[v3.5] TG Season Banners

Viper007Bond · August 7th, 2008, 01:46 PM

http://www.finalgear.com/shows/topgear/

I find the text hard to read a little bit, especially if you don't realize it's there. It doesn't... "pop" enough IMO. Blayde and I are working on trying to get them easier to read, but we're having trouble finding something we can both agree on.

So, any input?

Current:

http://static.finalgear.com/site/seasonbars/topgear1.png

Thicker border:

http://pic.phyrefile.com/v/vi/viper007bond/2008/08/07/topgear1.png

No background:

http://pic.phyrefile.com/b/bl/blayde/2008/08/07/topgear1.png

Cobol74 · August 7th, 2008, 01:49 PM

I think that you need to make the backgrounds a little less busy and bright, and the text will jump out. Check if you can get a serif but cool font too, that'd help.

Viper007Bond · August 7th, 2008, 01:49 PM

Seeing them side by side I think I like the thicker border best of those 3 so far.

Blayde · August 7th, 2008, 01:52 PM

I did desaturate the background to emphasize the text, any more and it might look black and white. The thicker border helped but it looks ugly.

The ONLY thing i can think of is using a font that's more spaced out between the letters.

Edit: Also, making the hazard background elss visible/less bright might do it

Viper007Bond · August 7th, 2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blayde

Edit: Also, making the hazard background elss visible/less bright might do it

That's what I was originally thinking. Bright photos, but a dark background or whatever so the text stands out.

Clegg · August 7th, 2008, 04:44 PM

I have some suggestions...

First - Black and White: Nice and simple, still readable.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d179/ipodnano42/topgear1.png

Second - Minor colour tweaks and a few other things.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d179/ipodnano42/topgear1_1.png

Edit: It also occurs to me, after seeing that second image in full size, that I need to turn the quality on Photoshop up a bit...

matt2000 · August 7th, 2008, 05:15 PM

I personally like them as they are, I have no trouble reading them at all, even on a shitty laptop screen. images/smilies/smile.gif

Black and white takes the impact away from it IMO, spoils it a bit.

kyoru · August 7th, 2008, 05:49 PM

It needs more contrast, a simple black gradient starting from the left towards the right. then change the font to yellow. The font style is too small for the height, it also needs some spacing to be readable.

Clegg · August 7th, 2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyoru

It needs more contrast, a simple black gradient starting from the left towards the right. then change the font to yellow. The font style is too small for the height, it also needs some spacing to be readable.

Had a little more fun with Photoshop...

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/6656/topgeargradientxm6.gif

.

*Disclaimer: I suck at Photoshop.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d179/ipodnano42/Smileys/wink.gif

Cobol74 · August 7th, 2008, 06:10 PM

Naw, looks like the far end of the bar is in Beijing (Smogilicious).

kyoru · August 7th, 2008, 07:56 PM

Cna't see anything cause my work is blocking it, but I'll give it a shot when I get home.

ahpadt · August 7th, 2008, 10:52 PM

For me, all the small pictures makes it hard to see the text.

Viper007Bond · August 8th, 2008, 01:30 AM

I don't like black and white.

Blayde · August 8th, 2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clegg

.

Butchers!

I agree with you kyoru, the italics text is too close together, i was considering spreading them out or using the non-italic porscha text. Here's a few variations, i used a different season because the first two aren't the best of the lot:

#1: Straight text, desaturated text banner, 2px stroke

#2: Straight text, desaturated text banner

#3: Straight text, desaturated text banner and cars banner, 2px stroke, diff text colour

#4: Straight text, desaturated text banner and cars banner

#3: Italics text, desaturated text banner and cars banner, 2px stokre, increased text spacing

The last one stands out to me the most.

Quiky · August 8th, 2008, 05:31 PM

Sorry, I think they all look too busy/small.

If you increased the height of them it might work out better.

jayhawk · August 9th, 2008, 02:28 AM

I have a bit of an idea.

When looking at the page, the user sees that all images are black and white, except using cleggs idea, the font is yellow. But when mousing over them, they become colorized.

jeffy777 · August 9th, 2008, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blayde

#3: Italics text, desaturated text banner and cars banner, 2px stokre, increased text spacing

That one seems easiest to read.

Blayde · August 9th, 2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayhawk

I have a bit of an idea.

When looking at the page, the user sees that all images are black and white, except using cleggs idea, the font is yellow. But when mousing over them, they become colorized.

You mean a rollover? That would probably make it easier to read but double the overall size and require a bit of code, which i think Photoshop can do.

