MacRumors needs a face lift

[officerdick]

Hi,

MacRumors is my favorite mac site on the web. The layout is great and everything, but the "colors" and the general theme are a bit 90'ish. So how about pouring som Aqua over macrumors (or illuminous) or something truley original. Like the MacHeist site, that was beautiful and original, mabey a design contest could be an idea?
Just my 2 cents

Keep up the good work!

- officerdick out!

[Blue Velvet]

I agree that it needs a new coat of paint. Discussions were started a little while ago but I've not heard any more...

I'm not for an Aqua or any theme that's too tied to the Finder or Mac apps. It can date too quickly. The MR brand and look should be able to stand on its own.

Perhaps deconstructing what is wrong with it in people's eyes might be a good start.

[RedTomato]

Maybe make it look more like the London Olympic logo?

(I'll get my coat now).

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/43005000/gif/_43005619_london_new_pink_203.gif

[PlaceofDis]

while it could use some updating... i don't think everything is wrong with it.

its simple, clean, and easy on the eyes.

[Mac-Addict]

I agree it does need an update its a bit too plain and the logo is really odd, its like half apple and half question mark.

[WildCowboy]

. . .the logo is really odd, its like half apple and half question mark.

Not sure why you think that's odd...that's the whole point. Macs and Rumors...together in one logo. It describes pretty well what the site is all about.

[cube]

It needs more server/bandwidth power, not cosmetic changes.

[Daveway]

As welcome a change it may be, I would not anticipate a change any time soon.

Things like that take weeks to get right and roll out.

[nbs2]

I might agree that there are many things that need a face lift. I can't agree that MR is one of them. It is still one of the few sites that you can browse that doesn't seek to bring attention to itself. Very traditional in that way. I like it.

[dartzorichalcos]

I would agree that it's time for a face lift. Something like iTunes 7 interface or iPhone operating system interface.

[PlaceofDis]

I would agree that it's time for a face lift. Something like iTunes 7 interface or iPhone operating system interface.

heck no! keep it simple.
the interface now is great for the most part. just needs some new colors perhaps, imo.

[dartzorichalcos]

just needs some new colors perhaps, imo.
Like the blue text color of the thread titles could be made in black color instead of blue.

[monke]

Maybe make it look more like the London Olympic logo?

(I'll get my coat now).

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/43005000/gif/_43005619_london_new_pink_203.gif

So something like this then?
75871

Don't worry, it only took 2 minutes, and it'll only cost MR a new Mac Pro. :p

[Doctor Q]

MacRumors sometimes gets a facelift on April 1st -- in recognition of Apple's birthday, of course.

Buy we're glad to hear suggestions about design changes and you are welcome to post mockups if you like. No, we're not having a contest for it.

[mad jew]

I don't want a change 'cause then it won't load as quickly for me 'til it inundates my cache again.


Okay, so I'd soon get over that. I wouldn't mind seeing some of the square edges rounded off though. Internet 2.0 FTW!

[kalisphoenix]

its like half apple and half question mark.

Holy Christ! I never noticed that :(

[ezekielrage_99]

Maybe make it look more like the London Olympic logo?

(I'll get my coat now).

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/43005000/gif/_43005619_london_new_pink_203.gif

LOL this will be the *new* G5 Powerbooks next tuesday thing from now on...

But I do tend to agree the colours of the site need an update, wait till Leopard and get some ideas from that since it's an Apple site

[ravenvii]

DUDES!!!

Be careful what you wish for! We want something new...

... and we got the Digg icons!

So watch it young'uns!

(Yes, I'm ever-so-subtly hinting that the Digg thing sucks)

[Cassie]

I would like to keep MR the way it is. The color's aren't distracting, the text is easy to read, I would be devastated if it were to change.:(

[Salasm]

my first thought the title reads like half the members need a facelift, not the site.

hey casse, colors are not distracting. check out mine. highlight the page to make reading my text a little easier.

[edesignuk]

It needs more server/bandwidth power, not cosmetic changes.It already runs across 3 or 4 servers, and frequently handles close to 4000 members/guests on the forums, never mind the front page, and it does it pretty well IMO. There has been a great improvement in this over the last year or two actually. No complaints here.

[cube]

I got the "too many users" error the other day, and there wasn't even a keynote.

And what's the point of 5 mbps broadband if the web does not keep up?

[thejadedmonkey]

the site really does have a 90's feel to it, and I like it that way. It feels old, as in it's been around forever, and it doesn't need snazzy colors to survive/thrive. Maybe a few additional tweaks would be good, but nothing major at all please, I like it just the way it is!

[myjellyass]

Grrr, it was fine until i read this thread and now I can't stop picking faults in the entire site. You've soiled the perfect image that i've always had in my head of MacRumors!

