Legion of Angels: Styles

[Omega]

Well I think this is due for an announcement for sure. After 4 months of extremely hard work, all the Style sets for the Legion of Angels forum are complete. This might be my only post tonight due to time constraints, regardless here we go.

First, credits need to be given where they are do:

John Furman
BetterMan

Applying Temp Banners, Applying Buttons

Mariano Perez
bracketmedia

Flash Coder

Patrick McClain
Omega

Conceptual Design, Graphic Design, Project Manager, Bible Verse Applicator to Banners, Folder Design, Envelope Design, Button Design

Tony Araya
Lilith

Coder, Graphic Design, Folder Design, Envelope Design, Button Design

Vitaly S. Alexius
Alexius

Illustrator

I have attached Images of all the Styles shown below as well as given some insight on them or concept discussion that many probably didn't know about, but here is what our site offers for Styles.

Heaven

Concept: The idea behind Heaven was to make something that showcased the streets of gold that many talk about in regards to Heaven. The buttons, the headers, the gradients, everything is Gold. The banner used is from Alexius' art piece entitled Amber Citadel, the verse on the banner is Revelation 21:2. Lilith did nearly everything on this skin, including the buttons, while Omega did the banner work with BetterMan, and Alexius of course supplied the artwork. This one is Lilith's baby though.

Screenshots:

Babylon Falls

Concept: I've always loved Roman themes, architecture, and just everything they have. It's an incredible part of history and with this style, which was the last one made I wanted to showcase the columns and there destruction. The banner showcases Alexius' art piece called Equinox, Omega made the buttons, BetterMan helped with the banner, and Lilith coded it properly. The verse on the banner is Revelation 18:20.

Screenshots:

Crucifixion

Concept: I wanted to do a skin dedicated to Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. The idea with the headers is that it's part of the cross where Jesus feet were knocked through with a nail. Of all the styles I was a part of, this one has to be my favorite on a graphical level of work. Omega constructed the Crucifixion Nail from scratch, Lilith added blood and coded it, did the envelopes and all the little icons, BetterMan helped with the banner, and Alexius provided artwork using a piece called Orange Phoenix. A bird that comes back to life, how ironic I just noticed while typing this.

Of all the styles this is where Lilith and Omega ran into the most difficulty coding a button or image with 4 buttons on it. At this point things got difficult in creation. The verse is the widely known John 3:16.

Screenshots:

Genesis

Concept: Genesis is not too hard to figure out, wanting to do something from Genesis to showcase the creation of all life. The illustration used is Alexius piece, Nova Convergence. Omega did the buttons, Lilith did the folders, envelopes, the tables and the headers. BetterMan helped with banners and with setting up the buttons. The verse is Genesis 1:1.

Screenshots:

Praetorian

Concept: Again, I love the Roman time period and since Jesus died within the Roman empire, I wanted to do a couple of themes on this. This theme contains a rich Purple and Gold color scheme showcasing the colors of the Praetorian Guard of the Emperor. Lilith and Omega both did the button work, Lilith did the coding, envelopes, and folders. BetterMan and Omega did the banner, and Alexius supplied the artwork from a piece of his called Synthetic Storm.

The verse on the banner is from the book of Jonah 1:4. The text used on this skin solely is Latin, the translations are as follows:

Novus Ligamen - New Thread

Propinquus Ligamen - Closed Thread

Stipes Respondeo - Post Reply

Emendo - Edit

Laudo - Quote

Plura-Laudo - Multiple-Quote

Velox Respondeo - Quick Reply

Protinus - Forward

Respondeo - Reply

Transporto Secretum Nuntius - Send Private Message

Epistola - Email

Screenshots:

ON ALL THE STYLES SHOWN BELOW YOU NEED TO USE FIREFOX AS YOUR BROWSER INSTEAD OF INTERNET EXPLORER OR THEY WILL SCROLL INCREDIBLY SLOW DUE TO INTERNET EXPLORER'S PROBLEMS WITH PNG FILES.

