Round orange emblems have lack usability

Bug #73023 reported by Ivan Sagalaev
34
This bug affects 1 person
Affects Status Importance Assigned to Milestone
human-icon-theme
Invalid
Undecided
Unassigned
human-icon-theme (Ubuntu)
Won't Fix
Medium
Unassigned

Bug Description

Binary package hint: human-icon-theme

Some background. I use Gnome in its 'spatial' mode and rely heavily on spatial characteristics: placement of objects, their color, form and texture. Given this I use emblems a lot and before Edgy they played a big and good role in easiness of access to screen objects.

Edgy brings new shiny emblems that have a unified look. While beautiful, it reduces usability of emblems very much because it makes all emblems to be:

- of one form
- of one color

I propose to bring back previous emblems (at least) or draw new ones. I perfectly understand that drawing so many emblems in different colors and forms is much harder than current set with schematic pictures. This is why I think that returning old icons is a good option.

I've found that the nature of this issue is hard to understand for the majority of users that use Nautilus as a file browser with 'list view' and use emblems as an occasional eye-candy. But for us, crazy spatial addicts, this is really a major thing. I'll attach two screenshot of my home folder, one with edgy's emblems that makes everything indistinguishably orange and one with old emblems that help you to pick a needed icon in no time.

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Ivan Sagalaev (isagalaev) wrote :
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Ivan Sagalaev (isagalaev) wrote :
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commodore (villes) wrote :

I totally agree. You can't distinct them.

Changed in human-icon-theme:
assignee: nobody → ubuntu-art
importance: Undecided → Medium
status: Unconfirmed → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
Byron (jesse-shinsetsu) wrote :

I agree, but not wholy.. I like the way icons are unified in a way, with similar shapes, but still distinction between them in a way.. However, I think it also has something to do with the placement of the emblems, the way you perceive the image as a whole..

As i see it, when you look at it, you see a folder first, then some undistinguishible 'emblems' sort of floating above them, and then the text line beneath the folder icon.. Then you have to look a second time to see what each folder is, in both cases, either with the orange ones as with the tangerine-emblems..

Wouldn't it be a far better idea to make folder icons with emblems on them instead of floating emblems (see bug attachment (screen taken on a mac, hey, i'm a graphic designer!? ^_^ ), so that you minimize the space used, thus maximizing what you perceive..

Revision history for this message
Ivan Sagalaev (isagalaev) wrote :

I'm all in favor of placing the emblems on folders, they take less space this way. In fact they used to do this in Breezy but changed it in Dapper.

But my main concern is still shape and color of emblems.

Revision history for this message
Byron (jesse-shinsetsu) wrote :

Something I just noticed from looking at the orange emblems again, is that the the lighting on them, makes them become a bit harder to look at.. the example I posted before has a very faint gradual tint in the round forms, but the glare on the orange emblems is really fat, which makes it blend in with the white icons..

I agree with your concern on the shape and color of the emblems, but design-wise, I agree with the way they have made them.. It is part of the unified look troughout the whole theme.. However, it still lacks some useability I agree..

The tangerine theme is good in showing the icons in shape, but not in color, or in outline.. They are all not the same..

Maybe it's a good idea to get behind the 'drawing table' and keep this thread going with some ideas and propositions?

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nysosym (nysosym) wrote :

Hi,

I'm the developer of these emblems and agree with some points of critic.
I have created a colored preview of these emblems and it would be nice, when u will write a comment about that.

http://img105.imageshack.us/my.php?image=colorhumanemblemswa5.png

"Why are all these emblems round?". That's a good question and the answer is really simple, my idea was to create new emblems and all people who have a look on it should think "These are emblems!". For that fact, I have used a consistent look to identify every emblem, as an emblem.

"Why are all emblems orange?" Although this answer is very simple, I would have a great consistens with the "Human look" and the main color of human is orange. I didn't thought that this would be a big usability problem, because i find everything at the same time, as with the original gnome emblems.

The Idea with emblem folders is good, but there is a big problem, it is very unusable to have more than one icon on every folder, because folders are to small.

Sincerely Eric S.

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Karoliina Salminen (karoliina-t-salminen) wrote :

There is one thing though (IMHO):
- the orange ones (screenshot above) look stylish and professional
- the old ones look unprofessional

I think the fact that they are ugly has nothing to do with their usability and usability of stylish
graphics should be improved instead of replacing the new stylish graphics with the old ugly graphics that would make the system to look bad since the non-stylish graphics would greatly reduce the
end user's first impression which is very important for forming the overall impression of the system.

Revision history for this message
Ivan Sagalaev (isagalaev) wrote :

I think Karoliina made a good point. Yes, usability and style are often not related. The original point of the bug is that current emblems are stylish but not usable (or not so much usable). That's why I suggested that we can improve usability even by returning old Gnome icons. But sure we all would prefer emblems to be both stylish and usable!

