Created attachment 5364 [details]
Ref artwork - supporting text background

This also brings up the question should we add a vertical divider line btwn the content area and the scroll bar.  With the decision to have the entire page scroll it introduces an odd layout with the scroll bar above the dropdown.

Created attachment 5365 [details]
Ref artwork - illustrating effect with lighter wallpaper

Created attachment 5366 [details]
Ref artwork - w/ vertical divider

why not a fade on the right, like the selection highlight?

Created attachment 5370 [details]
Ref artwork - w/ dropdown fade applied to right edge

Created attachment 5371 [details]
Ref artwork - 2

The fade when applied to the right edge of the dropdown is distracting.  It becomes the highest point of contrast on screen and draws unwanted attention away from the content.  For Baby/Jive I have concerns how the LCD with render the gradient.  My fear is that it will render 'dirty' and not a true fade...

Ok, then how about nothing in the background, but make sure the text has a shadow on it?  

Or, have the dark background extend behind the scroll bar all the way across the screen?

Created attachment 5372 [details]
Ref artwork - no drop down bkgrd

Created attachment 5373 [details]
Ref artwork - extending dd bkgrd to edge

Re: Ref artwork - no drop down bkgrd  --- Is there a shadown on the text?  there should be.  This is exactly the same problem as large scrolling pages of text, which seems to work fine on Controller now.

Si, there is a drop shadow on the text.  The wallpaper was selected as a worst case.  Having the drop down bkgrd serves 2 purposes:

1. Ties the information to the titlebar and suggests that the information is supporting.

2. Helps will legibility as we do not control the wallpaper.

My recommendation would be to keep the drop down bkgrd and try to solve this minor visual problem of the unrefined edge.

The shadow in your reference image is very different than the one implemented on the controller, which works for very light backgrounds.  Are you sure we want to reinvent this?

Noah, can you comment on Dean's last comment and then assign over to me?

I'm intending on going forward with your new design within the next 48hrs.

Sorry this posting was moved off-line via email.  Dean and I looked at several options to treat the right edge.  The final decision was to use a fade edge (2 tile asset) for the drop down.

Dean, the only modification is that the assets will not go beneath the scroll bar.  The reason being on touch the selection menu bar needs to be isolated from the sbar area.  We found during beta testing that users were selecting near the arrow, thus the scrollbar and menu selection bar cannot overlap.  Posting screen comp for reference...

Created attachment 5389 [details]
Ref artwork - dropdown w/ SB

Created attachment 5390 [details]
Ref artwork - dropdown w/ SB 2

Created attachment 5391 [details]
Ref artwork - dropdown no SB

I'm confused by your statement:

Dean, the only modification is that the assets will not go beneath the scroll
bar.  The reason being on touch the selection menu bar needs to be isolated
from the sbar area.  We found during beta testing that users were selecting
near the arrow, thus the scrollbar and menu selection bar cannot overlap. 
Posting screen comp for reference...

--------

The layer order is a side effect of the way we want it to look and if the arrows are too close to the scroll bar, then a overlay vs fade doesn't really matter.

I'm disappointed with the fade effect as rendered here.  It visually takes up too much space, and looks cobbled on.  Can you show the same three screens with no fade (i.e. scroll bar over flat darkened area) and with a narrower width fade?

Part of the issue you are seeing with the way the fade effect is rendered is that the previous screen shots have a DITHER applied to them.  It will naturally look less smooth that a true gradient.

Created attachment 5393 [details]
Comparison 3 diff treatments

opt 1: 12px fade applied to right edge of dropdown bkgrd + selection menu item

opt 2: no fade applied to dropdown bkgrd, 24px fade applied to menu item (current)

opt 3: overlap scrollbar, no fade applied to dropdown bkgrd, 24px fade applied to menu item (current)

This bug has been identified as one that may not be required for MPQ since it now seems clear that MPQ and MP firmwares will be different.  Please comment if you disagree with this assessment.  Thanks!

Of the 16 bugs that were shuffled it is necessary to have some form of drop down background in place for MPQ.  The UI will look broken without it.

Fade removed from skin. Setting bug to fixed.  Please reopen if necessary.