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| Design the
Perfect Desktop
Design the perfect desktop
11.25.02
By
Lots of people ask me how I choose artists to give the “featured Desktop” award
to. There isn’t a science to it, but there are certain things that a
designer should try to do in order to ensure that their desktop image is usable,
attractive, and has their own personal style infused into it.
Know your audience
Before you decide on a composition for your desktop, you must pick an audience.
Different computers have different layouts.
- Pixelgirl Presents has a predominately Mac user audience. Therefore you
need to have most of your compositional movement on the left side. That way,
it won’t interfere with their icons and documents but can still retain
some movement.
- OS X uses a dock. Try to design your desktops so that the important components
aren’t covered by the dock.
- Your user is your friend. Remember, people have to USE their desktops so
try to keep the functionality in mind when designing for them.
Below are some desktops from Pixelgirl
Presents that represent compositions that were created for Mac users.
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::Will I Ever Find You::
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Less is more
There are many reasons why a person will use a desktop with a subtle design
on it instead of something that is really busy or bright.
- They are more universal. It doesn’t matter what kind of computer
system a person is working on because the images will not interfere with
their desktop files.
- It’s less distracting. It is easier for a person who is trying to
work and read when their eye is not being constantly drawn back to their
desktop.
- Your desktop isn’t too busy to be usable. If you choose a really
bright color or pattern, a person might decide that even though your image
is stunning, it does not make a good desktop.
Below are compositions that use the subtlety theory just mentioned.
Text as texture
Many people attempt to use text as the focal point of their desktops but what
is meaningful to the artist is not always meaningful to the subject. The best
way to use text is through texture.
What do we mean?
- You don’t have to use text at all. Sometimes people will add words
to their desktops because they seem like they are “missing” something.
Try to work through that without adding arbitrary text.
- Try to think of your piece as a whole. Make sure the text you use blends
in well with your overall image.
- Superhip text. We know it’s hip to add all sorts of random words
and numbers to your desktop. Just make sure that you keep it discreet; don’t
let the words take more importance than the composition.
Below are some examples of desktops which successfully use text as texture.
The final step
If you want an A, you have to do A work. As an artist, you have to protect
yourself by making sure you are only showing quality work with no mistakes
in it. This way, even if a person doesn’t appreciate your work, they
can still note the high quality and time it took you to make it.
Tips to help ensure success
- Look at your work. Stand back and take a look at what you’ve done.
Do you see anything off hand that isn’t working?
- Zoom in. Look at your image at 200% and make sure that there are no stray
pixels or lines.
- Line everything up. Look to make sure components are where they should
be.
- Show a friend. Sometimes it really helps to get someone else’s opinion.
As artists we get so attached to our work, often we can miss something. (If
you want, please feel free to submit to pixelgirlpresents.com and
we’ll be happy to give you feedback)
We hope this helps you get on your way to making sexy desktops! We wish you
luck and look forward to all of the excellent work we just know you’ll
send us!
Shanalyn, the founder of Pixelgirl Presents is a full-time
designer and a college teacher of advanced web design. We hope her tips
will help you out! Please let us know if there are any topics that interest
you and we will try to include them.
Comments or suggestions, please send to Pixelgirl
Presents Headquarters
Here is a banner to use:
90x36 pixels
When pointing to our site we
ask that you link to our main home page:
http://www.pixelgirlpresents.com
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