TDH Rebrand - In Progress!!!

Welcome back to a new and improved TDH!

If you are a frequent visitor to The Dented Helmet and you are reading this post, then you already have seen a piece of our rebranding efforts in the new theme for the board. This change has been a long time coming and is a result of the work of many people. We have wanted a more solidified look for several years but have not had the time or talent to do so. Our acceptance by Lucasfilm to setup a booth at C4 gave us the push we needed to finally do what should have been done long ago.

Below are some examples of the new logo in various uses and a glimpse of what our booth at C4 will look like! I am sure some of you will love it immediately and some will have reservations at first. Some of you might even dislike the new look, but please give it a while and let it grow on you. One of our reasons for showing it BEFORE C4 is to give everyone a chance to see and acclimate themselves to the new look. I truly feel that after years of wishful thinking, we finally have a unified and distinct look and feel to go with our very unique community!

Here are the two variations of our new logo.





Our TDH business card. These can be customized for personal use as well. We will have files available soon to do so.



The new TDH T-Shirt, available soon from Monkey in a Dryer! If you still would like a classic TDH shirt (with the angels logo), they will still be available until May 25, 2007. After May 25, the classic TDH shirt will be retired for good.



And of course, what many have been waiting for; the concept art for our banners for the C4 booth:



I would like to thank the following people for their hard work in helping make this rebrand happen:

First and foremost, Gino Sabatino, known on most boards simply as "GINO" offered his services to oversee the entire project and came up with the new logo and look. Gino is a graphic designer and marketing director and his skills and talent were invaluable. I cannot begin to thank him for his efforts, long hours, and educating us in regard to what we needed to have an effective look vs what we thought we wanted.

Next, I must thank Shockwave for the work he performed in creating the new board themes and icons. He was incredibly patient as we redid and critiqued his work again and again. Our members have been begging for a Boba theme for the past 5 years and Shockwave has finally provided one.

Next, I must thank Count Dookie who singlehandedly rewrote our frontpage in css and javascript, making it incredibly slick, and easy to update. As with Rodney, Rich showed an incredible amount of patience as he was asked to "fix" one thing after another on a page that was already nearing perfection.

I also want to thank all of those who donated to the C4 fund. Your generosity was overwhelming to say the least and helped prompt us to make this change. We truly hope this new, more uniform look helps solidify the sense of community and oneness all the more and gives you a "home" that you can be proud of.

Thanks to the admin staff for their comments and thoughts and patience as we reworked the look again and again!

As you see, we only have images of TDH members in our banners and frontpage, no images of the screen used costumes. YOU are a large part of this rebranding and your efforts in regard to your costume building has helped to provide us with graphical elements unlike any other venue on the net. My helmet is off to those represented and those who will be represented in the future in our banners and frontpage as we plan to add more and more rotating images. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to use your work to help take the look of this board to the next level. As has always been the case, it is you, our members who have made this board what it is. Thank you all.

Finally, this upgrade is still a WIP. There will be minor changes and improvements as we have time. Two of the big things that are at the top of the list are finishing up a light boba and light jango theme. If you have any suggestions for improving any part of the new layout, please post here and we will take your comments into consideration. Thanks again and we hope you enjoy the new board!

I love the new look.

Also though, There are only a limited amount of people on the main page, and such, How do you get your picture up there?

Do you have to have your photo taken By Braks Buddy?

I feel like I felt when I saw the Arizona Diamondbacks redid their team colours. The redesign is pretty cool, but it will take a little while to get used to, I don't feel that the text and background colours are blending well, it's taking a toll on my eyes. What I really dislike is the use of "elite," I don't want the board to have an attitude that we are better than others. Another thing I'm not fond of is when I go to the homepage, I have to go to a subdirectory to choose which forum I want to enter, I much preferred it when you simply clicked on Forums and it took you there. I do love the visor and dent design though.

Nice improvement.

I want to point one thing out: When you click a member profile (tried it with mine), the "view all posts by ___" wording blends with the background.
I don't know if you knew, but I thought I'd point it out.

