Is it me or...
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- ootuoyetahi
- Sr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 124
- Thanks: 0
- Do all of these new(er) templates look exactly the same? What happened to the time where month after month there was a totally new looking template. Every 2010 template (to me) is basically the same template reworked. What are your thoughts?
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- James Spencer
- Preeminent Rocketeer
- Posts: 46340
- Thanks: 50
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I believe its a misconception based on our standardised practises.
Lets take the templates as they are and what elements do they contain (in no particular order):
1. Gantry
The Gantry Framework, I imagine is the latest 'reason' for the 'samey feel' rekindling itself here. As a framework, it inherently forms a standardised basis of all our templates. So what does that mean... well there is going to be a massive overlap of features between each template.
For example, the module positions are going to be almost exactly the same. But is that such a bad thing? I certainly disagree with that assertion. Let us look into the full extent of the module positions framework of Gantry, its pretty diverse. With well over 60 module positions, you have near absolute control over your layout, and with great ease, you can change the appearance of a template... or even a page so drastically by just publishing modules in certain rows, and with different distributions. Lets not forget that with Gantry 2.0, you get per-menu item control so layouts can be truly individual.
This provides for a 'samey' structure, but this same structure is pretty robust and is highly configurable, flexible and useful. Why would you want to change that? Or at least in the very drastic sense of the word change, would be for superficial reasons.
The other features of Gantry such as the logo, the copyright, the date are again, standard. The administrative controls and everything featured therein, are standard and will transition from month to month.
However, the structure and standardisation that Gantry provides should be there, and should be in all our templates. It provides an incredible backdrop to drive any Joomla template. Its always going to be changing but if that gives the appearance that a template is the same from month to month, then I think that's a pretty fine compromise for the powerful features you get each time.
2. The Menu
Our current menu types are Fusion (the JS powered CSS dropdown menu) and Splitmenu, the static dropdown. They are all themes based on the RokNavMenu extension which we use in 'all' our templates.
Therefore, the menu, an important part of any template, will be the 'same' in terms of its function and construction. Fusion menu and Splitmenu will be in all our templates, all the same configuration and setup features such as Subtext, Column Dropdowns, Position allocation, Transition settings etc... will be the same.
The styling however, does change month on month to fit the needs of the design.
3. The Extensions
Gone are the days were each new month brought on a new extension. We now have a standard set of extensions that cover many of the major bases that a Joomla template should cover, such as content rotation/display and search, amongst others. These addons offer the 'same' extended functionality regardless of the template.
Now, what does change monthly, the styled for these extensions. Now, it may not be drastic but they are individually style for each one. However, do remember that the extensions are supplementary and do not form the 'core' of the theme.
These probably add to the feeling of things being the 'same'. However, if you look at our history, you will see there is still divergence in this area based on new design directions in each template, such as the accordion feature in RokNewsPager, or the icon feature in RokTabs. These are now standard features of the extension so will work/appear in each new build but it was the template that initiated the change. This will continue to be the case but maybe not to the same extent as our extensions reach their maturation point.
4. Typography
There has to be a fine balance between innovation and performance here. Sure, we could bundle each template with a flotilla of diverse and extensive typography. However, that would be an unnecessary overload of the template for what are... not entirely used elements.
Now, typography wise, especially within the last year and so, has been standardised in regards to its implementation. All the typography images are located within the /images/typography directory and the typography css (90% of the time) will be contained within /css/typography.css
What does this mean? Well, easy transplanting and editing. Did you like some of the typography in Versatility 4 Nov 08? Then why not just transplant it in and change the whole typographical output of the template incumbent on your site.
Every so often we try to revive our typography but month on month, it isn't going to happen. We need to walk the fine line between implementing new typography, the load on the template, and changing for change sake only. If you look through our entire portfolio, you'll see a diverse range of typography which does add to the unique feel of the template. By simply mix n matching a few styles, you'll see quite a noticeable change.
Again, I feel this adds to the 'samey' appearance but easily rectified and I hope explained above.
