Summary

Since development time surrounding any action involving SOPA and/or PIPA requires some lead, thought has been given to the design of the interstitial blackout pages. This page is what will be shown to users who visit Wikipedia during the "blackout period".

The following elements should be taken as given, for the sake of discussion:

Copy is not finalized. This should be considered placeholder at best. Images are mockups. Production-quality artwork has not been created, so minor errors may exist.

The following design requirements were taken into effect:

The screen must be iconic. This image will be used in screen shots in the media and elsewhere. The screen must be simple. While the issues presented are complex, they must be boiled down to easy-to-understand concepts, with room for expansion. The screen must be symbolic. This is potentially a historical event.

The following design considerations were taken into effect:

The Wikipedia "puzzle globe" image is a "busy" icon, and not appropriate for the type of statement required. Simplicity over complexity. Seriousness over frivolity. The Wikipedia wordmark was deemed important to include.

Additional comments:

The "light" version is closer to the current Wikipedia design and would be less shocking.

The "dark" version is more symbolic (an encroaching darkness), but may be unsettling to community members.

Please note that these images are "first run" attempts. Comments are appreciated.

Open Questions

Please indicate your preference.

Remember to focus on visual considerations only, as all wording and campaign mechanics are subject to discussion elsewhere.

To avoid clutter, please Support only your favorite option (do not Oppose), and if you wish state your feelings about other options in your response, referring to them by number.

Style

Color scheme

Visual prototypes

Full size) Anti-SOPA blackout screen - hope it's not too late to upload this! (

Note: these need to link to http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm ("senators") and http://www.house.gov/representatives/ ("congressperson"). Selery (talk) 23:25, 16 January 2012 (UTC)

Foundation design (prototype 1)

Support though not sure about the elongated reverse "W" shadow in the foreground. What does it look like without that? FT2 Talk | email) 05:02, 15 January 2012 (UTC) Question: I wonder whether the "W" logo is actually needed at all if we are trying to highlight what the internet would look like if SOPA passed? Maybe centre the white text and put the "WIKIPEDIA" at the bottom? --Marianian(talk) 07:43, 15 January 2012 (UTC) Yes, I think most users may not be familiar with the "W" logo as it does not appear on the main encyclopedia. Perhaps a silhouetted puzzle globe would be more recognisable as Wikipedia? Pretzels Hii! Support - Short and simple, gets the point across. The others are way too detailed, and have links to Facebook/Twitter, which I find pointless. -- Seahorseruler (Talk Page) (Contribs) (Report a Vandal) 01:01, 17 January 2012 (UTC) Support - The design and the short and simple (cit.: Seahorseruler) form, IMHO, "take the effect". --Dэя-Бøяg 01:59, 17 January 2012 (UTC) Oppose - Proportions seem skewed to me and the elongated reverse "W" is just distracting. Overall, does not communicate a professional appearance. Zachlipton (talk) 17:39, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

Pretzels' design (prototype 2)

Tag line

I'm not sure this is our best shot for a tag line. "Free" has multiple meanings and ostensibly SOPA targets piracy only, so it's not at all clear the internet wouldn't be "free". Try these:

" The internet must protect free speech " " The internet needs you to protect free speech " " The internet needs your help to protect free speech "

Everyone can immediately relate – they all post on social sites or email, or chat;

– they all post on social sites or email, or chat; Accuracy – all SOPA issues come down to impact on free speech;

– all SOPA issues come down to impact on free speech; Blatant obvious relevance – anyone can see how harming free speech harms Wikipedia;

– anyone can see how harming free speech harms Wikipedia; People care massively about that right, and it taps into that mass support;

- FT2

(also crossposted to Proposed Messages#Tag line)

This page is for visual design discussion - it would really be helpful to leave the text to the other page for now. Pretzels Hii!

Comments

I like this. It seems to match what we're trying to say better and is more accurate.--Jorm (WMF) (talk) 05:31, 15 January 2012 (UTC)

The Internet needs a capital I . Jolly Ω Janner 23:20, 15 January 2012 (UTC)

needs a capital . 23:20, 15 January 2012 (UTC) Free as in freedom . I like the emphasis on free speech. Braincricket (talk) 06:20, 16 January 2012 (UTC)

