I actually think this is an extremely clever, well thought out design - far superior to your site Mr Montoya. It shows intelligence, humour and pretty good coding skills.
My only gripe is with the 'desktop' images. Some of them are pretty tacky and I found it sad that the creator resorted to using pornography on one of them.
Comment #3 made by
Monday, December 4, 2006 - 06:22 AM
Rating: 8
I don't really have a strong opinion about that site or this gallery, but Christian, those are some pretty bold words, considering the look of your own website!
Comment #4 made by Devin
Monday, December 4, 2006 - 09:51 AM
Dan & Devin:
1. I created my graphics myself with an image editor like any designer would. I used some stock images and icons, but they were open license. I didn't copy-paste my graphics from the default windows theme, which is not free for use, I should add. There is not a single graphic on this site that is original, not one at all.
2. I may be wrong, but the design is a Wordpress theme, and my initial impression was that anyone could get it. If that is not the case, then I still stand by point 1... you shouldn't be able to get into a CSS gallery for copying UI graphics from your operating system.
Of course, it's always safer to pick up only the recognized names, or designs that copy the approved trend, but that's simply profit making, not a creative activity. And "ugly" can be quite often more interesting and inspiring, than a popular wallpaper -- beautiful and all-accepted, but already a yesterday's soup.
Wow, Christian! I just checked out your portfolio to see what makes you think you can criticize someone else so harshly, and I have to say that I'm at a loss here. I've seen better designs come from graduates of votech schools. Just because you know how to use "an image editor" doesn't mean you have any talent.
I agree with Dan. This site is clever. It's also refreshingly different.
By the way, Christian, if CSS Import sucks so bad, don't torture yourself. Do us all a favor--move on.
Comment #7 made by Gretchen
Tuesday, December 5, 2006 - 07:12 PM
Rating: 5
Gretchen: I'm not a visual designer, I'm a CSS coder. I don't try to sell myself as a visual designer either. You don't HAVE to be a visual designer to criticize PLAGIARISM.
Why does everyone think that in order to be able to criticise a design that you, yourself, have to be a great designer. That isn't what it's about. It's about people giving constructive criticism and learning from it.
Christian has never said his design was more clever than this, he is stating that his is his own work. There is nothing clever about ripping off other people's designs as has been done here.
Personally I found that portion of his comment to be relevant. However I do feel the part about the "no talent gallery" and "as low as CSS Drive, congrats" unnecessary.
As for the so called "rip off" or "copy and paste" design. From my point of view this is an example of a conceptual design where ideas or concepts take precedence over aesthetic concerns. In fact, significant concept of Postmodernism is the idea that everything is a copy something which is a copy of something... etc. An ironic take on well known artwork (or design) and incorporating portions of it into your own creation is rather typical as well. So I personally don't see it as a rip off. Do I like this site ? No, not particularly. But from my point of view it's a more interesting choice than conventional, "safe" but rather boring design.
CSS Import: the no-talent css gallery!
It's a theme, which puts CSS Import as low as CSS Drive. Congrats :)
My only gripe is with the 'desktop' images. Some of them are pretty tacky and I found it sad that the creator resorted to using pornography on one of them.
1. I created my graphics myself with an image editor like any designer would. I used some stock images and icons, but they were open license. I didn't copy-paste my graphics from the default windows theme, which is not free for use, I should add. There is not a single graphic on this site that is original, not one at all.
2. I may be wrong, but the design is a Wordpress theme, and my initial impression was that anyone could get it. If that is not the case, then I still stand by point 1... you shouldn't be able to get into a CSS gallery for copying UI graphics from your operating system.
I agree with Dan. This site is clever. It's also refreshingly different.
By the way, Christian, if CSS Import sucks so bad, don't torture yourself. Do us all a favor--move on.
Christian has never said his design was more clever than this, he is stating that his is his own work. There is nothing clever about ripping off other people's designs as has been done here.
Good night CSS Import!