For this cycle, we discussed that the Ubuntu Artwork Team should do more for the community. The misconception that the team has anything to do with Ubuntu-the-product’s visual design and default theme has to die. I lean towards the same for the hope this could change.
The Ubuntu flavours Edubuntu and Xubuntu need wallpapers for the upcoming 11.04 release. Members of the Artwork Team talked with representatives of the projects to develop specifications for wallpapers.
Art and design are about communication. A distribution not only can say something with the default wallpaper, it will say something. It’s better to take control of it, otherwise it will look like a lack of care and understanding.
That’s why the specifications are about a desired message. Focusing on trying match the user’s tastes is unlikely to work out. Especially if you don’t have a well defined audience. Attempts to please everyone easily end up with something that just barely manages to step on no one’s feet.
Many users like to change the wallpaper just to make the desktop their own. So the default wallpaper may as well be about the identity of the project, as it surely won’t be about the identity or taste of a particular user.
Everyone is welcome to contribute. Any technique and medium goes, as long as you end up with a wallpaper of the right size. Feel free to build on the work of others and to collaborate, as this is not a contest. Spread the word, if you support this effort.
Filed under: Planet Ubuntu, Theming, Ubuntu
