Patriotic
Author: Michael Martz
Final Score: 39%
Description: Show off your patriotism with this American Flag inspired theme!
Biography: I am a computer engineering major in Navy ROTC. I have no artistic talent, though I do know how to use Photoshop fairly well. I took a couple of graphic design classes in High School, which is what got me interested in using Photoshop. I have created a website for the fencing club at KU which is www.ku.edu/~fencing. Any suggestions for improvement on this theme would be appreciated, send comments to blktiger@ku.edu.
Comments
Posted by Phillip Ryu (Panel) at March 28, 2004 10:52 PM
Ah, Patriotic. One of our first entries, and probably the moment where I knew that the contest would go well. :)
Patriotic is a theme that is very garish, and perhaps not the most usable, but it's very clean, consistent, and simple, and these are qualities that I am sure people will appreciate. It also helps that the idea fits right in with our site design. ;)
Unfortunately, the idea itself is probably going to alienate many voters. But nevertheless, a rather interesting idea well done.
Posted by Harlan Lewis (Panel) at March 29, 2004 12:40 AM
Very clean and consistent, of that there is no question. Unfortunately the red, white, and blue combination of colors can become rather hard on the eyes as an interface, especially in the Finder toolbar. Menus, while nothing fancy, are still very clean and usable. Radio buttons are definitely unique.
From a technical standpoint it's worth noting that there might need to be some tweaks to the indeterminate progress bar and possibly the slider background (not entirely sure on that one), but aside from that there isn't anything pushing many limits.
Like Phillip said, Patriotic will probably hurt itself in the voting simply because of what it represents, but if you're looking for something patriotic, well, this is it.
Posted by Max Rudberg (Panel) at March 29, 2004 07:57 AM
This theme looks like a chips bag imo, and it is probably not very compelling to non american users. Aside from that it looks somewhat usable, although the colors will probably get in the way. The dark strokes will not work that well in OS X either. And again, I'm a bit disappointed that people keep the shape of the buttons from the Mockup template.
It's impressive that you consider yourself to have no graphic talent and come up with this though, that I must admit :)
Posted by Kevin Husted (Panel) at March 29, 2004 09:10 AM
It makes me want to turn on the Coyote and RoadRunner cartoons. This theme is playful and BRIGHT. Excellent use of primary colors. Are extra points for that? Wow, it even makes my opinion funny... maybe. Interesting but probably has the smallest target demographic of the bunch. What is there to say really, its a niche' theme and the author meant for it to be just that.
Posted by Joe Kohlmann (Panel) at March 29, 2004 09:41 AM
I too am disappointed that the original template shapes are still present here. In my opinion, this theme isn't very good simply because of its amateur design. Unfortunately, the fact that the designer seemingly isn't very experienced with Photoshop shows through right away. Specifically, the lack of sharpness on the push buttons' strokes bothers me. I would also agree that this design would end up being a niche, which is fine, but that won't help it either. One thing that I will say is that the colors are eyecatching, but perhaps too much.
Posted by Steve Streza (Panel) at March 29, 2004 10:03 AM
Despite my lack of patriotism, I really, really like this theme. It's bright, fun, and colorful. It's quite consistent, and quite nice. Very slick, and one of my favorites in this contest.
Posted by Chris McElligott at March 30, 2004 11:36 PM
As an Aussie, I'd find it reall hard to use this theme. Its very nice took look at though. That I'll admit
Posted by Angel Rendon at March 31, 2004 12:13 AM
I love the flatness of the theme, but it's too busy.
Posted by DigitalEl at March 31, 2004 01:55 AM
Do a version eliminating the blue, then replace the stars with maple leaves and I'll get excited. Until then, I'll be standing on guard for thee. ;-)
Posted by Michael Salbato at March 31, 2004 06:37 AM
Besides looking like a lot of this mockup was a recolor of the theme template, it's just way too colorful for me. I'm certainly not unpatriotic, but I think this type of theme would be more useable with white as its base color. The solid reds and blues are just way too much.
Posted by Michael Martz at March 31, 2004 09:06 AM
(I apologize for commenting on my own theme.)
I just wanted to thank the panel for their excellent comments and then say a couple of things.
