Can anyone find me a good graphic designer to do a bit of work on moodle.org?
I want to really spiff up the content on the front page and elsewhere...
I found a one cheap at http://guru.com
But there are some good designers in the community.
But there are some good designers in the community.
Not exactly local to you, but this chap (David Russell) has dome some fantastic work for me and others I have been associated with in the past.
http://www.hyphendesign.co.uk/
Also, we have Craig in our department who is a pretty good designer. I don't think he will mind me saying that he isn't in the same league as David above, but he'll probably be free, and he's already designed that little double arrow for moving activities !!
Hmm, what would be pretty nice would be a 'switch theme' menu on the front page, so folks checking Moodle out could see a few really nice themes & get an idea of Moodle's flexibility (I can't tell you how many times I've had to explain to folks new to Moodle that it doesn't have to be orange
).
Regarding designers, those folks at monkeypuzzle did the nicest Moodle theme I've seen.
).Regarding designers, those folks at monkeypuzzle did the nicest Moodle theme I've seen.
Good idea, I'll do something like that on the demo site.
For Moodle.org, though, I think it needs to be one consistent theme so we have a common point of reference.
For Moodle.org, though, I think it needs to be one consistent theme so we have a common point of reference.
I would be happy to help doing some graphic design works for Moodle. Please check www.ourwebclass.com/courses to see one of my customized Moodle Themes.
Please note the site is in the upgrading process in the next few days, but you still can login and work inside it.
Tell me how to get it started. FYI, actually I have sent you email to Martin regarding helping Moodle in graphic design works, but it seems he is busy to see the inbox.
Interesting theme! But those graphics are taken from http://www.foood.net/ 
Sorry, haven't seen an email recently ...
Sorry, haven't seen an email recently ...
Let me try a different tack by being specific, because I'd like to get this done soon. Perhaps you can help me find graphics.
I'm rewriting the front page there to have four short distinct paragraphs flowing down the page, and I want a nice shiny graphic for each to flow around. The idea is to make things really accessible for new people while still providing easy links for regulars.
The graphics should be styled and clean with a light shadow, something slick like this sort of thing or a bit friendlier.
Even some temporary graphics I can put in there would be welcome. I'll be working on the text tonight.
I'm rewriting the front page there to have four short distinct paragraphs flowing down the page, and I want a nice shiny graphic for each to flow around. The idea is to make things really accessible for new people while still providing easy links for regulars.
The graphics should be styled and clean with a light shadow, something slick like this sort of thing or a bit friendlier.
- The first paragraph will be for newbies, with a very brief explanation of what Moodle is and a link to an online 5-minute presentation. So we need a good icon that represents that, like a question mark with a Moodle hat on.
- The second paragraph is about the community, and will link to various important areas (especially this course). The icon needs to be a group of several people (with Moodle T-shirts on!). Clicking on that icon will bring you here too (shortcut for regulars).
- The third section is about documentation, and will point out all the major sources of information about Moodle in more depth, including developer-level information and other reference stuff. Perhaps a big reference book?
- The fourth section is about downloading stuff. Where to find the main distribution, mention CVS, blocks repository, themes repository etc. So a packing case, or perhaps one of those fake retail boxes with Moodle on the cover.
Even some temporary graphics I can put in there would be welcome. I'll be working on the text tonight.
There are some tutorials on these sites for a book (documentation) and software box:
http://www.billybear4kids.com/neobook/tutorial/EBook01.html
http://www.billybear4kids.com/neobook/tutorial/SoftwareBox01.html
I may have a go myself in fireworks if I get time but if it's any good then it would be a fluke
What information / graphics would you like on in particular?
http://www.billybear4kids.com/neobook/tutorial/EBook01.html
http://www.billybear4kids.com/neobook/tutorial/SoftwareBox01.html
I may have a go myself in fireworks if I get time but if it's any good then it would be a fluke
What information / graphics would you like on in particular?
OK, so it's a bit naff. I'll pretend it only took me 5 mins 
How about a competition for the best
How about a competition for the best
OK, still not great but less embarrassing (thanks for the links, Ray 
)
)
Very nice, Darren!
Thank you, that's very kind. I wasn't expecting them to get used though - even temporarily!!!!
Martin, here is a version without 1.5, with the new front page, a bit more orange on the spine and a flatter view. Let me know if you need anything changing.
(I'll let you resize it if you are going to use it as I can never get a sharp, small image)
Darren
Can you make it more like a box sitting on a shelf? Ferdy's perspective was good there. Just a bit fatter and more grounded. And perhaps not the site itself on the front page, again, Ferdy's basic layout was good, just the icons/colors weren't proper.
