Boneyard
Author: Laura Natcher
Final Score: 63%
Description: Adorn your desktop with the bones of Windows users, who just could not overcome the blue screen of death! This theme was inspired by an idea from Phillip (who made me enter this contest with many threats), that I kind of took off on my own with. It probably is no where near what he had envisioned, but I like the way it turned out. It's a neutral gray all around with bright red buttons, which look good in many other colors, especially blue. Unlike many other themes, it's a high contrast, sketchy, unique theme which takes a break from the average gradient/filter abused ones. If you're ready to take a walk on the bold and dark side, then Boneyard is the theme for you.
Biography: I'm a 21 year old Computer Science Major at UMBC. Although I'm majoring in software engineering, I have always had a passion for art and wish to combine the two loves of my life. Some of my goals in life are to get into hardcore web and game design, which utilize both talents :) Currently, the only thing I am remotely famous for on the net, artwise, are those silly custom Adium ducks I did for people.
Comments
Posted by Harlan Lewis (Panel) at March 30, 2004 06:14 PM
Whoa. This theme was certainly a shock. It's a niche theme, which requires a different way of looking at it than most themes.
My first impression was that it was a cartoony take on the good ol' skull and bones look, but some of it seems almost rustic as well. Not the greatest consistency, but unlike most themes I think that inconsistency actually helps usability a bit. Having cluttered graphics behind text doesn't help anything, and Boneyard avoided that nicely. It would have been nice to see more unique elements, though... it's essentially just trimming for stock graphics that have had a red hue shift for a lot of the elements, and I think a lot more could have been done along the same vein as the radio button, Apple menu, and progress bars (which, coincidentally, might be a little too similar).
The reversed horizontal gradient on aqua windows is a nice touch to differentiate from metal windows. Too often in this contest I've seen metal and aqua windows that look exactly the same.
A little technical note, the top border on windows isn't possible as is (it would get stretched rather than tiled in many instances).
Posted by Joe Kohlmann (Panel) at March 30, 2004 07:20 PM
Nice mockup! I especially like the "cartoony" look of the bones and skulls, it reminds me of those "Cute Dead Icons". One admirable quality of this mockup is its usability; I can't see any major technical or visual problems that could hinder this theme. It's also nice to see a break from photorealism. However, I think that the Aqua is a little out of place. Knowing Laura the decent amount that I do, she could've come up with something cooler than just sticking gloss in there.
Posted by Phillip Ryu (Panel) at March 30, 2004 07:21 PM
It's pretty cool throughought, but those smoothed red elements should be hard cut rubies. 'nuf said.
Posted by William Bart (Panel) at March 30, 2004 07:58 PM
Ooo - I agree about the rubies :) Cute but too scary for my tastes.
Posted by Steve Streza (Panel) at March 30, 2004 10:37 PM
Very awesome, but its a little too busy for me. I dunno if I'd use it habitually.
Posted by Angel at March 30, 2004 11:35 PM
I really don't like it. Good design work, it just doesn't work as a theme.
Posted by Colin Barrett at March 30, 2004 11:51 PM
This is the best one, hands down. It's functional AND pretty. It gives you that dark theme look while still maintaining view-ability. Badassery, Laura. Badassery, indeed.
Posted by Bruce Baugh at March 30, 2004 11:57 PM
I really like the idea, but it seems cluttered as is. Simplifying would give it more impact, I think.
Posted by Sage at March 31, 2004 01:23 AM
Seriously, I have no clue what to think of this theme. It's cool, but garish, but well-done, but cartoony, but consistent. It'd make a good Halloween theme, I know that for sure!
Posted by argus at March 31, 2004 01:49 AM
This is the only one i'll comment on at the moment. It's the most original design of the whole group and the best. there would have to be some modification of course for it to be put together. As for usability, who cares, use aqua. This would be a fun theme indeed.
Five stars from me.
Posted by Ernest Liu at March 31, 2004 02:21 AM
This is pretty unique! Not much else to say.. sorry =)
Posted by Max Rudberg (Panel) at March 31, 2004 04:10 AM
I think you did great work on the bones, very nice! I'd only wish that you would have used a different material for the buttons, something that is not glossy aqua style and more like rough stones. I admire the bones though, they look great!
