My Contribution: Will design front ends for free.

[joshua.maverick]

So I fell in love with the n900 and I want to make sure that other users and myself have a great experence with it.

I'm an experienced flash developer and an avid photoshop user, so if anybody is designing apps and needs some interface design, I am willing to help out for free.

Just let me know specs and requirements and if you have any reference material that would be great.

My Maemo Portfolio:

Here is some of my Maemo Work

http://maemo.org/profile/view/joshuamaverick/

Personal IP Icons (http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=339277&postcount=18)

Xournal Icons (http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=331921&postcount=79)

maemo Mapper Icons (http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=367710&postcount=36) (latest work)

WordPy App Icons (http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=353122&postcount=48)

jMav smokeyLight Wallpapers (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=33599&highlight=smokeyLight)

Personal Photo Frame Icon (http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=358546&postcount=16)

Personal GPRS Icon (http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=337783&postcount=114)

My company Maverick (http://www.mav-media.com) where I do Flash/Design as Interactive Director


Joshua Richards

[joshua.maverick]

If anybody would like some help just drop me a line here or email me at jrichards (at) mav-media (dot) com

[Capt'n Corrupt]

LOVE the site (if mav-media is indeed your site). I especially like the use of the Gotham typeface. It's such a good one eh?

I wish I had an app for you to help on, but I don't. One word of advice: take the initiative rather than waiting for orders. I find that there's not terribly strong leadership among projects (and sometimes great difficulty to convey an idea through words), so if you have a killer idea don't wait for approval to start working on it.

We're all suckers for beautiful (and functional -- ie. elegant) interfaces at heart.

We're lucky to have you!

}:^)~

[Capt'n Corrupt]

Hey! I just noticed that you're a fellow Torontonian (area code on site)!

We're going to have to have a Canada meetup and some point.

}:^D~

[joshua.maverick]

Ahaha thanks man, (that's actually my company's old site, new one is even better if I do say so myself). Are you planning on getting an n900 and switching to wind mobile?

Anyway, if the leadership is lacking lets start the brainstorm on apps! I'm starting to read some documentation on developing for maemo and mobile in general. Maybe we should approach it on a needs basis? People's info comes through, we get devs/designers to work on them?

I'll be there for the meet up for sure, hopefully it ends up being in the GTA.

[Lord Raiden]

We need a menu app thatreplicates the slider icon menu of the iPhone, or similar to the one in this thread: http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=26877

[joshua.maverick]

So the app needs to show all the apps on the phone, and allow "page changes"?

Doesn't maemo 5 currently have the "more" button on the app menu? Correct me if I'm wrong I'm new to all of this. I could definitely whip up something similar to your original but with a bit more eye candy.

[Lord Raiden]

The menu does, but I like the icon slider that the iPhone has.

[qole]

The app menu on Maemo 5 is a bit weird; the first page of apps is static (no scrolling) with a "More" button on the lower right corner. Once you click on that, all the rest of your apps are on a big menu that you can kinetically scroll vertically.

You can also drop app icons ("shortcuts") onto any one of the four "desktops" that you can switch between. Each of the four desktops can be a mix of contact icons, browser bookmarks, desktop widgets, and app shortcuts.

I would love to see some of those ideas ported back to the N8x0 tablets, with a bunch of finger-sized app icons that can be kinetically scrolled through.

[joshua.maverick]

do you have a video or image example, i don't touch apple junk lol

[ysss]

Just to add a bit of idea.. can we get an option to see a tree-view of the app menu that can show what's inside the folders to ease configuration\app placement (something like the Finder on OSX)?

[joshua.maverick]

Okay so we need a developer, and I need to know what kind of visual elements this will need.

[Saturn]

Hi,

QuickClip (http://maemo.org/downloads/product/OS2008/quickclip/) is a really nice and useful application but has an awful (imho) desktop logo which makes me want to uninstall it!! Maybe you could help?

