New image(s)?

I just discovered this Group Ring over at the Addicted to Last.fm group yesterday. I thought it was a very cool idea, and immediately went about setting up my qualifying groups.

I then pointed a friend over here. They responded that they were considering it, but weren't real fond of the image. I hope I don't offend anyone, but I agree that it could use a little spicing up, and that could lead to more groups using it.

I also think a graphic designed for the sidebar, at least for our personal profiles (if you don't want it there in group profiles), would be a good idea.

Unfortunately, I have no artistic ability.

Perhaps we have some artists here?

I kind of get the color thing, though an awful lot of people are using black, because they hate the pink red look. Perhaps a choice could be the answer.

/raises hand

I'm the friend _Tarkus_ mentions. I've joined and added the original image to two of my groups. I prefer the size over the style on the one at Quotes & Sayings, though that style is cool. I've yet to reinstall Paint Shop Pro on this Vista machine but I could probably come up with something sleeker.

I think the key is that the image be accessible. I do not believe it needs to be large and garish (and thereby offset any existing flow a group's overview page might already have) to be effective (I'm a little ambivalent about posting it at the top of the overview). The images remind me a bit of the old days of the Internet when I was just learning HTML and everyone and their brother made a homepage with tiled, patterned backgrounds, auto-load .wav files, and some kind of ring-or-other attached to the bottom of the page. Ah, good times. Not! ;)

Anyway, I guess if I'm added to the ring, then I haven't offended, so thanks in advance. For what it's worth, I made my avatar myself, so I'm not entirely graphically inept. I am, however, lazy as hell.

GMTA! ;)

Thanks for the clarification, soadize!

You're right, those two look like the same basic graphics, with different coloring and fonts. The latter needs to update theirs, since you're no longer using a sequential order. Though I suppose "next group" could be interpreted as "next random group".

As always, thanks for your efforts. :)

A Border Bouton on Mondiovision :

No, yours have much smoother edges. PNGs might be even better, to avoid all compression artifacts.

Apologies and well done, adnolows.

Have you tried saving the original images in PNG format, to see if it makes a difference?

Yeah, I get the JPEG compression percentage thing, but for such a small image, I'd be inclined to forgo all lossy compression, and go with PNG. But if you can't find the originals, it's a moot point.

No offense, but your new images hurt my eyes. ;)

adnolows said:
...but those I found in syntax_error's Quod Libet group will be better for your eyes.
Agreed - that looks very cool! In fact, when I get some time, I'll probably steal borrow that graphic for some of my own groups. :)

Nice job on the new icons!

I never said which were better. :)

Thank you!
Anyway, it really depends on your taste so feel really free to use and/or remix my buttons (maybe the source files will be of any use). I am still looking out for making another, I just need to get some ideas. =)