Now from comments I understood that the main idea of nysosym is to make emblems share some unified look to deliver the notion that they are emblems and are from the same pool. I'd like to make some comments on this.

- (this one is a speculation, I never really tested it) I think that emblems are viewed as emblems mainly not by their look but by their role: every picture that hangs next to a main icon is an emblem. But I agree that unified look is not a bad thing by itself.

- The unified look can nonetheless be broken by user's custom emblems which you can see on my "orange" screenshot in the upper right corner, I used two project's icons for project folders. This was the thing that always looked ugly in many alternative shells for Windows: they come with some beautiful set of icons, but as soon as a user wants a custom icon it stands out and looks ugly (not all users can draw).

- Even if we really want to stick to a unified look we can make the 'unified' part less overwhelming. Imagine a set of colorful and differently shaped icons that all have some _little_ common detail. Let it be the orange circle but let it be small enough to not eat the shape but big enough to be recognizable. I even try to make some prototype though my drawing skills are low :-)

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Jimmy Angelakos (vyruss) wrote :

Just my 2 euro cents:

Eric, I find that your emblems are extremely professional and beautiful. Good job! For the sake of UI consistency I'd prefer sole use of the orange emblems, but as many people seem to think they are not so usable, I took a look at your preview of the coloured emblems and I find those very nice too. You are truly an asset to the artwork team.

Revision history for this message
nysosym (nysosym) wrote :

Hi,

Big thx for the good and bad words. I agree that usability and style are often not related, but I think this should be a goal in the future.

Back to the emblems, I think the round shape is an important thing to identifying emblems as emblems. The colors will be changed and I have a complete redesigned preview here, please take a look and tell me your mind especially about the question "the draft alternative or the "old" draft?!" and although the color question, for color blind people (very difficult for a non color blind human....) .

http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenshot1sc0.png
(115kb)

Hope u will love it.

Sincerely Eric S.

Revision history for this message
Jef (jef-v) wrote :

This emblem icon set is really nice, but the more I use it, the less I enjoy it. What annoy me is, they are not very colorful and are all circular, which makes them all looking like each others.

That is the reason why I created my own set of emblem icons (it is not yet complete). You can see a preview in the attached picture.

Revision history for this message
nysosym (nysosym) wrote :

Very good work jef, i like these icons. But i think the the "emblem character" decrease a lot with them. Personally i think emblems should have a consistent shape, for a better use as an emblem. Different shapes have a "symbol with symbol" character.

I have made a little hack of Maniacs screenshot with my new recreated emblems. What do you think about that?

http://img524.imageshack.us/my.php?image=emblemshumanzu4.png

Sincerely Eric S.

Revision history for this message
John T. Folden (john-t-folden) wrote :

Personally, I prefer the "style" of Jef's emblem icon set over the current set to a rather sizable degree. They make use of an immediately more recognizable image for each emblem and seem more integrated and modern compared to other included graphics in the Distro.

Eric's 'colored' update is an improvement on the originals BUT many of them are too simplistically stylized to properly indicate their meaning, imo. For example. if I were not to read the descriptions beneath (and when in use, keep in mind that these emblems don't have a text description) the multimedia emblem looks like a ladder to me, the Certified almost looks like a clock, the Package looks like a t-shirt, and the art emblem draws to mind a flukeworm rather than a paint brush! I would really be happy with a more photo-realistic direction in this area.

I, also, think the circle behind the emblem tends to make the images appear oversized. When combined with the object on which they are placed it tends to create a rather unbalanced feeling, imo. Rather than using a shape to tie them all together perhaps an overall 'color tint' could be used to indicate their function instead.

John

Revision history for this message
nysosym (nysosym) wrote : Re: [Bug 73023] Re: Round orange emblems have lack usability

Hi, merry X-Mas!

I like Jef's emblems although, but I think an emblem should be simple and
easy to "read".
Photo realistic emblems would be a hard to identify, especially on higher
resolutions.

I know my emblems, have much room for improvements, but hey, good critic
will have a good solution. On the other side, the emblems are under GPL and
any user can change or modify them.

For some people the "package" emblems looks like a t-shirt and the certified
as a clock. But the original Gnome "certified" emblem is very similar, with
a view to "old" gnome users, I have used a middle way between "new" and
"old" emblems. I have played with a 3D Package, but all the other emblems
are 2D and a 3D symbol has too many details. In this way I have used the
"t-shirt" solution.

Maybe we should make a poll, let's the community choose the best way.

sincerely Eric S.

Revision history for this message
Ivan Sagalaev (isagalaev) wrote :

I've finally managed to create some mock-ups of what I think would be good emblems (see attachment emblems-mockup.png). They are not in any way for real use, I just used stock icons to show my idea.