NB: I'm just a user of this application. Brent Chiodo (http://maemo.org/profile/view/brentdc) seems to be the author.

[conny]

Some time ago I asked for some UI help here (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=30863). Maybe you're interested :)

[joshua.maverick]

Hi,

QuickClip (http://maemo.org/downloads/product/OS2008/quickclip/) is a really nice and useful application but has an awful (imho) desktop logo which makes me want to uninstall it!! Maybe you could help?

NB: I'm just a user of this application. Brent Chiodo (http://maemo.org/profile/view/brentdc) seems to be the author.

Saturn, I can help out with this, I'll pm Brent Chiodo and see if he's interested.

[joshua.maverick]

Some time ago I asked for some UI help here (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=30863). Maybe you're interested :)

Hey Conny, what exactly do you need me to work on here? I'm just stepping into the developer world here, so I can only really offer design in photoshop and send you PSDs or PNGs, or whatever format you need.

[joshua.maverick]

Saturn, I can help out with this, I'll pm Brent Chiodo and see if he's interested.

If I could figure out how to PM here...

[conny]

Hey Conny, what exactly do you need me to work on here? I'm just stepping into the developer world here, so I can only really offer design in photoshop and send you PSDs or PNGs, or whatever format you need.

Hmm, yea... looks like was posting without reading ;) Mockups could be helpful too, but I guess it would make more sense to actually change the code and see how it behaves. Dam, we really need better development tools which support better separation of code and UI :(

[BruceL]

I'm still working on the Proteus project. (https://launchpad.net/proteus) This separates the functionality of the software from the UI and from the data format and even machine type. It will use a theme to specify a UI that will then apply to all your apps. The Nokia tablets are the primary platform for now.

I would love to have artistic people work on a UI theme. Unfortunately, I am also working full time now so progress is very slow and I can't do the UI until the c++ is further along. So if there are any c++ devs with a math bent who are looking for something to do that could really change things, think about this. As soon as I can create a UI theme I'll come back here for help on it.

[pelago]

If I could figure out how to PM here...
The link that Saturn gave you (http://maemo.org/profile/view/brentdc/) was to a maemo.org profile (which is different from a talk.maemo.org profile!) so you can't PM him via the forum using that link. However, I notice his email address is public on that profile...

[Saturn]

If I could figure out how to PM here...

The link that Saturn gave you (http://maemo.org/profile/view/brentdc/) was to a maemo.org profile (which is different from a talk.maemo.org profile!) so you can't PM him via the forum using that link. However, I notice his email address is public on that profile...

Sorry for this..
Here is the direct link if you want to PM him: http://talk.maemo.org/private.php?do=newpm&u=15761

On the right side of the profile page there is a link below "Websites".

[joshua.maverick]

Sorry for this..
Here is the direct link if you want to PM him: http://talk.maemo.org/private.php?do=newpm&u=15761

On the right side of the profile page there is a link below "Websites".

No apology necessary, I emailed him, so I'll PM too.

[joshua.maverick]

Does anyone have any samples of other icons that go in that position? I'm working on the new icon, but I want to make sure I fit the feel of the rest of the icons on the device

[joshua.maverick]

Actually, if one doesn't exist yet, should we put together a design package with reference material for icons etc.?

[joppu]

Well, the N900's UI will use the new Nokia's s60v5 simple and glossy icons, like these in this picture:
http://i29.tinypic.com/2mo33hu.jpg

[Cadabena]

Looking at your site, it seems pretty similar to my Flash skills (though I am mainly UI, and not a lot of actionscript (apart from a bit of copy & pasted code from Google :p)). I've only done it for little personal things, and never anything big, biggest I did was a Flash portal for the PSP three years ago when they were popular, after the PSP got Flash. How could I use this to help with Maemo? I've never thought I could, as SDKs, APIs, everything else that I thought was vital, well... scare me :o. I've done nothing professional, only advancing from learning very basic Flash stuff when I was in high school four years ago. What would you guys recommend I do?