[zelmo]

Perhaps a subtle freshening up would be okay, but I don't think MR should change it up too much. I like that the information is easy to read and that the forum theme stays out of the way.

Or would you prefer something more 'in your face' like Myspace??:eek:

Now, if there were a way to make searching more effective...

[zap2]

I like MacRumors' look...but change might be nice too. I have a MR widget, and it has a nice red that looks Macrumorish.


Not sure....maybe it be better just to keep it the way it is, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" comes to mind

[someguy]

So something like this then?
75871

Don't worry, it only took 2 minutes, and it'll only cost MR a new Mac Pro. :p

If you squint, it kind of looks like Santa Claus wearing a Nike pullover.

...which is way more appropriate than what the other logo in your post looks like if you squint. :eek:

[majorp]

the most beautiful forum I have ever seen is

http://forum.mootools.net/

very simple and clean. maybe something like that.

[mad jew]

I remember seeing an Internet 2.0 version of the logo that looked pretty cool. It was more rounded and 3D. I can't find it now though. :(

I find the site a little square on the whole, and some Internet 2.0 style changes could look pretty cool. Having said that, the current site is just so inoffensive and cuddly. :)

[tominated]

the most beautiful forum I have ever seen is

http://forum.mootools.net/

very simple and clean. maybe something like that.

wow. just.. wow. that is incredibly clean looking

[iHerzeleid]

More Web 2.0'ish looking maybe?

[samh004]

Don't forget what happened to other sites that tried to change (Spymac for instance *shudder*).

I think a few subtle changes could be made here and there, but it's good that it's low-load and works very well all the time. Perhaps allowing users to change styles via a setting in the CP (or is that already there :o ) - and I'm not talking about the one that makes the text slightly bigger, you could add a few new styles.

Overall I'd hope that it doesn't turn into a OS X replica.

[sushi]

Personally, I like the way it is in that it has a fairly simple interface and look to it. I don't come to MR to be entertained by the looks. I come here to enjoy the comments and browse the threads.

My suggestions:

- Bandwidth during the keynotes could be a bit more.

- Navigation could be a bit simpler/better.

Signed, a happy MR user. :)

[tominated]

maybe a very slight logo update. i made a mockup just then.
BTW: is this anything like you remember madjew?

[mad jew]

Not bad tominated. I remember something slightly more rounded and less shadowed, but similar nonetheless. :)

[tominated]

Not bad tominated. I remember something slightly more rounded and less shadowed, but similar nonetheless. :)

ok cool.

[psychofreak]

ok cool.

I like the subtelty now...maybe I'm an idiot, but I didn't notice the question mark at first...

[officerdick]

the most beautiful forum I have ever seen is

http://forum.mootools.net/

very simple and clean. maybe something like that.
Thats what i mean, i agree that an OS X ripoff will be to boring. But i really think that since the mac comunity has so much tallent, it would be an ease to make this site beautiful, so it truley reflects the "stylish" people it repersents:) i am not the best photoshoper, but if i get an ide afor a mockup, and it looks good i will post it.

[AdeFowler]

I would like to keep MR the way it is. The color's aren't distracting, the text is easy to read, I would be devastated if it were to change.:(
My thoughts exactly. This place feels like home ;)

[sushi]

My thoughts exactly. This place feels like home ;)
Looks like a few of us feel that way.

[iMeowbot]

More Web 2.0'ish looking maybe?

It has the usual warts that grow on anything that's been around for a while, but overall the site structure is more up-to-date than it may look at first glance. What does a "Web 2.0" look mean? Is it a bunch of gradients, or minimalism? Some of the recent fads can look sterile (http://imeowbot.googlepages.com/mrsilliness), that's always a risk with "clean" schemes.

Perhaps deconstructing what is wrong with it in people's eyes might be a good start.

Yeah, more of that. What exactly is b0rked?

I remember seeing an Internet 2.0 version of the logo that looked pretty cool. It was more rounded and 3D. I can't find it now though. :(

Was it one of the ones in this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=284697)?

I find the site a little square on the whole, and some Internet 2.0 style changes could look pretty cool. Having said that, the current site is just so inoffensive and cuddly. :)

Yeah, I'd rather live in an old neighborhood that's been kept in good shape than some generic concrete urban renewal development. New stuff can be good, but it doesn't always work that way.

[someguy]

I can't remember what forum I saw it in, but the quote boxes were speech bubbles (or whatever you call them, like in iChat messages) and it looked very nice.

Just a thought.

[yagran]

dno..made this mock up quickly earlier, i like the site as is but it could do with a update i guess, something a bit more modern and gradienty?

heres my first attempt at a future MR:
http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/5871/57305535ny3.jpg

what everyone rekon?