The Legion of Angels, Sky Styles

On each of these styles you will note that there is transparency or semi-transparency, providing the user with the option to "write in the sky" in a sense. Firefox is a net browser widely popular due to a built in pop up blocker system, you can download firefox's latest version at no cost or subscription in the URL shown below:

http://firefox.org.nz/

Pure Sky

Concept: One night we had someone help us design a first style set for this forum and I came up with the idea and didn't even know if it was possible to put a sky background behind everything. That was then possible, then I next thought, wouldn't it be cool if you could see right through the tables, and wouldn't you know it, God bless us all, it was possible. So Pure Sky began the concept of sky styles for the Legion of Angels forums.

Lilith did the tables and transparent/semi-transparent tables on them all. He cleaned the standard Vbulletin folders/files/envelopes/post icons/and smilies that are found on every skin. Omega cleaned the Poll icon, found the Statistics Icon, and adjusted the Who's Online icon for all the skins. The banner was bought and paid for by this site, as all the final banners will be. It showcases Job and verse 40:8. BetterMan helped with the banner application and Alexius illustrated the artwork.

The concept behind this skin was to do one for Job and to showcase his blamelessness, but even at that same time, to showcase the awesomeness of God.

Screenshots:

Angel Sky

Concept: This is the Legion of Angels style. I wanted one for us since we are making this website and that is what this style was supposed to be for. Lilith created the tables/headers/envelopes as usual. Omega created the Angel Wing buttons, and provided the verse to the art piece which is from Matthew 13:49. Alexius provided his most acclaimed art piece to date at the time of this writing, entitled Downfall. BetterMan helped with the banner as noted before many times.

Screenshots:

Dark Sky

Concept: Dark Sky is many people's favorites and the standard skin I use. I wanted a black one, since I love black, and this is the closest we got. The buttons we actually got for free off of Vbulletin.org. All the table and general design work was done by Lilith. BetterMan and Omega did the banner, and Alexius provided a piece called Absence of Vision to work with the bible verse which is Matthew 5:11. I always thought of this as kind of the apocalypse sky, but couldn't stand to rename it in the end.

Screenshots:

Revelation Sky

Concept: Honestly this skin comprised a bit of difficulty for me. In fact it was probably the hardest, and it wasn't because of all I had to do on it, but the envelopes as well, but because I couldn't figure out a good way to do it.

Lilith came up with an idea that a true Heaven like skin would showcase what is said in Revelation in regards to the stones that make up the buildings of Heaven. I researched the stones, figured out there colors, and then made all the envelopes. I also made all the buttons, and did the banner. I probably worked on this skin the most of all the skins that were done. Lilith did the tables of course. BetterMan and Omega worked on the banner, and Alexius provided an art piece of photography entitled Final Hour for the style's banner.

You'll notice if you use this skin that a lot of folders are different colors in reflection of the different stones that make up Heaven's construction of building. The verse is from Psalm 148:2.

Screenshots:

Sacrifice Sky

Concept: Well if you've actually read thus far, this is it. I originally wanted to make a sky for Love and Revenge as kind of a hidden monicker of God's most powerful emotions. In all actuality to reflect the Alpha and Omega concept I came up with. I made this skin with Love in mind, so I made it in Red with hearts in mind. It came out looking better than I had imagined, the button set was taken for free from Vbulletin.org once again. Lilith did the typical table work and layout. Omega and BetterMan did the banner, and it showcases a verse from Matthew 5:10.

One of the original administrators of this site represented Love and this skin I was going to dedicate to the concept behind her, however she is not with us any longer, and may or may not return for reasons of not having time she states.

Due to the rich colors involved, this has to be my 2nd favorite style. I originally wanted to use a quote off of Solomon in a book I'd have to guess as Samuel 1, but I'm probably wrong. I wanted to showcase that Sacrifice was the greatest love of all. I probably will be able to do this in the final version.

Nonetheless the image used is called Sanctuary by our Illustrator Alexius.

Screenshots:

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I know some of you might think that the staff of the site are lazy and don't have time to talk too much or whatever. But you have no idea how hard all these styles were to make, 4 months later I can breathe a sigh of relief and finally post like a regular member.