The Template as a Whole
I could list through various other parts that constitute a template and outline my views on them. However, I think the core of this is an understanding what a template is, and what a template should be.
A template, in the Joomla context at least, should be there to provide the visual and interactive base of the platform itself. It should facilitate the interaction of the visitors with your site in a clear and functional manner. The interaction comes with the features and functions such as the menu, the extensions and other structural elements.
Now, what about the visuals, this is really where I identify most with a theme, in its design. It would be wrong in my eyes, to categorically state that our themes 'look' the same, and are mere changes of the same model. Our designs are created from scratch each month to be truly different and unique.
However, this can only go so far for practical reasons. Joomla, and the other CMSes, are a standard platform in which certain actions are done in certain ways. Joomla operates by the publishing of content and modules and is limited by its implementation. A theme can only do so much to reinvent the wheel when it comes to a platform. Also, usefulness, unlike certain other clubs, we try to make each theme as generic and usable as possible. With Quantive, Kinetic or Crystalline, you can use them on a vast variety of different sites, built for different purposes... rather than a music site, a business site (whatever that is), a shopping site, a blog etc... the list is endless. Therefore, the scope of the wheel is therefore, metamorphically, restricted yet again to the extent to which it can be reinvented.
The theme is the design, the look, and this does change from month. You may see elements transitioning over... but this is only inevitable and logical for that matter. A Read More button, a core feature of Joomla, can only be moulded into so many different shapes, and the same can be said for a lot of other elements too. The template, which in my definition, is inclusive of the design and the feature/core set can only change so much within the scope of practicality. The template needs modules, it needs menus, it needs to account for certain elements. There are only so many ways to implement such things, and even less ways to do it right.
We take our uniqueness very seriously and strive to make our designs as new and innovative as possible, but you cannot stretch that concept into the realms of disillusion and make something unusable, or impractical just for the sake of change.
I am not seeking to argue that every single one of our templates are completely unique as that in and of itself would be a complete disillusion. I am seeking to argue that the appearance of them being the same (in the strong sense) is a misconception, based on the inherent, natural and necessary transition of particular elements, methodologies and presentations from month to month. If you really look deep into each template, beyond its superficial exterior, you'll soon see the full extent of their differences, at the part that really matters for a theme's divergent appeal... the design. The core features will forever be advanced, in an evolution over a revolution fashion typically, and accompanied with the template, but please see that as it is... an advantage and not the opposite.
We are not oblivious to our design similarities, when they exist, and are certainly aware of new directions we can go, so rest assured, things are not stagnant by any means and will forever improve; but I certainly don't agree with this assertions in their basic format.
This reply was longer than expected but I wished to assess certain aspects in more detail, thanks for your patience.
- James Spencer / Developer & Support / Hull, UK
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- ootuoyetahi
- Sr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 124
- Thanks: 0
- James, I realize that there is a lot in these templates. I also agree with John, Rockettheme templates are the best out there. I just feel that there used to be more variety on a month to month basis and i feel like the variety is coming on a year to year timetable now.
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- Jack__
- Jr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 47
- Thanks: 0
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Technically, Gantry is a great achievement. And when you add-in all the extras (not to be redundant here), well, RocketTheme templates are a fantastic in both form and function - and stability across browser platforms. Also, the integration of PHPbb is a HUGE bonus and selling point.
Now I realize that Gantry will make some templates have common usability elements, however, as ZenGarden ( www.csszengarden.com/ ) proves, you can have the exact same underpinnings and still have radically different designs. I know, and appreciate, all of the effort that goes into making a template for several platforms that works and looks great every month. That can't be easy. I guess what I'm getting at is that a little graphic art goes a long way for those of us (like me) that have NO (that a big ZERO) talent in that area.
Thanks for reading, and I'm not asking y'all to change a thing. I'm very satisfied, but I guess I'd ask that you add more div and span tags to allow for the kind of customization you see in Zen Garden (although that was flawed to start, but they knew that - it was just and experiment that go it's own life).
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