Metallic Valentines
Two main things today. The first thing is; it's Valentine's Day! That means you're supposed to be all lovey and shit, swoon your girl and then waggle your eyebrows (that last one might just be me though).
A different style, it took me a few days on and off to get this done. Was fun to do, hope you enjoy it. Either way, I hope you have a nice day with that special somebody.
Download Drift Away Together: 1280x800, 1680x1050, 2560x1600
Next up I want to talk about Lutetium (collective groan). I've been working on eon for quite some time now, I actually started the folder icon back in november. Obviously I haven't made speedy work for lots of reasons. It didn't help that I changed how I do most of my icons and sizes nowadays, or that I wanted "proper" icons for each folder, meaning many hours.
So I sat down and thought about what to do, because I really do want to get this set done, out, and enjoyed. End result; redoing the folder icon. There are two reasons for this; the first is I want to separate Lutetium more from Minium. One of the first things Cary said to me when I showed him back in November was "Unless you out-Minium Minium, it's going to look very inspired by it." I didn't want the angle or similarities to loom over my head and make me paranoid about the whole set being too me-too-ish.
The second is the folder additions. Frankly they took a lot of time for each one. And when there's a heap to do, it makes it slow going. Now, some artists can do that; Take Lanham's Agua for example, I love that set, but a lot of the folder additions are quite simple. I'm quite certain if he'd been going for photo realism with the set, it would of taken a lot longer.
And so this is what the new folder looks like. You can see the angle is much more like classic Aqua folders and has more references -- with the seam -- to the old Lutetium theme. It still needs a few touch ups, but hopefully I'll have a few more previews to show you this weekend.
And here's the current what-if styles of the folders. I think I'll be going with the second or third for the first release (to actually get them out), and perhaps work on the first style. Rather like the previous additions, but simpler.
Hopefully you like it and it'll turn out to be more usable and help get eon out before '09. (Wink wink nudge nudge)
Thursday, 14 February (Permalink Suds: 8) Entries: Previous Next
Comments
Oh my god... those coconuts are adorable. I love you so much! Now swoon me, damnit, and waggle yer eyebrows, you know how I love it.
Posted by: Heather at February 14, 2008 4:21 PM
gorgeous...simply gorgeous! Don't forget 32p versions that are straight on views please :P
Posted by: photo678/theguy at February 14, 2008 5:49 PM
they look amazing. but tiger perspective... emh. looks outdated
Posted by: Steeply at February 14, 2008 5:53 PM
Good job, Wizard.
I find it odd that Apple employed the old original Aqua folder perspective in the first place. If I'm remembering right (you would know more on this than I would, really), Apple Interface Guidelines originally specified two perspectives for icon use: the desktop metaphor and the straight-line, utility perspective.
Those old Aqua folders never really fit into either, I thought, with the subtle curves that make it seem like the icons is pointing off in the distance somewhere.
The only two folder icons (of the few I do) know of that properly fit into that on-desk perspective were the original Lutetium folder and the previous Eon design.
The trend now-a-days (as I said earlier) seems to be either the straight-on approach, which I can appreciate, and the 45 degree angle-- which is less than stellar.
Suffice it to say, it's not an outdated look, it's a classic look.
Posted by: Anthony at February 14, 2008 7:13 PM
Technically the perspective is the same as the Java rocket example they use, just with the folder not straight on.
The reason I didn't go with the front look for these is because it waters down a lot of the detail, just seeing the front. And you wouldn't get to see the edges at all. I think most of the time people are using that same look purely because they can copy/reference the leopard details.
Posted by: Rick at February 15, 2008 9:29 AM
I like the new icons, but I loved the old ones. they looked way more elegant than the new ones.
Please, don't drop the old style completely.
Thumbs up nevertheless, amazing work.
Posted by: Florian Pichler at February 15, 2008 11:16 AM
agree with Florian.
i'd use them if i was still on tiger.
but since now...i think original design would be more suitable...
please, don't drop the old style...
Posted by: Steeply at February 15, 2008 1:34 PM
those rock!
cheers.
bv.
Posted by: bv at April 19, 2008 7:41 PM