[Saturn]

Does anyone have any samples of other icons that go in that position? I'm working on the new icon, but I want to make sure I fit the feel of the rest of the icons on the device

Hi, didn't know how to help; so zipped all icons I've found in /usr/share/icons that are for the status bar and attached it here.

Hope it helps.

[joshua.maverick]

Looking at your site, it seems pretty similar to my Flash skills (though I am mainly UI, and not a lot of actionscript (apart from a bit of copy & pasted code from Google :p)). I've only done it for little personal things, and never anything big, biggest I did was a Flash portal for the PSP three years ago when they were popular, after the PSP got Flash. How could I use this to help with Maemo? I've never thought I could, as SDKs, APIs, everything else that I thought was vital, well... scare me :o. I've done nothing professional, only advancing from learning very basic Flash stuff when I was in high school four years ago. What would you guys recommend I do?

Haha, same man, never took a flash/coding/design course in my life and now, its more or less my career. I went to FITC this year in Toronto, and some Nokia guys came for a presentation discussing how "soon" actionscript 3 will be supported to build whole apps. I'll see if I can dig up my resources.

[joshua.maverick]

I did some icon work for Xournal, a cool app by anidel (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=331928#post331928) not the BEST icons, but you can see that I do have some knowledge in what I am doing.

[Cadabena]

Damn, I should pull my finger out, I could be doing stuff like that... time to step off the bench and enter the word of development! 'New thread' away! :D

[joshua.maverick]

And so I... bumpster!

[joshua.maverick]

Okay, my icons on Xournal are complete, so if anybody would like any help, please let me know and I will do what I can!

Thanks

[Cadabena]

Sorry to hijack a thread, but me too. Budding designers here to be hired for free! Who can resist? :D

[joshua.maverick]

I also design widgets now lol

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=337146&postcount=33

[daveb70]

Can anyone fix this (http://myholden.com/images/commodore/vl/smashed/3.jpg)front end? :p

Seriously though, I think it's great that we're seeing more people eager to lend a hand. Coding is one thing, making the code asthetically pleasing is another. Some have mucho talent and can do both but it's always good when you've got someone dedicated to the task.

I dabble a lot with graphics but never dove in with the theme-maker app for Maemo in the past. I've got an interest in learning to code and although drumming up a theme would be more familiar to me I'll probably let that sit, unless I need a break from reading/learning.

I don't know what icons are licensed by Nokia in Maemo 5, if any. Maybe until a project comes along you could consider working on icons used in many general areas. This would include something for tools, disk, new, delete, different file types, etc. Lots of endless ideas there.

Another thought would be to create some backgrounds and develop some ideas on themes. You could post some backgrounds and based on popularity choose to build themes around them. Granted, there are gobs of images out there in the 800x480 format, but handcrafted with a potential for themes should be popular, considering we all want to be unique and special and show off our new gadget with a custom "phonetop". There are tons of themes used on other platforms that people will even make money by selling- plenty of ideas to start the creative juices flowing.

I'm sure you can come up with other ideas once the masses have their shiny new toys, and yet you'll likely be in high demand at that time.

[qole]

I like the background image set idea...

The N900 has a very unique desktop.

For best effect you need 4 800x480 images that flow together on their short edges, in an endless loop...

[joshua.maverick]

Opps I edited this post instead of replying, still getting used to my new powers Joshua please repost what you had said here.

[andrewfblack]

joshua I just wanted to let you know I could use icons for my new Fremantle for Diablo theme. I can't use the real fremantle icons because they are not open source. I you want to work on something similar that will look good with my new theme that would be great. Also if you want to work on themes for either Maemo or Mer I would be happy to help you out. Theme Maker is nice unless you want to put your themes in repo and downloads.maemo.org to do that you have to take your deb from Theme Maker tear it apart and rebuild it write. I can help you with that if you want as well. Also Mer is looking from people to help with not only themes but all parts of the UI. If your interested in helping with me send me a message or come in #Mer on freenode IRC server.

