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)


 * Hello editors! LostInRiverview asked me to drop by here to say hi, so I am. :) It's always a good idea to get the community involved in any redesign, so I commend LiR for doing so. Take as much as you need to discuss ideas for a new skin background and WikiHeader background. When you've reached an agreement, I'll be happy to help implement the new design. JoePlay http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/joeplayground/images/a/a5/WikiaStaff2.png (talk)  22:02, June 26, 2014 (UTC)
 * Hello JoePlay. Now that we have the wiki colors and the wiki logo sorted out, we have to figure out the background and the wikiheader. The wikiheader I can sort-of get an idea of; should we use the Sims from the boxart, like we did with The Sims 3? --k6ka (talk &#124; contribs) 13:08, June 28, 2014 (UTC)
 * We could branch off from one of these images (Courtesy of Wallpaper Wonder): 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 Ѧüя◎ґ (talk) 13:21, June 28, 2014 (UTC)
 * Those are nice looking backgrounds... however, those particular ones won't work in our case since most of it would be blocked by the content space. We have transparency on our articles, but it would either be set so low that you wouldn't be able to see the picture, or so high that it would be difficult to read the words against the background. Ultimately, a simple background or one that can be divided onto either side of the content space is better. On top of this, we have to consider what the background looks like at different screen resolutions. I think those are good looking designs, but we'll have to tweak them to make them work right.
 * On the subject of WikiHeader backgrounds... I personally like the background in the first image Auror linked, the blue hexagons. As I recall, we had blue hexagons as part of the wiki background with either the Island Paradise or Into the Future temporary themes. Otherwise, we could use the green plumbbob design that I've seen on other Sims Wikis (like the French Les Sims Wiki), though perhaps made such that the green plumbbobs are more readily visible. --  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 09:02, July 8, 2014 (UTC)
 * I'd be very interested in knowing if we can implement the hexagonal feature for the new theme. Ѧüя◎ґ (talk) 00:02, August 4, 2014 (UTC)

Alright, aside from Auror's comment there hasn't been any activity in this thread in a month. Due to a lack of other ideas, I'd like to suggest that we borrow the header image design from Les Sims Wiki, if for no other reason than it seems to be what the other wikis are doing, and we're a bit short on time. As for the main wiki background, I would suggest that we pick a simple image or pattern, not a picture. The background shouldn't be so obtrusive that it draws away from the article. And if we have transparency set on the articles, we need to make sure it's not too transparent or that the background behind the content space isn't too distracting. If anything, maybe JoePlay can come up with some new design following those guidelines? -  LostInRiverview talk ~ blog 11:58, August 6, 2014 (UTC)
 * I like the idea of using the hexagon background in this picture as the background. Of course, I'm not suggesting to use that exact image, but only the background. As for the header, maybe we can use some of the Sims lined up together like in this picture. Icemandeaf (talk) 14:30, August 6, 2014 (UTC)
 * Right now, we are very close to the release date (with only five days left until the release of The Sims 4) and this thread hasn't gotten anywhere at all in the past few weeks, I'd like to have my own input into this discussion.


 * We could use the second background Auror suggested, as it's fairly simplistic enough for wiki use, and doesn't really detract much aside from the Sims in the middle and the logo at the top. I think we could remove the logo at the top, but I honestly don't think we can unless the creator allows it or if the wallpaper is released under the CC-BY-SA 3.0 license or similar.  EpicJoyBoy   (My talk page!)  18:46, August 27, 2014 (UTC)