Hello guys! I hope this post is not out of the rules.
I've finished recently this project that basically recreate the Inkscape interface with a new design, using some known design approachs. I believe it could be useful for the developers and the community somehow, so I'm sharing this with you.
If this is useful somehow for you all, I can try to port this into XD, to create the interaction experience of this interface. ☺
This is a nice design. I especially like the simpicity and light color schemes.
There are two aspects to redesigning Inkscape. One is the 'look' of it. That is what theming allows and developer focus is all on how to enable designers to use css and GtkBuilder to design Inkscape differently.
The second is UX, which are going to be much harder to change and require being split up into smaller chunks, each chunk must be advocated by itself with a developer.
Have you looked into Inkscape's css at all? the new theming in 1.0?
Have you looked into Inkscape's css at all? the new theming in 1.0?
No, I've been using Inkscape for a while, but never actually looked into the stuff around it's development until recently... I will look into that asap.
Well, part of the cool stuff that open-source bring is that things can be forked lol. Probably, if this became real, could have a classic theme option for the nostalgic.
It looks nice but from UX look this design misses so many features (stroke size). I am not sure if its a good idea hides all tools under toggleable slides. This could maybe work but would user testing for sure. UI is a little too big it's almost designed for touch devices. But it has the potential to be good
Yes, this might be a good UX template to begin crafting ideas for using Inkscape on touch devices or tablets. Nice work, thanks for sharing! (Have you thought about joining the UX Team and learning more about how to develop for Inkscape?) =)
Even if these changes end up not getting adopted I think is a very positive and valid discussion to at least acknowledge that the application needs some overhaul in some aspects. But maybe we need to make sure the Inkscape project is offering the right ways for volunteers to do it. Maybe if we have a couple of articles on how to tweak themes and icons? Is this something I could get involved and try to help explain for newcomers? Do you all believe this would be practical/feasible?
But, yest, I have to agree with @doctormo. We need to be cautious to make smaller changes both in UX and in UI.
We only have so much developers already working on the application. Maybe, for the future, we could try to open the path for more UX/UI changes maybe explaining what would need to be done for those changes to be broadly discussed?
I think having a dark theme and symbolic icons already a HUGE win for Inkscape. Also, not making use of XQuartz in macOS system, also will make inkscape easier to use. I think we are slowly getting better and better. Maybe if @Mayrinck and I get together (what do you think?) We could try, and, of course, with all the developers/volunteers/community consense, try to put UX/UI changes in the roadmap. For very long term changes. We could try to identify the areas with the biggest GAPs (like the lack of inkscape dark theme once was) and put it in a way people can comment it, discuss, perfect the ideas, suggest changes, and at some point vote if it makes sense, if it is worth it to implement in the long long term.
Would that help if we attented the monthly meetings of the project in IRC? What is the best way to continue with a healthy and active discussion on these topics?
That's okay for me. I can help pointing out those changes that can improve both UI and UX of Inkscape. I just think that IRC is no the best way to discuss such things... They will be lost in time if we start to really engage into the chat...
Maybe (and if possible) we could have a sub-section on the forums to discuss and suggest specific UI and UX stuff, so we can point out changes that can be made and others can comment, including the developers, in a way everyone is quise used to...
I'm planning to move this project into Figma since it's my current main tool for interface and interaction design. When it's done, we will be able to see this prototype in its full potential
Respectfully, the design may appeal to beginners more than those with more complex workflows.
As you may know, Inkscape is very powerful and has many complex features. Hiding many of the buttons may make the software look less complicated, but what about those who frequently use a wide array of tools?
How does the XML Editor fit into this design?
What sets Inkscape apart from other vector applications is arguably the developers' focus on function over style. There are many 'modern' looking apps in the same space which just don't have the functionality and user experience. While Inkscape isn't designed to be an Open Source illustrator clone, it is clearly the way to go for anyone thinking of moving away from Adobe. Inkscape's current UI is easy to adapt to for an Adobe user and this is inviting for those who already have a history in graphic design.
