Wikipedia:SOPA initiative/Blackout screen designs
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Call for comment from the community
 | This discussion is being opened by the Wikimedia Foundation to determine how it can support the English Wikipedia community on its decision (if any) relating to the protest of the WP:SOPA Act. The purpose of this discussion is to gauge whether consensus is emerging for action, and if so to clarify what action the community wishes to take. The WMF is posting this call for comment to ensure that we have the necessary time to develop technology to support any action the community may decide to take.' This discussion is focused around design style of the interstitial "blackout" images shown to users if, and only if, the Wikipedia community elects to "black out" in response to the SOPA and PIPA acts.--Jorm (WMF) (talk) 07:38, 14 January 2012 (UTC) |
Summary
Since development time surrounding any action involving SOPA and/or PIPA requires some lead, thought has been given to the design of the interstitial blackout pages. This page is what will be shown to users who visit Wikipedia during the "blackout period".
The following elements should be taken as given, for the sake of discussion:
- Copy is not finalized. This should be considered placeholder at best.
- Images are mockups. Production-quality artwork has not been created, so minor errors may exist.
The following design requirements were taken into effect:
- The screen must be iconic. This image will be used in screen shots in the media and elsewhere.
- The screen must be simple. While the issues presented are complex, they must be boiled down to easy-to-understand concepts, with room for expansion.
- The screen must be symbolic. This is potentially a historical event.
The following design considerations were taken into effect:
- The Wikipedia "puzzle globe" image is a "busy" icon, and not appropriate for the type of statement required.
- Simplicity over complexity.
- Seriousness over frivolity.
- The Wikipedia wordmark was deemed important to include.
Additional comments:
- The "light" version is closer to the current Wikipedia design and would be less shocking.
- The "dark" version is more symbolic (an encroaching darkness), but may be unsettling to community members.
Please note that these images are "first run" attempts. Comments are appreciated.
Open Questions
Please indicate your preference.
To avoid clutter, please Support only your favorite option (do not Oppose), and if you wish state your feelings about other options in your response, referring to them by number.
Dark Style
- Support I like the sharp look of the image. It is also incredibly powerful as a message. Kevin Rutherford (talk) 07:49, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support By a landslide. #2 has insufficient contrast with the normal white-background site which people expect to see. Jeremybornstein (talk) 08:02, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Striking. sonia♫ 08:06, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support better symbolism. --Rschen7754 08:19, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- support Impressive. Next: Call to action page. -- Mathias Schindler (talk) 08:21, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support TotientDragooned (talk) 08:31, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support Honestrosewater (talk) 08:34, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support More powerful. The shadow design is more meaningful when the page is threatened to be engulfed by darkness NeilK (talk) 08:39, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support I really like this. It's powerful, yet simple.--Ryan lane (talk) 08:39, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support For the same reasons as others have given above. zazpot (talk) 08:44, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support Looks great; let's do this. —Keenan Pepper 08:53, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support Contrasts with the light theme in use by Wikipedia nicely, making a much stronger statement that's less likely to be ignored and clicked through. (This is a blackout anyway, not a whiteout) – Andrew Hampe Talk 08:56, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support --Stephenwanjau (talk) 09:00, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support sends a stark message. --Ouro (blah blah) 09:00, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support Visually communicates the severity of the situation. Nicely done! Khorn (WMF) (talk) 09:31, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support Nice. -jkb- (talk) 11:06, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support I like this. 109.150.245.44 (talk) 13:08, 14 January 2012
- Support For a blackout, the tone and mood should be dark, not light. Thanks. Fylbecatulous (talk) 14:16, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support The dark background brings attention to the message. Well done. --Torchflame (talk) 14:48, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support Remove the link to continue to the site though. WizardFusion (talk) 16:34, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support with s/very fiber/integrity/ as mentioned below. Selery (talk) 16:35, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support Very effective cyber noir. kencf0618 (talk) 17:14, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support Sends the message very effectively (keep the continue option) --Radiokid1010 (talk) 18:00, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- Support Appropriately sets the tone for the blackout. White text on black background makes for better readability. Scorp Stanton (talk) 18:07, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
Light Style
- Highest usability, visibility and impact. Black backgrounds are 1990's :) --Errant (chat!) 14:13, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
Comments
- I'd like to see "integrity" substituted for "very fiber" which could come off as hyperbolic. Selery (talk) 16:34, 14 January 2012 (UTC)
- I don't like the gradients and reflections on either example. #1 should be all black and "W Wikipedia" should be in white or gray. Remove the reflection entirely. #2 could lose the reflection as well. –Fredddie™ 17:11, 14 January 2012 (UTC)