Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

We have numerous threads scattered throughout the forum on this subject so I wanted to create a "central clearing house", especially for high-level approaches to the topic of graphics.

I'll kick it off by reiterating that I think we could use some core iconic elements to represent Maemo and/or maemo.org, other than name branding.

The UX + code event in Barcelona made this clear as we debated the artwork for tee-shirts, et al. Samantha came up with a great final design but I'd like to go step further for future events.

So I'm proposing first an icon to symbolize UX + code. My first effort (with variants) is below:

http://www.maemo-daemons.org/UX-meets-code1.png

The icon respresents:

- "C" for code (also an opened copyright symbol ;) )
- the word "code" spelled out in Morse code as a visual pun
- the zoom out gesture for the N900

Different icon color schemes will of course be necessary for different background colors.

This is not necessarily the final and I am hoping for feedback. I will also be working up other ideas as they occur and encourage contributions from the community.

And of course we will need other icons as well so by all means suggest or create them!

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Hmmm - if you animated the morse code 'rollout', then it would make a nifty wait indicator (qole proposed a wait indicator in Brainstorm).

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Interesting, EIPI! And no reason why iconic elements could not reach into all sorts of areas...

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Hmm.. it kind of looks like the Debian swirl has been occupied by the dots and lines that make up the Ubuntu circle of friends.

Maybe combine the morse code with the "ae" from the maemo.org logo? I like the fact that where Apple has its lowercase i, KDE has its "K", GNOME has its "G" and MS has its "Direct[...]", "Active[...]", "[...].NET" or "Live [...]" (depending in which year you are in), Maemo now has its "ae" (as can already be seen in app names like "Cinaest").

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Not necessarily a bad thing... is it? :D

Maybe I could create a "zoom IN" version...

EDIT: as for the "ae"-- I would expect this to be used in conjunction with Maemo or maemo.org logos, not replacing them outright.

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

A little update...

I refined the middle logo a bit as my wife voted on that one. :D

Here I have various scenarios-- logos on different backgrounds, different forecolor schemes, with and without the "tail", and finally examples for maemo.org and even Mer.

Thoughts?

http://www.maemo-daemons.org/maemo-UX-meets-code1_1.png

http://www.maemo-daemons.org/maemo-U...1_1no-tail.png

http://www.maemo-daemons.org/maemo-U...-code1_1ex.png

http://www.maemo-daemons.org/maemo-U...code1_1mer.png

A lucky coincidence that the proposed UX + code icon contains similar attributes to maemo.org and Mer logos-- and the nautilus shape works well with the latter, too. Plus it looks like an opened copyright symbol. ;)

EDIT: one thing we could consider-- with the "tail" the icon could indicate UX + code, and without just code... assuming of course this idea is acceptable.

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Another variant of the maemo.org event example:

http://www.maemo-daemons.org/maemo-U...code1_1ex2.png

I like this one better, personally.

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Very nice! :) I like the ones with the tail, personally.

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

texrat, please, for the love of all that is holy, fade the background so reading the text doesn't almost induce epilepsy.

Please? :p

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

???

I'm using backgrounds that have been suggested and/or already used for shirts...

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

These are pretty cool. How about some kind of contest for this. Maybe even a maemo.org official theme or icon set. This would really get the imaginations rolling. Or maybe there could be one selected every three months or so.

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Those are certainly possibilities I would think. But if by your last suggestion you mean to change out certain core icons/logos every 3 months... well... that could be tricky...

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Meta-discussion:

Darn it, man, some of us use mobile devices to read these fora. You're killing me here.

In the future, would you consider posting smaller previews inline while making them links to the full, 7 megapixel versions?

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

EIPI already nailed me on this. I'll reduce the size of the graphics, sorry. :o

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Or maybe just a downloadable theme that would be the official maemo.org theme for those 3 months

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Ah, I gotcha! Sure that would be cool, if someone wants to manage it. Further down the road though, after the rest of this gets settled. ;)

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Am I the only one who sees that and thinks ' twirly zoom'? Just anothe Maemo connection to the design. ;)

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

I see you overlooked one of my initial remarks. :p

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Oops! Sorry!