Inkscape is used by so many people for so many things: drawing, animation, plotting, card making, fabric printing etc. A change such as the one suggested would likely be too disruptive. What did Windows 8 teach us about radical design changes?
The Inkscape team has done an excellent job of integrating new features and UI changes (especially in the recent past). I believe this is through communicating with those who use the software and dealing with their challenges.
Before designing something new, it might be worth asking what is not working with the current design. I'm sure there are things which can be optimised and improved upon, but I cannot see the need for such a dramatic change.
I cannot speak for others, but I can't see my workflow adapting to the proposed theme.
Respectfully, the design may appeal to beginners more than those with more complex workflows.
As you may know, Inkscape is very powerful and has many complex features. Hiding many of the buttons may make the software look less complicated, but what about those who frequently use a wide array of tools?
How does the XML Editor fit into this design?
What sets Inkscape apart from other vector applications is arguably the developers' focus on function over style. There are many 'modern' looking apps in the same space which just don't have the functionality and user experience. While Inkscape isn't designed to be an Open Source illustrator clone, it is clearly the way to go for anyone thinking of moving away from Adobe. Inkscape's current UI is easy to adapt to for an Adobe user and this is inviting for those who already have a history in graphic design.
Inkscape is used by so many people for so many things: drawing, animation, plotting, card making, fabric printing etc. A change such as the one suggested would likely be too disruptive. What did Windows 8 teach us about radical design changes?
The Inkscape team has done an excellent job of integrating new features and UI changes (especially in the recent past). I believe this is through communicating with those who use the software and dealing with their challenges.
Before designing something new, it might be worth asking what is not working with the current design. I'm sure there are things which can be optimised and improved upon, but I cannot see the need for such a dramatic change.
I cannot speak for others, but I can't see my workflow adapting to the proposed theme.
Hello @pacer! Actually, this version is not the updated one, in the new one I've been following the very aspect of what you've said but keeping the modern UI thing. I'm also in the Inkscape chat checking how things are evolving into the app right now to incorporate this into the prototype as well... I will update this post with the new link soon.
Share Finished Artwork Inkscape Interface Re-Design (Design Project)
Inkscape.org
Hello guys! I hope this post is not out of the rules.
I've finished recently this project that basically recreate the Inkscape interface with a new design, using some known design approachs. I believe it could be useful for the developers and the community somehow, so I'm sharing this with you.
If this is useful somehow for you all, I can try to port this into XD, to create the interaction experience of this interface. ☺
Update: done -> https://xd.adobe.com/embed/b6f5849a-a4bc-4bd1-6c5c-55b89ec54329-c0c4/?fullscreen
This is a nice design. I especially like the simpicity and light color schemes.
There are two aspects to redesigning Inkscape. One is the 'look' of it. That is what theming allows and developer focus is all on how to enable designers to use css and GtkBuilder to design Inkscape differently.
The second is UX, which are going to be much harder to change and require being split up into smaller chunks, each chunk must be advocated by itself with a developer.
Have you looked into Inkscape's css at all? the new theming in 1.0?
No, I've been using Inkscape for a while, but never actually looked into the stuff around it's development until recently... I will look into that asap.
Hi Renan, thank you very much for submitting your suggestion of interface redesign. I also liked it very much! It looks so fresh.
Thank you for your work.
That would be too much of a change for me. I would probably not upgrade to that version, if it were adopted. I'm too old to make such a big change.
Well, part of the cool stuff that open-source bring is that things can be forked lol. Probably, if this became real, could have a classic theme option for the nostalgic.
Oh, that would be nice!
Thanks for your contribution to the project, by the way 🙂
It looks nice but from UX look this design misses so many features (stroke size).
I am not sure if its a good idea hides all tools under toggleable slides. This could maybe work but would user testing for sure.
UI is a little too big it's almost designed for touch devices.
But it has the potential to be good
Yes, this might be a good UX template to begin crafting ideas for using Inkscape on touch devices or tablets. Nice work, thanks for sharing! (Have you thought about joining the UX Team and learning more about how to develop for Inkscape?) =)
Even if these changes end up not getting adopted I think is a very positive and valid discussion to at least acknowledge that the application needs some overhaul in some aspects. But maybe we need to make sure the Inkscape project is offering the right ways for volunteers to do it. Maybe if we have a couple of articles on how to tweak themes and icons?
