Forum: VirtualDJ Skins

What's up with this self pretentious attitude....

If you think functionality and aesthetics are somehow contradicting each other, you have a really poor understanding of interface design.....my day job is a software developer, so I tend to think I have some idea of what I'm talking about.

You know there are a lot of guys who will do a skin for free or a small donation if you just ask nicely and lead them in the direction you want the skin to look....have you tried that route?

There's no way to say this in a way that isn't going to rub some people the wrong way, but I'm going to say it anyway...

If I'm to be compeltely honest, based on the the VDJ skins currently available, I'm not convinced that the existing skinners are up to the task of creating a skin that I would consider to be professional enough. For that reason I suggested that Atomix Productions would utilitize people who are specialized in interface design and high-quality graphics. To my understanding Atomix Productions' developement team is fairly small, and if there's something I've learned as a software developer, there's no point trying to do everything yourself with limited resources. In some cases it's better to outsource.

That is what I would like to know, you are the one complaining NONE of the skins or designers are up to YOUR standards of professionalism.....what design elements do you consider to be needed for a "Professional" skin? I stand by my assertion the skins you used as examples are very ineffective from a professional user point of view, almost childish in their "candy" like representation appealing to a third grader's sense of attraction to shiny bobbles.

I do not think functionality and aesthetics are somehow contradictory...I do think too much flash and glitz that distracts ones focus and makes the functions hard to find and use and buttons poorly laid out for the extremely repetitive tasks required by a Dj does make for a poor skin. Inefficient and unintuitive placement of buttons may be fine for the home user who sets a playlist find s the play button and woalks away, but that does not work for a Dj.

You personally may well be a good interface designer, I have no way to know as I have not seen any interfaces you have designed for any software products so I can not judge you there; however, if you are such a good interface designer as you say then why don't you design your own just as many (as you call them unprofessional) users have done for themselves and others.

Have you ever thought maybe the designs are done the way they were because someone specifically requested that approach! Before you blanket critisize, I again ask you why you don't try contacting one or more of them and communicating what you want, and guiding and working in concert with them to produce the results you will be happy with.....it's not like they are charging you hundred of dollars in development only to be dissapointed by the outcome as most software interface companies do. They are doing it because they are good decent people who want to help out the community, and usually FOR FREE!

Lastly what is or isn't professional looking, what is or isn't appealing and what is or isn't functional is all in the eyes and hands (and mouse cursors) of the user so please step off your software developer high horse and let someone give you the help you are seeking.... or...quit your bitchin and go find it on your own.

SQuatman ;)

And MultiFunction 4 is comming soon for 1440x900 ;)

I'm happy you like my skins ;)

SQ;p

Hey!!!! whats wrong with you people lol........
Fighting for a skin uh lol

Please do not fight i think there are better ways to fix this situation =)

I'm very happy
I love Multifunction
in ITALY 3 PRO Video DJ use this skin in maxi events over 3000 people - (Omobono, Falconrec, ...Spazialex :-) )

Hey!!!! whats wrong with you people lol........
Fighting for a skin uh lol

Please do not fight i think there are better ways to fix this situation =)

Please pay more attention, Alex.

If you look at the dates, there hasn't been any "fighting" about this topic for several days. I consider this case closed.

I quoted the word fighting because I don't think this thread qualifies as "fighting". People might have strong and different opinions, but as long as they are backed up with some kind of proper arguments, I consider it to be healthy and constructive discussion.