(2016-11-15, 22:28)widardd Wrote: Wow, this took off, calm down everybody!
Since I saw some devs in here, has there been a public discussion within the team about the design choices when developing Estuary I could have a look at?
Or maybe just something like design goals you agreed upon?
I would like to understand.
I can try to explain, but I am far from sure if explaining will help in this case.
For more "conservative" designs there are basically two choices:
- A framed look (this is what we have now) which uses a dedicated space for content. (Eminence is a good example for this approach, too)
- Makin things frameless ("overflow"), (Aeon Nox is a fine example for this approach in most areas)
Both layouts are totally valid, some like 1) more, some prefer 2). Me, as main author of this skin, likes both, and for this first iteration for a new default skin I chose option 1). You seem to be bound to option 2) (which is a pity), so estuary is no good fit for you. But, tell you what, kodi supports skins! This totally new invention allows users to pick what they like best depending on their highly subjective design preferences.
No, we didnt discuss design choices in public, totally by purpose. There is an unbelievable amount of noise when it comes to design since every person on earth seems to think that they are good UX/UI designers (like shown in this thread). After all, it´s easy to have an opinion on this topic.
Since you asked for it, here is a small excerpt of the list of requirements which played a role when developing:
Technicals:
- Do not rely on python scripts
- Use kodi theme system properly
- Use kodi color system properly
- good performance
- display library content on main menu
- skin code which is easy to maintain, easy to mod.
- 21:9 support (WIP)
general look:
- Easy to use on first use: Users should be guided to setting up libraries properly etc
- Always move visual focus into the direction the user presses, no press-left-to-focus-buttons-at-bottom anymore
- For font sizes / spacing etc: be in line with the major UX guidelines out there (Amazon, Google, Apple), but dont try to look like a clone.
- dont clutter the screen with needless information
- consistent animations
- use kodi colors for the default color theme
- symmetry
misc:
- Make sure that some few whiners come out of their holes to complain.
Estuary ticks all these boxes.
Before you now start to continue complaining, you might have noticed that I used the term "first iteration". So if youre lucky, then there might be something for you in the not-so-distant future.