Forum:Wiki theme redesign

I'm starting a new thread to discuss this idea, even though we have a thread (Forum:Changing the header image) discussing part of what I'm proposing. Ultimately what I'm suggesting goes beyond the scope of that thread.

I would like for us to get in contact with the Wikia Community Development Team. Specifically, we can request a redesigned background and header image for the wiki, preferably themed around The Sims 4. We could also consider a more broad theme update, including changes to the Main Page, portal pages, and maybe even our infobox template designs. Our wiki worked with the team the last time we did a major redesign, and the end result was a major improvement over what came before it, and it was achieved without a lot of headaches on our end.

We're still a couple months away from the release of The Sims 4. This gives us ample time to make the request, work closely with a member of the team to come up with a design that works for us, and implement it. What do you all think? --  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 19:17, June 4, 2014 (UTC)

Should we request a redesign?
Support. I think EA has released enough Sims 4 screenshots, images, and previews for us to properly design our wiki to fit in with the... Sims 4 theme. Seeing our previous success, it seems to come without question that we should do it again. If I'm not reciting a curse for the wiki, then I'd gladly support. --k6ka (talk &#124; contribs) 19:25, June 4, 2014 (UTC)

Neutral I'd prefer we create our own design. We can always start a wiki design contest and allowing the users to vote. I'm fine if we end up letting the Wikia Content Team design yet again, but I think we're better off being a bit more original when it comes to the design department. EpicJoyBoy  (My talk page!)  07:27, June 5, 2014 (UTC)

Personally I don't think we need any more further changes. I like the wiki's design how it is.  C.Syde  ( talk &#124;  contribs ) 09:16, June 5, 2014 (UTC)

In response to EpicJoyBoy... I would agree with you on the idea of holding a contest or otherwise making it a community activity, except that we've tried to do this on several occasions and it almost always fails, because of either lack of interest, lack of artistic ability, or lack of initiative. We've had the New Header discussion open since the end of January and we haven't had a single design submitted so far. This is sadly not unusual.

The Community Development Team's purpose is to go into wikis and help out. Creating new themes and improving the appearance of the wiki is one of their actual jobs, so if we ask for help and they agree, we're guaranteed to get something out of it, versus a contest or discussion thread, which may not ever result in anything. Furthermore, we've worked with members of that Team before and they are very helpful and cooperative; they seek out community input in what they do and design, and they won't act unless we approve of the changes they propose. Bringing them in to help out is a lot like hiring someone to redecorate your house - they're experts at what they do and their job is to implement the wishes of the "owner". --  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 01:30, June 9, 2014 (UTC)

Support - I'll be honest, I brought up this theme discussion (starting with the logo) early so that we'd have enough time to get a full TS4-inspired theme implemented incrementally. I had also hoped that others would get involved so that the same three or four individuals wouldn't be doing everything ourselves. Obviously my plan failed though it's nobody's fault in particular. Asking the Community Development Team would be a good idea. It worked well before and I can't see why it wouldn't work well again. 18:36, June 18, 2014 (UTC)

Support - The development team did a good job the last time they implemented a new design. I'm excited to see what they have planned. Ѧüя◎ґ (talk) 19:13, June 18, 2014 (UTC)


 * The request is in. -  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 05:39, June 25, 2014 (UTC)

What needs to be changed?
In the interests of keeping this discussion organized, I've decided to break this page up into sections. This is specifically because there are two questions that need answering. First, do we want to request Community Development Team assistance; that discussion is taking place in the section above this one. Second, if we do indeed want help, what do we want to change? I think it would be best for us all to talk about what we want to see out of this project, if it is carried out. Please respond below with what you think should be changed, and/or what you think should be left alone. --  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 22:52, June 4, 2014 (UTC)


 * The only thing that comes to mind is... to make this wiki a bit "The Sims 4" themed. The wiki logo already has that treatment. The background for the navigation bar is still Sims 3 designed, so we could replace it with Sims 4 characters. Still haven't thought of the background though... --k6ka (talk &#124; contribs) 13:28, June 7, 2014 (UTC)


 * The wikiheader and the wikibackground should definitely be changed. Other than that, the wiki is fine as is. Ѧüя◎ґ (talk) 19:13, June 18, 2014 (UTC)

New theme discussion
Our redesign request was approved, and we have JoePlay helping us out. So, we need some specific ideas for what kind of design we want. I can't remember exactly how this process went the last time we did a redesign, but I think a good place to start would be to get some ideas for what kind of designs we want. --  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 17:48, June 26, 2014 (UTC)