. I like the emphasis on free speech. Braincricket (talk) 06:20, 16 January 2012 (UTC) I strongly recommend some sort of link to further information. To someone with no knowledge of SOPA/PIPA, the current text might seem quite arbitrary. I recommend adding a link to additional information, which opens in a new tab, or reforming the button to suggest that clicking it will also lead to further information. Commander Ziltoid (speak) 20:40, 16 January 2012 (UTC)

some sort of link to further information. To someone with no knowledge of SOPA/PIPA, the current text might seem quite arbitrary. I recommend adding a link to additional information, which opens in a new tab, or reforming the button to suggest that clicking it will also lead to further information. Commander Ziltoid (speak) 20:40, 16 January 2012 (UTC) What about a more active connection to the blackout? “This is what censorship looks like: Help protect free speech on the Internet” or something » K i G O E | talk 20:47, 16 January 2012 (UTC)

| 20:47, 16 January 2012 (UTC) Support of Commander Ziltoid proposal of further links for less informed ones. Kigoe´s idea is also very interesting. FkpCascais (talk) 04:13, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

I'd like to see "integrity" substituted for "very fiber" which could come off as hyperbolic. Selery (talk) 16:34, 14 January 2012 (UTC)

I'd like to see a second sentence that states WHY the act is harmful. Altho I'd agree this would open up a Wikipedia boiling pot of discussion, so maybe not. Kyle Andrew Brown (talk) 19:33, 14 January 2012 (UTC)

Keep the landing page incredibly simple. Lesson learned in our annual fundraiser. "Read more" covers it. FT2 Talk | email) 05:05, 15 January 2012 (UTC)

These are mockups for the "click through" blackout. Could we see mockups for full blackouts, hopefully with information showing how long our blackout is and what we hope to accomplish by restricting access to wikipedia? Dkreisst (talk) 22:12, 14 January 2012 (UTC)

They would be the same thing, only without a "continue to wikipedia" link.--Jorm (WMF) (talk) 22:41, 14 January 2012 (UTC) Wouldn't it be important for them to have information on them about how long the blackout will be in effect? 209.193.40.253 (talk) 01:00, 15 January 2012 (UTC) I believe the actual message intended to go on this design is being drafted at Wikipedia:SOPA_initiative/Proposed_Messages. I think the image just features a placeholder/example. --Errant (chat!) 02:12, 15 January 2012 (UTC)

Since full blackout is quickly gaining support, there should be a version that does not say "Continue to Wikipedia". Badon (talk) 03:41, 15 January 2012 (UTC)

I've posted a smartened-up version of this concept above - it may be worth making the light source pale blue, or deep red, depending on the mood we are meaning to convey. Pretzels Hii! I'm not sure that the addition of color adds anything at this stage of the image. This seems overcomplicated and frenetic to me, based on what is trying to be said.--Jorm (WMF) (talk) 04:58, 15 January 2012 (UTC) Sure, it's not crucial - just a thought. Pretzels Hii!

What does the first dark style look like without the elongated "W" shadow in the foreground? Any chance of posting that up to compare? FT2 Talk | email) 05:04, 15 January 2012 (UTC)

Does anyone else feel that the message would look better without the giant W taken up half of the space? Of course, we should still include something in there that'll make visitors aware that they didn't accidentally stumble across a website that isn't Wikipedia, but the "W" doesn't scream "Wikipedia" in my opinion. I think the "An important message from<br/>Wikipedia<br/>The Free Encyclopedia" message seen on the top of File:Wikipedia_SOPA_Blackout_Design.png would be enough. The width of the block with text should have a narrow width, and I feel that that block would look fine in the center of the page without anything to its sides. The giant W is silly. If we were using a light background, I would prefer an image of Wikipe-tan or Santa Claus to a giant W. --Michaeldsuarez (talk) 13:59, 15 January 2012 (UTC)

What if something was done with the big W? Perhaps something like this. This could also be taken further by making the X red, or made to look like that little red x that appears in the cornor of images when they won't load. You could also take the shadow of the W in one of the above posted designs and turn it into an X. This may enforce the theme of restriction and be a possible iconic representation of this negative situation. Just throwing an idea out there --AmyF.G. (talk) 19:50, 15 January 2012 Wow, the conversion of the W into an X is very powerful. I hope that idea can somehow be incorporated into the design. --Gmaxwell (talk) 08:21, 16 January 2012 (UTC)



I have created a Facebook, Twitter, or any other website-friendly image here, based on Pretzel's fourth mockup version. Kevin Rutherford (talk) 06:06, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

Mobile version

We're going to need some sort of plan for http://en.m.wikipedia.org, too. — C M B J 00:58, 16 January 2012 (UTC)

Support Sean's mobile mockup on the condition "+1-202-224-3121" is added. Selery (talk) 23:20, 16 January 2012 (UTC)

Sean's mobile mockup added. Selery (talk) 23:20, 16 January 2012 (UTC) I also support. But can we confirm if mobile site does get blacked out as well? OhanaUnited Talk page 14:42, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

