What does it take to make a good windowblind's skin?

from WinCustomize Forums
Hello to everyone.I decided to create a skin for Windowblinds for the first time,at least a good one.Problem is i don't know what school of art is best to follow,cause i love all of them.Sooooooooo i decided to make at least three skins:
A.One with lots of textures and a more of a classic feeling to it.I say i'd go for a wood and steel comb.
B.A clean and clear one with simple lines and colors. More likely a pure B&W skin.
C.A tech-like skin.Which i have no idea how to make or where to start from.

Now the question is: What does it take to make a good skin? I'd like to listen to some tips and tricks of the job by the pros around here.So what is your advice to the novice?What colors work well together,what should i avoid,what textures do u use,gloss or not,animation and what makes it heavy to the eyes,what is irritating to do,what plugins are nice to be implemended and how to do that(e.g.Winamp,Smart Buttons,Clock/Date,Transparency),should i make icons too,what is ur favorite style,what makes a skin usable and what beautiful,how do u achieve smoothness and coherence,solid or fluid skin,how to use transparency?So many questions to ask and so little time...well any tip would be most appreciated,cause i'd like to do some quality work as a debut in the WB section.
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Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm not a 'pro', but my advice would be to simply make something you are proud of and would like to use yourself. Look at what is here and you're sure to see what you like (there are enough WB skins to choose from ). Try and combine elements (concepts - not actual images) of the ones you like into a design that is all your own.

I think if you make a skin that you can happily use on your own system for more than one day easily, you've done pretty good
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Patients grasshopper, lots of patients.
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not patience?
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
lots of patients


Rumor has it one of my first WBSkins may have sent someone ill to the clinic

I pretty much agree with Scarebear...
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What does it take to make a good skin?

Do you mean quality of graphics or "good skin" as in "public appeal"? I'm not sure anyone can be taught design sense. To me you either have it or you don't. As for quality of the graphics. Just make sure they're distinct looking, clean edges [no 'jaggies']and legible font[s]. [Note: anti-aliasing won't work on window border/edges] When you think you're done your first skin, go back through the entire thing again, once-over everything and make sure it's as fluid as possible. I've remade my titlebar buttons probably 8 or 9 times now. LOL

So what is your advice to the novice?

Stick with it. Be tenacious and please [please] don't RUSH your progress or WindowBlinds. If you rush it [excitement can do this heh] it WILL be apparent in your work. Take your time. Use the skin for a week when it's 100% complete, just to make sure it's actually, absolutely, 100% done.

What colors work well together,what should i avoid,what textures do u use,gloss or not

Complimentary colors go well together. Avoid? Not sure. I wouldn't want to use a bright pink skin with bright yellow highlights. I think you'll have to figure out for yurself what colors go together, as a nice contrast or as a complimentary color. Textures? They're always great. Nothing to add here. As for gloss? Might be a good starting point and people DO love glossy things [still heh]. My only caution there is it tends to be a smidgen overdone so don't be afraid to push the boundaries of what has already been done in WindowBlinds.

,what is irritating to do?

Toolbar icons. LOL

should i make icons too

Icons are great because people love having a matching set. If you're feeling over-zealous [like I do] then I say: Go for it. Make a nice set of icons, people love 'em. If you're not feeling that ambitious, I say focus on just the windowblind, it'll take you some time. [remember to "skin" all of the various glyphs, too.]

what makes a skin usable and what beautiful,how do u achieve smoothness and coherence,solid or fluid skin?

Usable. Hmm. My advice is load up one of Danilo, Tiggz, Essorant or Pixtudio's skins in SKinStudio and spend some time mulling over them. Look for yourself what makes their skins so popular and very usable. Practice always helps.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
PS: Open up MikeB314's skins. [all of them:P] because, simply put, he rocks, too!
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'd like to thank you all guys Your advice i appreciate very much, especially the ones by Scarebear and sbgFX,special thanks to you guys. Indeed Danilo is what i think a skinner should be,as well as Tiggz.Pixtudio is always top of the crop and MikeB314 is really good too.There are many good skinners out there and although i'm not that ambitious,i'll surely try to at least be a bit up from the average. As for now,i've started on something with lots of texturing,wood and steel,but it won't be posted until i'm 200% sure that i like it.I don't want it to be too heavy,but on the other hand i do want it to inspire a Classy atmoshpere.If there is anyone out there willing to help out,i'd like to send over a first preview of it for harsh criticism and advice.I'm always open to comments and i love to hear the other side Anyone?
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'd love to see a new wood based skin. When you have a working version you could post a screenshot and that way you have the potential for lots of comments/criticism. I'd only do that when you think you're close to completion though.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What is a throbber?How do i make one?Anyone knows?
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The throbber is the little animation you see in the top right corner of Internet Explorer and/or Windows Explorer when the page is loading. Sounds like you plan on skinning everything - cool