yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
Bumpity bump bump
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] :
add me on the list, JCopernicus - Twitter Jcopernicus
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] jasrups:
3G Watchdog!!! Such a great app, such an UGLY icon!
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] seriks82:
yelp - the logo is fine, but the icon is all blurry :/

fandango -
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] OrganizedFellow:
:)

I haven't done any logo/graphic design in a while.

I'm up for a few fun projects.

Add me also: organizedfellow@gmail.com
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] trn20:
Astrid Task UI is awful; I gave up on using it and moved on.

Touchdown UI sucked also. I really don't like all the vauge icons; I can never remember if i'm replying or reply all'ing or forwarding or whatever. I went back to the stock E-mail client. I wanted to use their universal widget like the HTC Sense Mail widget but it was just too ugly and didn't work well.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] djosiah:
i agree with most of your points apart from then engadget icon. its their logo so what were they supposed to use lol? here is a quick icon i came up for root explorer

with text:

without text:
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] commodoor:
Maybe you could us something like a folder, when i see this i think of the terminal.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] greg_s:
+1 on 3G Watchdog, great app, hate the UI.

Two other apps that could do with some GUI help, Credit Usage and Timeriffic
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
That's friggin brilliant...simple. since i themed mine to match the minimalistic theme I simply have a white folder icon with the words ROOT on it, which is fine, but they way they did it (AND FRACKING MONOTYPE CORSIVA FONT BTW) was atrocious. Root explorer is one of my favorite apps, and it sucks that the stock version is so hideous.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] m00moo:
i have problems with these apps looking trashy....

SetCPU ui (icon is fine and the dev found on XDA so easily contactable)

Titanium Backup Icon and ui needs a revamp.

XDA app has to be revamped or themeable (prob the best option)

bahh add me to the design team also :) i've not done som logo stuff for a long time but willing to contribute :)

PM me if any requests. I will (if i got time) mess around and try get some mocks of any logos/ui that are mentioned in here.

:)
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] commodoor:
Here is one (made it on the go).
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
decent but doesn't really match the stock theme at all...watch the youtube video...it's an excellent resource.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
SetCPU would've been on the list but I like version 2.0 that is now released.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] m00moo:
its nicer than before but still far from what it could be.

I understand that most apps stick to being dark themed to save battery on our amoled screens but, how much battery are we going to lose when using an app for a brief 5mins?

due to this all android apps appear to look very similar. black and ugly
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Clarkster:
This should really become a stick in the development forum, and the general Android Development forum too. Well, the post with the designers info should.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] commodoor:
Agree, developers have to see this.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] djosiah:
i quite like it. your nyc mockup didnt really match the stock theme either, was more iphone like...just sayin
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
not for nothing but how the f*ck is this Q&A...way to ensure this thread dies Mod...good job.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
well considering it was based off of the exact size and shape of the stock "square" android Icons using the theme the devs desire in the YouTube video...I'd say it does. It's not perfect and I think the icon for NYCmate is better, but it is what it is.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
and instead they move it to Q&A despite it not being an actual Q&A thread...

I figured if they move it it'd at least be in Themes and Apps though it def should be a sticky somewhere...being an open source community the users have a lot more say in the future of the OS than in a lot of other OSes...
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] djosiah:
this is fun lol i think these are better than my last. again one with text and one without
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] x986123:
I am also a designer, and could help any developers create a sexy app.

My Twitter concept app:

kovalmaxim@yahoo.com

or

kovalmaxim94@gmail.com
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
Looks interesting. I'd like to see how it pans out.

I'm still mad they threw this in Q&A to die
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Chahk:
No, K-9 Mail's icon is perfect. You just don't get the reference.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
well I stand corrected...I don't personally like it, but hey...
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] :
I guess since we're talking about UI design and not just assets, some tips:

-Use a tutorial for your complex apps. Take a look at ruqq/arctu's quickdesk on the market. He uses a tutorial screen to introduce you to the application, similar to the tutorial on first boot.

-Tabs. If you use tabs allow the user to swipe left/right to switch tabs. Look at the news/weather application that's in default nexus rom. Changing topics is extremely easy and intuitive. After reading some news items, and stepping to another application with tabs, it's a little annoying that you can't swipe to the next tab up top.

