is what I was thinking as I looked over the completed preview. The theme took me back to playing American MacGees "Alice"
Weird, like if you sit on the the slider button for too long it will eat your cursor...
awsome
Posted by Elizabeth at March 31, 2004 12:32 PM
My favorite of the more decorative themes, though I think the colors would be too overpowering on a daily basis. The artistry is incredible throughout, but I especially love those widgets!
Posted by sb at March 31, 2004 02:33 PM
I like it - another of the off-beat ones that I hope gets made.
Yes, it won't see 1000's of screen-hours on my system, but when I'm missing a day's med's, it will be fun!
SB
Posted by Casey at March 31, 2004 03:42 PM
Amazing theme! I love the look of it. Like the others, the pink is throwing me off, but the detail that went into this theme is AMAZING. I wish this would get made! Would definitely be something that strays away from everyone else's minimalist themes and show just how much we can theme our OS.
Posted by Noxlady at March 31, 2004 07:02 PM
I hate pink, but I really like this theme! Except for the color, this theme is my favorite. The shapes of the ornamentations are great, especially the tops of the windows :) When you say that you're looking at making other variations with differing colors, would you be just changing the colors of the varying elements of this theme? Cause I'd be really interested in a theme just like this except with a different color. *grin* I will also definitely be very interested in any other themes you produce. And who knows? I might end up using this theme exclusively. It, like, totally matches my strawberry imac and stuff! ;p
Posted by Ernest Liu at March 31, 2004 07:40 PM
Wow... nicely made! Maybe in a different color though, and I don't like pink that much either. The titlebar does rock. Very unique. I'd like to see you continue making themes.
Posted by Dace at April 1, 2004 01:13 AM
I find this theme really has personality...it's also very soothing. I specially like the toolbar button (it's a heart, rght?), they it looks like its snuggled and sleeping..in a sort of cloud. :/ Very well done and very dreamy
Posted by Heiesuke at April 1, 2004 10:07 AM
i wouldn't use it but I can dig it. Looks like something my g/f would use. 4 stars
Posted by Zenorica at April 1, 2004 01:52 PM
This theme is really cool! And if I had a Mac, I would use it too.
First of all because I saw Daniel drawing, painting, scanning and then developing it in Photoshop - every night & day. The energy he has put in this theme is amazing.
Secondly I think because I am a woman and liking pink :-). It makes me think of “love” (yes I know, what a cliché) so a great theme for valentine.
I hope you are in the finals because I think you deserve it! Good luck Daniel!
Posted by Rob at April 2, 2004 02:27 PM
Definitely final-worthy. This theme is very wild and surreal, I like it.
Posted by william at April 2, 2004 05:01 PM
The artistry displayed in this theme is just brilliant. Unfortunately the ratings don't reflect that. It would be a shame if this theme didn't make it to completion.
Posted by RAP at April 2, 2004 08:03 PM
i LOVE this one. this was the only one that really caught my eye.
Posted by sayonaraML at April 2, 2004 09:04 PM
Don't know hom much I'd use this because of the color but really dig the thought that went into the design and all of the work. This would be cool to see as a theme most def...
Posted by Harold Harmon at April 4, 2004 07:26 PM
Congratulations Daniel. I'll tell you right now I hate the pink. just me... that being said I really like the design. Makes me think of Sleeping Beauty meets Tim Burton. My hope is that during the final realization of this theme that it gets at least one variation on the main design. A more subdued look with less pink. Darker with splashes of color.
Congratulations, this truly original design deserved to be a winner.
Posted by Philip Beck at April 4, 2004 09:03 PM
congratulations on being a winner, but I can't for the life of me see why an unusable theme would be chosen. Too garrish for my taste. I'm surprised at this choice as when I looked through the entries it was not in the top 6. Clearly the panelists drove it over the top. If I were a designer I would not want to waste my time developing something that the average Joe isn't going to use regularly. Sorry. A for effort.
Posted by Gramage at April 4, 2004 09:08 PM
I'm not really the kind of person that likes pink, but this theme has a certian something. I don't think I'll be using it, but it's nice.
It's actually kinda relaxing...
