[Debate] Pre-Made Skins

[sassylii]

Premade skins are fine and I don't have a problem with them. I can see problems with crediting and overuse, but otherwise they're fine. They're good for beginners, I agree, but I don't think there's anything wrong with someone good at skin making occasionally using one. Of course it's always nice to see a site wih an original skin, but again I'm not turned off by a site with a premade skin. And hey, if you have a skin you're proud with then it kinda feels good to see people using it.

[2ndgaterocklee]

Well, I created my own background and button designs for my forum (because I had to use a logo in mine that I didn't really want to change), though I don't know if it's really a "skin." I think that if you can make your own skin and think it would fit better than a pre-made one, go for it! If you think you have a good board, but need a little help on the imagery, definitely use a pre-made skin or a requested skin.

[fantasmic]

I'm personally against Pre-made templates. I've only used them on MySpace, in the wayyy beginning. Back when I didn't know what HTML or CSS even was. In those instances, I guess it's okay. Because while you're looking at the code, despite yourself you're learning about it. And when something breaks, you have to see what you didn't paste correctly, and you slowly begin learning about what code does what, and how each aspect changes something on the overall page.

But that's when it should stop. Even if you go, say, to the code database (which even I do), and other sites with codes to piece together your template, that's better than taking something in its entirety and just slapping it into place. I make my own graphics, including the banner, buttons, side bars, background, etcetera. And then I use codes to put those where I want. It may not be the MOST original way, but it still makes things a little more original and eye catching than taking a layout hundreds of other sites have.

Especially where graphic sites are involved! They should at least be able to do what I do and make the banner, etc for their board. If they didn't even make those aspects of their skin, I won't bother request from them. If they aren't willing to put time into their own site, I wouldn't feel like they're putting adequate time into visitor's requests.

[I ♥ Adam Lambert!]

I have never used a Pre Made skin - mainly because they have all been comples skins that require being placed in Global Headers/Footers which means extra codes which causes lags and slow loading and also because I love the satisfaction of creating a skin and then having all our members give nice compliments about it and it's something I can be proud of!

The one thing I suppose could count as Pre Made is that I have 4 artists who have allowed me use of their copyrighted wallpapers so many of my skins feature their art in the backgrounds so even though I haven't created it myself, it's stunning and you won't find 100 other forums using it because they don't allow just anyone to use their artwork so it makes my forum unique in that respect.

I would like to replace all the default PB buttons with custom ones to match each skin but I have never created buttons before and don't know how to make the background invisible and also there are like over 50 icons on here so to design 50 icons multiplied by 26 skins - that's a lot of icons and I don't have the time or expertise to do it, so I would maybe use Pre Made buttons from another graphics/coding site except that they never have FULL set of buttons and they don't have all the colour options I would need.

But anyway, I would say if needed, use a Pre Made Skin just so you have something on the forum otherwise it looks boring, and then start creating your own skins, it's all trial and error. Just keep experimenting with colour schemes and backgrounds until you find one you like, and then post on here asking for advice and opinions and see if a more experienced member can offer some suggestions to improve it

[Gamoc]

I have actually found a use in pre-made templates now. Now that I have no more Photoshop and Gimp is quite Photoshop and isn't as comfortable, I see the use in using a pre-made skin while I attempt at getting comfortable with GIMP. There is a good reason to use a pre-made. As a placeholder or if you just have no other way of doing it and need a skin up ASAP. There can be no other reason that I can see.

[Qwerty333]

Some are actually very good when pre-made. I kind of just clash some colors together. After a little tweaking here or there, it eventually works out. However, I have not seen the same skin on several forums before.

[iCandy]

Personally, I don't have anything against pre-made skins. I used to use them in the beginning, when I was still new to proboards. However, after I got used to the layout of things, I began creating my own skins, and after a few trial and errors, i've figured out how to make good skins, skins that don't hurt the members eyes and skins that compliment itself. It's actually kind of fun, and I find that half of the compliments that a site gets is on the skin, and it feels great when somebody compliments your site's skin. However, back to the topic of pre-made skins, I think that it's up to the admin of the site to decide. If they feel more comfortable using a pre-made skin, then by all means, go ahead. However, if they want creativity and to have a completely original site, then they could spend the time fiddling around to create a skin.

[jadw2k9]

When a person uses a premade skin on his site, it stops being his site.

I would never use pre-made skins on forums or even pre-made layouts for websites. If everyone else is using it, it's certainly not for me. Since I have the skill to design original sites and I know a lot about HTML colour codes, making a forum skin is just a matter of time and effort.

If I see a forum that is amazing, and it's not a template, that forum has just scored a point in my book.

>and it's not a template

I like the way you said that. Templates just don't do for me, but mostly because I haven't had the satisfaction of making something by myself.

Templates can also be difficult to modify if you haven't created it yourself. Moreso, there can be copyright issues if you want to modify a template someone else had made and copyrighted.

[Rurika-chan]

Pre made skins are annoying >.>. It doesn't show that the owner of the board is doing his best to make it and it is sad. When you create something create it form scratch and on your own. I can understand that in the beginning it will be difficult to make something on your own, something suge and amazing BUT if you just start then slowly you will see how to make things right. *nods* I never ever used premade skins for my board. I find it weird >.> and in the end the result will be something that doesn't represent Rika-chan at all >_____< and this is bad.

Never put up something that doesn't represent you this way the board doesn't become yours but someone elses. Even if your taste sucks keep it up. templates are for lazybums who do not want to put effort or they are just not enthusiastic enough.

Ja.... I may be wrong about the last statement but this is how I see it .

[Gia_Sesshoumaru]

I'd advise against using pre-made skins of any kind. Even if you're inexperienced, you can find someone to help you out. That's what I had to do, and there's no shame in that. Pre-made skins, as it's been said, take away the originality, even if it looks nice. It should be yours and no one elses, something that you can be proud of so people can actually compliment you, and not someone else from another site or not compliment you at all.

[Mewstorm]

I kinda don't recommend them (no offense to people who do them) its kinda unoriginal like you said

[Candice]

Jun 9, 2009 7:37:06 GMT -8 Mewstorm said:

I kinda don't recommend them (no offense to people who do them) its kinda unoriginal like you said

Why do you consider them to be unoriginal? Why do you not recommend them?

Please, make sure your post is 4 sentences long like the rules ask.

Thank you.

[Trublu]

I'm surprised to see so many people so against premades. I myself wouldn't go out of my way to recommend them, but I think in leiu of a messy site, a premade would fit quite nicely. Some people just don't have graphic design skills, period. That doesn't mean that they are lazy, unoriginal, or are in any way not a good admin, it just means that they cannot design. That shouldn't be prohibitive from starting a forum, especially if the founder is really good at every other aspect. Obviously, it would be advised to have original content, but a premade isn't a turn off for me.

[FLASHiNGLiGHTS !]

Do you recommend them, or not?
It depends on the person, a little bit. If your somebody who finds it hard to match the colors and work with coding, I think it really helps. I say yes.

Also, should design and graphics boards use a pre-made skin from another forum?
I say no. If you start a design and graphic board, why are you using a premade skin from a different forum? If you create your own skins it could be a way to show off your work, not somebody else's.

[grieves and squick]

Agreed there. People will not be very impressed by a graphics/design board that apparently cannot even design itself.

Premades have their uses. My first board used a premade for a while. They're a great way to get your board set up quickly at the outset if you really don't have the skill to create your own. Then again THIS forum has so many resources not to mention instant, free troubleshooting services that IMO it makes it quite easy to design your own forum's look. You'd still have to design your own graphics for the full effect, but that's surprisingly easy too.