I freakin love the rebrand man!

Originally Posted by Zurath Kodul

Nice improvement.

I want to point one thing out: When you click a member profile (tried it with mine), the "view all posts by ___" wording blends with the background.
I don't know if you knew, but I thought I'd point it out.

You are right about that, lol. I wouldn't have known it was there if I didn't know any better.

I think it's hard to read the titles of topics when looking at the forum, what does everyone else thing?

I really like the new boards, and new logos.

I REALLY REALLY like that my Fett is the Fett on the top of the boards!!!

I absolutely love the new theme!!!! Gotta say I fell in love with it immediately!!! Although, I'm bummed that my pic is no longer in the front page rotation. Great work everybody!!!!
D

Just wanted to say that i enjoy the new look of the site, my eyes Welcome the change .

-Steven

Originally Posted by Cylrul Pbz

Also though, There are only a limited amount of people on the main page, and such, How do you get your picture up there?

Do you have to have your photo taken By Braks Buddy?

Brak's Buddy handled most of the images and the front page. He can answer those questions.

Originally Posted by GCNgamer128

I feel like I felt when I saw the Arizona Diamondbacks redid their team colours. The redesign is pretty cool, but it will take a little while to get used to

This is to be expected and completely understandable. We hope everyone will give the new look a chance, even if it initially strikes you as a bit odd. Chance is aways somewhat uncomfortable.

Originally Posted by GCNgamer128

What I really dislike is the use of "elite," I don't want the board to have an attitude that we are better than others.

We struggled with that single word more than any other element in this redesign. I don't doubt that there will be a number of people who take great exception to the use of the word "elite." In recent times it has become popular for people to use this term in a negative light and to accuse some of being "elitist." Well, we are now ALL elitist. There are a number of definitions for the word "elite" but the one that won me over and convinced me that this was the word to use to describe this community was: "a group of persons exercising the major share of authority or influence within a larger group." That is all of you. That is this community. Because of your determination and attention to detail you have become the group who excercise a MAJOR influence over the entire group Fett based comstumers. You guys and girls are the best of the best. This is not arroagnce. This is not attitude. This is simple fact. You should never lord it over someone, but should use it to help others and share what you know. This is what makes you elite.

Originally Posted by GCNgamer128

Another thing I'm not fond of is when I go to the homepage, I have to go to a subdirectory to choose which forum I want to enter, I much preferred it when you simply clicked on Forums and it took you there.

This is already on the list of things to fix. I am not quite sure how we will do it, but we will have a single click to get to the forums again.

Originally Posted by GCNgamer128

I do love the visor and dent design though.

Credit for this design goes 100% to Gino.

Originally Posted by Zurath Kodul

I want to point one thing out: When you click a member profile (tried it with mine), the "view all posts by ___" wording blends with the background.
I don't know if you knew, but I thought I'd point it out.

Thanks. We will add this to the "things to fix" list.

Originally Posted by GCNgamer128

I think it's hard to read the titles of topics when looking at the forum, what does everyone else thing?

While the Boba theme is the current default theme, there is also a Jango theme you can try out and see if you like better. As I mentioned before, we will also be working on a light based Jango and a light based Boba theme in the next couple of weeks.

Originally Posted by The Dent

This is to be expected and completely understandable. We hope everyone will give the new look a chance, even if it initially strikes you as a bit odd. Chance is aways somewhat uncomfortable.

What I thought was funny is that the boards reminded me directly of the Diamondback's colour change, but the update was for the best. I love how everything is now Fett related, even the little "Reply" button; which would be awesome animated ;-)

Thanks to everyone who was able to put this together!

Originally Posted by Predatormv

I really like the new boards, and new logos.

I REALLY REALLY like that my Fett is the Fett on the top of the boards!!!

Glad you like it! We hope to eventually have the Fett at the top of the board be a rotating image like the images on the front page.

Pretty cool! Not as easy on the eyes but still cool!

