http://www.eyedolize.com/forum

I posted this at vBulletin.org yesterday, and thought it would be a good idea to post it at this fine site as well. As I said at vB.org, I'm rather burnt out on working on it for now, and was getting to where I could tell if it was worth a crap. The little feedback I've gotten on it so far has been positive, though, so hopefully I didn't completely waste my time. lol

I don't think this style was a waste of your time though comparing this style with the two other styles I've seen from yours and I have to say this doesn't look or feel as good.

For me, I think you've set yourself a standard with the two other styles (spacebiffs and the age of) style and anything short of those two masterpieces will be hard to follow. That's not to mean someone else won't find it beneficial to their needs so it makes this style worthwhile but judging on an overall basis and taking your talents into account for me this style falls way short in what I expected from you. I knkow you an do way better than this and look forward to seeing how you progress with your next style.

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I value your feedback as always, Shelley.

May I ask specifically what you don't like about it? Objectively, I can look at it and realize that it certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea, which is my concern mentioned earlier in another thread.

So far as template modifications go, there are, indeed, a lot fewer in this one compared to SpaceBuffs and the now defunct AgeofAntiquity; this was actually a direct response on my part to all the recent vB updates which required heaps o' template reverts. I wanted to create a skin that was fairly maintenance free.

The color scheme was actually inspired by blacklight stuff. I tried to give it that funky blacklight glow look...too funky, perhaps? lol

All the little tentacle/tube things were originally going to be old Victorian style swoops and curls, but I decided to go with something more...well, funky (my word-of-the-day, it seems). The whole theme was originally to be Victorian in look and feel. You can actually see the original concept in the cat backgrounds, which I decided to leave as is.

I also flirted with doing a steampunk-based theme, but decided against it for the main site theme. I still like the idea of creating one (I love steampunk art), and may make one to offer up for sale.

Anyhoo, I'm still trying to get my "fresh eyes" back before doing anymore tweaking to the theme. I spent so long drawing all those damn tentacles and eyeballs that my own eyeballs are worn out. :p

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It's not that I don't like it, well, I think it's more of the colour theme and the purples and teal colouring which I don't feel look too good together. I'm not a big fan of saturated purples and teal I feel on certain areas don't look as prominent as they should be.

Another area I felt could have been visually more pleasing and colour usage a little more fluent is the thead area. Otherwise fine but sitting next to the tcat it looks out of place. The swirly purple pattern (catbg.jpg) on the teal look background doesn't really fit well and the saturated purple looks a little buried on the teal background.

Don't get me wrong, It's not a bad style (which you already know) you don't need me to tell you that but you seriously set a standard (my opinion) with the other two styles and I feel this doesn't live up to them on a visual aspect. I think it's more the colours than anything, I'm betting this style would look nice with rich reds, yellows and touches of grey.

In anycase, If you feel burnt out (working with this style) chances are you are and you probably know yourself you could have done better. I've always liked your work regardless and I don't see that changing and can only look forward to seeing and commenting on your other styles which I sure will be a big hit with your members.

Thanks for the feedback, Shelley! Yeah, it wasn't ringing my bell. Upon reflection, the colors were too...well...almost monochromatic. They're definitely different now. It's the most high-contrast skin I've done so far, though I may have went too far in the other direction.

This is look far better with regards to colour usage, I still think there is room for improvement but rather than experiment with the colours I would walk away from tweaking the style for atleast a couple of days just so you can come back to it with new fresh ideas.

I did spot something that I failed to mention before and it's to do with the gradients you have running along the top (not the very top). Anyway, I would remove the gradient which is highlighted in the screenshot (bottom). I dunno, somehow it just doesn't fit and looks untidy.

That said, The newer colours are nice. I like the improvement which I think surpasses your first attempt.

i must say very nice skin. its hard to see auctual gfx forums who have taken the time to auctually design there own skins.. there usually all noobs who disgust me.. which i value lots when it comes to your layout and the work you put in it..

however.. i have to say i hate those hover buttons on the top there soo ugly green gross and the highlight like dissapears when i put mouse over em. i personally dont like the colors but thats just me the colors go together quite nicely. so overall nice job!