http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/item/384/
heading: Get your artwork on 10 million desktops

Ubuntu, the world's most popular Linux distribution, needs a new theme. The winner will appear in the default desktop of Ubuntu 8.10.

We're looking for original wallpapers, that match Ubuntu's color palette. You entry should also include a suggested combination of application, icon, and window themes. These can be existing themes, or your own original works - you only need to submit a wallpaper to win.

Work must be CC licensed, and be openable in either Inkscape or Gimp (rest of criteria continues)

Submit your works to DeviantArt and include the words [Ubuntu810].


Good luck!

[4015 votes] Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #384


]]> en-us Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:19:30 +0000 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:39:10 +0000 QAPoll module http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/384/
Aesthetics really matter too. Where grace comes from is making things look good while keeping them as simple as possible.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:23:44 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:27:18 +0000
So yes, I fully agree that aesthetics are important. Switching themes in Linux is plenty easier than Windows, and they look better to boot

-hfb]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:34:47 +0000 with talent to make the best profs feeling ashamed...
and knowing that their work is going to be used in a popular distro
like ubuntu is a strong motivation to do their best]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:49:51 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:42:24 +0000
Ie, preserving the uniqueness of Ubuntu, and the 'human' concept, but with a different color scheme?]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:33:43 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:54:42 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:34:17 +0000 i'd love to contribute this way.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:44:03 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:29:31 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:44:27 +0000 RE: FastZ
>
>This is a great idea! The default wallpapers for Ubuntu have >all sucked, my personal opinion of course.


I like the Hardy Heron theme that I have on my Alpha4 laptop atm.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:23:14 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:08:57 +0000
The challenge is that this is a part of Ubuntu's identity. On the other side, this identity dissapears as most users changes the appearance as a part of the post-installation setup. No point in a strong identity that dissapears?]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:38:08 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:23:51 +0000
:D :D ]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:10:25 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:06:42 +0000
Though, I think this idea is a good one. However, some shade of dark orange/brown is still nice. The thing that always bugged me is that the panels weren't themed at all. A nice looking background-image for the panels would do fine for me.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:40:55 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:21:22 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:36:11 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:45:59 +0000 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 09:12:19 +0000 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:40:01 +0000 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 14:00:40 +0000 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 15:12:49 +0000 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:04:25 +0000 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 01:07:18 +0000
I wouldn't mind some ideas coming from there, but I think we should broaden the spectrum a bit.]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:08:40 +0000 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 05:15:09 +0000 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 11:25:36 +0000 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:09:04 +0000 deviant art guys rocks. they improve the ubuntu look and feel in great way]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:37:43 +0000
Latest wallpaper for Ubuntu(in Hardy), is very nice and imho., very unique. The first Ubuntu wallpaper that I truly like.


When it comes to the suggestion above I believe they have already done it, look here; https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork?action=show&redirect=ArtworkTeam They could stress it more with making a competition, so I vote it up.
]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2008 14:30:14 +0000 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 19:14:46 +0000
Seriously, they might be able to give some decent advice.]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:37:18 +0000
I vote for theming, but for better results:
Allow the artist to do their job with any tool they see fit asl long as they provide PNGs, SVG.

(Yes, inkscape is great. No, gimp sucks. Stop the discussion, let the artist be free to choose.)]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:55:32 +0000
And my instinctive reaction to seeing this post. Tears of joy that I may be spared the orange and brown stuff...Pretty harsh colour scheme to assault a newbie with...makes me shudder to think about it...]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:47:04 +0000
2) I think this is a great idea. If someone from Cannonical will publish this in the "graphics community" or university networks, there could be tenthousand entries!

3) Hop! NOW!]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:19:42 +0000
Actually, I really like the default theme and wallpaper in Ubuntu - sure it could use an update, but it doesn't deserve the harsh comments it so often receives.