Here is the official thread

http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/showt...240#post251240

I really like the new look. It's definitely different, and it seems that some people prefer the simplistic old style. So far, I really like this look. It is a little more of a strain on the eyes however, but so is color television.

Originally Posted by Jango's kid

I absolutely love the new theme!!!! Gotta say I fell in love with it immediately!!! Although, I'm bummed that my pic is no longer in the front page rotation. Great work everybody!!!!
D

I know that all the images in the rotation for the front page are not back in place yet due to difficulties in finding good background graphics. Give us a little time and I think you will see yours back as well as new members!

I think it looks really good!

Originally Posted by cookiemongoloid

I really like the new look. It's definitely different, and it seems that some people prefer the simplistic old style. So far, I really like this look. It is a little more of a strain on the eyes however, but so is color television.

I agree. Pretty cool but not as easy on the eyes.

Originally Posted by GCNgamer128

I love how everything is now Fett related, even the little "Reply" button; which would be awesome animated

Good call. As long as the animated file size isn't too large, I don't see why we couldn't do this! Added to the "things to fix" list.

Just out of curiosity, for those who are saying the new theme is not as easy on the eyes, which theme were you using before, the default theme (white and light blue) or the Jango theme?

I was using the default.

No... not like the Diamondbacks (That was sacrilege I still wear my Purple D-Backs shirts!) This is cool! Even being a Zammer I love the new Rebrand and identity. Sure there will be some tweaking that will have to be done... This looks awesome! Great job!

looks good. very good

WoW! Nice job! When I entered the site, I was looking away from my comp. I looked back and I was like holy * what happened to TDH?!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????!? It looks AWSOME.


PS- I want an angels shirt!

This is absolutely amazing ... nice work fellers!

The new look is very bold. I am having a lot harder time reading the posts, but it's probably just my old (bad) eyes. Is it just my settings...or do all the posts read the same now - with no more bold on the new post titles? Is there a way to fix this in my options?

Originally Posted by Bubba Fett

Is it just my settings...or do all the posts read the same now - with no more bold on the new post titles? Is there a way to fix this in my options?

The new posts are still in bold at the forum level. Perhaps they are not as apparent as before, but they are still in bold. We will take a look at this and see if there is another way to make the new threads stand out a bit more.

Apparently, lighter themes are in progress but are not yet completed.

It would be good to keep all the feedback in the main thread, so the folks in charge can keep track of what everyone thinks.

http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f33/tdh-rebrand-progress-19106/#post251240

Originally Posted by Galactic Bounty Hunter

Also, can the type response box be changed from black back to white or at least some other lighter value or color? Right now you can't see where your cursor at all.

Are you on a Mac? We have had a couple of Mac users already mention this. We are now trying to determine if this is a Mac specific issue and if so, if this is a Mac based browser specific issue.

Originally Posted by Galactic Bounty Hunter

And this last one is a nit, but is it possible to have all the black to red background gradations match in the masthead instead of having the three distinct blocks or zones?

I am assuming you are saying the gradient does not line up all the way across the top of your screen? Please email me a screen cap. Thanks.

Yup, I'm on one of the new Mac Pro's.

Here's How the masthead looks on my screen...

When it first popped up, I went "Whoaaa!!" At first, I didn't like it, but as I looked at it more and more, I thought, "That's pretty darn cool!"

Now, I think it flat out ROCKS HARD!!! In fact, where's my T-Shirt?!?!8)8)8)8)8)

Great, great job all! Bucket's off to you!

take care,

-Rex

Haha, I love the animated "post reply" button Thanks for taking my idea into consideration!

I'll have to say this, I just changed my board viewing prefs and the "Jango Color Theme" is much easier to view than the Boba Dark version!

When the page loaded I thought for a split second that I got redirected to one of those "this domain does not exist, but you can buy it for..." site, and I was sent into a second of utter despair. Then I realized it was still here

It's a little dark for me, but I have to admit, it's one of those things that grows on you.