Some highlights:

- emblems have different color (the purpose of the bug)
- emblems have mostly different contour shape
- to address the idea of uniformity all emblems have one common detail (a green round pad) that I tried to make both small enough to not interfere with emblem's shape and to be recognizable from first sight
- the color of the pad is green to not merge into orange Human folders
- the pad's green is intended to be the same shade as on Human 'OK' arrow though I was a bit lazy to copy it exactly, sorry for this!
- emblems are small for two purposes: to not confuse them with other icons and to not create too much visual garbage when placed next to tightly arranged icons (they are now 22px but could easily be shrunk to 20px)

So what do people think about this idea?

Revision history for this message
Troy James Sobotka (troy-sobotka) wrote :

sabdfl chose these for inclusion during Edgy.

Changed in human-icon-theme:
status: Confirmed → Rejected
Revision history for this message
Christoph Noack (christophnoack-forum) wrote :

Hello!

Why is this one rejected if it could be fixed relatively easily? For me, these icons lack usability and it's use does not significant enhance the productivity ("First, read the folder's name. Then understand the emblem"). The rest has been discussed very useful in the comments above.

Just for demonstrating how much use is made of similar graphical elements in Ubuntu; small icons with extensive use of orange: Settings Icon, Home Location, Connect to Server and Search (in menu locations), Ubuntu Application Icon, Internet (Application Menu), Deskbar Icon, Firefox RSS-Icons, Trash, Close-Buttons, Ekiga Icon, Users and Groups (Administration Menu), Online System Documentation (Help Menu) ...

Most of them do not differ much in shape and color. I'm sure many people (for example older ones) cannot distinguish well between those. Maybe this has not been considered when sabdfl decided to include these emblem icons to this operating system. If I'm wrong, I would like to ask for some explanatory statement, because I feel that the decision was inaccurate.

Thank you in advance! Christoph

Revision history for this message
Troy James Sobotka (troy-sobotka) wrote :

There are many people, some with art and design degrees, who have issues with some of Ubuntu's chosen implementations across everything from Wallpaper to Icons to menu layouts.

That said, the current art and design final word is handled by sabdfl himself. He chose to integrate the emblems. It his not, I stress _not_ within our range of power to change such a major element at this juncture.

Sorry if this is not what you want to hear, but we must all learn to work together and appreciate sabdfl's decisions on these matters.

If you have further concerns, I strongly suggest that you change your local implementations of the emblems.

Once again, the look and feel of the Ubuntu emblems is 'by design'.

I hope this clears the situation up.

Revision history for this message
Lionel Dricot (ploum-deactivatedaccount) wrote :

I want to stress that this bug is so much of a problem that most Howto and wiki now explain how to change the emblems.

I don't discuss the I-like-or-not fact, I insist that it's about usability. I've exactly the same issue as the original reporter. The Human icon them is not "usable" anymore. Emblems are not a feature anymore, just dead code.

I really like the coloured proposition.

I want to bring some illustration to this concept with the (wonderful) NautilusSVN plugin.

If you install it on Ubuntu, it's simply not usable :
http://www.movingtofreedom.org/2007/11/06/nautilus-svn-and-new-emblems/

You have to follow the tricky howto and to download original TortoiseSVN icons in order to make it works, which is a shame.

In several cases I know, migrating an user from Windows to Linux was a not-so-good experience *only because of this*. All was perfect then, when they ask for a Tortoise equivalent and I installed NautilusSVN, they said : "This is not usable". If I install the icons "Wow, Linux is so tricky. It's only for geeks".

Those are tiny details we should really avoid in Ubuntu.

Revision history for this message
Lionel Dricot (ploum-deactivatedaccount) wrote :

I think this bug must remain open because people like me who are looking for it will not find it if it's closed. And, logically, the problem still persist and can be easily solved (see the proposed coloured version in the comments). At least by providing an alternate Human theme with coloured emblems or something similar. (but I insist that default are important)

Changed in human-icon-theme:
status: Invalid → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
Ivan Sagalaev (isagalaev) wrote :

Lionel, thanks for your support! And thank you very much for pointing me at NautilusSVN, I was looking for Tortoise replacement in Ubuntu for years, literally :-)

Revision history for this message
Ashley Yakeley (ashley-semantic) wrote :

Emblems should be instantly recognisable, so they should vary in both colour and shape. Since they are all small adornments to other icons, there's no need for them to have any visual commonality. Their "emblemness" is identified by their context as adornments.

I would be perfectly happy with a set of ordinary Tango icons for emblems. More could be added following the same Tango guidelines.

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Kenneth Wimer (kwwii) wrote :

I agree with the idea of making the emblems easier to identify. However if we used the tango guidelines the icons would not match the Human theme.

