New forum icons

jax

Yesterday, I updated the forum's index to include forum images. This is another step towards achieving a new look for HotClubForums. The forum image setup was not simply pasting the image code in the forum description, so with that said, each forum image can be clicked, and it will take you to the linked forum without opening another browser window. I'm sure I could've achieved the same result by dropping the image code in the forum description then adding a target code, but the look would've been different, plus with the setup, I can control the images a lot easier in the admin panel.

What is missing is the ability to easily see if a new post has been made since the last time you visited, this is where I need your help. I really don't want to place the default or custom new post indication icons towards the left of the forum images. I would like some suggestions for a new system, so far a few alternatives that I've come up with are:

1. Make the forum images flash or blink when a new post or topic has been made
2. Make a small colored button image to the right of the forum image, which would only display when a new post or topic has been made.
3. Make a small image to the right of the forum image that reads on the lines of "new post", which would only display if a new post or topic has been made.

If anyone can think of any other ideas, please post them up Smile

P.S.
In the meantime, if you have to know what the new posts/topics are, or just want want to get to them quicker, you can always either click the the hotclubforums logo or click "home" on the menu. That will take you back to the portal page. From there, there is a link on the right hand side that leads you to all new posts.

JR90 · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 6:06 pm Post subject:

Nice job Jax. The new icons look great!

Another suggestion... why not try black and white icons? New posts could be shown with the icons used now, and old posts could be shown with black and white images.

That way, the recent posts would really stand out. It would be easy to make the icons too.

Luke · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 6:50 pm Post subject:

nice work.

you were thinking exactly the same ideas as me Jax, but i think the little button type thing next to the image would be good Wink

jax · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 11:46 pm Post subject:

JR90 · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:19 am Post subject:

Ec[lips]e · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:21 pm Post subject:

Love the new icons jax! Great job!

I like JR90's idea as well, however instead of doing black and white, I was thinking of setting the forum icon image to something like 85% transparent if there are no new posts. That way it's still in color, but the new posts icons will really pop with color and clarity.

I'd make an example to show you, however I'm actually out of town right now so don't have any of my graphics programs.

If you're still unsure of what I'm trying to describe when I get home next Sat/Sun sometime, I'll be happy to show you.

JR90 · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:48 pm Post subject:

Good idea.

85% seems kind of low when looking at the examples. Maybe somewhere between 50% and 70%?

Original

85%

70%

50%

Ec[lips]e · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:56 pm Post subject:

Ah, you've got the idea JR90! Thanks for the previews!

I think you may have inverted my calculation though, or I just explained it incorrectly ;x

by 85% transparent, there would be 15% of the original image showing. Does that make sense? It was just a guess too, since I don't have photoshop or psp to test the actual result in.

Luke · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 6:08 pm Post subject:

i see what you're saying Kate!

that looks quite effective

Ec[lips]e · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks Luke!

I feel so constricted not being able to show what I'm talking about graphically ;x

Lucky JR90 is around!

You could even play around with the transparency idea a bit and use a black or a grey background color. It would give off a different effect on the color of the image. You could even do the red that the theme of the forum has.

JR90 · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:28 pm Post subject:

Ec[lips]e · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:38 pm Post subject:

jax · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:10 am Post subject:

Awesome idea Kate, and thanks JR90 for posting the examples, that really does help now that I could easily see the difference between the 4. If you guys have any other suggestions, feel free to post them, image display would really help if you are able to provide one. I'll most likely put up a poll in a few days to see where the votes go.

Ec[lips]e · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:31 pm Post subject:

Now that I'm back home, I can show you what I meant with the different background colors behind the transparency of the buttons. Here is an example of three different background colors: red, white and black. You can see they all have a different effect. Just another idea!

Oh yeah, I went with 60% transparency on all colors, 80% was a bit too much.

Luke · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:10 pm Post subject:

i reckon the red and white ones look better than the black one.

white one gets my vote Very Happy

jax · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:19 am Post subject:

Damn, where have I been the past 4 days Rolling Eyes

Sorry about that guys, so it looks like everyone has posted their ideas. Today I will start making some screen shots of the ideas we've come up with. I might even let in on one of the next changes while I'm at it.

jax · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:50 pm Post subject:

I made another topic which has a poll. I didn't want to use this topic because the images stretch the screen.

jax · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:34 pm Post subject:

I'm recalling this topic because I think it's time to look into getting some icons for the sub-forums. I would like to keep them in the same format as the main forum icons. If you have any pictures, examples, or suggestions, please feel free to reply. Sad thing is it's been so long since I did the first batch, that I kinda forgot how I did them.