Posted by [ idle. ] at March 31, 2004 05:09 AM
Congrats Laura,
a truly unique theme. I like it. Originallly Phill asked me to do a "Skulls n Bones" theme but i shed away from it. My desk is still cluttered with sketches and graphics for it tho. hehe. I couldn't see how to realize it in a way i wanted it to look like especially taking into consideration what i had previously done with the "DeathZ ManY FaceZ" icon set (please vote for it at the pixelpalooza ;) )...
You on the other hand took the more cartoonish approach which i was trying so hard to avoid. The result is definetely a highlight amongst all these grey/sleek/usuable mockups.
cheerz, Daniel.
Posted by Dan Shannon at March 31, 2004 09:08 AM
It almost works but, as people have been saying, has too much going on. I can't imagine using it day-to-day.
Posted by Junio at March 31, 2004 10:41 AM
I don't think that there are many of us that would use it for a long period of time, but I think that it is a great combination of a custom feel without marring usability in any way. I would use it for maybe a day at a time then switch to something simpler when I wanted to get down to business
Posted by Mr Mojo at March 31, 2004 12:01 PM
A+ for creativity, D - for usability. It's great but not useable for me.
Posted by SoulRocka Nasty Nene at March 31, 2004 01:21 PM
I could see you put a lot of effort, passion, and hard work on creating this theme. It's totally different among the rest. My question is...when will this theme be ready for download. Don't get discourage by people's opinions. This theme has potential and I truly know that this is just a taste of what to come. You have my vote. Keep rockin' it and keep being different.
Posted by Mandy at March 31, 2004 03:07 PM
This by far THE best out of every single freaking one of them! I hope you win because you most definately deserve to. For all the people that don't like it can kiss my ass because it freaking rocks. Great, great job, Laura. You got massive talent. Good luck! ^_^
Posted by Bill Snebold at March 31, 2004 03:17 PM
Looks more like jewelry than bones to me. Kind of ugly as well. Sorry, but that's how I feel.
Posted by Philip Beck at March 31, 2004 03:33 PM
Too bizy for me. Intersting to look at but I would not use it habitually.
Posted by gautch at March 31, 2004 07:05 PM
I like the bone hands reaching around holding everything! Great Concept. IMHO i would never use this.. but i think the themers should make this just to show what can be done, and that there is no box to be thinking in or out of.
Great mock up Laura!
Posted by Gabriela Durini at March 31, 2004 09:22 PM
Very unique and very creative. ^.^
Posted by Heiesuke at April 1, 2004 12:13 AM
i wish i could vote [don't see anyway to], i like this one
Posted by Harlan Lewis (Panel) at April 1, 2004 01:54 AM
Heiesuke,
To the right of the mockup, just above the description, is a 5 star rating. Click on the star you deem appropriate to rate it.
Posted by David Kiltz at April 2, 2004 02:20 AM
A bold step into the realm of the (living) dead (Windoze users) ;) I like it. Not the thing to use all the time tho'. Unlike Phillip I'd like to see the smoothed red elements to more resemble (oozing) blood...
but that's just me. Help! I think I'm already addicted...
Posted by sayonaraML at April 2, 2004 09:06 PM
This is another theme I might not want to run all of the time but there are probably moments when I would. Like the detail, colors; just cool!
Posted by Jason Harris (Panel) at April 3, 2004 03:20 AM
There's a lot going on in this theme. I think it's a bit busy for me personally, but there are probably quite a few people who dig stuff like this. The Finder buttons and menu dividers are quite cool - if you ever do a less busy theme, I hope these make it in.
This theme catches the attention quite well, and is extremely original. However, I don't find it aesthetically appealing, and some of the transparency effects would probably be difficult to realize.
Very interesting mockup!
Posted by Edward Husted at April 3, 2004 10:16 PM
I like it, very differnt I would use it in a second very very cool
Posted by Nitehawk Jarrett at April 4, 2004 07:40 PM
I like it. It's reminiscent of a Kaleidoscope theme. It's not totally square. I'd use it.
Posted by cell phone batteries at January 8, 2005 01:03 PM
nice blog - love the design
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