Is this something I could get involved and try to help explain for newcomers? Do you all believe this would be practical/feasible?
But, yest, I have to agree with @doctormo. We need to be cautious to make smaller changes both in UX and in UI.
We only have so much developers already working on the application. Maybe, for the future, we could try to open the path for more UX/UI changes maybe explaining what would need to be done for those changes to be broadly discussed?
I think having a dark theme and symbolic icons already a HUGE win for Inkscape. Also, not making use of XQuartz in macOS system, also will make inkscape easier to use. I think we are slowly getting better and better. Maybe if @Mayrinck and I get together (what do you think?) We could try, and, of course, with all the developers/volunteers/community consense, try to put UX/UI changes in the roadmap. For very long term changes. We could try to identify the areas with the biggest GAPs (like the lack of inkscape dark theme once was) and put it in a way people can comment it, discuss, perfect the ideas, suggest changes, and at some point vote if it makes sense, if it is worth it to implement in the long long term.
Would that help if we attented the monthly meetings of the project in IRC? What is the best way to continue with a healthy and active discussion on these topics?
That's okay for me. I can help pointing out those changes that can improve both UI and UX of Inkscape. I just think that IRC is no the best way to discuss such things... They will be lost in time if we start to really engage into the chat...
Maybe (and if possible) we could have a sub-section on the forums to discuss and suggest specific UI and UX stuff, so we can point out changes that can be made and others can comment, including the developers, in a way everyone is quise used to...
Hi @Mayrinck we have a chat room dedicated to discuss UX/UI aspects of Inkscape: https://chat.inkscape.org/channel/team_ux
And, also, feel free to check our feature requests/bugs/issues in our Inbox section of Gitlab (which is at https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inbox/issues).
Also, please, check https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inbox/issues/883 and https://gitlab.com/inkscape/inbox/issues/278
Thanks!
I should add that the chat rooms on rocket chat do have a full history saved.
I'm planning to move this project into Figma since it's my current main tool for interface and interaction design. When it's done, we will be able to see this prototype in its full potential
@renan.designs
Respectfully, the design may appeal to beginners more than those with more complex workflows.
As you may know, Inkscape is very powerful and has many complex features. Hiding many of the buttons may make the software look less complicated, but what about those who frequently use a wide array of tools?
How does the XML Editor fit into this design?
What sets Inkscape apart from other vector applications is arguably the developers' focus on function over style. There are many 'modern' looking apps in the same space which just don't have the functionality and user experience. While Inkscape isn't designed to be an Open Source illustrator clone, it is clearly the way to go for anyone thinking of moving away from Adobe. Inkscape's current UI is easy to adapt to for an Adobe user and this is inviting for those who already have a history in graphic design.
Inkscape is used by so many people for so many things: drawing, animation, plotting, card making, fabric printing etc. A change such as the one suggested would likely be too disruptive. What did Windows 8 teach us about radical design changes?
The Inkscape team has done an excellent job of integrating new features and UI changes (especially in the recent past). I believe this is through communicating with those who use the software and dealing with their challenges.
Before designing something new, it might be worth asking what is not working with the current design. I'm sure there are things which can be optimised and improved upon, but I cannot see the need for such a dramatic change.
I cannot speak for others, but I can't see my workflow adapting to the proposed theme.
Hello @pacer! Actually, this version is not the updated one, in the new one I've been following the very aspect of what you've said but keeping the modern UI thing. I'm also in the Inkscape chat checking how things are evolving into the app right now to incorporate this into the prototype as well... I will update this post with the new link soon.
Hey there guys, this is the latest version of this prototype: https://www.figma.com/proto/AdqiHJjoymY6z8aKxGQXVj/Material-Inkscape?page-id=0%3A1&node-id=101%3A2&viewport=634%2C643%2C0.41019752621650696&scaling=min-zoom&starting-point-node-id=101%3A2
Just remember this is a work in Progress, things may/will change overtime...