[MacNut]

what everyone rekon?I don't like the font and the colors are to dark.:)
the most beautiful forum I have ever seen is

http://forum.mootools.net/

very simple and clean. maybe something like that.
Meh, I don't like it, It looks to plain.

[yagran]

I don't like the font and the colors are to dark.:)

ok cool, which font do you think would look better for this?
and I dont understand this too dark concept..?

[MacNut]

ok cool, which font do you think would look better for this?
and I dont understand this too dark concept..?I don't like the dark black gradient. The Current MR font still works good IMO.

[tominated]

I don't really like that layout full stop. sorry, but the colors are funny, the layout is too cramped and a few other things.

[dcv]

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

And it ain't broke.


Please, please stop with the ghastly Web 2.0 shiny reflective bollocks and crap fonts!

[synth3tik]

dude don't knock the default code. It's fun typing a responce and forgetting what forum you are on. Just look over at the appleinsider.com forums:D , I doubt you will know 100% that you are not on MR

[mad jew]

Was it one of the ones in this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=284697)?


That's the one. Thanks mate. :)


dno..made this mock up quickly earlier, i like the site as is but it could do with a update i guess, something a bit more modern and gradienty?


I actually really like the darker look but I think lighter colours would be easier to use in the long run. Still, I like it. :)

[iMeowbot]

dno..made this mock up quickly earlier, i like the site as is but it could do with a update i guess, something a bit more modern and gradienty?
I'll try to keep this constructive, "I don't like it" isn't very helpful.

The single most eye-catching element is the bright blue block. Which contains the byline. That's secondary information, why is is being featured so heavily? Partly because of the horizontal blue gradient (and why is it horizontal when all the others are vertical?), we have small white text on a mid-lightish blue. That eats contrast and makes the text hard to read.

In the article body, a dark bit of gradient is covering the lead paragraph. That's the piece that's supposed to draw in readers, but it's being obscured. The gray in the article body may be a little too dark, or it may just seem that way because it's between two bright white alleys. The effect is distracting and makes reading uncomfortable.

The side columns go from a dark gray to a medium one. What text color would be easy to read across that whole range?

It's hard to tell that the navigation tab buttons are in fact buttons (familiarity with the current MR layout might make this seem obvious, but look at this through a new visitor's eyes). The separators don't stand out, so their buttoniness is vague. There is no indication of what section is active, so it's not clear which ones would do something if clicked.

Are you sure that you would want a Microsoft utility font in an Apple-oriented site's logo? :)

[yagran]

I'll try to keep this constructive, "I don't like it" isn't very helpful.

The single most eye-catching element is the bright blue block. Which contains the byline. That's secondary information, why is is being featured so heavily? Partly because of the horizontal blue gradient (and why is it horizontal when all the others are vertical?), we have small white text on a mid-lightish blue. That eats contrast and makes the text hard to read.

In the article body, a dark bit of gradient is covering the lead paragraph. That's the piece that's supposed to draw in readers, but it's being obscured. The gray in the article body may be a little too dark, or it may just seem that way because it's between two bright white alleys. The effect is distracting and makes reading uncomfortable.

The side columns go from a dark gray to a medium one. What text color would be easy to read across that whole range?

It's hard to tell that the navigation tab buttons are in fact buttons (familiarity with the current MR layout might make this seem obvious, but look at this through a new visitor's eyes). The separators don't stand out, so their buttoniness is vague. There is no indication of what section is active, so it's not clear which ones would do something if clicked.

Are you sure that you would want a Microsoft utility font in an Apple-oriented site's logo? :)

Thanks alot for that reply! and thanks to MJ for the positive :P

erm.. i adapted it slightly to try and take your ponts on board.

Improvements i made:

changed titlebar colour to blue, and sub text to black
Seperated the menu bar into tabs
Darkened tab colour for contrast readability
lightened the main news article backround to GRAB readers atention to the article more
added some boxes to each of the side bars with fake content
added more buttons to sidear
darkened main bg to highlight content


any better?
i mean, i dont expect mac rumors to ever use this, im just playing around, mebe throw some ideas into arns head :D

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/2591/mockupkx6.jpg

[SMM]

I think the site is pretty good the way it is. If change is made, I hope it is evolutionary, not revolutionary.

[dartzorichalcos]

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/2591/mockupkx6.jpg

How did you do that? What is the software you used for this?

[yagran]

How did you do that? What is the software you used for this?

i screenshotted macrumors then used Adobe Fireworks CS3

[dartzorichalcos]

i screenshotted macrumors then used Adobe Fireworks CS3

It would be pretty cool if MacRumors had skin options like that.

[yagran]

It would be pretty cool if MacRumors had skin options like that.

thanks

[rijiMacDij]

thanks

How about this for a header?