Joe, I realize that from what you see I appear to be an inexperienced photoshop user. I just wanted to let people know that I am at least decent in Photoshop, but had very little time to work on a mockup. (Sad, the result of being an engineering major I am afraid.) I only spent a few hours on the design because that is all the time I had.
I chose this particular design for a couple of reasons, but I like a couple of other things about it too.
1. It was my first idea.
2. It was easy to prototype quickly (since I had no time this was very appealing)
The other things I like about it are:
1. I had fun making it.
2. It is a controversial design and I will enjoy all the comments I get on it.
3. It is very unusable. (Look at it, can you take your eyes off the red? I did that on purpose.)
All in all, I think that I may have gotten the most enjoyment for the least time spent out of all the designs in this contest. I don't expect it to win, I just wanted to have fun.
Posted by Dan Shannon at March 31, 2004 09:58 AM
It's flat, and that's cool. However, there's precious little contrast between the tab and non-tab areas and the colors don't mesh too well. I dislike the use of red for depressed buttons in the brushed window.
Most irritating, however, is the set of bubble elements. I would honestly never figure out that the blue star meant selected, the red star meant pushed-in, and the white star meant empty. Okay, I'd probably get the last one... but for the most part, I can imagine forgetting how to use my computer after installing this.
Plus, it makes the socialist in me want to vomit.
Posted by Dan Shannon at March 31, 2004 10:00 AM
The following has just occurred to me:
1. The "bubble elements" are, in fact, called radio buttons.
2. Red is the de facto color of Communist states.
I would very much like to see a theme based entirely on Soviet propaganda. Hard lines, high-contrast reds and blacks, and a hammer and sickle where once was an Apple. Thematic victory to the proletariat!
Posted by [ idle. ] at March 31, 2004 10:59 AM
whoa. Dan Shannon, now that is a cool idea. i keep that one in mind.
[ idle. ]
Posted by Harlan Lewis (Panel) at March 31, 2004 05:09 PM
Wow, I'm surprised it took this long for this mockup to get the political flames flying.
Posted by ham at April 2, 2004 04:05 PM
Ok this theme is butt...but Harlan you certainly define the Ugly-Canadian attitude perfectly.
Posted by ham at April 2, 2004 04:07 PM
Opps, Sorry Harlan, misread the comments that wasn't you who said that...sorry. Someone else who is too chicken to leave their name
Posted by Randy Smith at April 2, 2004 08:35 PM
This theme would look much better with a 3D beveled look and some highlights on the UI elements would tone it down a bit. As it is now, it is a bit to flat for my tastes.
Posted by Chris at April 3, 2004 12:56 AM
Oh my eyes hurts! Help!
Posted by Gareth at April 3, 2004 05:52 AM
Ha theme is loud and has no substance... reminds me of the USA :D
Posted by Allan Baruz at April 3, 2004 10:05 AM
I am as patriotic as the next guy, but the scheme makes me think more of the South's Confederate flag than the US flag.
Posted by Bob at April 3, 2004 03:52 PM
The aesthetics aside, I guess only Americans can find patriotism in a gui theme....
Posted by Jason Harris (Panel) at April 5, 2004 03:05 AM
I like this mockup quite a bit, but due to imperfections in the way my rating system worked, it got my high score when I don't actually think it's the best mockup.
The bright colors do it for me in a big way, as does the high contrast.
There are a few problems that might make realizing the mockup as a theme tough. One is that currently, the selected tab must have the same text color as the non-selected tab. Also, I don't think the fade on the indeterminate progress bar would work.
This mockup grabs one's attention instantly and holds it. I find it to be very, very original, and surprisingly, I think it would be very usable over the long-term. Also surprisingly, I find the mockup to be very aesthetically appealing. There would be some minor issues making it into an actual theme, but for the most part, no big problems.
Posted by Gramage at April 5, 2004 06:39 PM
Red, white, and blue do not mix.
Plus I'm Canadian, so it would be kinda weird for me to use this, eh?
And ham, what's this "Ugly-Canadian" attitude you talk about? Everyone knows the ugliest people live in the US ;-)
Posted by Ryan Butler at April 9, 2004 09:41 AM
Ow! No thanks, rather use some other theme
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