Posted by at April 4, 2004 09:09 PM
Yeah, um, NO
Posted by Paul Johnson at April 4, 2004 09:21 PM
Daniel, this is the nicest "fantasy" theme I've seen in a good long time. It deserves it's winning spot if for no other reason than how different it is from the other entries and from currently available themes. I'm not a fan of over-the-top eyecandy in interface design, but our work here is remarkably consistent and even though it will likely only enjoy short stays on my desktop, I'll enjoy the novelty
and I'm glad you're getting a chance to have it realized into an actual theme. :)
Posted by Daniel Grenell at April 4, 2004 11:25 PM
the fact that this abomination to the mac world will be made into a theme is like slapping god in the face.
Posted by Ernest Liu at April 5, 2004 12:38 AM
Daniel Grenell: Okay, you don't like it, that's your personal problem. As disrespectful as you were, I'd almost have to say you deserve a slap in the face. Learn how to respect the work people do, good or bad.
Daniel Goffin (Different last name, if you didn't notice: This is the person who made the theme.): This is nice, but the color just doesn't match my test. Maybe something different, like green or blue? Multiple options will be nice =D.
Posted by Brian at April 5, 2004 03:12 AM
This theme is just fantastic. I'm saddened that so many people are thrown off by the color scheme -- aside from machismo taboo, I think it's insanity that pink should be relegated to the dustbin while we support yet another (and yet another, and yet another...) theme from the narrow realm of blue to gray. I for one relish the thought of these vibrant colors all over my UI, though my favorite part must definately be all of the sweet, innocent flowing curves with their devious little hooks and spikes. Bravo for this marvelous idea!
Oh yes..."Stab 1", "Stab 2", "Indecision", "Coma"...I like this artist ;-)
Posted by james at April 5, 2004 03:21 AM
i can honestly say i would NEVER use this them. That having said, it's a new, yet strange idea
Posted by Vincent Grouls at April 5, 2004 08:34 AM
Daniel Grennell:
Strange how you didn't use a capital letter for someone's name. Shows how much respect you have for people. (As an add to Ernest Liu's comments)
Now for the congrats:
Daniel Goffin, although this theme isn't useable on a day-to-day basis, I am glad it at least made it into the finals. As I mentioned it's a fantastic theme and deserves a place.
Congrats mate! I really hope this will give you a motivation to actually create themes. But before all, you have to realise this theme :=).
Posted by Max Rudberg (Panel) at April 5, 2004 11:14 AM
Congratulations Daniel! There is a real lack of pink/purple themes and I'm glad this one made it into the final 6. I personally rated it 10.
Posted by merlin at April 5, 2004 11:42 AM
I'm impressed that many people loves this theme, I find it quite ugly. Just my opinion.
Posted by Alisa at April 5, 2004 02:01 PM
I find the design of the theme quite fantasy-ish, but I don't like the colors.
Posted by Bruce Baugh at April 5, 2004 09:16 PM
I'm delighted that this one made it into the winners list. Congratulations! Here's hoping the final result fulfills the promise.
Posted by froodiantherapy at April 19, 2004 02:04 AM
I honestly don't know why people have such a problem with this theme. I might actually buy shapeshifter just so I can switch to it (not permanantly, probably, but still).
My only complaint is that (like most themes I see) the aqua look and the brushed metal look are virtually indistinguishable.
Posted by Kaleb Wyman at May 11, 2004 02:32 PM
Wow, this is one of the coolest fantasy art themes I've ever seen. The biggest complaint seems to be the color scheme--
It's either too feminine for most people, or the colors are too vibrant for daily use. If you can get past the colors, there are many things to admire with this theme such as all the little spike & hook embellishments and ethereal glows.
I agree that the colors are too vibrant to use this theme daily, so I made some quick mockups to show how Sweet Slumber could be improved by using other color combinations...
http://www.greendoorstudios.com/sscolors/
Posted by Gerry at September 20, 2004 04:39 PM
This is one of the few themes that caught my interest. I wanted to change the look of my computer not get different variations of the theme I already have. So many themes that come out seem to be the same and boring, I might as well be using Windows. But this one is daring. I liked the color myself, very dark/horror Valentine feel. I'd like to see more ornate themes available. I found Rawhide and Fear Platinum on here too and liked those. I hope you keep rocking the boat and make more of these Daniel!