I like the changes so far. The branding is great, thanks for all the time put into this project by everybody involved. I'm sure it wasn't easy, but it is appreciated.

So far so good!

The color palette is a lot like what I used for my Boba costume web pages

I too would like to get in on the image rotation action, but that's certainly a minor thing.

One REALLY minor CSS quibble... For me at least (Safari 2.0.4 / MacOS 10.4.9), the cursor in the text entry box is black. On a black background, that means I can't actually tell where the cursor is, which makes going back to edit text tough.

For rotating the image on the forum pages, I came up with a neat trick for doing that on the 501st NEG site.

If vBulletin is anything like phpBB, you can't include PHP code in the templates.

What I did was to make a negcss.php page, that would generate the style sheet for the page.

The PHP code for randomizing an image is in negcss.php, so it basically defines the style differently on page loads. Sort of clumsy, but it worked around the limitations in the board without resorting to client side code (javascript and friends).

What you guys don't love me? Is that why you want my picture rotated out of the top banner every now and then?? *cries*

Oops, i meant to post my thought in the other thread, not on the rebrand...

..OH, not band, the dent did a good job.
well its time to re-educate my eyes ;o)

Love the new theme, congrats and thankyou to everyone who worked on it! However, like others have said, it's really hard on the eyes to read the threads. The contrast of the white lettering on the dark backgrounds is really hard to look at and becomes a bit irritating on the eye after a short while. The Yellow / Mustard colour of the font in the "quotes" is a little softer and much easier to read!
Other than that it's great
Cheers
KidAkira

I like it!! It will take a few days to get used to to, but overall it looks great.

its like getting a pair of new sneakers! It feels awesome looks even better.
Love the dark colours! Very Fett so very nice

Originally Posted by Zam I Am

But in all humbleness...as long as you don't delete our boards.

Zam costumers will have a forum here as long as they like.

Thanks. This may be a PNG issue. Many of our graphics are PNG due to issues we had with JPG compression affecting the red gradient. It would seem that Safari or perhaps Macs in general are rendering the PNGs differently than it is rendered on a PC. This is on our "thing to fix" list.

Originally Posted by Galactic Bounty Hunter

Here's How the masthead looks on my screen...

I think it looks slick.

a little harder to read...but overall i like the new outlook...

OUch..I like the new site look but it does hyrt the eyes...good job

I love the new look. I am running Firefox on Linux and I can read Themes with no problem.

wow this is really cool!!!

I love the new look and the new logo. Great work guys.

Dent ...

In the rebranding teaser thread you posted this:

Originally Posted by The Dent

It is important that our members understand that the new logo represents the board as a whole, not a specific group, much like the three circled mouse head silhouette represents Disney as a whole. There is not a silhouette of Goofy and Pluto and Donald and Minnie... all fall under the single mickey-shaped logo. Saying that "most of us will be equally unrepresented" is, not only incorrect, but a gross misunderstanding of the purpose of the logo. No, there will not be anything specifically representing Zam, or Jodo Kast, Durge, or the Dented Variants on the logo. In regard to Jango, we have added a slight twist to give him some representation, but that is not the point. While the logo is strongly boba based, it is the logo for the board and site as a whole. It doesn't mean that Zam or any of the dented variants are not welcome. Quite frankly, we are moving away from a logo that directly depicts each of the character because there may be room in TDH's future for MORE forums and MORE characters. However, we will not rebrand each time that happens and add the new character to the logo. We want a single logo that is timeless and unchanging. Something that is simple, scalable, easily recognizable, like the Nike swoosh or the McDonald's arches, and something that compliments the site name "The Dented Helmet." While the logo has yet to be finalized, I am extremely pleased with the progress that has been made and believe that most will be happy with it as well. Change is always uncomfortable and you can't please everyone, but once the new logo is in place, I believe most will see that it gives the board and site a much more professional look and feel and gives us a single image under which we can rally.

D

What is the twist you gave to the logo to represent Jango?

On a technical note, the "Buy TDH Shirts!" link is not working. Looks like monkeyinadryer is going through some changes too.

