How the Windows 7 start up animation evolved
By Tom Warren, 01 December 2009 - 11:44 70 comments
Microsoft has published a QnA session with Rolf Ebeling, the man responsible for the Windows 7 start up animation.
The latest QnA is the third in a series of seven that Microsoft is calling "Seven behind Windows 7". Included in the interview is a few sketches of the early startup animation concept. The start-up animation was first unveiled in December 2008, present in Windows 7 695x builds.
According to Ebeling he looked everywhere for inspiration, including street lights in the rain, light reflecting off water, and fireflies. Music also assisted the designer as he states his incurable addiction to indie rock helped him do his best work. The look at the concept sketch work is a rare glimpse into the design process of Windows that Microsoft rarely shares. In early November we got a glimpse at some concept artwork for the Windows 7 default wallpaper.
Comments (70)
TonyLock - 01 December 2009 - 11:47
The Win7 startup looks stupid actually. It could have been a whole lot better. VERY disappointing!
briangw - 01 December 2009 - 13:16
Compared to what? I still think it's the best startup they ever made for a Windows product.
How would you do it better? What would you do differently? There are VERY few animated boot screens out there...
Yagi - 01 December 2009 - 13:55
Let me be the first to say this, for God's sake it's a startup screen! If you care that much get a life.
TonyLock - 01 December 2009 - 14:22
You lot are funny, really!
I don't need to compare it to anything to know it's not that good. All I know is that it could have been a hell of a lot better.
nokiaxion - 01 December 2009 - 14:47
I don't need to compare it to anything to know it's not that good. All I know is that it could have been a hell of a lot better.
Compared to what? I dont see much boot screens better.
epple - 01 December 2009 - 16:41
It's the best looking one to date, but I'd like if the pulses were a tad bit 'bigger' or more intense. A quick glance at the screen (ie you're doing something else during boot) and it almost looks like it doesn't do anything.
Maybe it's just me though. :P
detoxa - 01 December 2009 - 17:27
Let us be the judge of that , so c'mon make a better one and post it in the forums (,")
M_Lyons10 - 01 December 2009 - 19:23
I don't need to compare it to anything to know it's not that good. All I know is that it could have been a hell of a lot better.
How would you have made it better? If you dislike it so much you have to know what you would have done...
brent3000 - 02 December 2009 - 01:37
TonyLock... it COULD have been better... BUT the question is WHY does it need to be BETTER...
Stepping up from the 98 through to 7 i think its making excelent progress... Personally the vista one was very boring,...
M_Lyons10 - 02 December 2009 - 03:52
Well, for the Vista startup screen Microsoft had planned for OEM's to add their own graphic / startup image. It never really took off...
ReDFoX2200 - 01 December 2009 - 11:51
For me it is the best start up they ever made.
Glendi - 01 December 2009 - 13:00
+1
onTh - 01 December 2009 - 13:13
+2
artfuldodga - 01 December 2009 - 14:04
+1000
Phalesafe - 01 December 2009 - 14:11
+9001
dimithrak - 01 December 2009 - 14:23
The startups good.. the music intro is what pulls it down.. i prefered the startup sounds 98, 200 and winxp had..
]SK[ - 01 December 2009 - 16:30
I could never understand their thinking with Vista's startup.
MadDog - 01 December 2009 - 18:17
Ovar 9000!!!!1!
M_Lyons10 - 01 December 2009 - 19:24
+1 I agree. It's very cool.