My god, I retract my previous statement in this thread. This is why I love the codex. Just when I think the forum has reached critical mass (read tsf-invasion) a thread like this show up and defuses the situation.
I think AoD will benefit immensely from this thread and the fruits it will bear. While the original interface was functional and all that (I would have bought the game, no matter how shitty the interface would have been), I think a lot of the "OMG shitty grafix"-comments often is based on, or subconsciously originates from the interface. The graphics of the game it self is quite good now, and isn't far behind mount & blade a few versions back. I really think that a new interface will make a lot of those "OMG shitty grafix"-guys to reconsider. It will make an impact.
Ok. Let's get more on topic.
Elhoim, this has bugged me from the very start of your "pillar-design". And it even has been addressed before me:
I am no artist, but if you can't see how those lines is a problem, you either need to get a not fucked up monitor, or there is a serious problem with your artistic finesse. Your persistence and enthusiasm is great, but listen to critique that matters. Its small stuff like this that brings it to another level. For instance the subtle change of colour in your select-buttons in the most recent crafting-screen, contra the one I edited above is such a thing. I love your latest one btw! The new font and the new background does all the difference in the world. Your concept for crafting is the best one yet (now just get the melted iron back in the item slots, ffs! :D)
Marsal, I'm not sure if you're still in the game, but you have a great style, only it is painfully obvious that it is a bunch of images mashed together (although in a great way :D). Your interfaces look, I don't know how to put it, very 2d or something. Flat perhaps. You should play some more with shadows and depth, and not to forget, filters. Make the images look less like images.
Though from some of your posts, it seems like you are kinda new to Photoshop and the like, so you're perhaps not up to it. Good job nevertheless, even better if you are a newb. I know I couldn't have done it.
Android for president! You really seem like you know what you're doing and you are the one with the most consistent designs. You are definitely the most obvious candidate at this point. Since you're working in 3d it probably takes a bit longer to get each draft done, and I'm waiting eagerly for a dialogue screen. I'd really like to see the crafting screen with those statues (judging from flashbacks comments, I probably will), however a 3d-version of Elhoims concept could be even better! And I love the way your crafting-screen is a natural extension of the interface.
Android for president! You really seem like you know what you're doing and you are the one with the most consistent designs. You seem like the most obvious candidate at this point. Since you're working in 3d it probably takes a bit longer to get each draft done, and I'm waiting eagerly for a dialogue screen. I'd really like to see the crafting screen with those statues (judging from flashbacks comments, I probably will), however a 3d-version of Elhoims concept could be even better! And I love the way your crafting-screen is a natural extension of the interface.
But a couple of things regarding the interface: In your current design it would be alot better if the item slots were on the top, and you should consider loosing or reducing the size of the border between the interface and the game screen. Functionality over looks, and of course both in one is even better. Both of these issues have been mentioned before, but I'm just bringing it up again so they don’t get lost in the crowd. I'm also not a big fan of those bright colours you use, if it has to be a colour, I think it would be better with a more gritty and subtle one. It's too in-your-face, and not so post-apocalyptic as it is now. And, as someone suggested, perhaps try to loose those branches, It very well might work without them.
And on another account, what happened to the minimalist designs? There is a lot of concepts early in this thread that should be looked into by you. You even had one minimalist design your self if I recall correctly. Of course minimalism vs. functionality has to be carefully considered, but I guess there is no need to even mention that. VD gave rather free restrains, so knock yourself out! The current design is very true to the original design, only with the icons at the bottom (which is a bad thing, I really can't stress this enough).
All you people in this thread who have contributed with concepts more than real candidates, keep 'em coming. There is no shame in developing someone else’s concept (Android, hint hint), if its a good one.
And lastly, Mantra_n you need to get your ass back in this thread. Even if your interface was a blatant rip-off from something else, you should still participate. You have a good eye, or even (apparently) some of that previously mentioned "artistic finesse".
Edit: Damn this thread moves fast (or really, I write fucking slow)! This post was started after Elhoims latest pic-post...
A few coments on the posts I missed: Try lava like sae said, and regarding character screen; if you're doing the Vitruvian man, as per Astromarines suggestion, it should be your own take on it, not the original painting.
