Kubuntu Theme Team

[shakin]

Hello all. I'm not an artist or a themer, but I do see the need for a Kubuntu theme to give Kubuntu that "look" so everyone knows which distro they're looking at.

I want to get some volunteers who have artistic skills and KDE theming skills. Together we can come up with a Kubuntu look and feel. With any luck we can get it distributed as the default Kubuntu theme.

Goals:

1. It must look pretty. In fact, this is the primary requirement. People should see it and say "wow!" and "that's not Linux!"

2. We can build upon existing graphics, such as a great icon set, if we get the author's permission (or it's allowable in the license).

3. Just because it's Kubuntu doesn't mean it has to look at all like Ubuntu.

4. The theme should be complete. All default and the most popular software will have icons.

Right away I want to start a high-level discussion about this theme, including ideas and mockups. Everybody is encouraged to share ideas. Once we have some ideas we should form the team from those people who are confident they can make those ideas into reality.

If you want to sign up, please post here or PM me and I'll add your name below.

We currently need some people who have KDE theming experience and artists (even with no theming experience).

Kubuntu Theme Team Members:
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shakin

[shakin]

Just to start the discussion, I think the first place contributors should look is https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KubuntuArtwork

That page links to some wallpapers, color schemes and splash screens that will be useful while determining which graphics to incorporate and which colors to use.

[Lux Perpetua]

People should see it and say "wow!" and "that's not Linux!"Linux isn't that bad, is it?

[f1dave]

Hahaha. I like both the statement and the answer.

"That's not linux!"
No, it's not, linux is a kernel, a base install and is text based :)

"linux isnt that bad is it?"
Of course not, but you must admit it is sorely lacking a overall "look" the way that someone can see an apple and go "thats an apple" or a windows pc and say "that is windows". This is partly the beauty of linux- we can make it look like anything we want. Try doing that on windows.

[moopere]

For mine, I love the Ubuntu brown theme.

The first thing I usually do it to try and hack Kubuntu to look as close as possible to Ubuntu. But, blue is pervasive in KDE, its everywhere, kde webpages, backgrounds, buttons...blah blah blah. Would be a mighty job to make an integrated looking, comfortable shift away from blue as the base I think

Cheers,
Craig

[Lord Illidan]

I like the idea of Kubuntu shifting away from Ubuntu in terms of design. And I dislike the brown interface of Ubuntu, and Gnome's simplicity... is frustrating at times.

[jbus]

I just posted a new Kubuntu KDM theme at kde-look.org. Let me know what you all think.

http://kdelook.org/content/show.php?content=29331

[Paulus]

I like it alot! The dropshadow on the kubuntu logo is great, the current logo looks quite raw, this login looks much nicer and polished.

btw the usplash artwork looks cool too.

I agree that the kde interface does need work, it needs to be distinctive like ubutnu, but differant! The basic look on horay (kubuntu) was pretty unpretty, but kde is so easy to theme it's not a massive issue.

Also i heard kde 3.5 will ship with superkaramba as default, maybe kubutnu should make the stride of including it with 5.10?

[jbus]

I've posted updates of both my Kubuntu KDM Theme and the matching Kubuntu Ksplash theme at KDE-look.

Kubuntu Ultra Splash v1.4 (http://kdelook.org/content/show.php?content=29426)
http://kdelook.org/content/pre1/29426-1.png

Kubuntu Ultra KDM Theme v1.1 (http://kdelook.org/content/show.php?content=29331) (Looks much better than this screenshot)
http://kdelook.org/content/pre3/29331-3.jpg

[shakin]

It's been eleven days since I began this topic and not a single person has come forward to help make this theme. Is there really that little interest?

[Juippisi]

Jbus: That is a damn good work from you! Thanks!

[jbus]

It's been eleven days since I began this topic and not a single person has come forward to help make this theme. Is there really that little interest?

I think there is interest shakin...

Unfortunately in KDE you have to be a coder in order to make a theme. We all know that good programming skills and good artistic sense don't often go together. Until someone comes up with a easy way for an artist that doesn't know a thing about programming to make a complete theme fo KDE, it's going to be tough for those of us that want to make KDE look nicer.

Thankfully there is already some movement in this direction. Maitre has released a Window Decoration Generator, which I just downloaded and will try out this evening. http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php?content=28848

Now we need a theme/style generator for KDE... Cross your fingers.

[jbus]

Jbus: That is a damn good work from you! Thanks!

Glad you like it Juippisi :D

[darkmatter]

Check out this setup using KDE 3.5 beta 1 http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php?content=29557

Maybe something similar could be done with Kubuntu. I like the way the setup looks. It's almost like a KDE/OS X/GNOME/Vista hybrid.

[Paulus]

yeah, as darkmatter has posted, the above link shows a nice aspect of kde 3.5, which I have been using for a while -works great :), I think it might be best to simply install KDE 3.5 when it comes out, the end of oct?

btw, anyone here on breezy kubuntu AND KDE 3.5 beta, noticed the new login screen?! It's rather nice!

[JuanC]

Check out this setup using KDE 3.5 beta 1 http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php?content=29557
Maybe something similar could be done with Kubuntu. I like the way the setup looks. It's almost like a KDE/OS X/GNOME/Vista hybrid.

The iconset is nuoveXT:
http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php?content=26449

[darkmatter]

The iconset is nuoveXT:
http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php?content=26449

Yes, I know that.:) I was addressing the general layout of the desktop.