Gator

Looks purdy!! No eyeball problems here. Pah...Mac users...

not sure about this yet. very rough on th eyes. there is just too much contrast with the colors

Love the new look.

The new look rocks!

WOW! Now this is cool! I love the colors, very Fett!! I cant figure out if my eyes are needing to get used to the new look or, if it's truly harder on the eyes. I am seem to have gotten used it though. Excellant work to all involved! These are exciting times for Fettsters and the new look conveys that!

The new look rocks......

In regards to the colors- give it time. Your eyes are very accustomed to the very starkness of the old colors- which was very hard on the eyes way back when when we switched to this board from the previous one which had dark themes. Just give it time and before you know it, looking at the old board will be just as hard on the eyes

Great work guys, looking good! I've gotta say that I for one was against changing the Charlie's Angels logo but I guess the new one's growing on me.

BTW, like a few have stated I'd love to get back into the rotating images... I'm gone!

I love the fact we are doing something NEW ! Its not like the board needed it, but definitely keeps my interest in the fact that we try to do new things as a collective.

One request though : Could we make a more *work friendly* background that's not so SWish....RPF has a great example of work friendly (not attracting too much attention from the fact you're not doing your job)

Great job again guys !!

WOW. I ilke the new look but i cant see the cursor when I'm typing

If anyone is using Firefox and can't see the new themes, let me know because I can't get it to work on Firefox but it works on IE. I have tried clearing my cache multiple times and it doesn't work. Even uninstalled and reinstalled firefox and no difference.

ummm....well...it looks cool.....not sure if I'm used to it yet..

Originally Posted by Mirax H

If anyone is using Firefox and can't see the new themes, let me know because I can't get it to work on Firefox but it works on IE. I have tried clearing my cache multiple times and it doesn't work. Even uninstalled and reinstalled firefox and no difference.

At the moment, I'm using Windows XP/Firefox 2.0.0.3. I see boba-dark and jango-dark. If there are any others that should be there, then I'm not seeing it.

I can switch between boba and jango easily enough.

Holy disappear for the weekend come back to who knows what batman!!!! Logo and banners are looking good. The red is a bit intense for me, but I'm sure it'll grow on me. Nice!

What a pleasant surprise this was! Thanks everyone!

Originally Posted by tk7602

At the moment, I'm using Windows XP/Firefox 2.0.0.3. I see boba-dark and jango-dark. If there are any others that should be there, then I'm not seeing it.

I can switch between boba and jango easily enough.

I'm using the same but the original default that everyone misses, well that is what comes up on mine. I can click on the themes below and they will display on that current page but as soon as I go to a new page on the forum, it goes back to the original white default theme. I don't have this problem on the RPF however.

Originally Posted by Mirax H

I'm using the same but the original default that everyone misses, well that is what comes up on mine. I can click on the themes below and they will display on that current page but as soon as I go to a new page on the forum, it goes back to the original white default theme. I don't have this problem on the RPF however.

My hunch is that it's something to do with your admin access. I haven't worked with vbulletin though, so I have no facts to back that up...

I like the new look to the boards but the biggest thing that is killing my eyes right now is the red bars down the sides of the forums. just a suggestion to the ones the powers that be in charge of the web layout you could take the bars off of the sides of the boards(maybe make them black to blend in with the boards) to help a bit with the odd contrast on the eyes.

Love it

great use of contrast and clean lines, love the little ode to bobas chest lights with the post reply button, nice touch.

I doesn't seem to be because I spoke with another admin last night trying to help me and they have no problems with firefox.