About the colorscheme/designs, it is my opinion that the artists should have absolutely free hands to submit whatever they like. Who knows what brilliant and unique artwork looks like.
]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:38:05 +0000 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:10:04 +0000
1. If successful, it will tap into a creative pool much larger and diverse than what we have now.
2. The winner will be chosen by Shuttleworth and Canonical, so there is no real risk involved in having 'outsiders' contribute.
3. I'm not sure exactly how DeviantArt will be engaged in this challenge, perhaps an announcement on their forums?
4. Will the artists be asked to create actual functioning themes, or only mock-ups of themes?
5. Some grand-price or recognition for the winning artist may be in order to further spark interest.
6. Limiting the artists to open source software is just crazyness. The result must be the deciding factor, not the means.
7. Don't be too strict when it comes to color schemes and such. Give the artists more freedom and they just might surprise you.]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:40:58 +0000 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:23:38 +0000
DeviantArt and Mark Shuttleworth's PA have been contacted, and if they approve, we'll send DeviantArt copy, get some artwork arranged for the competition, and approach Dell for hardware prizes. ]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:15:01 +0000
"3. I'm not sure exactly how DeviantArt will be engaged in this challenge, perhaps an announcement on their forums?"

The intention is that the competition be announced on the front page of their site, and promoted via social media. Artists will be asked to either submit works (combinations of wallpaper, application theme, and/or icons) with the string 'ubuntu810' in them, or we'll make a special DA category for entrants.

"4. Will the artists be asked to create actual functioning themes, or only mock-ups of themes?"

Only working themes will be eligible to win. While mock-ups of application themes may be added to the category, they must be turned into GTK engines by a particular cut off date in order to remain eligible to win.

"5. Some grand-price or recognition for the winning artist may be in order to further spark interest."

Yes. The intention is to provide credit in the theme name 'Foo Bar by Joe Blogs', as well as prizes.

"6. Limiting the artists to open source software is just crazyness. The result must be the deciding factor, not the means."

As discussed in the blueprint, we're not limiting to Open Source software, just files editable by Open Source software - PS is fine, just no layer effects.

"7. Don't be too strict when it comes to color schemes and such. Give the artists more freedom and they just might surprise you. "

Agreed. We've preferred to emphasize that themes be distinct rather than keeping with brown/orange/burnt orange/beige of previous ubuntu releases.
]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:21:33 +0000 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:02:58 +0000 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:46:08 +0000 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 01:30:46 +0000 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:13:43 +0000
Jam :)]]> Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:12:59 +0000 I am curiously to the results. ]]> Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:39:56 +0000
Awesome.]]> Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:56:59 +0000
Kenneth Wimer from Canonical proposed limiting the contest to wallpapers, to be simple enough to test
the idea without going all out the first time around.

In order to create a cohesive look and feel, entrants would e required to submit a screenshot of their wallpaper along with their suggested combination of icon, application and window themes. ]]> Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:22:21 +0000 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:52:11 +0000 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:27:46 +0000 http://bradwjensen.deviantart.com/art/Ubuntu-Panel-Replacer-Mockup-70127150]]> Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:49:05 +0000 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:52:25 +0000 Hope this will happen!]]> Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:02:44 +0000 Grab yours here:

http://linuxondesktop.blogspot.com/2008/03/giving-your-ubuntu-gusty-gibbon-cool.html]]> Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:36:48 +0000 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 21:58:38 +0000 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 06:36:53 +0000 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:44:37 +0000
So we're not talking about a complete theme, just a useless wallpaper.]]> Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:49:43 +0000
Good wallpapers are already available on the web and on deviant art.

A "personalized" wallpaper is in no way a challenging scope.

This idea has got this popularity because we're talking about redesigning the *whole look* of the system (Colors, Bars, Icons, Menus etc. etc. well integrated).

A challenge for all the talents on that community, to design a next-generation desktop theme that will show on every PC running a so popular distribution.

Design a *wallpaper* is in no way appealing.

Nobody is interested in designing a *personalized wallpaper*, nobody is interested in having a better *default wallpaper*.

