While I like the icon, might I question the appropriateness of an envelope in this context? Blue or otherwise.
I'd suggest a cardboard folder with a tab, but not an Aqua one... you could even use the blue you have.
I have actually scribbled notes in pencil on a printout of code with a folder for backing, so it would be entirely appropriate whereas I've never used a blue envelope to send the page to someone.
That icon is not the final version. I just threw in a blue gradient as a placeholder until I can put something more appropriate back there.
how can that be interpreted as an envelope? I think it is just an abstract shape and color.
Because what it is based on, TextEdit's icon, suggests it is an envelope. Canary is very common for handwritten letter envelopes. Blue lined paper, ball-point pen... handwritten note... yellow square behind it.... = envelope to me
His blue thing can only be assumed an envelope (smaller than an 8.5x11 sheet) but sure... if you can think of anything else it could be, including a random color blob, go for it.
Yeah, but you may as well make it SOMETHING. Something real and meaningful, otherwise...
A few more similar documents stacked below it tastefully skewed slightly would suffice.
I'd love to see a handful of those code printouts but stapled at the upper left and with a few folded over with the top left corner kinda curled over and under.
A few more similar documents stacked below it tastefully skewed slightly would suffice.
I'd love to see a handful of those code printouts but stapled at the upper left and with a few folded over with the top left corner kinda curled over and under.
You coders know what I'm talking about
perforated banner fed paper from the old line printers? eeek!
Oh by tilt I meant I'd make the paper not be quite so perfectly aligned with the folder. That's just because most icons for that style try to have things be casually placed "just so" as if the user left their desk for a minute. But I'd need to see it, the neat one you did might indeed be better. Depends on the context.
Visually, those icons are really, really nice. But they don't hang together or click.
Concept-wise, something is amiss.
That's a pencil, right? Is the writing on the page in pencil? If not, then it falls apart. But even if it IS in pencil, does anyone sit and write code like that in pencil?
Not to mention, on merely a practical level, how in the hell did you get those different text colors from a No. 2 pencil?
What's the icon to used for again?
Something seems forced and out of place. A little yellow pencil just seems to have no place there. If it were penciled-in, handwritten text...sure!
But I'm not a coder or HTML monkey or whatever, so I don't know. I'm looking at it just from an "idea" or concept standpoint. The artwork is great, I just think the metaphor or vehicle might be off?
Is that HTML code? Because if it IS - and you're set on trying to convey a web-building process of some sort AND using a pencil - I'd think of something in that whole process that a pencil would be used for. Perhaps some preliminary site-mapping or "tree" diagrams, doodled in pencil?
Again, not sure what the icon is for OR what the text on the page is. All I know is that multicolored ink from a single pencil scares me. And the text doesn't appear to be something anyone would handwrite anyway.
Well as a coder, I can say it's very familiar to do quick notes, edits and problem solving a page of code in pencil. Like a jillion times. Even if you own a laptop and PDA it usually comes down to scribbling a quick chunck of code on a napkin or back of a business card or 8x11 printout.
Now, more than likely yes, I would use a mechanical pencil or any old Bic pen laying around. I can't recall the last time I used an actual pencil.
It's a bit hard to represent much else that would be pertinent to coding without getting too kitschy with calculators or somesuch.
As far as branding? If it's an application icon, then maybe there needs to be more of a color scheme or logo somewhere...but that's depending on what he's doing with it...how big a deal is it.
The main problem I have with finding something other than a pencil is that Apple says you should use the tool that someone would use if they were not using a computer. Well, people don't code HTML without a computer. That would be dumb. So I figured people use pencils to write, so, it sorta-kinda works. I figured that SubEthaEdit uses a pencil too, and it doesn't create too many problems... If anyone's got any idea for a replacement metaphor, I'd love to hear them. The program is basically a project-based HTML/PHP editor.
The main problem I have with finding something other than a pencil is that Apple says you should use the tool that someone would use if they were not using a computer. Well, people don't code HTML without a computer. That would be dumb.
