So what's the next new trend?

Luna > Aero > ?

from WinCustomize Forums

OK.. so is it going to take Microsoft to lead us into the next big revolution in desktop design?


 I hope not, I personally try to design along the lines of what is popular but with my own twist on it but I have to say, after 3 glassy Vista-ish skins in a row.. its getting old. Having said that, with transparency and blurring recently implemented into WB it's going to be hard to come up with skins that don't incorporate these features and still make an original and popular skin.


I know a lot of you don't skin but probably have some ideas of the definitive perfect skin rolling around in your head.


Let's hear some idea's of what you might think would be a good direction to go once the current trends get old. Lets keep commercially themed ideas out of the discussion. I'm more interested on a particular look\texture\shapes\materials.. etc.


I am currently working on a new skin but if something strikes a chord with me I myself may take on an interesting idea or perhaps someone can stir some interest from other skinners.


The ball is in your court....  

skinning
16,860 views 69 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Anything but the Vista look.......
That look is starting to make me wanna puke my guts out.

*Innovate - dont' imitate.*

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Good call Snowman! Agree..
Object Desktop - Get all of our enhancement utilities in one suite
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I agree but Vista bashing aside , let's hear some ideas   
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You want to push boundries...how about a furry skin. I remember someone asking about a werewolf skin once, granted it wouldn't appeal to a ton of folks but I'd download it and use it just to see it "Wolf Out" Inactive windows could be normal and active window could be all hairy and mean looking...I think this would be very difficult but wild if it was possible...
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Cmon Steve, it's obvious a monkey skin is what's on your mind   
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have failed repeatedly over the years to make a Flesh-like skin with glyphs as new tatoos.  I think Po took a stab {LOL} at it once too.

I was thinking something similar to your post the other day as I went throught the DX themegallery.  There used to be more unique interfaces out there.  People were doing crazy, cool stuff.  Now we see very usable but  . . . normal stuff.

It's hard to guess the next trend.  Oftentime it's all about the "buzz".  If you, for example, came up with some crazy interface (I should have used IRB as an example  ) and it was talked up by the other MaxStyles skinners and picked up here . . there'd be clones (and a trend) sooner or later.

Me, I still miss all the smart button in earlier skins.  And clocks and media players in the skin.  When is *that* trend coming back. 

Maybe we should wait until the next Apple facelift, huh?
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I could design a furry skin easily, but I guarantee you it would get rated 2 and get around 2000 downloads. People talk about making "off the wall" skins, but in reality people want the glassy/metal, or Vista skins, which is why there are so many clones. I've been making "different" skins for years, (mainly because *I* want them, and it's fun) but no one really uses the oddball stuff for more than a day.
I don't think the trend will change at all, people will make Vista stuff to get the downloads, until the next OS is announced, and then they'll jump on THAT bandwagon too.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Ah...'good design' vs 'trendwhore'...the eternal quest...

Simply think something which is NOT dated..  It works for any design criteria.

Do NOT emulate what's 'trendy'...eg...Glass....Luna...XP....OSX, etc.

An enduring style is one that is timeless....that is is not based  off some contemporyry [temporary] trend.

Think fashion....eg the most enduring fashion in women's clothing is that simple 'black number'...

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hehe.... LOOK! a furry start panel, complete with shaved programs list...... 10 minutes work in Photoshop.
Strangely enough, I quite like it...hahaha.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It probably has lice, Bryan...
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
is that like a bug Paul? hehe
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Will there be a Vista version?   
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Strangely enough, I quite like it
Me too.  I wouldn't use it . . but I'd keep it around to dazzle people.
Where's the animation though?
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hehe.... LOOK! a furry start panel, complete with shaved programs list...... 10 minutes work in Photoshop.
Strangely enough, I quite like it...hahaha.


...and 10min before PS to shave the dog Poor dog (joking)

well BoXXi i'll download it and try it but yeah i'll not keep it as my daily WB
not cause it's different but cause you might be a GOD if you can make it in the way we can use it (easy readable font and all) anyway too funny
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
and 10min before PS to shave the dog Poor dog (joking)


OMG   
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not bad really...looks a little like wookie fur.  
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Back to the topic

*Innovate - dont' imitate.*


yep but it's true that with the amount of WB already done it's hard to make really/totally innovated WB
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
some good 'hair' there BoXXi
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OK.. so is it going to take Microsoft to lead us into the next big revolution in desktop design?


If not Microsoft, atleast a new developer/programmer on the scene to take the technology to the next level. Maybe true 3D capabilities that opens up the work area. Something to think about, which I believe someone is.   
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If not Microsoft, atleast a new developer/programmer on the scene to take the technology to the next level.




WWW Link

This is coming but I have full faith stardock will take there and beyond!
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
boxxi its yeti skin?
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
theAVMAN, now that link made me sit up and put my face closer to the screen! As is said many times around here, "I WANT IT".   
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Next new trend ? Wait until the 1st screenshots for the next Apple or MS OS.

I rather would see great ancient and original skins like Pixtudio or Skinplant updated to a current level. Imagine what bluring/transparency could do to a skin like Sputnik, Copperdeck II or Thredz or some of the outdated Stardock packs like Carbonix or Mormegils skins. Heck I would even pay again for them. Nothing against newer ones of course I always find me to come back to Vienna since some time.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I pretty much stink at making WB skins, am hoping that the new Skin Studio will be a little more understandable, to me anyway. All that aside, what I think of what would be cool in a skin is if the skin author included a way for the download'ee to customize the user icon and offer multiple choices for that and I don't know if it's possible but also offer several choices, or variations of the start button. Other than that I lean towards functional and clean skins and shy away from what I consider to much eye candy or a skin that is distracting because of animation. Know it's not much in terms of suggestions but maybe it's something to think about in terms of offering more choices for any given skin.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
As a qualifier, I know how to change the user icon, but that's not what I am referring to in my post above. What I am referring to is the skin author creating and including several user icon choices that go with the skin. Just didn't want anyone to think they needed to tell me how to change the user icon