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Ashley Yakeley (ashley-semantic) wrote :

Oh yes, I meant just the same icons that are used for other things.

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Bitterjug (bitterjug) wrote :

Hey guys, I just came here because as of upgrading to Jaunty I no longer have my old alternative emblem set.

Like Ivan, I find the round orange emblems unhelpful and have been enjoying using the multicoloured odd-shaped ones I got when I switched to the Tangerine icon set. Today I switched to tangerine again but still have orange round emblems which I find almost impossible to differentiate among.

Reading this thread it seems to me there ought to be a bunch of icon themes available and folks like me who are prepared to put up with ugly icons for usability can chose them. But where have my old emblems gone?

Mark

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Dave M (davenoto) wrote :

I think the colors are MUCH MORE important than the pictograms. Nobody want's to read or recognize labels by a few pixels!!!
Anyone agree?

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Lionel Dricot (ploum-deactivatedaccount) wrote :

Dave > I think everyone agree

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Ivan Sagalaev (isagalaev) wrote :

BTW... Some time ago when we were discussing the issue in ubuntu-art mail list Mark Shuttleworth asked about some form of testing this issue[1]. Since then I've found one good analysis[2] but hadn't attach it because Troy James Sobotka has closed the ticket[3] referring to Mark's decision (which I never saw BTW). But now it's open and has got some interest so I think we can try again?

Anyway, all points above still stand. I just don't know who now in the position of making decisions here.

[1]: https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-art/2006-October/003346.html
[2]: http://www.boxesandarrows.com/view/icon_analysis
[3]: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/human-icon-theme/+bug/73023/comments/17

Revision history for this message
Jef (jef-v) wrote :

For my own use, I felt in love with the emblems from Erectus-Human icon set.

They consist in black circular background and grey foreground. They mix nicely with the human icon set and are a bit similar in design to the new notification icons. (included a screenshot)

While I really dislike the original orange emblem set, I do appreciate those.

They suffer from the same lack of accessibility (round icons as well). However, after a few days of getting used to, I find them very accessible. I hardly can explain what makes such a difference from the original Human emblems.

Revision history for this message
nm (nm-web) wrote :

Jef: probably because they are _less_ shiny and less obtrusive than default icons.

They are just sit there without invading your mind :)

The classical look Human icons much more "aggressive" and standing out of folder icon.

Revision history for this message
Lionel Dricot (ploum-deactivatedaccount) wrote :

Long standing usability issue with the default desktop : perfect papercut !

Revision history for this message
Lionel Dricot (ploum-deactivatedaccount) wrote :

Good news : default emblems are now usable in Karmic. This fix the papercut bug.

Changed in hundredpapercuts:
status: New → Fix Released
Revision history for this message
Vish (vish) wrote :

Thanks Lionel Dricot , I missed marking this papercut fixed when we switched to Humanity theme.

Changed in hundredpapercuts:
importance: Undecided → Low
milestone: none → round-10
Revision history for this message
Ivan Sagalaev (isagalaev) wrote :

I've stumbled upon a strange thing about the emblems. Those applied by some gnome magic to well-known directories like Music, Pictures etc., are positioned within the folder icon. Those that I try to apply myself are positioned far beyond the upper right corner of the icon. Is this by design?

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Lionel Dricot (ploum-deactivatedaccount) wrote :

Ivan > I'm curious about that too ;-)

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Ivan Sagalaev (isagalaev) wrote :

Pardon my ignorance but who should we contact to resolve the issue?

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Lionel Dricot (ploum-deactivatedaccount) wrote :

Ivan > fill a bug against nautilus.

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Vish (vish) wrote :

Lionel Dricot , Ivan Sagalaev :
Its not a bug ;) thats the icon design. the xdg folders have the icons done so , you can see the icons > /usr/share/icons/Humanity/places

Those are not emblems.

Revision history for this message
Ivan Sagalaev (isagalaev) wrote :

Ah! That's what I suspected... The question is then can we make emblems not suck as well? :-) I.e. place them like xdg icons. This is controlled be the theme right?

Revision history for this message
Vish (vish) wrote :

Ivan Sagalaev , nope. not a theme option... that would probably a wishlist bug in nautilus > you need to file upstream
 You can learn more about how to do this for various upstreams at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/Upstream.

Revision history for this message
Adolfo Jayme Barrientos (fitojb) wrote :

Gnome removed emblems support from Nautilus long ago. Thus, this bug is no longer relevant.

no longer affects: hundredpapercuts
Changed in human-icon-theme (Ubuntu):
status: Confirmed → Won't Fix
assignee: Ubuntu Artwork Team (ubuntu-art) → nobody
Changed in human-icon-theme:
status: New → Invalid
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