Back in the 90s when I was in high school, I would write out code in class by pencil.
Comments
Originally posted by johnq
While I like the icon, might I question the appropriateness of an envelope in this context? Blue or otherwise.
I'd suggest a cardboard folder with a tab, but not an Aqua one... you could even use the blue you have.
I have actually scribbled notes in pencil on a printout of code with a folder for backing, so it would be entirely appropriate
That icon is not the final version. I just threw in a blue gradient as a placeholder until I can put something more appropriate back there.
Originally posted by Nebagakid
how can that be interpreted as an envelope? I think it is just an abstract shape and color.
Because what it is based on, TextEdit's icon, suggests it is an envelope. Canary is very common for handwritten letter envelopes. Blue lined paper, ball-point pen... handwritten note... yellow square behind it.... = envelope to me
His blue thing can only be assumed an envelope (smaller than an 8.5x11 sheet) but sure... if you can think of anything else it could be, including a random color blob, go for it.
A clipboard, a file folder, etc.
But, as he said, it's not finished yet...it was just a placeholder.
Originally posted by pscates
Yeah, but you may as well make it SOMETHING. Something real and meaningful, otherwise...
A few more similar documents stacked below it tastefully skewed slightly would suffice.
I'd love to see a handful of those code printouts but stapled at the upper left and with a few folded over with the top left corner kinda curled over and under.
You coders know what I'm talking about
Originally posted by johnq
A few more similar documents stacked below it tastefully skewed slightly would suffice.
I'd love to see a handful of those code printouts but stapled at the upper left and with a few folded over with the top left corner kinda curled over and under.
You coders know what I'm talking about
perforated banner fed paper from the old line printers? eeek!
Last one is very nice too, very classy and clear.
Great job
Originally posted by johnq
First one would be my favorite if the folder had a jaunty tilt to it.
Last one is very nice too, very classy and clear.
Great job
Jaunty tilt? Explain?
I did that just now, not ideal but shows what I mean...
If I were to finish it I'd add a yellow hiliter I think.
Concept-wise, something is amiss.
That's a pencil, right? Is the writing on the page in pencil? If not, then it falls apart. But even if it IS in pencil, does anyone sit and write code like that in pencil?
Not to mention, on merely a practical level, how in the hell did you get those different text colors from a No. 2 pencil?
What's the icon to used for again?
Something seems forced and out of place. A little yellow pencil just seems to have no place there. If it were penciled-in, handwritten text...sure!
But I'm not a coder or HTML monkey or whatever, so I don't know. I'm looking at it just from an "idea" or concept standpoint. The artwork is great, I just think the metaphor or vehicle might be off?
Is that HTML code? Because if it IS - and you're set on trying to convey a web-building process of some sort AND using a pencil - I'd think of something in that whole process that a pencil would be used for. Perhaps some preliminary site-mapping or "tree" diagrams, doodled in pencil?
Again, not sure what the icon is for OR what the text on the page is. All I know is that multicolored ink from a single pencil scares me. And the text doesn't appear to be something anyone would handwrite anyway.
Now, more than likely yes, I would use a mechanical pencil or any old Bic pen laying around. I can't recall the last time I used an actual pencil.
It's a bit hard to represent much else that would be pertinent to coding without getting too kitschy with calculators or somesuch.
As far as branding? If it's an application icon, then maybe there needs to be more of a color scheme or logo somewhere...but that's depending on what he's doing with it...how big a deal is it.
"While I'm at it"...
Originally posted by hyperb0le
The main problem I have with finding something other than a pencil is that Apple says you should use the tool that someone would use if they were not using a computer. Well, people don't code HTML without a computer. That would be dumb.
Back in the 90s when I was in high school, I would write out code in class by pencil.
So, there!
Originally posted by Brad
Back in the 90s when I was in high school, I would write out code in class by pencil.
So, there!
A likely story. Was you popular with the chicks?