Look up at the top of the page. Now back to me. Now back to the top of the page. What do you see? It’s a banner. It’s not a particularly nice banner (although made infinitely nicer thanks to the hard work of reader aspidoscelis, for which I am very grateful). I would very much like to have a spiffy banner. However, I have no graphic design skills to speak of. I am hoping I can prevail upon you, gentle readers, for some assistance in this regard.
I have no particular requests or ideas for what a banner would look like. I know that it must measure 300 cubits by 50 cubits by 30 cubits… wait no, that’s idiotic. It has to be 728 x 120, and it has to have the title of the blog in there somewhere. My old site had the black power fist:
And this quote from Christopher Hitchens: “The stubborn persistence of chauvinism in our life and letters is or ought to be the proper subject for critical study, not the occasion for displays of shock.”
Either or neither of those things could conceivably be worked in. I throw myself upon the mercy of the internet.
Wow, that sounds like a terrible idea…
The person with the design I like the most will be rewarded in some way that I have not figured out yet.
EDIT: Reader Zugswang has helpfully provided me with this most awesome tweak to the image above:
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93 comments
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Katherine Lorraine, Chaton de la Mort
November 8, 2011 at 7:54 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Look at your banner, now look at me, back at your banner, now back to me. Sadly, your banner isn’t me.
(Sorry… I had to do it)
Monado, FCD
November 8, 2011 at 8:26 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I think you need the Viva La Evolucion Che-style ape-man, preferably in red.
http://ssurempirestate.com/talk/2011/03/and-another-one/
Zugswang
November 8, 2011 at 8:28 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
What about a slight tweak to the black power fist?
(If you guys like this, feel free to use it for whatever banner ideas you get)
Link
Crommunist
November 8, 2011 at 8:42 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
It’s a good image, but I am uncomfortable hosting a blog where I talk about racism whose banner image is an ape. Wires cross in ways that make me uncomfortable.
Tony
November 8, 2011 at 9:03 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I like small creative projects like this. Put together a simple banner with just the elements you mentioned and came up with this: {TCM draft image}.
If you like it, it’s yours in exchange for some credit/recognition in some form. I am happy to tweak it a bit if it’s close to what you are looking for.
Greg Laden
November 8, 2011 at 9:06 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I like the original banner. Maybe stick the fist there on one side.
Crommunist
November 8, 2011 at 9:12 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
That looks really cool.
michaelcrowley
November 8, 2011 at 10:05 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
An attempt: http://i.imgur.com/09uzb.jpg
Sean Boyd
November 8, 2011 at 10:10 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I’m not a designer, but I put together a couple of things. It’s not dissimilar to what you already have…just added some texture, etc.
seanpboyd1968′s photobucket
Aliasalpha
November 8, 2011 at 10:13 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Yeah I was thinking the present one is nice and distinctive in its simplicity.
Personally I’d avoid the fist as well unless perhaps it was modified to be giving the finger
noisician
November 8, 2011 at 10:59 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
What about throwing in a few Cyrillic letters in place of the usual Roman letters? It could give a nice Russian feel.
СЯОММЦИIST МДИIFESTO
Crommunist
November 8, 2011 at 11:06 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Neat idea
Crommunist
November 8, 2011 at 11:06 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
These look very cool
Crommunist
November 8, 2011 at 11:06 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I like it.
Crommunist
November 8, 2011 at 11:07 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
The fist is meaningful to me, and relevant to the subject of the blog. I’d like to include it if possible, but am obviously open to ideas that may not include it.
Michael Zeora
November 8, 2011 at 11:10 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Hi, I’m not an average poster (even on PZ’s Blog)
But I have some skill and thought “Might as well give it a go”
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h193/MZeora/banners/CromBanner.png
PSD can be provided on request. I’ll check back in a few hours or so to see how I panned out.
Crommunist
November 8, 2011 at 11:16 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Looks fantastic! I will wait for a couple days, as people have indicated that they want to take a stab, but are currently a bit busy.
Zugswang
November 8, 2011 at 11:28 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
How do you feel about having your face in the banner?
Dammit
November 8, 2011 at 11:31 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Another non-designer having a go. It’s nowhere near as good as the others but I figured I’d share it anyway….
