Vote on our new popcorn rating image

So, one of the things getting a makeover along with the rest of the site is our popcorn rating image. At the moment, it looks like this (sorry to people who visit the site later and maybe see one of the images above reproduced below):



It gets the job done, but I think it's time for a face lift. So I got in touch with a designer named Stuart McCulloch (you'll probably be seeing some more of his work in the new design), and after a couple of revisions, this is what we came up with.

So, out of these two new options, which do you guys prefer? Keep in mind we're trying to balance detail and realism with simple legibility. The one virtue of the existing rating image is that you can tell, at a glance, what the rating is, and the two here were revised specifically with this in mind.

Remember that these have to work well within paragraphs of text, or used many times in the same post.

First one looks a lot better.

Also, I reserve the right to completely overrule you guys if you're dumb and pick the wrong one. Fair warning.

And everyone who votes gets rep. Because apparently some of you find that enticing.

First one...

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Careful now, if too many people pile onto the first option Sexy's going to come in here and pick the second just to be different.

Probably will happen. Cuz I say the first one is best.

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SC will probably start posting his own pictures as to what he thinks is better...

I like these...

Am I the only one that thinks the new ones are worse than the original? A quick glance at the blue design and I know what the rating is. I feel like I have to squint to see these ones.

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"A laugh can be a very powerful thing. Why, sometimes in life, it's the only weapon we have."

Suspect's Reviews

First one, what would they look like with dark blue stripes?

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To be honest I think the originals are more then adequate. I don't feel I have to squint to see the new images, but the old ones pop out more.

But if I have to choose between the two, I still feel the first one is best.

The first one is definitely easier to see.

The second one looks almost blurry to me.

I voted the first one though.

First one. Its more distinct.

First one!

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If the vote is a tie, you could use this instead.

The second one makes my eyes go funny, which is enjoyable for a few seconds but I think I'll stick with the first.

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"Critics are like eunuchs in a harem; they know how the Tatty 100 is done, they've seen it done every day, but they're unable to do it themselves." - Brendan Behan

I voted for the first. It just pops more.

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You are no Vader. You are just a child in a mask.

Another vote for the first one.

You're not wrong. The current one is easier to spot, but it's also, let's face it, a lot uglier. The blue looks weirdly out of place (which is why it's so visible), and it's rough and pixelated. I've considered others in the past but all of them, while much nicer looking, were way too subtle. These are an attempt to find a middle ground that's still easy to identify, but still nicer looking.

In other words, I'm resigned to the fact that they'll be a little less pragmatic than the current ones, because by definition anything bright and gaudy is going to be more eye-catching.

I'm also thinking that anything we switch to will become more familiar and easier to spot over time, just through being used regularly.

Dunno, but I might be just competent enough to tweak it and find out. That said, the red/white thing is pretty standard for real-life popcorn containers. Not that we necessarily need to restrict ourselves to that.