Please retarget the scope of the competition to the whole theme!

p.s.: anyway wallpaper is the first thing that gets changed by *a lot* of people..]]> Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:42:05 +0000 In my honest opinion it's not true that if we do this a lot of people will get off, we simply could ask for a picture of how it will look and then let the winner collaborate with someone who know how to implements it's picture.]]> Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:10:36 +0000 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:53:20 +0000
http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/4104/
]]> Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:24:03 +0000 ___________________________________________
***PEOPLE CAN SUBMIT ENTIRE THEMES.***
***HOWEVER PRIZES ARE FOR WALLPAPER ONLY.***
___________________________________________

The competition (ie, what people win prizes for) is limited to original, author-submitted wallpapers.

However the entry must be accompanies by a screenshot showing a suggested complementary application, window, and icon themes.

- This allows artists who are not GTK developers (or even Linux users - for example, much of DeviantArt) to participate.

- Wallpaper artists who can program GTK themes may include their own new application, window, and icon themes.

]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2008 01:01:53 +0000 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:44:50 +0000 http://browse.deviantart.com/projects/contests/2006/freespire/?order=9&alltime=yes]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:00:33 +0000 http://dev.archlinux.org/~travis/logo-contest/thayer/1-archer.png]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:22:44 +0000
Entrants who wish to use new GTK themes should have code ready by the time the contest is judged.]]> Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:10:46 +0000
Everyone: things are going ahead nicely - check the blueprint for updates.
]]> Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:33:47 +0000
+1]]> Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:50:38 +0000 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:25:53 +0000 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 23:36:47 +0000 Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:22:53 +0000 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:22:30 +0000 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:47:59 +0000
bye]]> Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:14:27 +0000 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 13:49:53 +0000
The "Solution": Pour even more effort into making a design that is so cool that it makes people overlook the fundamental color scheme.

Can you say Wookie defense?

SLES10 looks pretty nice (and the system menus are actually fast, BTW), but I think that the best option is draw inspiration from SLES, OpenSUSE, RHEL, Fedora, Mandrivia, OS-X, Vista, AmigaOS, BeOS. Then create a nice scheme in blue/gray and in brown/orange.]]> Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:07:45 +0000
You may say "But yeah, you can customize it later!", but most people don't know or are too bored to do that.]]> Tue, 25 Mar 2008 22:48:15 +0000 Sat, 29 Mar 2008 09:47:03 +0000
2. Brown and Orange is not a good color pallete. Try Blue and Green.

3. Voted +1]]> Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:34:03 +0000 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 03:25:18 +0000 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:21:38 +0000 Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:05:15 +0000 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:24:07 +0000 I want to try participate too, but...

Where is this Ubuntu 8.10 Contest Area
I just can't find it!
Can somebody give me a hint please!]]> Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:22:45 +0000 Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:35:08 +0000
There are plenty of good wallpapers, why do we need more?!

However, more quality themes that would ship with the OS are desperately needed (currently Human and Clearlooks are pretty much the only two worth mentioning). Also themes should NOT be restricted to the current Ubuntu palette. I'd like some choice, and I am sure I'm not the only one.]]> Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:33:43 +0000
I dont see why it should be limited to just a wallpaper using the same color pallet, Ubuntu really needs a new set of attractive icons ad window themes.

While the wallpaper may have ubuntu's brownish color pallet, the icon set doesnt necessarily have to,the current default color pallet is just too 'Orange'.

Cant wait to see 8.10. ]]> Sat, 03 May 2008 15:33:11 +0000 Sat, 10 May 2008 04:37:31 +0000 Tue, 13 May 2008 04:59:58 +0000 Thu, 22 May 2008 18:07:21 +0000 we should announce the event also at http://gnome-look.org/

cheers
Martin]]> Tue, 27 May 2008 11:32:54 +0000
Idea and blueprint has got no updates since this has been marked as "in development" :D (18 Mar)]]> Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:01:17 +0000
Judge wallpaper+mockup, then put the artist in contact with someone who can make their theme a reality. This could turn ubuntu into the sickest looking distro available - don't wate the opportunity by limiting it just to a wallpaper, please!