I would think that at this point a global blackout and banner alongside a blackout of all services including reading and editing would include the mobile site as well. However, this hasn't been very specific and I hope we do get some clarification in the coming hours. Sean "esqew" Quinn (talk) 16:04, 17 January 2012 (UTC) Which individual could provide a definite answer? And have you contacted that person yet? Also, for the telephone, maybe we should state that the phone number is for USA people so mobile users from other countries know that number's for United States. OhanaUnited Talk page 19:15, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

Support : We do need a mobile version. About 50% of my internet time is spent browsing on my android phone. --Ne0Freedom 16:00, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

: We do need a mobile version. About 50% of my internet time is spent browsing on my android phone. --Ne0Freedom 16:00, 17 January 2012 (UTC) Support : Blackout needs to affect all "editions" of the English Wikipedia, not just the full version — Johnl 1479 17:33, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

: Blackout needs to affect all "editions" of the English Wikipedia, not just the full version — 17:33, 17 January 2012 (UTC) Support : Yes, global is global, and the button to call your representative sounds like a very good idea (except of course for those who don't live in the US ;-) benzband ( talk ) 18:25, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

: Yes, global is global, and the button to call your representative sounds like a very good idea (except of course for those who don't live in the US ;-) ( ) 18:25, 17 January 2012 (UTC) Support, but is it technically feasible? -- Luk talk 18:43, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

Narrowing things down on Monday

Hi folks - some quick input on how things are proceeding from the WMF side. Based on the fact that it's pretty clearly looking like a protest is on, we're going to start narrowing the designs and approach. On Monday Jan 16 the WMF SOPA team is coming together for a big meeting in our offices to piece all of the major parts of the effort together. That includes the tech, communications, outreach, creative and other planning. Jorm/Brandon from WMF is leading the concept development around the main splash screen (per above) and right now I know he's looking at all of the suggestions and planning to take everything into account. From my perspective, I'd like to encourage we don't do anything too radical or strange with the Wikipedia identity - whether the W or other pieces. The brand needs to be recognizable to the visitors - millions may not understand what's going on, and we don't want their initial reactions to be that the site has been overtaken by hackers etc. The dramatic tone helps the strongness of the message, imho, but we need to be careful to make sure it doesn't appear we've let another org take over.

More importantly, I wanted to note that we'll narrow down the design options based partially on the technical requirements and the final consensus of the RfC. SO that means some of the aspects suggested above will need to adapt - javascript, page directs etc. There are a lot of moving pieces, and it will take some work just to get everything working in time. So bear with us if the outcome isn't exactly what's specified on this page.

I'd also encourage everyone to expect the copy and design to come together independently (there's a bit of comingling going on right now). We're working on the copy on that specific project page, and the effort is simply to get that as absolutely concise, short, and effective as possible. The design knows what the copy needs to accomplish, and ultimately the efforts will have to come together tomorrow. I know we'll share the ultimate mockups asap so everyone can see the work as it stands - hopefully we'll have time for one last set of revisions, but it will be dependent on time. I think we'll have a SOPA IRC channel launched tomorrow by 1PST, so keep an eye out and take part in the chat there. JayWalsh (talk) 04:05, 16 January 2012 (UTC)

Aces. If you need this design coding, do let me know. Pretzels Hii!

A question for when you convene — have we evaluated the effects of pulling the plug for an extended period; moreover, will we seek to take any measures (i.e., pause search engine crawling of the site) to prevent ill effects in the short- or long-term? — C M B J

Language and design

I'd rather a volume of text closer to the Foundation's than to Pretzel's. The Foundation's is much more effective in this respect, but Pretzel's larger text for the main message-line is essential. I also prefer his W design (the Foundation's mirror-image idea is a bit messy, IMO). Can the good in both attempts be integrated?

I have no problem with "the very fiber".

I suggest you make the second sentence, "Without ...", a new paragraph—three paras in all, not two.

"Read more" could be positioned just a little further down.

I'd make the text one point larger and let it extend down further vertically.

Do alter it if the banner is to be displayed beyond the US, of course. (e.g., clarify where the law is being considered: "the US Congress" ... will inevitably have worldwide effects").

Is "Congressperson" a standard word? It seems ungainly, but no big deal if "Call your Representative or Senator" is too much text.

Yes, it's standard.

The black is good. Tony (talk) 13:44, 16 January 2012 (UTC)

Hi all, I have posted the latest version of the design above (File:Pretzels SOPA Blackout Mockup v4.png). As time is becoming tight, there are things we need to agree on urgently:

Are we to include Facebook & Twitter share buttons? How do previous discussions on including these on the main site affect this? Is this a worthy exemption? Permitted under WMF Privacy Policy?