-Tabs- Tabs up top are okay in portrait mode. If you include tabs in landscape mode put then on the side instead of taking up a quarter of landscape view. If you're not going to that, don't make the tabs so tall. Again look at the news/weather app. In landscape the tabs take up very little space
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] MSigler:
Shootme's icon is terrible. Seriously? Pink?

SetCPU's widget is terrible, for the love of god, center align man!

Just constructive criticism :o
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
lol, the screen cap progs for Android have horrible icons.

also, a lot of widgets actually belong on the list...I hate when they deviate from the stock theme...I get that some people may like it for differentiation, but still...there needs to be a general theme.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] MSigler:
I mean, come on:

The new GUI looks nice though

Again, I'm not trying to be a ****, the dev did a great job and even gave it to XDA members for free, and I even bought the donate version. I'm not trying to bust balls, just saying the widget looks really horrible :o
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] lhutfhy:
I think the text is no use.

if you can change the prompt from

>_

to

#>_

it will show a root console prompt

:D
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
shameless bump.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] bcpk:
Murmurings of assent. Also, Chandroid, DoggCatcher.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] kindiboy:
Why is this in Q&A thread ? this should be in development Moderators please move it to the Dev forum, and STICKY it.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] bcpk:
Mods put it in Q&A.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
b....u.....m....p?
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] pzumk:
Great thread haha :D

can't think of any ugly apps right now
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] blunden:
Totally agree. I remake icons and resources for some of the apps I use and just replace and resign them myself. I usually contact the devs if they are royalty free resources only. :)
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
I use to do that for apps when the icons changed from 1.6 to 2.0 but now for the most part most apps I use are hidden away in folders or the app drawer or the stock ones which all match...
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] :
So I was thinking about this, I think I'm gonna start taking random7d programs and just changing them visually to make them more appealing, revised proof of concepts basically.

At the same time pointing out issues or shortcomings, a study of sorts.

Figured maybe we could come up with "challenges" or sorts to get developers enganged in getting in touch with us.

What do you think?
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Sistum Id:
I will throw my two cents in.

Handcent - Icon is ugly for starters. UI can be changed from iPhone to Hero, but "Hero look" is so Android 1.5 and the iPhone is a greenish grayish dirty sink water color and it just looks ugly. Look at its setting menu which is great looking and 2.1 + but the rest is 1.5 or 1.6 ish.

Titanium Backup - Icon doesn't look hi-res on my N1. UI is okay, little confusing at first. But it's bland, dull, and boring.

Dialer One - I would like to see an update for Dialer One on its UI. The buttons are matte black or some shinny bluish grey. Boring old orange for when buttons are pressed. Would like to see some glossy black with an inner glow of a color when buttons are pressed.

Like others have said, Root Explorer, BetterCut and Dialer One have ugly as hell icons.

I am really tired of the whole orange color for everything pressed or hi-lighted. Why orange, why not lime green, or blue, or off something else?

Also I dislike when devs make the apps default icon or UI like the iPhone. Rounded squares is old and boring now, at least for me.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
I absolutely despise iPhony apps...Android DOES have a unique look and CAN be made to look good...look at MOG, Flixster, etc...you can make a good looking app that looks like an Android app...

If I wanted an iPhone I'd get an iPhone....I dunno...some apps need to deviate from the iPhony status to become truly great...for instance ChompSMS...hands down (IMO) the BEST alternate texting app...not too bloated like Handcent and clean and customizable....but the chat bubbles and a few other buttons are too damn iPhony...would require maybe an edit of about 4-5 pngs to go from iPhony to Android at this point....

yea just looked...the send button, two of the add buttons and a more unique modification of the chat bubbles...
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] bcpk:
android VNC viewer. Great application, horrid icon that must've been around since 1.5 days.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Teario:
OpenTable is by far the most badly designed interface of any Android app I have ever used. The actual icon is okay, but then when you open it it's just to unappealing it makes you want to close it again.

It's so bad that I installed Yelp. Yelp can do find nearby places to eat and then open OpenTable for the booking. Minimises the time you have to spend looking at the OT interface.

This is a good thread though. I'm a programmer so I have very little skill in designing icons but I am in the process of making an app, so I'll likely be calling on some of the people who offered their help here at some point.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] FireZenk:
Hi.

I am currently developing a Launcher for Android and I am looking for a designer, available this month.