CM Banner
Crommunist
November 8, 2011 at 11:35 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
A nice idea, but I’m personally a bit creeped out by it
Herr Mann
November 8, 2011 at 11:40 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I love these banner requests… Here’s my try.
http://i39.tinypic.com/30dhysg.jpg
Crommunist
November 8, 2011 at 11:40 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I like the scroll bit
Crommunist
November 8, 2011 at 11:43 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
A fresh and innovative take. Really cool.
garth
November 8, 2011 at 11:44 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
perhaps?
http://imgur.com/IOCAV
Herr Mann
November 8, 2011 at 11:45 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Looks like my browser oversaturates the colors of the banner, here I toned down the background.
http://i43.tinypic.com/s4mo47.jpg
ronaldriley
November 9, 2011 at 12:25 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
As it stands, I’d be interested in seeing some combination of MZeora’s design and the one by Herr Mann. I like the font choice and modified fist from the first, and the vibrancy and “kick” of the second.
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 12:35 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Ooh! Dramatic! I like it.
garth
November 9, 2011 at 12:37 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
if there’s an edit or whatnot you’d like, fire it off to me. glad to help out.
Dorset Troll
November 9, 2011 at 12:39 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Communism does not work. I was taught that at school, and having taken time to read up on history I can say that is a fair comment. However, Capitalism unleashed, as we see today, needs a comeback of communism show the other side.
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 12:54 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
But those aren’t our only options. A market economy balanced by a political system that is responsive to the needs of the people is what we should be striving for.
Morby
November 9, 2011 at 12:57 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Another call to arms – arts? Call to arts from PZ & Pharyngula. Transparent background, editable in any which way you wish (if you so wish it).
http://i43.tinypic.com/161kisy.png
Daniel R
November 9, 2011 at 1:13 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
But the above examples using Cyrillic letters are pretty, but not so good ideas, after all, Russian implementation of communist not having been a success.
Kamaka
November 9, 2011 at 1:19 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Tony @ 4 looks very good.
I’m not so good with the Hitch quote…I think a “you” quote would be better.
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 1:30 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Hitch is my favourite writer, the topic of the quote pretty much describes exactly what I try to do on this blog, and I might be conceited but I am nowhere near conceited enough to quote myself like that.
Revyloution
November 9, 2011 at 1:42 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
The word Crom in your name, you should really go with a Conan the Barbarian theme.
Tony
November 9, 2011 at 1:55 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Thanks, Kamaka. My version goes for the simple/clean look.
I’m impressed with others’ contributions – Morby’s #16 is a nice bold look, and michaelcrowley’s #6 is simple with a “pirate-y” look to it.
I will off a version with the new A-fist tomorrow.
Ibis3, denizen of a spiteful ghetto
November 9, 2011 at 2:09 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Have you got a deadline? I’d like to try my hand but probably won’t have a chance until tomorrow.
Daniel R
November 9, 2011 at 2:14 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Hi Cro,
The management of subscriptions does not work. I subscribed to this post, and received e-mail for each new message posted, that’s OK.
But I changed my mind and decided to remove that subscription and clicked to the “Manage” link. It told me to send my e-mail address to send me a link to access to my subscription management page.
I received the link, but it does not work, and I understood why.
It’s because it contains:
instead of:
When changing by hand “reasonabledoubts” into “crommunist” in the link address, it worked.
Kamaka
November 9, 2011 at 2:23 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
The Hitch is one of the best writers ever. So you aren’t saying much.
Conceited? Oh, please, presuming to blog is conceited.
C’mon, give us a double-down hard-ass quote.
Eric Atkinson
November 9, 2011 at 2:25 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
How about the good old Серп и Молот?
And a picture of good old uncle Joe?
brandonsvec
November 9, 2011 at 3:01 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I like #16 best so far.
Zugswang
November 9, 2011 at 3:27 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
If you’re curious, you could head over here to look at different shareware fonts. There’s literally thousands of different fonts there, and you may find a unique one that you’d like to have in your banner.
