Fanfiction board banner?

This is a bit off-topic, but I was wondering if there's any chance FF might get a unique board banner.

This isn't just because it'll look pretty, but I've heard (from numerous parties) that the bright yellowish board scheme is a bit hard on the eyes when one is reading fairly long fanfic posts.

So, is there any hope that fanfic might get another banner, or even a slightly milder board scheme?

 

We've talked about it and it kind of went nowhere. The issue we got stuck on is, what kind of images? Images from the archive covers? Images donated by fanfic artists to be chosen by Carter when he designs (based on what looks best when he puts it together)? Random movie images? A banner contest in which each person used only her own images, rather than combining images?

It's a good point about the colors. I'm not wild about the scheme either. What do people think would be easy on the eyes?

 

A soft colour, the old grey or a similar colour would be preferable, but a colour like the green at Christmas would be nice as well.

Just nothing too blindingly bright or super dark (like the Haloween scheme was). It is a little tough on the eyes to read anything substantial against this background.

Of course, I'm blue-red colourblind, so my preferences might not match the majority.

 

I really liked the blue/yellow combination that was up before the Halloween colors took over.

 

I think we did all agree that we wanted one. And at this point, I'm open as to which images would be chosen, and etc.

 

It'd be great to have one.

And I second (third ) having blue or gray as a color scheme. I've gotten used to this one, but it can still strain the eyes.

 

I'm not a yellow fan in general. (That's why I have writer's block! It's the board colors! )

So, options, to put them succinctly:

*Use default banner/color (keep as is)
*Banner contest, with each contestant submitting his or her own artwork (if we do this, maybe we could put in a requirement for a color scheme?)
*Various artwork submitted to Carter to work with (all art must of course either be submitted by the artist or with the artist's permission), with a request for a basic color scheme... leave it to Carter to decide which work to use and how to arrange it
*Some sort of collaborative effort, logistics of which would be worked out as we go (designing by committee is a bit odd, but I'd think it could be done, though it isn't elsewhere on the boards)

 

Banner contest sounds good.

I thought the color scheme used a few days ago was a little bright, but maybe a little darker grey or soft blue, or even blue with white text. (ala old Wordperfect...no?...maybe not....) I agree this orange/peach/yellow really hurts the eyes. Why did they go back on the main forums?

 

Yesterday I logged on and the banner was all grey and white with spaceships and everything... then this morning it turned yellow again...

Was that a test?

Maybe I was halucinating...

Banner contest sounds cool!

 

It's an old design that was put back up to celebrate 10,000,000 posts.

 

Blue or gray would be nice. I don't really care what's on the banner as long as the colours change.

 

But if you're asking, I wouldn't mind a banner with a few visible OT characters for those of us with 800x600 screen resolution . . .

 

Ohhhh... thanks JG!

As for the new banner, I just think it should be completly unique

 

*Banner contest, with each contestant submitting his or her own artwork

I think that's a good idea. There's a ton of talent on the forums, and banner contests have always seemed to get good banners

(if we do this, maybe we could put in a requirement for a color scheme?)

I don't really understand that... do you mean that there'll be a standard scheme to use, or that each banner maker must create his/her own scheme? ?

 

The forum colors are done to match the color scheme in the banner, eg, the current banner is yellowish, so the board is done in this yellow color.

My problem with the contest is that each artist would most likely be working with only his or her own fics, or their own "circle" of fics, and the banner might not have a really wide range implied. For instance, if I were working with my own images, I have plenty of Anakin and Vader and Leia, could probably get permission from some artists to use Lady Vader and maybe my OC, Dritali... but those would all be my own stories. Or I could work with the covers I've done for the archive, of course...

 

I agree with the last statement, someone who likes J/J fics would probably do a banner with Jaina and Jag. Such a thing could make some member mad. I think instead of someone designing an entire banner people just submit art to go on the banner. Also if fanfic is broken up into smaller boards the banner on the boards could reflect original characters from the board.

 

I think put in the more popular Fan Fic characters; Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Anni, Ami, the Solo kids, Kyp, Jag... the usual suspects.

 

I think when I first joined it was blues & greys, not quite as bright as a few days ago (THAT I found a bit painful!) There also used to be a more beigey scheme at one point.

I'd simply beg for no green, the way it was one year for St. Pat's day. It was colorful, but also painful to the eyes & hard to read. This one actually isn't quite so bad.

As to the banner, being a purist snob (sorry!) I'd rather stick to film characters. But I don't care about it too much, since I'm usually scrolling down to read something.

I do like (kudos to the admins!) the little quirky things they do for the holidays. I think if the banners reflect holidays, the board color scheme really doesn't need to (for readability).

Thanks, admins. Thanks, mods, especially JG, who must be frazzled between debates on color schemes & the "break up" issue.

 

What I'd really like to see in images are things that could only be in fanfic, pictures that tell a story--Anakin cradling one of the twins in his mechanical arm, or young Palpatine with his Sith master or something, Obi-Wan and Sabe... some image that is obviously part of a fan-written story. (Obviously, this would tend to favor AUs!)

 

Something else we could do is focus mainly on the minor characters of the movies, like Padmé's handmaidens, less prominent members of the Jedi Council, pilots, etc., people who really only show up in big roles in fan fiction. Featuring AU topics would be good too.

 

My problem with the contest is that each artist would most likely be working with only his or her own fics, or their own "circle" of fics, and the banner might not have a really wide range implied.

Yes, but if the board banner is left to a popular vote, or mod decision, it's possible that more 'general' banners will be selected. If there is a competition, then the artists who've created more specific banners generally get advice and reccomendations from others in the thread.

While some individual banners will definately be biased, I think that it will all equate out in the end.

 

You could also ask the contestants to make a banner that they believe the entire board would enjoy.

 

It seems to me the biggest obstacle is the sheer number of characters involved in fan fic, and how to show that fairly. How about creating backlit silhouettes performing various actions. This way two figures having a lightsaber fight could represent, any number of people from the films, the books or original characters. The same could be done with a mother and child, or any other scene one wanted to show. You could then add familiar things like ships and planets and buildings.

As far as the color scheme, I really like the blue/grey one. It is easier on the eyes, this yellow and brown gives me 70's flashbacks.

 

While some individual banners will definately be biased, I think that it will all equate out in the end.

It's not just a question of bias; it's a question of the fanfic-related images that are available to an individual making the banner. I have plenty of artwork related to my own stories (I have an illustrators' gallery at my site), and I could probably get permission from the artists to make use of it in a banner, but I don't have access to the art people make for other's fics, particularly if those others are also in a contest and will want to keep hold of their own art for themselves.

 

What I'd really like to see in images are things that could only be in fanfic, pictures that tell a story--Anakin cradling one of the twins in his mechanical arm, or young Palpatine with his Sith master or something, Obi-Wan and Sabe... some image that is obviously part of a fan-written story.

I love that idea, and Melyanna's. However, there is only so much stuff that could be fit into a banner. And there might be some who think that their "AU" isn't included. Some people are never satisfied.

So does this mean that this is seriously being considered?