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Design the BlenderNation Header

64

header.jpgWe regularly invite Blender artists to design a header graphic for us so that we can have a new look every month or so. I thought it would be nice to change the rules a little and run a 'BlenderNation Header Contest'.

To participate, prepare a header graphic and post a link to your it in the comments. You can also post votes there. There's no deadline; I'll check this post regularly to see if there's any new material that we like.

If your work is selected I'll try to notify you. If I can't because we don't have your email address then you'll just be in for a nice surprise one day ;-)

Here are the image requirements:

  • only submit complete, 'ready to use' headers.
  • use the correct format (700x100 pixels). (size updated)
  • use the correct background color (#3388cc).
  • don't use the left-side of the image (as the BlenderNation text and menu will be there).
  • we like the (reflective) bar that Mathias introduced; you can use that as well, but it's not required.
  • please add your own name to the far right in a font like Arial or Helvetica.

Here's a sample header file (right-click and save as) to help you get started.

Your prize? Eternal BlenderNation fame! (Well, as long as your image is shown, I guess ;-)

Have fun!

About the Author

Avatar image for Bart Veldhuizen
Bart Veldhuizen

I have a LONG history with Blender - I wrote some of the earliest Blender tutorials, worked for Not a Number and helped run the crowdfunding campaign that open sourced Blender (the first one on the internet!). I founded BlenderNation in 2006 and have been editing it every single day since then ;-) I also run the Blender Artists forum and I'm Head of Community at Sketchfab.

64 Comments

  1. I really like the current banner but its very emotionally based and should only have been used as a transitory image to something else, to get an emotional 'pop' before moving on.

    I'm suggesting forethought in the header banner. Cycling through for an emotional effect. Pre-planned expresiveness, in predetermined sequences, to affect many visitors.

  2. The image requirement says 700px wide.

    The Matthias sample header file is 780px wide.

    The actual header on screen is 827px wide.

    Why can't we make full use of the available width, which appears to be 827px, as long as the image doesn't clash with the BN headline text or menu? Could you clarify please Bart?

    PS: Would you be interested in designs for a proper BlenderNation logotype and strapline? (Pixel perfect, anti aliased to #3388cc and supplied as a transparent PNG or GIF for easy overlay of course.)

  3. @Jon: hmm, it looks like I've used a few different standards myself ;-) Use 780px or 700px, not more; the header image is right-aligned and the left part just has a blue background color. That way the header sizes nicely with the fluid page layout. Oh, and you can always bug me with fancy designs! My email is bart (at) this site.

  4. @OneShotAl:
    Are you doing post-pro outside Blender? Say, in Photoshop, perhaps? Sometimes colorspace profiles can mess up your image that way; try saving as .png instead of .jpg, see if that helps.

  5. Hi Bart

    Here's the Blender Nation logotype design I said I would have a go at earlier on this thread...

    http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb108/jongreenslade/BlenderNationLogotypeBar01a.jpg

    And here's a useable GIF version...

    http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb108/jongreenslade/BlenderNationLogotype01a.gif

    It's an original typetypeface design handcrafted in pixels. Hmmm, I may develop it into a full vector font if I can find some time away from Blender :)

    If you want to use it but would like any alterations first, then just let me know.

  6. Got some really cool headers posted here people :)

    Maybe a few of them should be kept so that there are some on hand in case Bart want to switch them up every once in a while.

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