It feels nice being the one making demands for a change.
It feels nice being the one making demands for a change.
Here is a crack at the question mark idea.
I'll make changes and/or send the psd. I take a crack at the others also.
Jeff
I'll make changes and/or send the psd. I take a crack at the others also.
Jeff
I liked Eloy's ideas... they seemed to have vanished... but here is a take on his big M and download graphic.
Jeff
Jeff
I like this one. Makes it obvious that it's an action icon.
Mark
Mark
Hi,
some simply ideas (my artistic capabilities are really limited!) but I love to draw silly animated graphics sometimes...
Ciao
Edited: Ops. Deleted by error....Just re-posting them...
some simply ideas (my artistic capabilities are really limited!) but I love to draw silly animated graphics sometimes...
 |  |  |
Ciao
Edited: Ops. Deleted by error....Just re-posting them...
Slow them down! 1/4 speed is pleasant. Cute!
Just a comment on the wording on the moodle.org front page:
Moodle has a large and diverse user community with over 40,000 users
This is ambiguous and might lead a casual reader to conclude that this is an estimate of total Moodle usage worldwide. I would suggest something like
Moodle has a large and diverse user community with over 40,000 users registered on this site alone.
Moodle has a large and diverse user community with over 40,000 users
This is ambiguous and might lead a casual reader to conclude that this is an estimate of total Moodle usage worldwide. I would suggest something like
Moodle has a large and diverse user community with over 40,000 users registered on this site alone.
In fact the total number of users would probably be pushing a million, I guess (counting all the students and teachers ...)
By the way, I have heard that if each person on the Earth logged into moodle.org ten seconds apart, the logging in would never end.
(at present birth rates)
(at present birth rates)
That assumes only 25 students per participant, so it could be a lot higher. It might be an interesting topic for a poll. How many students attend your moodle (possibly divided by the number of people who attend these forums from your moodle, but lets leave that out).
Timothy
This statistic is one of the new ones in Moodle registration for 1.5. eg moodle.org
Courses: 36
Users: 48542
Enrolments: 13718
Teachers: 77
Posts: 102384
Questions: 1499
Resources: 368
So when you all upgrade please re-register and help us build up a big picture of how Moodle is being used.
Courses: 36
Users: 48542
Enrolments: 13718
Teachers: 77
Posts: 102384
Questions: 1499
Resources: 368
So when you all upgrade please re-register and help us build up a big picture of how Moodle is being used.
Yes some icons at OurWebClass.com are from foood.net.
As noted by Martin we need to have customized graphic, I made below pic for 'download' section. It's still draft and need more photoshop touch. Tell me your idea ?
Yes, a box would be good, but it should use standard Moodle logos (JPEG version here), match this web site, and not have "1.5" on it (otherwise it will date quickly). And some shadows would be nice.
As you can see I'm experimenting with some images on the front page, but I'll happily switch to better ones as they arrive (any animations need to be very subtle, I think ;) )
As you can see I'm experimenting with some images on the front page, but I'll happily switch to better ones as they arrive (any animations need to be very subtle, I think ;) )
very subtle. I get so nervous from sites with animations. Especialy when there is text to read, it can be unpleasant.
I just browsing to livejournal.com, a blogging website, there is live stats in the frontpage. As Martin make some changes at frontpage, I have an idea to put 'stats' section. The content may be:
Live stats
Registered Moodle Sites
Universities : xx,xxx sites
Schools : xx,xxx sites
Companies : xx,xxx sites
Others : xx,xxx sites
Moodle 1.5
Courses : 36
Users : 48,582
Enrolments : 13,718
Teachers : 77
Posts : 102,384
Questions : 1,499
Resources : 368
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Thanks Timothy . Revised download icon uploaded below as Martin's wishes Other icon please wait....
I hope you don't mind this icon being used elsewhere. I have placed it on our front page at www.webschool.org.uk ... with a direct link to www.moodle.org , of corse!
Very cool Ferdy. You seem to be a pro.
Timothy
And I also just finishes "We are Moodlers" icon. Any suggestion and comments is welcome?
This stuff all looks great, congratulations.
The moodlers look funny and serious,
and serious, moodling is fun.
Yes, too serious ... they look like robots...
How about the other Icons? Any futher changes? I tried to send MSN message to Martin many times but failed
I don't know what happen..... always busy may be
Ferdy,
Great job - I really like this picture. It would be nice to put on buttons.
Ulrike