Re: [Gimp-user] GIMP name, icon and general graphic look

[Ross Martinek <triarius12 gmail com>]

Okay, please forgive me if I get a little acerbic, but I’ve spent most of my life fighting those who think 
appearance is more important than it is. Appearance is, at best, completely, utterly, secondary to everything.

Function, on the other hand, is absolutely vital—to everything. When I meet someone who says they aren’t good 
looking, I tell them “Real beauty is on the inside, it comes from within. The outside is mere window 
dressing.”

So asking developers of some of the best graphics software to spend time thinking about appearance, other 
than the user interface, is a complete, utter waste of their time.

Worried about “branding”? GIMP is free. It is “sold” because it works, and works very well. Its beauty comes 
from within. It doesn’t need a flashy ad campaign. It doesn’t need to look professional—it is professional 
and anyone who looks past the exterior knows it.

GIMP is a tool that can be used to create artistic beauty, which is the only place appearance is important.

Put simply, I don’t care if the tool is uglier than mortal sin if it does the job well. Form follows 
function—about a light year behind. 

As for Wilbur, I, too, thought he looked a bit silly at first. Now I love the sight of him. He isn’t merely a 
mascot, or a logo. He’s an Icon, as in “Cultural Icon.” Put another way: “If you don’t use GIMP, you’re too 
wealthy to call yourself an artist!” (You’re supposed to laugh, here. It’s a play on the iconic “starving 
artist.")

Stop fussing about what the paint brush looks like. Go thou and create something beautiful.

Ross


> On Oct 20, 2017, at 10:07 AM, Maurizio Paglia <mpaglia0 gmail com> wrote:
>
> Ciao Alex and thank you for your prompt reply!
>
> 2017-10-20 15:38 GMT+02:00 Alexandre Prokoudine <
> alexandre prokoudine gmail com>:
>
> > On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 4:18 PM, Maurizio Paglia wrote:
> >
> > > 2. ICON - I do not like GIMP icon. I think GIMP should have a new icon
> > > containing the letter 'G'. The 'G' icon will be more modern,
> > identifiable,
> > > and will integrate better in modern flat/minimal desktop environment.
> >
> > You mean we should replace the unique Wilber logo with general 'G'
> > letter to make it more identifiable?
>
> Wilber is not a logo.
> A logo is unique and do not change.
> Wilber appears in several flavours (thinking, joking, with a helmet/hat,
> etc.). Wilber acts like a mascot.
> I think GIMP needs a more modern logo that could be the word GIMP written
> in a particular way, and the 'G' can be used as GIMP icon (for the
> launcher).
>
> > > 3. SPLASH - It could sound strange but splash is incredibly attractive
> > for
> > > a lot of users and - in any case - it is the software intro. I think GIMP
> > > needs a more professional/modern/abstract splash. Moreover please keep
> > away
> > > Wilber and put the 'G' icon instead.
> >
> > You are judging splash screens by the ones we have for development
> > versions. But we don't use those for stable versions at all. Splash
> > screens for stable versions are exactly that: abstract. See for
> > yourself: https://www.gimp.org/about/splash/stable.html.
>
> Oh... yes, you are right. Sorry :-(
> But I confirm the need to always put in the splash the GIMP logo/icon
>
> > > 4. UI - I think Wilber should disappear from GIMP GUI (error/messages
> > > windows, etc.) and new modern icons to be used.
> > >
> > > Wilber, in particular, should remain as the GIMP mascot, nothing else.
> > > Like KDE Konqi, the mascot appears on the website, etc. but its role is
> > > always clear: it is a mascot and is never used in the UI where clear and
> > > minimal icons are used instead.
> > >
> > > What do you think about this dress change?
> >
> > Identity loss, followed by the existential crisis? :)
>
> Please apologize but I cannot understand this comment.
> Do you think change logo/icon will be an identity loss?
> I think a well done logo will have a big impact on people.
> Moreover I think a modern/minimal logo is more suitable for a software.
> In my opinion Wilber is too much 'vintage' and a little 'childlike'.
> Let's keep Wilber as a mascot (also to remember GIMP roots, why not) but
> GIMP needs a new logo.
>
> > Alex
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