I cannot be more grateful than this.

Thank you for viewing and reading.

Omega

[Lilith]

;_____; i still can't believe it's over. omg!! *cries*

lol it was crazy. but in the end i gotta owe it to omega cause he inadverdently helped me become a better coder. i learned css more, and i'm very happy and greatful to him for that cause web design (though mostly a hobby) is fun for me and you never know when i might need that for a job or something.

a lot of times the greatest difficulty was trying to get myself do something over and over and over again because of it's monotony. or because i remember how hard something was the first time, and having to do it again for another skin was like.."no...not again!". lol and then "again? why" and then "4th time? wtf?omg!"

lol


anyway. you got my last name wrong. lol

Araya. i know it sounds diffrent when i say it. i say "ah-rah-yah" but when white folk read it, they always say "ah-ray-yah" and it doens't sound half bad so when poeple ask i always say it like that now too. lol

[Omega]

Sorry for your last name. I fixed that in the Credits section.

I would love to hear any opinions from anyone in regards to what styles you like and don't like, or if you are a graphic designer what you would have done differently. Not fishing for compliments just curious.

I probably like them all for different reasons, I don't know which one I like the least, maybe Pure Sky or Praetorian. Even the girl I'm dating came up with the same thought or problem I have with Praetorian, but still they are all good the way they are as different aspects make up for things on each style.

There will most likely not be any new styles until April 8th of next year and even if we do one, it will most likely be one new one, and not many. You just don't know how long they take, it took 4 months to do 10 of them, so its a little over 2 a month. Sacrifice Sky was the fastest, getting it all done in one night.

Yeah, Praise God there done.

[Michael]

I like them all...some great designs...

My only issues is that on Babylon Falls and Angel Sky the buttons are really big....I don't think it looks as good as it can with giant buttons....

But then again, we may have people who are almost blind come and visit the site ^_^ lol

[Omega]

Thank you for your opinions Michael. I do disagree however on Angel Sky. I think the buttons are pretty nice. They are two sizes as well as the 3 big buttons are bigger than the in post buttons. Plus when you are dealing with different shapes...like wings in that case, there is only so much you can do before the image looks distorted. I don't especially like the tiny buttons in other sets.

In Babylon Falls, I'd partly agree. I think the buttons are too big, but then again, they are so wicked I just don't care. lolz

[Michael]

Babylon Falls does have some pretty awesome buttons, I'm not going to disagree with that....the only style I really don't like is the purple one. I don't like the colors or the buttons at all...but thats just personal taste...

As far as big buttons, I like thing real small. A perfect example is how I run 1600x1200 res on my computer...The smaller buttons and bars allow for more important things...like text ^_^ lol

[Cassiel]

Personally I think Revelation Sky is probably my favorite. I don't want to toot Omega's horn or anything, but I think Lilith's idea was incredible in regards to using the stones from Revelation to build the skin or use as colors. They are subtly accented as folders and such and I find that a nice touch to the skin.

I think the banner shows a humble side to the angels and the tables are nice and clean in the gold hue. The greatest feature is probably the buttons as they have a gold sheen and yet a darker gold border which looks like real gold. Nice sleek button set.

Overall great job guys.

[Valoel]

For me, it's Babylon Falls. I think the buttons are off the charts while at the same time the banner is stunning against the verse and with the imagery on display.

I don't mind the big buttons, but will agree with Michael that we truly have some good skins for the elderly. ha ha

I think it's wicked, and yet clean at the same time.

That's the style I use anyway.

[Belial]

Just sign my name under the Dark Sky crew. I think it's easy on the eyes, I like the dark background and the banner is stunning and yet has a great verse that makes you think.

The buttons are small and clean, and overall the design is just rock solid.

Superb work there.

What else would a Thief In The Night use as a style?

[Liwet]

I use Angel Sky. I like everything about it, from the banner, to the buttons, to the clean white look it has. My only issue with it is that the sky does not look as noticeable as it does on other skins because everything is so white. It's almost like a white out. But it's still a good style.