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Graphics reduced in size by 80% as requested. Sorry for the oversight!

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

What, no competition? Come on designers, I'm calling you all out! :p

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

I will see what I can do..

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

I like yours Texrat..

Heres a thing I did.. maybe abit too detailed to be a 64x64px icon at a later stage.. its overall too detailed for a symbol really. anyway..

slightly higher res: http://castus.dnsalias.com:8080/share/uxpluscode.jpg

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Ooo-- that is cool! Yes, too detailed for the typical icon but I can see something like that for use in posters, etc. Definitely worth consideration.

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

It could probably be simpled down, fewer ones and zeros and such to make it more symbol friendly. I started out somewhat too detailed..

I got inspration from some holographic ui images I found when surfing gui etc..

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Actually I'd say leave it as is, and keep your work for posters and such. In fact I think my work and yours could co-exist in some advertisements-- they have different uses.

In fact I want to do a mockup showing a combination example unless you beat me to it. :D

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

The idea is nice, I would not put two two logos overlapping each other but I think that there can be thousands of options. I am super busy this week but I will work on some code ideas after BCN, Could you please post the word "code" in morse but not "rounded" it is •••- --- •-•- ??? a morse code translatore gave me this solution -.-. --- -.. .

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

I don't consider what claesbas did to be a logo per se, but an advertising-class graphic. But again, I'll work something up later to show what I mean.

And I'm not sure what you mean about the morse code. The "c" logo I created spells out "code" starting at the center and "unwinding".

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

The main challenge when different designs has to go together is to keep a kind of harmony, for instance not use too many colours (that distract the eyes) and make something easy to remember. I will post few ideas as soon as I will finish a work which is almost finished (and I can't wait to forget about it!!!) Hope in a couple of weeks

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

I've go the C that's clear, but if you want to use the morse I would write the C using the word "CODE" in morse...

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

I apologize I was reading in in the opposite way...and that's brings me to think if other people would try to read it like i did...what do you think?

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

As a longtime graphics designer and artist I understand. ;)

I think I can bring the two together clearly and easily. Example later.

It's certainly probable that some people will read it backwards. I see pros and cons to either approach. Will have to think on it...

EDIT: upon reflection... it isn't really written backwards. The issue here is whether a person viewing the graphic sees the spiral as curling or uncurling. It is meant to portray that latter, and if people think in terms of the N900 web zoom feature they will default toward reading it properly.

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

I think is a bit complicated to see the reading directions in those terms, I simply think that the eye tends to read the big things first, probabily that's why I read the word on the opposite way, also because when people watch something don't think about zoom directions and things like that, so in my personal opinion if you need to explain how to read something means that need some changes...but of course this is my personal opinion.

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Completely understood, and I'm not opposed to changing it... just reluctant (a lot of work went into that thing!). I still like the idea of the icon tied to the zoom, and have hope that many among the target audience will figure it out quick enough.

But there is certainly something to be said for the psychological aspects. Only a sociopathic designer sets out to deliberately annoy his audience. :D

On the other hand, the design started with a certain intent of mystery. Most will need to decipher the code in the first place (although probably not all will follow through). That leads them on a path of discovery. If they discover the word "edoc", I would hope the same curiosity would lead them to eventually flip it around.

In other words my hope is that I don't have to explain it as much as people have to explore (if they like). But it's a fine line between teasing and antagonism...

Anyway there's also the slice of reality that says "maybe the Nike swoosh is just a silly thing that means nothing but makes some people ask questions". ;)

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Slogan ideas:

UX/UI sessions

"Icon do it!"

Coding

"There's an API for that!"

:D (only half serious)

Re: Maemo and/or maemo.org Graphics
 

Playing around with claesbas' idea...

http://www.maemo-daemons.org/maemo_event_combo_ad1.png

On a related note, I've decided to see if i can try Samantha's suggestion of changing the "code" reading start point. Working on that as I can.

Feedback always welcome!