WHEWHOO!!! You guys don't know how relieved I am to have the majority of this done! It has been completely stressing me out and I am glad most of you are liking it! In regard to the rotating images and those who are no longer in the rotation, we have had a heck of a time coming up with good backgrounds for the characters and we decided we would not put a graphic up unless we were really happy with the look. However, rest assured that I am still working on this and am also tasked with the rotation pics for the top of the forum, so I hope to get a great number of you represented. Someone asked earlier if you have to have been photographed by me to be in the rotation. The answer is no, you don't. However, I am pushing very hard to have only high end graphics as our site will be judged by them and the pics I have of people happen to be the best readily available pics we have. Also, due to the fact that I have dozens of pics of the same person, I can go through them and pick the image that I feel is best. If anyone would like to be in the rotation, you are welcome to email a pic to me. However, I may or may not use any pic submitted for any number of reasons, but if it is NOT used, please do not take it as a personal insult or negative critique to your costume in any way. The biggest reason I don't use other people's pics is usually because the pose, lighting, or quality are poor, not because of the costume itself.

Well, right now I'm looking at the site on my Mac G5 (not a new Intel based Mac) in both Safari (2.0.4) and Firefox (2.0.0.3). I've had a lot of issues like other Mac users with Safari - but none with Firefox. So, I think you can narrow it down to Safari issues (which of course is unheard of... )

For now, I would suggest Mac users switch to Firefox while viewing TDH - hard to type without seeing your cursor!

my eyes are just fine. none of this is bothering me. and again, this is all a very good touch.

Originally Posted by MaulMaus

For now, I would suggest Mac users switch to Firefox while viewing TDH - hard to type without seeing your cursor!

i've been thinking about that switch anyway... maybe this will be the final straw

This looks great!

Awesome Job... I really like the face lift done with the whole site... Way to go Team TDH!

All this work and I don't even have a respectable fett helmet.

Maybe now braks will open up a new vader or trooper section to post my stuff in.

Just kidding braks, don't have a heart attack.

Originally Posted by Gino

All this work and I don't even have a respectable fett helmet.

Does the white DP DLX I saw at the Indy prop show not count?

Love it!

This has to be the most thought out, beautiful message forum anywhere on the net!!!

Fantastic job to everyone involved!!!!!

Steve

Me likey!! Although like the rest of the Macheads I can't see the cursor on the black entry box, though it's not too hard to go back and edit.

I love the new layout!

Originally Posted by GCNgamer128

Another thing I'm not fond of is when I go to the homepage, I have to go to a subdirectory to choose which forum I want to enter, I much preferred it when you simply clicked on Forums and it took you there.

I agree, can it be made to just click whatever image is on the homepage and it takes you directly to the forum index like before?

Otherwise, I LOVE IT! Where and when can we buy the new T-shirts?

I love the new look, even though it takes a toll on the eyes hehe. It's funny, when I opened the page I got a Canadian vibe.... very close to a maple leaf... Overall, great work on the redesign.

Wow! Cool Dude!
Now I just have to get use to this...hehe!

I really appericate all of the work that has gone into it… but, to be honest, the new look seems too contemporay and I’m a little wishy-washy on the smiling-T logo… it may just take some getting use to on my part…

Looks very cool guys... love the new look...

Originally Posted by RedFilter

I agree, can it be made to just click whatever image is on the homepage and it takes you directly to the forum index like before?

Otherwise, I LOVE IT! Where and when can we buy the new T-shirts?

Hopefully we will have a single click solution for the frontpage ready to go tonight.

DCB is once again making our shirts and is currently in the process of revamping his site as well. He should have a page for us soon, which will include the new shirt.

The rebrand is nice guys but I have to say that in my opinion, the white text on black background is too harsh on the eyes.

Can I use something else than firefox to see my cursor???
I'm a mac user (g5) but I cant install firefox

Originally Posted by DutchFett

I'm a mac user (g5) but I cant install firefox

Why not?

Originally Posted by Gator Fett

What is the twist you gave to the logo to represent Jango?


Gator

That would be the little band above the visor- representing one of the black stripes that goes around Jango's helmet.

I gotta say, I'm not too keen on the new layout.

I find it hard to view, and it makes my eyes go funny! It just seems a bit too in your face. I prefer the old style, as it was easier to read and not so "loud".

Just my 2 cents.

Although I do like the look of all the T-Shirts etc



Dan