Oh, and Lyrae on Gnome-look is doing some sick work. May I recommend his Reuben theme?]]> Sun, 15 Jun 2008 17:10:11 +0000 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:01:26 +0000 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:34:36 +0000 I really really hope this idea goes through, it would REALLY be awesome.]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:35:44 +0000 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:37:36 +0000 .. Is there any news on this contest? ]]> Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:28:37 +0000 Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:16:59 +0000 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:49:55 +0000 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:14:01 +0000 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:58:44 +0000 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:06:45 +0000 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:37:44 +0000 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:53:05 +0000 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:01:11 +0000 Sure go ahead and add that extra feature that no one care about while real ideas are ignored.


EPIC FAIL, DEV TEAM, THIS IS NOT AN IDEA THAT SHOULD BE BRUSHED ASIDE.

]]> Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:22:21 +0000
However, I do not think that a simple wallpaper or a slightly modified clearlooks theme will address this issue. Changes need to be made at the core: GTK needs to be extended to provide animation and hardware acceleration---Clutter is a promising project towards that goal.

Animations need to be smooth throughout the system: from the boot sequence to the desktop, from application launching, minimizing, to within application operations, and from the desktop back to hibernation, suspension and shutdown.]]> Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:04:52 +0000
However, I do not think that a simple wallpaper or a slightly modified clearlooks theme will address this issue. Changes need to be made at the core: GTK needs to be extended to provide animation and hardware acceleration---Clutter is a promising project towards that goal.

Animations need to be smooth throughout the system: from the boot sequence to the desktop, from application launching, minimizing, to within application operations, and from the desktop back to hibernation, suspension and shutdown.]]> Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:04:55 +0000 Sat, 02 Aug 2008 21:00:35 +0000 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 05:47:26 +0000 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:00:30 +0000 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:40:57 +0000
Heh, no that's not happening - that and Ubuntu has a ton of derivatives as it is. Use Linux Mint or whatever if you'd like the default theme to be made by devianArt :)]]> Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:21:45 +0000 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:24:47 +0000 what i don't understand is why is it (if it is) a problem for deviant art??
ubuntu is like a white canvass, it's open source first of all, second almost any aspect of it can be modified in terms of visual appearance. The possibilities are countless for this os.... so....]]> Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:23:49 +0000 Can we help in any way -painting pictures :P- ?]]> Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:26:40 +0000 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:37:29 +0000 Linux already has the kick-ass software, it now needs to be sexy.]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:00:20 +0000 https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/DustTheme?action=AttachFile&do=view&target=ibextest.png]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:47:05 +0000 http://willwill100.deviantart.com/gallery/
]]> Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:13:00 +0000 This idea is not in "Ideas being worked upon" anymore!?]]> Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:39:01 +0000
The developer comment though is quite vague and the whiteboard doesnt seem to give any information on what happened to put a halt to this.

I think that the frustration evident in some of the more recent comments by those who believe this to be a great idea might be calmed by a bit more feedback.

Perhaps what stopped the idea from going ahead could be addressed by some people here so that in the future this could be put back "in development".]]> Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:43:17 +0000 >> "In any case we cannot promise to include anything as default without having already seen it."

Democracy is scary isn't it!

Seriously though, there are so many positive comments. I'd let the Ubuntu community vote on the top 64 chosen via DeviantArt and then have the final prize list of top 8 chosen by the Ubuntu core team / artwork team. Often a crowd choice seems to be a bit limited and safe whilst professional artists/marketeers can choose something to stand out but remain distinctive and indicative of the Ubuntu brand.

Are the devs scared that all Ubuntu users put together will make a bad choice?

I suspect the reason this is not happening is that DA is a commercial operation (with free and premium membership, like flickr) that could benefit a lot from the project and Canonical want paying. Possibly DA see it as a resource eater and want paying too. Something along those lines.]]> Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:19:57 +0000 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 02:09:36 +0000 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:54:43 +0000 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:53:36 +0000 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 07:41:40 +0000