If anyone is interested, send me a MP

This is the Launcher link
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] ref1ux:
The ugliness of default Android bugs the hell out of me. I HATE the grey notification bar and those horrible cartoony icons. So I always whack a Desire theme on there, and I use Launcher Pro with a custom dock I made myself.

The lock screen is what irritates me more though... I like it in practise but the clock font is horrific, and the whole thing looks so plain. Default Android makes me nash my teeth and make me wish I had bought a Desire instead of a Nexus One. But oh well!

As for apps, I downloaded the first release of MicDroid a few weeks ago and nearly choked at how bad the interface was. A couple of weeks later it got updated, and now it looks great, really polished. It's good to see decent design going into apps. But I still see so many terrible ones - white text on black background everywhere, buttons that look like they were designed in Paint.

Things are definitely getting better though, but we still have a long way to go before all apps are well designed and laid out.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] :
Fire zenk, I got your tweet, I'm willing to help, let me know what I could help with.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] FireZenk:
Great, I send you a private with the details when I have time.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] TheBigBentley:
I love this thread, and it points out everything I have been thinking the past couple of days.

I also think the Market should take a lot of blame for whats going on. With how easy it is to get something on the market, all these devs think there work is worth money and it irritates me to no end. Lets face it, if you've got the nerve to charge for something then at least put some effort into your UI. The market is filled with ugly apps and too many people trying to make a buck. What there needs to be is some sort of review process similar to Apple's for apps a dev wants to charge for. If it where a requirement to have a certain level of UI consistency for paid apps then I think devs would put a little more effort into there work. And no I don't believe everyones "hard work" is worth a beer.

I'm not trying to sound nasty but I honestly love Android, and as a person coming from windows mobile 6.5 all the way back to when it was 4 shades of grey called Windows CE I just don't want to see android head in the same direction. A bunch of mishmash apps from devs who just don't care about how there apps look as long as they make a few bucks.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] TomTasche:
Hello,

My name is Tom. I'm the developer of an app called SayMyName. At the moment, I'm working on a HUGE update, which fixes tons of bugs, adds new features and a lot more.

Unfortunately, I'm a really bad designer and SayMyName's icon doesn't show the user how useful it is. I tried to throw some other icons together, and create a more beautiful icon, but I failed very hard.

Some days ago a user sent me a link to this great thread. I would love to include a new icon with the next update, to show users how awesome this update is. Would you be so kind and help me?

After a short brainstorm I've come up with these ideas, but I'm open for other ideas too! :)

Thank you very much

Tom
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] DBBGBA:
If any developer needs help I can give a hand. I'm a freelancer visual effect artist so I'm not scared of using photoshop. :D

If the app is still up in the air but it needs some video mock ups I can also make those. For instance this is a video I spitted out in a couple of hours out of boredom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX8CmLKtmqQ
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
Anyone else loving how certain apps have updated their look to be more Android worthy?

Evernote being most notable Advanced Task Manager did it a while ago and I just found an app called TV Show Favs which is a VERY slick app and I suggest anyone who watches TV download it...I use it as a schedule/reminder since I watch all my TV online and sometimes lose track of shows and/or days the shows play. Very handy and beautiful app.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] vsxed:
myRemote: Made to control you Windows Media Center Application over wifi.

It does its job very well, but looks awful.

So i tried to make it more... well... more beautiful :D

liveview

/ twitter
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] pzumk:
Great job! Looks MUCH better now
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] galaxys:
^^That's a Huge improvement! :cool:
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
now THAT's what I'm talking about...beautiful update...
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] elmerendeiro:
I subscribe EVERY word...Android should unify the app style somehow...and maybe throw some new badass ui for 3.0...tried wp7 and it is damn cool and intuitive...not confusional at all, as someone expected...
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
Google devs laid out a rather detailed ui design guide for 2.0+

you can see it in the twitter and Facebook apps. as well as evernote and advanced task manager. inka file manager also utilizes some design cues.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] schmittx:
Absolute, I'm trying to replace the icons in RootExplorer...I swap the icons, resign, install, but when I open the app it immediately FCs, any tips?...I'm thinking it might be permissions?
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Wisefire:
I would be willing to help with UI/Icon redesign.

