Experts Round Table Network

<notes from Lobo>
The font change in options 2 to 5 is a homage to all our coders who spend hours with no end typing in monospaced fonts. I feel it conveys a stronger message than the previous font choice (option 1). I have also given that text block some perspective to make it fit better with the swish. In options 4 and 5 I took Esopo's advice and kept the colour difference for the ERT letters. And in Option 5 I've added a colour gradient to the swish to give it more depth.

I think the colours are pretty much set for this version. We could work a different colour scheme in a later version but I feel that for now we've should stick to these ones so that we can move on with the skin and layout.

Votes will be counted on Tuesday the 11th at midnight and after that I'll proceed to produce GIFs and JPGs for distribution. Thanks all for participating!!


(http://www.gatesofdelirium.com/ert/ert-logodraft05.jpg)

I think the logo should fit in with the skin.

If we are using aluminoid (or equivalent), then the logo should work with it.

If I had ANY artistic skill, I would like to see a logo which looks like the logos so far but has more of a stamped out of metal look. So, the logo is present by the absence of the metal. A stencil sort of thing.

They're all so excellent! I am not voting yet as we have a few days. I always liked #1, but now that I see #4 and #5, I am very impressed.

Looking at it for a while, the "swish", which suggests a table, does not have the text "sitting" on the table, so the image I get is that the table is off-balance; but perhaps I am thinking too concretely about it.

I will vote in a day or so. Amazing work Lobo!!

=D>

Ooooooh, I always thought it was just a swoosh.

The skin is being worked on by the graphics team and will be matched to the logo.

For Richard:
(http://www.nicholassolutions.com/metalERT.jpg)
Not meant to hijack the discussion (esp. given huntress' comment above), not sure if that's what you meant, and highlighting my exceedingly limited skill in graphics.

Matt

I like 5.  I simple straight forward professional image, but with flair.  The gradient softens it just enough.

Great job!  

 :thumbup:

I really liked them all but I voted for #4 because for me, it had an impact on my eyes.  I would be just as happy with #5 though since it is based on the same design idea.

I also voted for #4 since I felt that although I liked the softer colors in #5, the light (lens flare, lighting affect, w/e it is) by the "Round" drew my attention to it, when I don't feel it should be the focus of the image.

I personally like #2 the best, because I think it looks the most professional.
As for the lens flare, I personally think that should be avoided, because a lot of people see it as a 'cheap trick' and it may make the site seem ametuer to those people.


I'm wondering if maybe making the 'swish' a little more rounded (i.e. continuing in a circle back towards the E) on the left might help make it look more like a table than a swish.

Just FYI.. this vote does not seem to be accessible from the "Voter Information Page" link at the top of the page, so not everyone may see it.

Voter information page updated.  It is ussually a little behind because I have not found a way to integrate its generation with the database yet.  Eventually we will have it auto generate fromt from the list of open polls.  

The think the RSS new reader might be used.  All I have to do is syndicate the polls with the Mode Duz suggested, and then I should be able to read in the XML and generate from it, but first I need to get it t generate the news feeds.  All thing in time. I keep telling myself patience is a virtue but I want the site to look like what it will be a year down the road.

#4 gets my vote  and so would this one Nice job

The stamped in metal look for the aluminiod skin is VERY nice.

Maybe one of the graphic bods could perfect it?

Hopefully, each skin supported will have an appropriate logo. Same design, but the integration should be appropriate to the design.

e.g. If using the ComicBook skin, then having the logo in the corner to mimic the publisher's logo, would be great.

I think this is a great job. I thought it was good, until DD made me realize that the swoosh is also a table. Now I'm in love with the logo ;)

I like that the 3D effect of the words makes it easy to see the table. I picked #4 because #5 seemed too light colored. I'm also not entirely sure the glow is going to help the logo blend with the site, altough it does look good when standing by itself.

I also like the new type. Call me a son of a gun, but I would like to see the serifs less wide.

I agree that we should take the colors we have and roll with them until we start working on V2.

I do have one problem with the logo. I'm not too crazy about the negative space at the right. I can't think of anything to recommend about that though. I wouldn't move the elements we ahve so far, or at least I cna't think of a functional way to do it. Maybe adding one more piece to the puzzle?

I noticed that too.. but I do like the font.

Yeah, the swishy swoosh is supposed to resemble a table's edge; I thought we knew that ;o)

Texture will be added depending on what the background is. I have two options and plan to do both:  One is the embossed thingie and the other one is the brushed texture (same brushed metal). A third option is to do both in the same image. In this case we could use Shekerra's old suggestion that we could change logo every now and then. We wouldn't change the logo per se but the effect on it.

I played with a lighter version of the main font but it looked too weak.

Also, I'm all for keeping the colours as our official ones for this version.