Viper007Bond · August 9th, 2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blayde

You mean a rollover? That would probably make it easier to read but double the overall size and requir

August 7th, 2008, 04:44 PM	#6
Clegg Joined: Oct 8th, 2007 Last Online: 03:44 AM Location: Moore, Oklahoma Age: 20 Posts: 196 Car: '92 Chevy Truck / '94 Honda Accord Rep Power: 12	I have some suggestions... First - Black and White: Nice and simple, still readable. Second - Minor colour tweaks and a few other things. Edit: It also occurs to me, after seeing that second image in full size, that I need to turn the quality on Photoshop up a bit... __________________ My Little Place on the Internet Though I've tried before to tell her Of the feelings I have for her in my heart Everytime that I come near her I just lose my nerve As I've done from the start

August 7th, 2008, 05:15 PM	#7
matt2000 Squirrel Mincer Joined: Feb 17th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Market Harborough, UK Age: 18 Posts: 3,479 Car: '77 Land Rover Series III LFS Status: Rep Power: 54	I personally like them as they are, I have no trouble reading them at all, even on a shitty laptop screen. Black and white takes the impact away from it IMO, spoils it a bit. __________________ Signature last updated 27/11/08. Photos last updated 25/10/08.

August 7th, 2008, 05:49 PM	#8
kyoru Joined: Oct 31st, 2007 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Canada Posts: 101 Car: G35 Sedan Rep Power: 9	It needs more contrast, a simple black gradient starting from the left towards the right. then change the font to yellow. The font style is too small for the height, it also needs some spacing to be readable. __________________

August 7th, 2008, 06:10 PM	#10
Cobol74 Joined: Mar 21st, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Southampton Posts: 5,806 Car: Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDI Slush box. Rep Power: 50	Naw, looks like the far end of the bar is in Beijing (Smogilicious). __________________

August 7th, 2008, 07:56 PM	#11
kyoru Joined: Oct 31st, 2007 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Canada Posts: 101 Car: G35 Sedan Rep Power: 9	Cna't see anything cause my work is blocking it, but I'll give it a shot when I get home. __________________

August 7th, 2008, 01:46 PM	#1
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 24 Posts: 20,988 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 234	[v3.5] TG Season Banners http://www.finalgear.com/shows/topgear/ I find the text hard to read a little bit, especially if you don't realize it's there. It doesn't... "pop" enough IMO. Blayde and I are working on trying to get them easier to read, but we're having trouble finding something we can both agree on. So, any input? Current: Thicker border: No background: __________________ Fight back against the evil Quiky by +1'ing this post! There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

August 7th, 2008, 01:49 PM	#2
Cobol74 Joined: Mar 21st, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Southampton Posts: 5,806 Car: Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDI Slush box. Rep Power: 50	I think that you need to make the backgrounds a little less busy and bright, and the text will jump out. Check if you can get a serif but cool font too, that'd help. __________________

August 7th, 2008, 01:52 PM	#4
Blayde Joined: Dec 20th, 2004 Last Online: 04:30 AM Location: Bahrain Posts: 1,894 Car: '02 Nissan X-Trail, '06 Honda Civic EXi Rep Power: 52	I did desaturate the background to emphasize the text, any more and it might look black and white. The thicker border helped but it looks ugly. The ONLY thing i can think of is using a font that's more spaced out between the letters. Edit: Also, making the hazard background elss visible/less bright might do it __________________ Some say he migrated when fuel hit 4 pounds per gallon and that he can make 'special price' for you. All we know is, he's the Stig's Arab cousin; Al-Stig!

August 7th, 2008, 10:52 PM	#12
ahpadt Joined: May 7th, 2006 Last Online: 12:37 AM Location: The Norwaylands Posts: 2,474 Car: Want a 09 VW Scirocco badly Rep Power: 22	For me, all the small pictures makes it hard to see the text.

August 8th, 2008, 01:30 AM	#13
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 24 Posts: 20,988 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 234	I don't like black and white. __________________ Fight back against the evil Quiky by +1'ing this post! There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

August 8th, 2008, 05:31 PM	#15
Quiky You know you want me.. Joined: Aug 21st, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Posts: 2,262 LFS Status: Rep Power: 166	Sorry, I think they all look too busy/small. If you increased the height of them it might work out better. __________________ + Rep me, and fight the lazy Viper007Bond!

August 9th, 2008, 02:28 AM	#16
jayhawk Cigar Smoking Man Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 02:27 AM Location: A-Town, Illinois. Age: 33 Posts: 4,998 Car: MY07 G11 WRX-TR WRB. Rep Power: 86	I have a bit of an idea. When looking at the page, the user sees that all images are black and white, except using cleggs idea, the font is yellow. But when mousing over them, they become colorized. __________________ It is nice to have friends like you on this forum. ...A fox among the chickens... Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery None but ourselves can free our minds…