Like FatalE and Classix10k, Ashen is a theme that hearkens the days of old with its flat, sharp, and neutral style. There are no bright Aqua gel buttons here, or the poisonous greens of Luna. Ashen is a retro theme for a modern OS, and while this shouldn’t work, Chris McElligott succeeds admirably.
Digital Device, the winner of the Unsanity/OWC ShapeShifter Theme Contest, is, at first glance, quite a nice looking theme. It’s got tans and olive-greens that are definitely similar to the Palm Pilots and such that they no doubt emulate. So why is it that I simply cannot get used to this?
Max Rudberg’s BBX: Mercury X is a “remix” of Bill Bart’s original BBX Mercury for Kaleidoscope. And the difference between a “remix” and a “port” is pretty huge. Max’s own version of the classic skin brings all the best elements to OS X, with perhaps even more polish, thanks to nifty OS X innovations such as drop shadows and animated buttons.
There is absolutely nothing else like JetBlack, and partly due to the fact that this is a Swizcore Studio production, innovation is a good thing. The first truly dark theme is in good hands, and though JetBlack is marred by severe usability problems, the degree of polish and completeness makes it nevertheless a compelling theme to use.
The third place winner of the Unsanity/OWC ShapeShifter Contest, Latium is one of those themes you either love or you hate. Latium is a futuristic and unique blend of greens and whites, and regardless whether you like it or not, it is a great technical accomplishment by a themeing newbie.
AquaPro is yet another take on Apple’s pro Aqua, this time by COTL GUI Studio. The look isn’t stale, however, and COTL manages to coerce it into something truly beautiful. If one of those other Aqua themes didn’t do it for you, download AquaPro and see what a more laid back interpretation feels like.
Ports and refinements of system default skins guarantee a level of usability and aesthetics that innovative and new themes sometimes can not. Gershwix is one of these. Gershwix is a fairly accurate and complete port of OS 9’s Platinum, and the result is a fun experience tinged with a bit of nostalgia.
Brushed 3.5 is basically Apple’s Brushed Metal look, reinterpreted by Max Rudberg. Of course, like all of Max’s themes, every element is refined and there are 10 variations. Even if you prefer the Aqua look, Max’s version is great, so take thirty seconds to download this theme. You’ll likely be surprised.