posted
I'm still in awe of this site, thanks again.
Is there a technical reason why you can't put all the gremlins/smilies from lighning lad's site on the "instant gremlin" box? They are one of my favorite things about this whole board, whoever designed them deserves heartfelt kudos. One small peeve: Shikari has been forgotten!
And yes, I'm holding off on adding more until I either shrink down the files (and thereby the load times), and/or set up a pop up window for them. I'm working on both right now on our sister/practice site as I type this.
Thanks, Juan
Also, EVERYONE will be represented eventually. Time is my enemy.
From: San Diego, CA | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I don't suppose it really matters, and I'm probably being very anti-Legion by suggesting it, but could we maybe have one or two normal looking smilies? Maybe just a smiley and a winky, at least? I only ask because there are a couple of Legion smilies that I have trouble seeing with my monitor resolution, and I'm not always sure what the smiley represents.
If not, it's not like a huge issue. Just a suggestion
-------------------- Some people are like slinkys: not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when you knock them down a flight of stairs
From: Penthouse atop Levitz Hall, LMBP Plaza, Embassy Row, Legion World | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Nightcrawler: I'll see what I can do. But, I'm taxing the limits in the number of smilies right now.
Sorry, Princess.
Like I said, no biggie, really. Doesn't hurt to ask. It's not gonna make or break my visits here either way
-------------------- Some people are like slinkys: not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when you knock them down a flight of stairs
From: Penthouse atop Levitz Hall, LMBP Plaza, Embassy Row, Legion World | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
What's the deal on the message icons above the message screen on the Post A Reply screen that I'm typing on right now?
The cursor only identifies them as icons 1-14. Why is the cham icon frowning?!?! Why am I sad? What do Brainy and the eye represent?
I can understand the "?" and the thumbs up and down, but I wish we could use them within the text. I think the smiling one is better than the red grin instant graemlin.
quote:Originally posted by Reep: What's the deal on the message icons above the message screen on the Post A Reply screen that I'm typing on right now?
The cursor only identifies them as icons 1-14. Why is the cham icon frowning?!?! Why am I sad? What do Brainy and the eye represent?
I can understand the "?" and the thumbs up and down, but I wish we could use them within the text. I think the smiling one is better than the red grin instant graemlin.
They're starting to spook me!
< my hero!
When I have more time I'll address your post sorry. But I'm off to work.
From: San Diego, CA | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
The software comes with 11 graemlins or emoticons. Which are used to add emotion inside the context of your messages. I've attempted to change the boring generic smilies with Legion-related ones. Rather than use just Legionnaires as I'd like to create more traditional representations of them, I've used various characters from various eras to convey the emotions. I've tried to touch upon every era of the Legion's past with these 11, both obscure and well-known.
replaces your generic smiley face 'smile.' It's the Legion's happy benefactor R.J. Brande.
replaces the 'sad' face. Dr. Gym'll's sad face spans the time periods.
replaces the embarassed face. Shy Vi seemed a natural for this one.
replaces the grin with the Grinn. A character from V4.
replaces the wink icon. Current Legionnaire XS makes a cute, knowing winky.
From: San Diego, CA | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
People can refer to this if need be. I think a few will become widely used and understood, but some may be too indistinct because the particular expression or feature that conveys the icon's purpose doesn't stand out.
For example BB's smiling face is clear because his smile is big. Ditto Grinn. Mystery Lad "?" and Cham's frown are distinct. But most of the other head's expressions are indeterminate because of size or unnecessary detail.
My background is in art, and I've done a bit of cartoon character design, so for what they're worth, here's my "tips & suggestions." I think you see these already, but here's my take on them.
1) Simplify: use line to express the key aspect, not shape or color that often. You have a palette here, but you're not painting, your color drawing. Big diff, and that's why #1 focus is simplification, not detail. Lines work great for mouth expressions. Same for eyes & eyebrows. A red mouth line suggests the gender we assoctiate with lipstick. Color dots may be best for eyes when not used as the primary expressive feature/aspect.
2) Exaggerate: simplify, then play with forms of exaggeration of the salient feature, even at "expense" of excluding other features (eyes, ears, hair style, etc.) First make it clear, then noticible.
3) Use Existing Visual Clues: as you did, a simple distinct headband identifies Lyle. A green line-slash in hair identifies Vi. But gotta make sure other characters don't share that feature. Because of the white hair, I thought your R.J. was Mekt! I thought, okay, kinky!
So I think the primary way to go isn't "fair representation" of popular Legionnaires, but rather utilization of those who have readily identifiable visual clues.
Which means with Legion you can use color a few times here as immediate clues. As evidenced by your Brainy & Cham icons. Immediately recoqnizable. Ditto I think Shady. But you may have to use lighter shades for darker color in these small spaces so the other feature/aspect you use really stands out.
There's an old saw that writing is really rewriting. Well, the same is often true about any form of design - sometimes gotta tinker and tinker! As frustrating as it is satisfying some times.
I'm really glad we have these little kooky fun guys! And I think I got lucky cause I have the coolest one of the bunch. Seriously!
< I mean, just look at me!
Thanks again, NC, for the info and all the work you do for us here!
Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
Hyperpath: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic | Subscribe To Topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Pleeeeaase...? ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Chameleon Boy]](graemlins/ChameleonBoy.gif)
< my hero!
Tenzil is cool in his shades because that's who he replaced.
PG or Violet (take your pick) is smiling since she's our happy face.
Imra (or maybe Kara?) is upset cause she took the mad icon's spot.
Bouncing Boy is our grinning icon.
Garth (maybe Dirk) is winking cause he knows something.![[Frown]](frown.gif)
replaces the 'sad' face. Dr. Gym'll's sad face spans the time periods.![[Embarrassed]](redface.gif)
replaces the embarassed face. Shy Vi seemed a natural for this one.![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
is Ze Tongue. He's a rejected Legionnaire from LEGIONNAIRES #44. And is perfect as the tongue smiley.![[Cool]](cool.gif)
is the cool emoticon represented by the V4 Tenzil Kem cause he's just plain cool.![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
is the rolleyes smiley. Eyeful Ethel seemed a natural for this one.![[Mad]](mad.gif)
is anger incarnate just like Brainy's Omega.![[Confused]](confused.gif)
is confused, just like the lovable, constantly perplexed Blok.
