simple, clean skin concepts

[nightrain811]

Hey guys,

I started using the mac version of XBMC recently and I love it. I've seen a lot of great skins, but designs tend to be a bit gamer-y for my taste. I'd love to have some that is uber-simple and functional, but still classy. xTV comes close, but i don't think it uses screen space efficiently enough.

With that in mind, I created a couple quick comps of what i have in mind.

The first is really about simple as you can get. Just have a home screen for now...
http://somatonedesign.com/xbmc/simple_home.jpg

The second is more iphone/itunes inspired, but still focuses on simplicity...
http://somatonedesign.com/xbmc/mac_simple_home.jpg
http://somatonedesign.com/xbmc/mac_simple_movies.jpg

Is anyone else interested in having a skin like this?

[nightrain811]

by the way i think this should be optimized for 720p and 1080p displays -- 30" to 150", and easily navigable with an apple remote.

[Bigfoot87]

Nice skins for 7" displays! :)
I should really appreciate skins like this for the Xbox in my car. :nod:

[Nuka1195]

i'm sorry how do those home screen shots use space efficiently?

[Wir3d]

It will deffinately be memory efficient :)

[ChoccyHobNob]

I like the clever use of textures :-)

but its YABS (yet another black skin)
Am I the only one who likes lighter coloured skins?

[djtoll]

the blue button fits perfectly with the black background. continue the great work.

[nightrain811]

i'm sorry how do those home screen shots use space efficiently?

Well, simplicity is more of a concern on the home screen than screen space utilization. The movie menu shot that I mocked up, however, you'll notice is much more efficient than the list view in xTV , for instance.

First, the list in the mockup displays 16 items at a larger, more readable font size then the 12 items that xTV displays. Second, the mockup displays cover art as well as movie information dynamically while you scroll through the list. In xTV, you see only the cover art, and have to press a button to get to the info, which might also display the cover. Then you have to press a button to get out of the info popup. I see that as slow, redundant, and inefficient when you could simply and cleanly fit the cover art and details on the same screen as the list.

[nightrain811]

I like the clever use of textures :-)

but its YABS (yet another black skin)
Am I the only one who likes lighter coloured skins?

Thanks Choccy.

I envision a dark on light version as well, and I think this design would translate pretty easily.

The reason I chose to begin with light on dark is because I use xbmc on my TV and projector, and with the lights off in the room, its much easier on the eyes to stare at a dark screen than a light one.