I also was thinking, perhaps we could get a "organization" or such going to list applications lacking with proper design, that are fully functional, and highly rated. Then contact the developer of each asking if we could redesign the UI/Icon for free. If we get a yes, we assign the application to a graphic designer, once it's completed, mark it as so. If we get a no, we cross it off of our list.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
I honestly have no clue why that would happen...perhaps you didn't resize an icon or something...I had no issues with FC when I was using this app.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
that sounds good to me...it's hard to get a response from some devs though...but we could at least start a list...perhaps have the list permeate through whatever android sites we could find so we can get a following of some sort to motivate developers to put some more effort into design.

Especially with the design guidelines nowadays there is literally no excuse for an Android app, no matter how basic, to be hideous.

I'm not sure if you've used evernote prior to the update but that App is a testament to design. Also the Catch note app...which to me is one of the best looking note apps out there.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Wisefire:
@AbsoluteDesignz

Agree, Evernote and the Catch Note applications are very well designed.

I personally feel as if Catch Note, has the elegant but simplistic design that all of Android embraces.

I'm going to start a new thread in the Android section, Apps and Games, promoting our effort to reach out to developers. Perhaps we can gain on users willing to design graphics, as well as end users to discuss applications with poor design and icons.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] schmittx:
hrrm...I resized the icons accordingly...which apk did you modify?...I pulled it from data/apps/com.speedsoftware.rootexplorer-1.apk
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] FireZenk:
I come here if you need a challenge :D

Simply Lockscreen Skin Development Kit

To create your own themes and upload it to the Android Market

The instructions and details here: http://code.google.com/p/simply-lockscreen-sdk/

You can be creating and uploading them to market, and if in doubt just ask:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=755741

See if so got to have a lot of new skins for Simply Lockscreen
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] AbsoluteDesignz:
wouldn't the app be in app-private?
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] schmittx:
nah, it's under data/app...I can modify the apk, resign, and get it to reinstall just fine (and the new icons show up) but when I open the app, it FCs the second I try to even just scroll the window...am a total noob dev so I'm def learning as I go...
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Purple Drama Llama:
Wallpaper set & save has a HORRIBLE, UGLY app icon.

Seriously? I would normally just find another app that does the same with a better icon, but their are NO alternatives to WSS. It's a wonderful app just horrible icon and UI.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] raven2000:
Wow useful thread. This thread should be moved to general forum as not all devs have/browse Nexus One General forum.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Dirk:
Alarm Clock Plus. From a design perspective it's perfect and one of my best buys, but i will not have the Icon on my homescreen ;)

Desktop Visualiser to change the Icon to the normal Clock one and i'm happy.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] jakedagreat:
Designer here, would be willing to help as well!
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] ChongoDroid:
I love home replacement apps
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] seanw.org:
I wouldn't mind some critique of the UI for my painting app called Fresco. I'm happy with it myself but I'd like to know what you guys think. Here's a screenshot of the main interface with a panel for selecting layers being shown:

You can get the app and look at more screenshots on the Market page:

https://market.android.com/details?id=org.seanw.fresco.lite
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] :
i dislike the icon background. maybe show it w/o that. the canvas itself get's the job done, it's not sleek nor sexy but it works.

that's all i got for now.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] seanw.org:
Thanks for the feedback! I tried the icon with a black background and no background previously but I found it looked dull when it was small. I might try it with a flat color instead. I think it looks good as a large icon without the background though. I'm glad you think the canvas itself is decent as I'm happy I found something that describes the app that I haven't seen used in other app icons.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] Babydollll:
While I do agree that good design is important, I'm bothered by two things.

1) if a dev is nice enough to make a free app for YOU AND I to use. Cut them some slack. You come off as a bit of a snob. Although it's nice of you to offer to help. But who's to say someone else is gonna say the same about YOUR design. Just a thought....

2) every person has a different sense of design, what you like I may not and vice versa....
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] :
there's nothing wrong in voicing an opinion and by providing quality feedback. the dev's i had conversations w/ appreciated my feedback.

the result is that the users may get their feature/design suggestion implemented, the dev's may increase their sales because of a better looking/working/feature richer application.

i do agree that one star ratings and aggressive comments on the market are rude.

but that's something that should be obvious.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] :
Why are one start ratings rude?

That is what they're there for to be rated as one star.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] firas1886:
Actually one of the most important apps on android that needs SERIOUS rework is the CALENDAR !!!

It is seriously HIDEOUS !!!! (the stock app of course)

I would very much like to see an official rework
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] difrnt:
Vignette's UI is terrible! They need to take notes from an app such as Magic Hour.