My opinion on the new site update.

[HQDefault]

I don't like it :|

I feel like the simplicity of the old icons was amazing looking. I felt like the simplicity of the old "plates" or whatever they're called fit the site much better, while these are a bit too detailed for me, and stick out. Which is ironic, given that part of mapping is making sure you give detail centers to the spots that need it, and restricting noise.

Also, what's up with the new SR. Staff, and Regular staff? I know you're trying to give older staff members more credit, but, that comes at the cost of eliminating "server staff" and "site staff" which is a lot better in design towards the site I feel, as it gives important info.

But I like the tiny thanks box. That is very convenient

It's important to mention that I am NOT bashing on the people that worked on the update. This is just my honest opinion, and if you disagree, okay.

 

[iiboharz]

Also, what's up with the new SR. Staff, and Regular staff? I know you're trying to give older staff members more credit, but, that comes at the cost of eliminating "server staff" and "site staff" which is a lot better in design towards the site I feel, as it gives important info.

Because there's no longer designations between what the staff do. Senior staff just have more power.

(btw im pretty much the only one who did this update everyone else was like "iibo go do this")

 

[HQDefault]

Because there's no longer designations between what the staff do. Senior staff just have more power.

(btw im pretty much the only one who did this update everyone else was like "iibo go do this")

Oh, that makes sense

And I guess I can't ask much of one person.

(But I still don't like those new plates. If they put back the same emblems as before and you dropped the border, but kept the gradient, that would look sick IMO)

 

[RubbishyUser]

I'm gonna agree with HQ on this one but I don't think it's a huge problem - and that possibly toning down the colours (particularly on Senior Staff, imo) or getting rid of the outline could stop it being quite so distracting. Remember this sort of thing varies from monitor to monitor - some settings could make the colour quite lurid.

Having said that, I like the shape, font and little symbols. So please keep all of those.

Also, my friend walked into the room and wondered why donators who are veterans/staff/other don't get both tags. That would be another incentive to donate, if you could show extra support even if you already have a plaque. So how about a two-tone badge for each rank + donator? The text could still be whoever's higher rank, but you get a little green gradient for donating down one side. That shouldn't be too hard, right?

 

[iiboharz]

Also, my friend walked into the room and wondered why donators who are veterans/staff/other don't get both tags. That would be another incentive to donate, if you could show extra support even if you already have a plaque. So how about a two-tone badge for each rank + donator? The text could still be whoever's higher rank, but you get a little green gradient for donating down one side. That shouldn't be too hard, right?

Unfortunately, I don't think this is possible since you can only be one rank at a time on the site.

IMO I think y'all are over-analysing these new badges because they're new and have never been seen before.

 

[worMatty]

I like the new mini-banners. They look a bit more up-to-date. Good work.

I look forward to more improvements. The site looks a bit tired.

 

[radarhead]

I agree that the new Position Plaques are too bright. They don't quite match the theme of the site logo or the rest of the site which uses fairly muted colors. "Staff" and "Donator" seem to be the least distracting ATM.

 

[iiboharz]

I agree that the new Position Plaques are too bright. They don't quite match the theme of the site logo or the rest of the site which uses fairly muted colors. "Staff" and "Donator" seem to be the least distracting ATM.

Other site elements are possibly being updated to match the new style.

 

[HQDefault]

I agree that the new Position Plaques are too bright. They don't quite match the theme of the site logo or the rest of the site which uses fairly muted colors. "Staff" and "Donator" seem to be the least distracting ATM.

It's actually the veteran one I don't like. That medal looks so out-there, and I think doesn't belong on a TF2-related site. It just. Doesn't. Fit.

 

[iiboharz]

It's actually the veteran one I don't like. That medal looks so out-there, and I think doesn't belong on a TF2-related site. It just. Doesn't. Fit.

It's literally an SFM render of an existing TF2 item.

 

[HQDefault]

It's literally an SFM render of an existing TF2 item.

Oh.

I think it was the lighting that threw me off. (I still don't feel like it fits though, not in this context)

I feel like this cosmetic item would work (or look) better. (Particularly in that paint)

 

[iiboharz]

Oh.

I think it was the lighting that threw me off. (I still don't feel like it fits though, not in this context)

I feel like this cosmetic item would work (or look) better. (Particularly in that paint)

We decided against that because we thought people might believe the rank and the item are somehow related.

 

[HQDefault]

We decided against that because we thought people might believe the rank and the item are somehow related.

ah.

Well, I still don't like the current medal.

What about the proof of purchase? It's literally a veterans hat!

 

[iiboharz]

ah.

Well, I still don't like the current medal.

What about the proof of purchase? It's literally a veterans hat!

Too wide.

 

[HQDefault]

seems fine to me

albeit I squished it a bit, but, still. If you just slid the text over by a few pixels, it'd be perfect.

 

[Muddy]

No offence but that looks awful.

I think the badges look fine as they are. All they need is a little toning-down on the colour saturation.

 

[iiboharz]

It's also not as identifiable as a medal

 

[HQDefault]

No offence but that looks awful.

I think the badges look fine as they are. All they need is a little toning-down on the colour saturation.

I have an idea.

Give me a bit, and I'll come back with something.

 

[Kube]

Not to belittle constructive criticism, but I think we're all just sticklers to change. Trust your ability to adapt- maybe give it a bit of time if you don't hate it immediately.

But I am interested to see what you come up with.

 

[worMatty]

I think the current choice of a medal as the icon to represent a veteran makes sense, as medals are awarded to military personnel after good service. I associate the Proof of Purchase with people who bought the game before a certain date in time. But the Veteran rank is seemingly given to people who reach a certain post count. The term doesn't quite fit but that's a topic for another thread.

The warm colours of the medal prop go well with the background colour of the Veteran mini banner. The white, lightly-shaded border makes the banner stand out from the page slightly, but not too much as to draw undue attention to itself. It also hints of a change in direction of design, and of more changes to come. We should be careful not to judge these small images based on what they are replacing, as that could limit the possibilities. It's important to stay current and that means making changes to visual style.

The wrench icon looked a bit thin to me at first, and I know that someone mentioned that in the chat room. But I looked at it up close and I can see all the details just fine. The banners serve their purpose perfectly and I don't think there are better ways to do them, only different ones.