[joshua.maverick]

joshua I just wanted to let you know I could use icons for my new Fremantle for Diablo theme. I can't use the real fremantle icons because they are not open source. I you want to work on something similar that will look good with my new theme that would be great. Also if you want to work on themes for either Maemo or Mer I would be happy to help you out. Theme Maker is nice unless you want to put your themes in repo and downloads.maemo.org to do that you have to take your deb from Theme Maker tear it apart and rebuild it write. I can help you with that if you want as well. Also Mer is looking from people to help with not only themes but all parts of the UI. If your interested in helping with me send me a message or come in #Mer on freenode IRC server.

Awesome, I am very interested. I was planning on working on an icon set anyway, as it seems alot of people aren't too happy with the default ones on the n900, so first step for me is to get some inspiration and reference material. Just some links to some icons that we like and think would be suitable. Next would be a list of the icons I need to make.

This should be an interesting experience.

On another note, how do I get karma :S?

[qole]

joshua.maverick: make sure you are signed up for maemo.org (a separate process from talk.maemo.org) and that you have put a link to your t.m.o. user profile (http://talk.maemo.org/member.php?u=23879) into your maemo.org profile, and then wait a few days. Your posts and thanks here will be credited as karma on maemo.org.

[joshua.maverick]

Anybody need anything designed/worked on?

[somedude]

joshua.maverick: make sure you are signed up for maemo.org (a separate process from talk.maemo.org) and that you have put a link to your t.m.o. user profile (http://talk.maemo.org/member.php?u=23879) into your maemo.org profile, and then wait a few days. Your posts and thanks here will be credited as karma on maemo.org.

how do you link it I have a different maemo.org profile an I logged into my account in maemo.org and didnot find anything helpful.

[yerga]

Anybody need anything designed/worked on?

Well, the other guy doesn't have replied me (http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=343844&postcount=6), so if you're still interested in help me with some design I'd be very happy.

[joshua.maverick]

Definitely, can you give me some specs as per sizes and the icons you'll be needing, I'll get you some proofs for tomorrow. Hopefully joppu doesn't come here and yell at me this time lol

[joppu]

Hopefully joppu doesn't come here and yell at me this time lol

You can't hide from me ;)

[ArnimS]

What are your qualifications to design UIs for maemo 5?

Maybe this thread can serve usefully as a place to place relevant links..

http://www.forum.nokia.com/info/sw.nokia.com/id/e778ba1f-2507-4672-be45-798359a3aea7/Fremantle_Master_Layout_Guide.html

[yerga]

Definitely, can you give me some specs as per sizes and the icons you'll be needing, I'll get you some proofs for tomorrow. Hopefully joppu doesn't come here and yell at me this time lol

I need four icons for Maemo WordPy (a blogging application), it's for the initial screen where you can choose between four options: "Create post", "Manage posts", "Settings" and "Upload Media".

So, it would be an icon for each option, I don't have any preference for the look, just they shouldn't be very dark because in Maemo 5 the themes generally are dark.

The better size would be 100x100, but if it's a bit different doesn't matter, even if they aren't completely square.


Thank you so much!

[joshua.maverick]

New Post Icon, Edit Post Icon, need some ideas/inspiration for the other icons... Do you have a thread already for the app? Maybe some of the contributing community could help out with the ideas.

Thanks

[joshua.maverick]

I added a settings Icon, just a gear with the same layer styles as the "Background" of the other icons, just need to come up with somehting for upload media and i htink we're good to go.

[joshua.maverick]

What are your qualifications to design UIs for maemo 5?