In the meantime, here’s a couple other banner designs:
Link 1
Link 2
carbonred
November 9, 2011 at 3:41 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Heya, found your blog via a tweet by PZ Myers and thought I’d take a look around and have a go at a banner. Here’s my first effort:
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/868/crommunist3.jpg
carbonred
November 9, 2011 at 4:11 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Here’s the same one adjusted to use a DNA model I did a few months ago. Dunno if it makes things too busy? http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/6971/crommunist4.jpg
Diane G.
November 9, 2011 at 5:59 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
(@ 8 ) Yes, except to anyone who knows Cyrillic. Because what you’re using for “r” is “ya,” for “a” is “d,” etc.
edrowland
November 9, 2011 at 6:28 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
or this…
Drivebyposter
November 9, 2011 at 6:33 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Here is the one I made for my own amusement:
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7523/cromman3.jpg
I tried to make it reminiscent of old Russian propaganda.
“A man is born free” is a quote from Stokely Carmichael. I felt it just fit better on a propaganda style banner and it ties in nicely with the Black Power fist.
Eric Paulsen
November 9, 2011 at 6:40 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Just an idea. http://imgur.com/JS2Eg
Justin Griffith
November 9, 2011 at 9:14 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
This one is my favorite so far. Though all of them are pretty nice. You’ve got nice readers.
Justin Griffith
November 9, 2011 at 9:23 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
This one looks fantastic too
Tristan
November 9, 2011 at 1:00 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Hey, here’s something I made up quickly, tell me if you like the style.
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/6802/crommunistbanner.jpg
nazani14
November 9, 2011 at 1:15 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
СЯОММЦИIST МДИIFESTO
Pronounced Syaommtsist Mdiifesto?
nazani14
November 9, 2011 at 1:26 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I would say the Soviet Union was a totalitarian state far more than a communist one, and I don’t think there has ever been a state that closely followed the formal definition of communism. I do feel that something akin to Euro-socialism could work in the US. I do not think the US public, having never studied philosophy, political science, etc., is ready to try to wrap its head around the ideas of Trotsky, for example.
vacuumslayer
November 9, 2011 at 1:34 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I threw my hat, er, banner, in the ring.
Michael Zeora
November 9, 2011 at 2:52 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Full Disclosure on the Fonts:
the Top Font on my design is from 1001 free fonts (called Kremlin)
the other is Lithos Pro which came with my current variant of Photoshop or Windows (I can’t remember which)
More “Kick” I think I can do something about that.
Ben Zvan
November 9, 2011 at 3:13 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
It took me a good 30 seconds to figure out what you’d done. Good on you! Subtle, but iconic.
Michael Zeora
November 9, 2011 at 3:19 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Taking points from below (ronaldriley) I decided to refactor the background…
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h193/MZeora/banners/CromBanner2.png
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 3:43 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I really like the 3D rendering you did on the fist.
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 3:44 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I will probably not make a decision on my favourite ones until the weekend, and then I will likely throw open the selection process for you to vote on a handful.
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 3:45 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I really like the book. It’s a really cool idea, and if I ever DO write a book that will probably be what the cover looks like
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 3:45 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I like the second one the best. Not too busy – dramatic. It’s very cool.
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 3:46 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Simple. Clean. Very cool.
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 3:47 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
It is a good quote. Interesting style.
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 3:48 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
It’s a cool idea. I like the brick backdrop, but I’m not so much affiliated with Cuba (or Russia, or Texas… I’m not sure which red white and blue flag that is)
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 3:49 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
What is that in the backdrop? It looks like crystalized maple leaves (or maybe that’s just a Canadian Rorschach test)
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 3:50 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Whoa. I like. The quill is badass.
vacuumslayer
November 9, 2011 at 3:57 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Well, thanks! If you decide on it, I can work the Hitchens quote in somewhere, though it may be more of a design element than something super-legible.
theophontes, feu d'artifice du cosmopolitisme
November 9, 2011 at 4:20 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I cobbled this together: Linky.
I don’t know where you stand vis-a-vis teh kittez (for my part they is to few on FTB). The quote is from somewhere on scienceblogs.
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 4:25 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Hahaha, cool. I’m fully anti-cat, but it’s an interesting experiment.
