On Designing MacHeist
As MacHeist is underway, I thought I’d share with you guys a little peek into its design process.
As John Casasanta, Scott Meinzer and I began to finalize details on Heist a couple months ago, we realized that what we were going for (spy themed, campy stories, etc.) would require an extremely capable web designer with a distinctive style. This had to look different from all the forums and blogs out there. It had to look amazing. And it had to be designed fast.
So my first pick for the project was Adam Betts, who I had worked with previously on the original design for MacThemes. What he had created for MacThemes, in my opinion, was fresh nearly three years ago, and is still fresh today. And the amazing thing was, he had come up with the general visual idea and details in a matter of days. So, after a few days of chatting with him, I convinced him to join the project, and he got to work.
Below are a few snapshots from the process over roughly two weeks (click for full size):
Notice something? Adam had the fundamental pieces of the design nailed from the beginning. And from there, it was a matter of relatively minor changes. (Combo code entry, site background, etc.)
Of course the design job isn’t over quite yet… but I think it’s safe to say that people are loving what Adam came up with. Major props to him.
Voila, the final productComments
Up until this point, there have been 36 responses to “On Designing MacHeist”:
Any surprise why I’ve been looking up to Adam for graphic design for the past four years? Well, minus the two years he disappeared for WoW. I think Adam’s the only one who’s seen the full progression of my website over the year.
Really folks, you’ve done an amazing job, not just on the website but also its content and the first heist. If nothing else, you have contributed to the very core of the Mac development world: the enthusiasm of its participants.
Great looking site. I love the behind the scenes look at what was considered before the final design was chosen.
Hey, maybe you can make a post about gettin stuff into wordpress or punbb? Its the hardest part 
HUGE props on the site design. It’s awesometastic. Adam should be really proud.
Very nice, I’m a big fan of Adam’s work.
I forgot my password and login to macheist 
what should i do?
It looks great. Nice overall look, and lots of attention in the details.
But you completely forgot to put a “forgot your password” button in there…
One major problem on MacHeist and MyDreamApp:
-no way to retreive a lost password!
I was an early registerer of MacHesit, forgot my password, and now I can’t get in on the fun. It’s too bad, really. Quite an oversight!
I love those drafts… I would love to have the center bottom as a wordpress template.
So you’re the one how’s kept Adam so busy he can’t work on my site!
Come on, share him a little; my site looks like crap!
I’ve been visiting the site pretty frequently and still haven’t become at all tired of the design. That says a lot! Thanks for posting the “in progress” screens, very cool. And Adam… great work!
So, when exactly are you going to start hinting what’s in the bundle?
@ Cameron
Who’s to say the hints haven’t already begun? 
The forget password may or may not be an oversight, but definitely good to have as I forgotten mine, so my first hesit was to get my password which, thankfully, I managed to crack after a few days.
I like the green one the best ( but then again it’s a biased opinion on the color green ) I like the final. I like the detail that goes in making it, it really makes it stand out.
Hey, I have signed up for MacHeist about 5 times now, and I still haven’t gotten an invite. Where’s the love!?
Wow, that is a great looking site. What tools did he use to make that.
I’ve owned a Mac since 1984, hence, I’ve seen many things Mac. MacHeist is a brilliantly stunning example of the power of the Mac community. I have but one request (okay…maybe two): Is it possible that when I click on the dynamite, that sound accompanies the shaking, whether it be the clamor of heavy steel, or some other imaginative sound? Maybe Jason Harris can even rig up some smoke effects? (Jason will love my saying that!)
I like the vault opening animation… It’s really pretty.
It’s been a month… Please post something new! :’(
@bobby,
there is a way to retrieve your last password,its built-in to the forum software, which handles logins and registrations…. Although, maybe before Macheist became public, there wasn’t one…
Anyways…
Phil,
Nice Site… Inspiration, also the look of this blog of yours is nice too! Unique designs. Great Site, Great Idea, Great Apps, Great Bundle, Great Price, Great Everything.
Can’t wait to see your next project!!
-Chris
aam.macosxlife.com
I sort of feel like I’d need my fix soon! 
why dont you update you blog anymore?
So, is this blog which used to be cool to read dead? I think it is dead. There hasn’t been a heartbeat here from Phill in over two months. Phill, are you ever going to touch this blog again?
Clearly, Phil is dead. Nothing to see here, people…
this blog is basically dead
not much of a blog this? you meant to post more than once a month.
dude, what happened? You said the sixth heist was supposed to be big… months later and nothing. I come here and see you haven’t done anything here.
So what happened to your blog, Phill?
–
four months till now.
Phill, u alright? ur never on IRC, u dont post in the macheist forums and u dint post here? have u been kidnapped? or have u move to barbados with the money from the bundle?
[...] Interview with Adam Betts 05Apr07 Adam Betts is a Graphic Design that has done a lot of work in the Mac software scene. He has designed many application icons, and put together Phill Ryu’s MacHeist site. [...]
Post something new already.
You still with us Phill? Its been 5 months…
Edward Scherf
November 14th, 2006 at 1:21amMajor props indeed. Adam did an awesome job on the details. He is very talented and knows how to throw in a lot of eye candy, but still keep the site practical and useful. Kudos to Adam and the rest of the MacHeist team on a job well done thus far! You guys are great.