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=76485&stc=1&d=1181748100

[dartzorichalcos]

How about this for a header?

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=76485&stc=1&d=1181748100

Proably not because of the cigarette.

[yagran]

How about this for a header?

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=76485&stc=1&d=1181748100

hehe :P

Proably not because of the cigarette.

yes cigarette :confused: lol

[dartzorichalcos]

yes cigarette :confused: lol

What do you mean?

[yagran]

What do you mean?

never mind dude, back on topic.

[MacNut]

What do you mean?Think different.:p

never mind dude, back on topic.I like the second mockup better just change the font, it is to boxy.:)
And it has to much blue. Maybe try a darker font color.

[eluk]

…
what everyone rekon?

To dreary. :(

[Grimace]

MacRumors update next Tuesday!! :D

[yagran]

To dreary. :(

contructive critiscism?

[julianps]

According to Alexa MR is one of the rising stars.

If it ain't bust, don't fix it :p

[yagran]

According to Alexa MR is one of the rising stars.

If it ain't bust, don't fix it :p

so if your face got burnt horribly in a fire you wouldnt think about reconstructive surgery?

[Aperture]

so if your face got burnt horribly in a fire you wouldnt think about reconstructive surgery?

..But then your face would be considered broken due to said fire.

[yagran]

..But then your face would be considered broken due to said fire.

so appearance is everything to you?
youll love leopard then :P

[Aperture]

so appearance is everything to you?
youll love leopard then :P

No, I'm saying in this instance.. "If it ain't broken don't fix it", I'm considering "broken" just something that isn't up to par, not functioning correctly, etc. Because a burnt face is cause for improvement, or reconstructive surgery, I think julianps would consider surgery as a means to correct the "broken", or burnt face. (assuming julianps lived by the saying)

My point is I don't think you should have said that as a burnt face could have been considered broken (aka having been fractured or damaged) and therefore would deem fixing it appropriate.

About the topic, I think MR could use a very slight face lift just to not look so dated. I love the look of the board, it works great; I just think a slightly modified logo might be nice for a change.

[eluk]

contructive critiscism?

Sorry it doesn't inspire any. Although I will say the version is better. As stated in another post; I don't think it needs fixing.

[Blue Velvet]

I thnk it needs a strong refresh, not a major overhaul. As well as iMeowbot's suggestions, I'd like to see some cleaner colours and fewer rules and borders around certain elements; many of them add to the sense of clutter in places.

I think a professional and experienced designer or two working with some good web people is crucial, no disrespect intended to anyone's views or work.

In the long run, the potential returns would pay for themselves.

[MacNut]

In the 5 years I have been here I remember only 2 front page changes. It has been like 4 years since the last major update so I think its time for a change.

[theperson]

How would this (http://tksix.net/macrumorsmockup.png) look for an MR facelift?

[yagran]

How would this (http://tksix.net/macrumorsmockup.png) look for an MR facelift?

not bad not bad :D

[psycoswimmer]

How would this (http://tksix.net/macrumorsmockup.png) look for an MR facelift?

The logo is gone. :(

[TequilaBoobs]

can macrumors introduce a live chat room? that would be supreme.

[theperson]

The logo is gone. :(
I didn't think that the current MR logo would fit in with that design, so I had to remove it from the design and use the ":apple: iProduct" format.. but if enough people wish to see the logo in the mockup, I'll find a way to make it look right. :)

[PlaceofDis]

can macrumors introduce a live chat room? that would be supreme.

afaik there is an IRC channel already

[TequilaBoobs]

afaik there is an IRC channel already

ive heard the term IRC before but never actually used it. im certain there are many other people who dont know it either. but thanks for the info. wished they would incorporate it into the website. now that,... would be supreme.

[Blue Velvet]

I didn't think that the current MR logo would fit in with that design...


Number one absolute golden rule of design: don't mess with the logo (unless requested) ;)

[theperson]

Logo's been added. (http://tksix.net/macrumorsmockuplogo.png)

[Doctor Q]

How would this (http://tksix.net/macrumorsmockup.png) look for an MR facelift?I like the clean look. The text seems too small/dense.

If you use our current logo instead of a solid color apple, would you change the colors you used, to match?

[monke]

Logo's been added. (http://tksix.net/macrumorsmockuplogo.png)

No offense or anything, but I like the current one better. Your design looks to big, and feels like it's popping off the page.

I don't know about a facelift, I think MR could use one, but I don't know how much the change would help things. :o

[theperson]

I like the clean look. The text seems too small/dense.

If you use our current logo instead of a solid color apple, would you change the colors you used, to match?

I just posted an updated version with the current logo, and the colors were just to get the UI idea across. They'll be changed.

edit: The text is fine.. it's just that the mockup was designed like a full page view.