Michael Swanson
November 9, 2011 at 5:19 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
“Fully anti-cat”? Now I can’t trust your opinion on anything, as you’re obviously suffering from serious emotional and cognitive issues.
Such a shame…seemed like such a nice young man…
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 5:25 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Nice? NICE? Whose blog have YOU been reading?
Patsy Monteleone
November 9, 2011 at 5:34 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Here’s a go at a banner design. I used an open-handed palm image (a scan of my own paw), which is a common motif in Russian Constructivist art. Feel free to use it if you wish! And thanks for putting up the good fight. ;°)
http://patsymonteleone.wordpress.com/about/crom-manifest-pmonteleone/
Tony
November 9, 2011 at 5:40 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Here’s take 2 that incorporates the A-fist. {Take 2}
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 5:42 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
My favourite part of that image is the juxtaposition of the two ads on the page.
The banner looks excellent.
Michael Swanson
November 9, 2011 at 5:45 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Well, in all honesty, you strike me as a pretty nice guy who refuses to take shit from anyone, and who can become–forgive the religious overtone–righteously angry. It’s certainly possible to be both nice and assertive.
But then there’s the problem of this simple formula: Cats = Awesome. Like 2+2=4, if a person has trouble comprehending that…well…it’s pretty hopeless, man.
Michael Swanson
November 9, 2011 at 5:48 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
For what it’s worth, this is my favorite one. It’s very clean, but has a sense of power.
Ross
November 9, 2011 at 6:56 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
If up to a vote, I’d back vacuumslayer. Excellent work, very stylish.
And it has no backwards “R”. Even having taken only one year of Russian many years ago, that still derails my mental train every time I see it used for sounds other than “ya”
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 6:59 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I think “Toys R Us”, personally.
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 7:30 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I have been trying to duck the appellation “nice” since high school, but apparently I will simply have to resign myself to “nice guy” status for the rest of my life. I prefer “good guy”, because a lot of being “nice” involves false modesty and tact bordering on dishonesty.
Cats… ugh. Never seen the appeal. They’re needy jerks with no sense of personal boundaries, alternating between aloofness and clinginess. It’s like what I imagine living with a Pick Up Artist would be.
Lancelord
November 9, 2011 at 7:54 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I’ve done one simple and fairly ugly banner, just to contribute.
http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=284757crommunistmanifestoban2.jpg
There’s room for the Hitch quote, and I could replace the black power fist with the atheist black power fist. A very flexible banner.
Gruh
November 9, 2011 at 9:00 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Here’s my humble offering.
http://99.189.174.93/~sandy/schtuf/crommunist.png
tonylloyd
November 9, 2011 at 9:38 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
They’re all pretty good, but how’d they look in blue rather than red?
Crommunist
November 9, 2011 at 9:39 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
My guess would be… bluer.
William
November 10, 2011 at 1:25 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Banners! Fun! Had to have a go at it…
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OHWz2zS7JAk/TrsnGwzex5I/AAAAAAAABtY/FkH3ybOmG6g/s728/cromunist.png
Crommunist
November 10, 2011 at 1:29 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Okay, I said before that having my face on the banner would be creepy. NOT SO!
Tristan
November 10, 2011 at 3:08 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
It’s just some photoshop work and a few fractals I made in apophysis.
Carina
November 10, 2011 at 6:55 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
This one is really nice!
Codex
November 10, 2011 at 7:44 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Morby @ 16′s good – bold but still pretty simple. Very cool.
abeille
November 10, 2011 at 4:37 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Wow! Awesome job!
This is my favorite.
I would, quite possible, get on my knees and beg you to do mine, even try bribing you with food, if I had a banner.
Herr Mann
November 11, 2011 at 12:35 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
It’s refreshing to see so many (different) banners… I really like #30, the one with the quill.
Eric Paulsen
November 11, 2011 at 4:56 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
It’s supposed to be a close view of the American flag (one red stripe next to a blue field nut below a white stripe) but since there was no context I completely understand the confusion. I wasn’t going for a Cuban feel but it kind of reminded me of that too when I was done.
Tony
November 11, 2011 at 5:52 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Thanks, Michael.
Morby
November 13, 2011 at 11:29 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
These have all turned out so well! Excited to see which one you’ll end up going with.