No Facebook/Twitter; opens a can of worms about which site buttons should be added; their being missing reinforces what is being lost for those who use those sites.Sallijane (talk) 04:56, 17 January 2012 (UTC) Whether we like these mediums or not, they're what most people use to communicate online and the effectiveness of the protest depends directly upon our capacity to disseminate knowledge to laypeople. Privacy concerns can likely be avoided as per above discussion, and there is no logical reason why major open alternatives like Diaspora must be excluded. — C M B J I'm inclined to add Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, ... buttons, none of which work but do pop up text explaining that you might not be able to do that in the future. Probably more aggravating than useful, so no buttons. htom (talk) 19:19, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

What is our call to action button text? As we've no resources to test different lines, does anyone with experience from the fundraising wiki have some advice?

As we've no resources to test different lines, does anyone with experience from the fundraising wiki have some advice? Copy needs to be finalised, I've truncated the lengthy headline in the latest mockup as it didn't work well visually - thoughts on this?

— Pretzels Hii! 22:24, 16 January 2012 (UTC)

What is our call to action button text? : Take Action NOW - Contact your Congressman! - Mailer Diablo 22:52, 16 January 2012 (UTC) I'd go with 'Congressperson' in favor of 'Congressman'. The US Government does use the term in some instances. Otherwise, I'd go with 'Take action NOW! Contact your Senator and Representative' or even just 'Contact your [Congressperson/Senator and Representative] now!. Bob Amnertiopsis ∴ ChatMe! 03:44, 17 January 2012 (UTC) Actually, come to think of it, since we're encouraging people to contact both their Senator and their Representative, it'd have to be 'Congresspeople'. 'Contact your Congresspeople now!' That's decent and concise. Bob Amnertiopsis ∴ ChatMe! 03:48, 17 January 2012 (UTC) Kind of prefer 'now' in CAPS. - Mailer Diablo 05:36, 17 January 2012 (UTC) If we can do Twitter and Facebook, we should ad a +1 button too... --Braniff747SP (talk) 01:51, 17 January 2012 (UTC) No Facebook/Twitter; see above.Sallijane (talk) 04:56, 17 January 2012 (UTC) Agree that we shouldn't be including, and therefore implicitly endorsing external companies (especially now Twitter's head didn't have nice words towards our action). - Mailer Diablo 05:36, 17 January 2012 (UTC) Costolo's remarks may have been flippant, but unless he was suggesting that Wikipedia is a business then it would appear some of those reporting on him accidentally took his words somewhat out of context. The associated statement came in response to inquiries specifically about Twitter's plans and more plausibly referred to their internal corporate strategy. He subsequently reaffirmed Twitter's continued opposition to the legislation through other means and later clarified his intent when pressed. — C M B J How about not supporting any corporate interests at all as opposed to backing Twitter's interests against, say, Universal Studios'? If we absolutely have to link to any for-profit or closed source entity that how about billing them for the advertising?--Brian Dell (talk) 18:56, 17 January 2012 (UTC) It would be easier to offer commentary or make suggestions about the text if it were available somewhere other than the graphic; apologies if it is and I am out of the loop. In the second paragraph, the semicolon should be replaced with a period. It doesn't work with the conjunction "but" between what should be two independent clauses. Some people might be irritated if we leave "but" as the first word in a new sentence but I'm okay with it being done sparingly and for effect.

I don't understand what the first sentence in the third paragraph is trying to say. Is it missing a verb? Are we really saying that Congress is considering striking out rights AND striking out laws? And why is it major rights of free speech? Further, why is is rights of free speech and not the simpler free speech rights ?

rights of free speech? Further, why is is and not the simpler ? The second sentence of the third paragraph has the singular subject "it." Aren't we talking about (at least) two bills, SOPA and PIPA?

In the fourth paragraph, the comma after the initial word "please" should be removed.

The word "too" in the fourth paragraph's first sentence should be removed. I imagine that it's there to try to get the reader to join us in this effort but we haven't set that up so it's distracting. We could lead up to it properly but we'd have to rewrite earlier portions of the text and I don't know if it would be worth the payoff. Before this goes live, please employ the services of one or more experienced copy editors. ElKevbo (talk) 10:14, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

UK petition?

There's been talk of putting together a petition to the UK government, which would be linked to from the banners - see Wikipedia:SOPA initiative/Action/UK petition for more. Mike Peel (talk) 17:21, 17 January 2012 (UTC)

Europe and Australia?