WarZ / Infestation Launcher Design

[GigaToni]

Hey!
I'd like your opinion on my Launcher design, because I'm not a good Artist and I'm not very creative nor do I know If it looks good. So here it is:

(On the left is the login window which opens first, on the right is the main launcher)

 

[Mucski]

Input too small, close button too big, old-school gradients though the color scheme seems fine, a huge copyright at the bottom with weird unreadable font, half baked buttons and un-matching social links, un-styled slider buttons, high amount of unnecessary shadow, overall it looks like something you would throw together in a couple of minutes in any graphic editing program.

Sorry if I was rude in any way, you can always keep practicing, or you can post in requests section and I may be able to help you out.

 

[GigaToni]

First thanks for your honest opinion, Yep the input fields are too small, but I resize them as I make the C++ behind it. Old school gradients? The copyright is only for posting the images . I don't understand what you mean with "half baked buttons". The social Icons.. Ye. I don't had any ideas what to make them... Unnecessary shadow? What do you mean with that? In a couple of minutes? As a noob certainly not .

 

[Cyndaquil]

Over all the text is too big, would recommend reducing them a lot. The social buttons don't tie in with the general theme of the launcher either. Layout is alright however you have a lot of dead space in the lower left hand corner. Personally I think the gradients are a little too obvious, reduce them a bit !

 

[Mucski]

Every single element on your launcher has a shadow, though most of it can't be seen due to the dark background. That's what I call unnecessary shadow. Half baked buttons - text on your buttons are not centered, also they are just simple rounded shapes with a gradient on it, which isn't quite well done either. Probably would look better if you would drop the infestation font or whatever font that wants to be.

The slider has a huge amount of inner shadow. I would either change the overlay to Soft light, or decrease the opacity greatly. Oldschool gradient is the orange you're using on your buttons. It doesn't seem like a modern button to me.

 

[GigaToni]

Cyndaquil thanks for your feedback I'll make the text smaller, I knew that the social buttons don't fit, but thanks for pointing it out!

Mucski:
Actually nothing has shadow except for the buttons (X button included), the progress bar and the slider thingy. Everything is done via gradient^^

For the buttons I'd liked to have something like:

But I didn't really know how to do it :/.
The font actually doesn't have anything to do with WarZ, and to be honest I really didn't liked it either. But as I said earlier didn't really knew how to do it.

 

[Mucski]

I will make you a PSD tomorrow of that button, because today I am out of time and have to go

 

[Wucas]

Cyndaquil thanks for your feedback I'll make the text smaller, I knew that the social buttons don't fit, but thanks for pointing it out!

Mucski:
Actually nothing has shadow except for the buttons (X button included), the progress bar and the slider thingy. Everything is done via gradient^^

For the buttons I'd liked to have something like:

But I didn't really know how to do it :/.
The font actually doesn't have anything to do with WarZ, and to be honest I really didn't liked it either. But as I said earlier didn't really knew how to do it.

Honestly those buttons are even becoming outdated. It is simply better to go with a completely flat UI in most scenarios. Make the typography on the button be the driving graphic force, the 3D look just isn't in at the moment.

The Guild Wars II has a good example of a modern take on a basic launcher.
Thin; flat; minimalistic. That is what modern design is all about. Don't worry about putting too much information on the launcher itself, and if really need it, a 16x16 icon or text does just fine. Having 4 32x32 or 64x64 icons on your launcher just makes it seem cluttered.

 

[Mucski]

@GigaToni Promised you a button PSD so here it goes.

Made it extra large so you can resize it for your needs.

Download the PSD :

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[NubPro]

GigaToni Promised you a button PSD so here it goes.

Made it extra large so you can resize it for your needs.

Download the PSD :

You must be registered to see links

its missing a lot of details. a lot.

 

[Mucski]

its missing a lot of details. a lot.

My bad

Any more details will ruin it's scalability.

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[Gryzzex]

Close button is a bit too big and but overall it looks good.