I don't like the look of my forum - advice?

[Nasr]

Reading through the posts, I kinda would like to stick with the blue, purple, red theme.
I do value everyone's opinion.

I'm going to take another approach after I sleep on it.
I do want to keep the 3 stripes in the category strip though.
Maybe a carbon fiber theme?
I personally like white text on a dark background, but I don't know if others will.

I heard someone say once, 'eat what you like; and, wear what others like.' If most replies suggested change the colors, perhaps you should consider that? Or survey your community about the colors. Maybe BMW enthusiasts would prefer those colors.

 

[steven s]

I heard someone say once, 'eat what you like; and, wear what others like.' If most replies suggested change the colors, perhaps you should consider that? Or survey your community about the colors. Maybe BMW enthusiasts would prefer those colors.

I do agree.
I'm open to suggestions.
I've been reworking the style to make it more black and white. I do want to keep the colors in the category strip but maybe I can tone them down a bit.
I am not happy with the page loading time and don't know if it's the shadows that are slowing it down.
Still struggling with a category icons.
I took time off from work this week. Not just to work on the forum.
But that is dominating my time when I should be outside raking leaves.

Added: Once I establish a default style, I can work on one that uses more colors as an option.
It's all about choice.

 

[iTuN3r]

I am going through same issue here changing colours layout's day and nights still i don't know i feel like i am missing alot xenforo is so addictive i can't stop messing things around my board lol .

 

[steven s]

One thing that might help you is adding some box-shadow here and there (http://www.css3.info/preview/box-shadow/)

I like this but wonder if it's slowing my page loading?

I recommend this site to help you with the color scheme: http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html

I also came across this http://colorschemedesigner.com/

 

[Ohiocustoms]

I like this but wonder if it's slowing my page loading?
I also came across this http://colorschemedesigner.com/

That's VB4 style generator lol. Did they steal it? I would go with a fixed with a new background. I really like this site http://www.bimmerboost.com/ Might get some good ideas from there.

 

[steven s]

That's VB4 style generator lol. Did they steal it? I would go with a fixed with a new background. I really like this site http://www.bimmerboost.com/ Might get some good ideas from there.

I'm going with a black/gray/white theme now.
XenForo members are my toughest critics.

 

[zappaDPJ]

As your forum looks at this point in time, I think the main body of it looks fantastic. However the background image, footer and particularly the navigation area really detract from what I think could be a great looking forum.

Personally I'd find a different background more suited to the sleek, clean look of the page. I'd also try and tone the Navbar down somewhat. At the moment the black and the white with the gradient look at odds with each other. Do that and get yourself a well designed logo/header and I'd say you have a real winner on your hands.

 

[Caelum]

I like this but wonder if it's slowing my page loading?

It shouldn't. It's pure CSS3, so whilst it may need some vendor prefixes to work in all browsers (eg -moz-box-shadow, -webkit-box-shadow, etc), it doesn't use any images or the likes.
If it does slow your page down noticeably, it's probably a browser issue

 

[CTXMedia]

I also came across this http://colorschemedesigner.com/

Really liking this ... and I've squirrelled it away for when I eventually get around to developing GKA.

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[steven s]

I've made some changes. I need to take a little break.
I'm getting a little better at finding things under the hood.
I'm focusing on the category page for now.
I need to work on the popups and hover over the nav bar to change the blue.

Question: when I see

@property "avatar";
<stuff>
@property "/avatar";

Is property a comment or is property defined somewhere?

 

[GCSkye]

I like this but wonder if it's slowing my page loading?
I also came across this http://colorschemedesigner.com/

Hey steven s,

http://www.colourlovers.com/
Search palettes

While the default color editor offered by XenForo makes it easy for anyone to color their own theme, quite a bit more work is required to get that unique touch. Hiring a designer/coder may be the most simple and fastest way to go. Other than that, I always recommend spending 2-3 years learning photoshop/basic html+CSS.

 

[steven s]

Now that almost everyone [US] should be stuffed, what do you think of the site?
http://www.bavforums.com/community/
My focus has only been on the first page.

I still need to fix the problem in post #31 and need to get rid of the blue borders in the nav menu bar when hovering.

 

[Kim]

It's looking much better Steven much cleaner and clearer that it is a BMW site.

Not sure full black to full white gradient really works though TBH, perhaps tone the black down to a charcoal, and I have to say I dislike that font, which seems too cartoony for a Motoring site.

Definately on the right track though

 

[steven s]

It's looking much better Steven much cleaner and clearer that it is a BMW site.

Not sure full black to full white gradient really works though TBH, perhaps tone the black down to a charcoal, and I have to say I dislike that font, which seems too cartoony for a Motoring site.

Definately on the right track though

I like the font, but not for this site. It's just acting as a placeholder for now.
Instead of black, a lighter shade of black? Maybe #333333?

 

[Kim]

Yes I think that would look better myself, not so dramatic.

 

[steven s]

Yes I think that would look better myself, not so dramatic.

What do you think of the banner now?
http://www.bavforums.com/community

 

[Blandt]

What do you think of the banner now?
http://www.bavforums.com/community

Steven, The banner is sooo 80's .. banner gotta go .. sorry

I thought the rest of the site is really good ... peppy and fast loading ..

 

[Blandt]

And ... the background gradient needs refinement

 

[steven s]

Steven, The banner is sooo 80's .. banner gotta go .. sorry
I thought the rest of the site is really good ... peppy and fast loading ..

I just goggled images and stuck them together.
That's when you get when you have no artistic ability.
I'm always up for suggestions.

And ... the background gradient needs refinement

Please elaborate.
A smoother gradient? I saved it as small of a file as I could figuring it would speed things up.

 

[Blandt]

Please elaborate.
A smoother gradient? I saved it as small of a file as I could figuring it would speed things up.

Yes .. smoother gradient, it's really degraded