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WoltLab / WCF

WoltLab Suite Core (previously WoltLab Community Framework)
https://www.woltlab.com
GNU Lesser General Public License v2.1
237 stars 144 forks source link

Redesign Style / More advanced default template #5811

Open eveneme opened 8 months ago

eveneme commented 8 months ago

A more extensive and functional default template with the option to choose header and menu position templates, especially for mobile devices (top, bottom). The aim is to make the default template more comprehensive and versatile, allowing for customization. Something akin to what will be available in IPS V5. In my opinion, this is a step forward because everyone has individual preferences; some prefer a large header on their computer, while others do not. Please consider this. The Woltlab template is simple and well-optimized, but it lacks the appeal to attract a larger customer base. Please keep in mind that most forum users, especially novices, are primarily influenced by the forum's appearance. The default template should also be refreshed, as it seems to have been created in 2016, which is a considerable amount of time in terms of UI/UX development. It's also important to standardize the appearance of various functions, such as buttons sometimes being displayed across the full width of the screen on mobile devices, while in some cases they are not. The WoltLab style is quite austere, making little use of the benefits of today's CSS3 features.

Below, I am sending repositories that can serve as inspiration; they are well-organized in terms of UI/UX.

https://tailwindui.com/components

https://mui.com/components/

Thanks.

DracoBluePL commented 7 months ago

I think the best solution would be to have a skilled UI/UX designer and frontend developer create a graphic design using software like Figma or Adobe XD. Developing such a graphic design would greatly facilitate the work during the subsequent template implementation. Creating each layout and standardizing everything to ensure consistency and minimalism. One could say that the new look is a milestone; there's a lot of work involved, but the end result is definitely worth it.

cadeyrn commented 7 months ago

Adobe XD

That's dead software. Maybe you missed it, but Adobe XD is in maintenance mode since more than a year, and in fact they stopped the investment long before that. Even after the failed acquisition of Figma, Adobe confirmed that they have no plans to further invest in XD. I would therefore not recommend anyone to use XD if they are not already using it.

DracoBluePL commented 7 months ago

Indeed, thanks for the information. I always used Figma anyway because I liked it better.

eveneme commented 2 months ago

WoltLab has fallen behind in terms of UI/UX. Version 7.0 needs a comprehensive overhaul and a global refresh of its appearance. Unfortunately, many people I’ve spoken to compare WoltLab to phpBB, which, in my opinion, is quite an insult. I have faith in the WoltLab team that in version 7.0, they will thoroughly revamp the look and significantly improve the UI/UX, making the forum experience much more enjoyable.

Just take a look at IPS version 5, they barely introduced any new features or improvements to the code, yet they completely revamped the design. As a result, they received a flood of congratulations and satisfaction from their customers. Let's be honest, the majority of forum users and administrators prioritize appearance, and this is the main factor when choosing a forum engine. That's why, in my opinion, this should be a requirement for WoltLab version 7.0.