Forum:Halloween Logo

As you can see on the right, I've created a new wiki logo to use on the wiki around Halloween. I would like to propose that we use the logo from around October 15 to about November 2. I am not explicitly proposing any other theme changes, though if someone wants to propose them here that would be alright with me. I have used my test wiki to try out a few design ideas, but ultimately any changes to the global navigation, wiki navigation colors, Wikia modules, or buttons tends to make the rest of the wiki's theme clash. As well, I haven't been able to find a good background or header image to use in conjunction with a Halloween theme. So ultimately at this time I'm only proposing that we adopt the logo.

Thoughts? --  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 06:39, October 3, 2014 (UTC)


 * P.S. - I'm also open to any criticisms or alternative design ideas, such as a different image to use besides the pumpkin or a different color to apply to the logo. However in my own biased opinion, I think it looks good as-is (otherwise I wouldn't have uploaded it). --  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 06:41, October 3, 2014 (UTC)
 * The logo is adorable, however I'd opt to also change the background to fit the theme. Green doesn't look good with spooky and scary. That's next month! Ѧüя◎ґ (talk) 06:44, October 3, 2014 (UTC)
 * I agree. I'm just not sure what kind of background to use. I looked into the background we used for the Supernatural theme two years ago (which was, after all, vaguely Halloween-ish) but the background is designed for a non-fluid width design, so unfortunately most of the image wouldn't be visible anymore. I also considered simply taking our current background image and changing the color to something darker, but I'm not sure how I'd do that. --  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 06:51, October 3, 2014 (UTC)
 * P.S. again - This is the theme I was working on on my test wiki. As you can see, I'm missing a background and header image. If someone can think of something to use, perhaps we could implement a wider theme? --  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 06:56, October 3, 2014 (UTC)


 * I think maybe a orange background with orange Plumbobs (of different shades of orange) will do, maybe a Jack-O-Lantern here and there. While not really a background, it's hopefully a nice inspiration - . --I am  k6ka  Talk to me!   See what I have done  11:02, October 3, 2014 (UTC)


 * I'm not quite following... Can't we replace all blues to purples and greens to oranges? I don't know if the theme will clash, but I quite like the tone of purple and orange. As for the background... Can't we have the same current background but re-toned to purple? (I'm really not good at this)  Nikel   Talk  –  Vote!  07:23, October 5, 2014 (UTC)
 * One issue with changing colors has to do with how the headers are built, specifically MP header blue and MP header green. The headers themselves use an image in their design, so changing the colors of the headers would require changing the image they use. Ditto for the background (though it seems you've already done that job) and the wiki navigation header. The plus side to all this is that the headers and all that look really nice, but it takes a lot more work than simply going into the Theme Designer. That and the fact that this is relatively short notice is what prompted me to only propose the logo design, not a whole theme. More selfishly, I didn't want to get stuck holding the bag on implementing a wiki theme all by myself :p --  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 07:36, October 5, 2014 (UTC)

Alright, I've taken Nikel's background design and implemented it on my test wiki, along with the logo and the theme I was working on before. I think it all comes together pretty well, and I don't necessarily think it matters if the headers don't match. Check it out. --  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 08:42, October 5, 2014 (UTC)


 * Oh, I forgot that the headers use images. I'll try recoloring them, but don't expect a wonderful result from me. It's just the only thing I can do with image manipulation. But I have to dine out shortly, so I'll do it later this evening.  Nikel  Talk  –  Vote!  09:29, October 5, 2014 (UTC)


 * The "Search this wiki" text is a bit hard to see... --I am  k6ka  Talk to me!   See what I have done  11:19, October 5, 2014 (UTC)


 * Try these for your visual aid. Perhaps someone could make better ones.  Nikel   Talk  –  Vote!  15:17, October 5, 2014 (UTC)
 * how's that? Note that the purple used around the "Sims news" modules is too dark, but that can be easily changed. On the subject of changing, however... implementing these colors might be a daunting task. On my test wiki, all the wiki "modules" are included on the main page, so changing out colors is a relatively simple matter of find-and-replace. On TSW however, everything is divided into separate templates, so when it comes to changing colors we'd have to go to each template, find the color and change it. The obvious solution to this is to create a template, such as MP colors, set up MP colors to output a certain hex-color value depending on the input. For instance blue would output the blue color used on borders on the Main Page, and green would do the same for the green borders, etc. That way, if it comes down to changing the colors, for this theme or for another event, it's a simple matter of changing one color in one template. Unfortunately I'm busy today so I don't have time to implement this. -  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 16:51, October 5, 2014 (UTC)


 * Oh, I can see now... It seems the header isn't much of a problem now, but the border color is.  Nikel  Talk  –  Vote!  17:01, October 5, 2014 (UTC)
 * I can fix the border color when we change the theme on The Sims Wiki. I've created Theme color so the changeover will be very easy to do. At least, as far as changing the border colors on the modules on the main page. Overall, changing the theme will require changing the wordmark and background image in theme designer, changing the headers, module box colors, and wiki navigation image in Wikia.css, and the aforementioned border color through Theme color and that's all, of course, dependent on whether we want to use that theme or not. As well, my initial proposal was to use the logo from October 15 - November 2... is that a good timeframe for everyone? --  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 06:54, October 6, 2014 (UTC)

I guess it's an ideal interval. I don't know if two days after Halloween isn't too short, but I guess the festive feeling after a certain holiday fades quickly anyway. I guess the current idea for the Halloween theme is set. It's quite simplistic, but I love simplicity. Although, if anyone has any better idea in their mind, do share here!  Nikel  Talk  –  Vote!  11:37, October 6, 2014 (UTC)
 * We don't necessarily have to revert it on the 2nd of November. We can leave the theme up and decide after that when we want to take it down. I just suggested the 2nd because it has been a question in the past. And, as you said, festivity regarding a holiday tends to die down pretty quickly after the end of the holiday. --  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 01:15, October 12, 2014 (UTC)
 * Has everyone agreed on October 15th for the start date of this new theme? Ѧüя◎ґ (talk) 01:26, October 12, 2014 (UTC)


 * October 15 sounds reasonable. Better than the people that start setting up Christmas decorations in August. --I am  k6ka  Talk to me!   See what I have done  01:30, October 12, 2014 (UTC)

Conclusion
The theme has been implemented. If you see any issues, please report them on the Admin's Noticeboard. -  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 00:39, October 15, 2014 (UTC)