Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

I was just thinking it may be beneficial to have a design "council", or group that developers can easily find/contact for help on designing their apps and icons?

I think design can make a weak app appear strong, and take a strong app to the next level.

Any ideas on how we can go about this? I just want it to be easy for devs to find/contact us.

Or if it makes sense to do something like this?

This is my first time working with an open source community, and I think there must be a better way, rather than myself and other designers hunting for apps and widgets to contribute to.

Thoughts?

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

Good idea Joshua. Designers that can follow a brief are a godsend from a development perspective: more time to sort functionality.

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

Should we make a standardized brief that can be sent to designers that are interested?

Maybe we should make like a Maemo Designer Sig for these people that link to their "portfolio"?

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

Sounds good, to build some kind of streamlined way to get the designers involved where they are needed.

But then again isn't Garage project openings a place for us designers to be proactive/spontaneous to make contacts? There's few openings for designers currently, but lets see what happens as the development rockets.

Can also it be that developers don't see much point in adding openings for design related tasks if there's been a lacking for designers for longer time now..? I've been here for few weeks, so I'm just guessing.

Anyway, I'm in for all ideas that will improve the communication between designers and developers.

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

I always believed the same about "garage".

You can start by registering there Joshua >> https://garage.maemo.org/account/register.php << and once you are registered, review project openings...

and contact project administrators directly from there...

I'm sure someone with talent can quickly build a nice portfolio of active project design work and then post samples in a thread here.

I look forward to seeing your thread soon. :)

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

Joshua, if you are (or anyone else is) interested, I've started a LinkedIn group called maemo daemons, and there will be a subgroup for UI and other designers. Feel free to join-- more to come!

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

I really think it’s a nice suggestion. Some applications really miss some design, maybe open source developer’s associate good graphics with commercial applications. For example all the game portfolio it very vintage. Well, I like it but it could make better use of the amazing resolution of Nokia n900.

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

I'll definitely join that.

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

Wow, designers looking for job to do...

You gotta love this community :D

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

Your initial idea sounded great, but then it manifested into another messy sub-forum. There must be a better way to do this.

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

I joined the maemo-daemons group, I'm gonna take a stab at a logo later tomorrow.

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

Go for it! I'm really hoping for a cool character graphic. We don't really need any text.

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

yeah this would be great. there alot of awesome maemo apps. but alot have a cheap windows 98 look to them.

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

Yes I too feel abit confused how to help as a designer.. I have email things and asked questions but its hard to know what to do next.

I would like to see a place where we desinger can post our portfolio with contact info. Is the Design thread the right place? Having an own thread which I update with what I haave done ? / Claes

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

I totally agree that we should have a better 'system' to attract designers and a better way to advertise designers help among the developers.
Probably links in maemo.org/wiki can help a bit, but we can do more.

Brainstorming ?? ideas ??

Re: Design "Council"/Group for developers to access?
 

Here is what I was thinking,

We need a way to be exposed to developers.

1. During some phase of the development process, there should be an option to request design help.

2. Designers can each have a thread, with some standardized first post, Current Projects, Past Projects and Availability

3. Developers can post a brief in the thread or begin.

4. Work can begin, Designer post proofs for feedback

What do we think of this process? How do we effectively take on step 1?