Maybe this thread can serve usefully as a place to place relevant links..

http://www.forum.nokia.com/info/sw.nokia.com/id/e778ba1f-2507-4672-be45-798359a3aea7/Fremantle_Master_Layout_Guide.html

Absolutely ZERO qualifications, but I think the n900 + Maemo is bad ***, and I have some design skills... and numchuck skills.

[joshua.maverick]

Okay, while I wait for approval from WordPy, what's next!?

[yerga]

Okay, while I wait for approval from WordPy, what's next!?

Ok, you have my approval ;-)

Very nice icons, they look very well in the applicaction:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yerga/4031902382

Thanks Joshua!

[wazd]

http://tabletui.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/shot11.jpg
anything familiar? :)

[joshua.maverick]

http://tabletui.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/shot11.jpg
anything familiar? :)

Yea its a free stock vector. Is that against the rules?... Actually all of your icons are stock... those are all familiar... lol

[joshua.maverick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLsHP94bvXs (contains some "language") I dedicate this song to wazd and joppu.

"haterrrrr, ha-ha-haterrrr"

[joshua.maverick]

Ok, you have my approval ;-)

Very nice icons, they look very well in the applicaction:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yerga/4031902382

Thanks Joshua!

Wicked, I'm happy you're pleased dude.

yerga, you may want to left align the icon with the "Create Post" and move "Welcome to Maemo WordPy" so it is 10 - 20 pixels from the right edge of the icon. Maybe wazd has some ideas for the ui side of the app?

[wazd]

Yea its a free stock vector. Is that against the rules?... Actually all of those icons are stock... those are all familiar... lol
Relax man, I never meant to poke you or something. Just noticed that 2 designers have chosen same gear out of all stock sets.

[joshua.maverick]

Relax man, I never meant to poke you or something. Just noticed that 2 designers have chosen same gear out of all stock sets.

I was just poking back duke! In all serious though, do you have any recommendations for WordPy, I feel the UI is lacking, can we organize content better to enhance the usability/feel of the app?

[joshua.maverick]

How do I get my sig to show up?

Edit: nevermind

[claesbas]

http://tabletui.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/shot11.jpg
anything familiar? :)

Id like to clarify I "thank you'd" cause I thought you made that! Not to poke anything!

[joshua.maverick]

Recant your thank! Recant your thank! Well to be fair, I think he may have put his own layer styles, because the version I found was just a solid black vector of the gear.

[yerga]

Wicked, I'm happy you're pleased dude.

yerga, you may want to left align the icon with the "Create Post" and move "Welcome to Maemo WordPy" so it is 10 - 20 pixels from the right edge of the icon. Maybe wazd has some ideas for the ui side of the app?

The small icon in the left is gone now, and the "Welcome" string is centered. It looks better so.

About the UI, I have tried to follow every thing I learned from ARJWright, when he gave me some guidelines for the Maemo4 version.

I have received good feedback about the new version even it being unfinished, so I'm happy for the time being. Of course I'll be charmed to receive ideas, specially how to do easier the application without removing functionality.

[joshua.maverick]

Okay, so what's next? I'm doing an icon for the Personal Photo Frame (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=33398&goto=newpost) but I'll be done that tomorrow.

Use me people, use me!

[joshua.maverick]

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=33541

Made my first looping background, I call it, "jMav smokeyLight"

[freppas]

Use me people, use me!

hahaha, see if I was a reporter and you worked for Nokia...

Seriously though, great job and I'm sure everyone really appreciates all he help! I know I will when I use the apps

[nosa101]

Freelance work?

EDIT: I'm stupid. Didn't read the title. Do you want to work with dwould to design some icons for witter? I'm probably over stepping here but I think you could help

[joshua.maverick]

Freelance work?

EDIT: I'm stupid. Didn't read the title. Do you want to work with dwould to design some icons for witter? I'm probably over stepping here but I think you could help

I'd be down, I tried to help out before though... If you want to contact him and see if he's interested I'd love to help.