Trek aesthetics

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

Which color scheme/layout for a ship do you prefer? Kirk's 5YM Enterprise was always colorful (granted, it was color TV's debut) and seemed as diversely decorated as the crew members were. From then on, we moved to grays and browns - office cubicle decor. The Kelvinverse Enterprise corridors, while sleek and shiny looks more like a public washroom - but the bridge is kinda nice...

Other thoughts?

 

[F. King Daniel]

I love the original Enterprise's bright and colourful sets, buttons, computer readouts etc. I have a fondness for the STV Enterprise's bridge, it's muted colours would make for a comfortable long-term work environment. The bridge in the first few movies, however, (along with Voyager) is very grey and drab.

I love the look of the Kelvinverse Enterprise, IMO it's spectacular, although those shiny lights on the bridge may cause headaches.

 

[Shawnster]

I lean more toward Voyager's look, or maybe a combination thereof. It seems when playing games like Star Trek Armada, the Federation ships are white with blue accents. Well, that's the exteriors. Like I said, I'm liking Voyager's interiors. No, wait, I think I like TMP Enterprise best followed by Voyager.

But this is for a ship that would make frequent stops. If I was trapped on the ship for months and years at a time with no break, I think the sterile military ship look wold drive me batty. I'd want something more like Enterprise D with carpets. The D might have looked like a hotel in space but that is what I'd want if I was on that ship for a long extended period of time.

 

[sbk1234]

I really like the look of Voyager, almost tied with TMP.

 

[retroenzo]

But this is for a ship that would make frequent stops. If I was trapped on the ship for months and years at a time with no break, I think the sterile military ship look wold drive me batty. I'd want something more like Enterprise D with carpets. The D might have looked like a hotel in space but that is what I'd want if I was on that ship for a long extended period of time.

I've always said that I'd like the exterior of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 refit or 1701-A with the interior decorating of the Enterprise-D. The inside of the D seems like a hotel.

 

[Kor]

TOS all the way. Color is good for your mood.
And I like buttons/keys/switches that provide tactile feedback. Enough with the touch screens already!

Kor

 

[Tallguy]

No shock to anyone, I'm a TOS guy. Welll... Ok, TMP / TWOK wins this one.

If I was going to live in Star Trek it would be TMP.

 

[Richard Baker]

I like the interiors of the NX-01.
They are a bit hardware heavy, but I wish my home had accessible equipment instead of everything buried in the walls or flooring. Lighting and displays are comfortable and the physical switches are much better than tapping screens.

I classify technology as 'friendly' or formal'. Friendly is in such a way you would feel putting your coffee cup down somewhere and not feel awkward. The movies 'Alien' and 'Bladerunner' are great examples of that. Formal is the opposite- everything is clean and controlled- no place you could put your cup where it would appear out of place.- '2001' is a good example of that.

If I am going to spend a very long time in a spacecraft, I want to be in a place where I am comfortable and the NX-01 has a very friendly environment for Star Trek.

 

[jamestyler]

The Undiscovered Country bridge is the pinnacle of Trek design for me. I love the E-E interiors, as well as the Kelvinverse design, but the chrome-ish walls, blue/green displays and odd splash of red just feels nice. The right mix of a command centre and aesthetically pleasing.

 

[Kevin Thomas Riley]

I like the aesthetics of the NX-01. It feels like a real space ship and not a luxury liner. By the same manner I also like the cramped USS Defiant.

I also like the more toned down versions of the NCC-1701 from The Cage and WNMHGB. Also the TOS movie Enterprises, especially from TUC.

I hope the new Discovery will look like a cross between the NX-01 and The Cage-Enterprise.

 

[Tallguy]

I hope the new Discovery will look like a cross between the NX-01 and The Cage-Enterprise.

I feel like they can do pretty much what the hell they want and if they include the goose-neck viewers it will all be OK with me.

I think the NX-01 crossed with the Kelvin bridge (with goose-necks!) would be about perfect I think.

 

[publiusr]

The TOS bridge looked like 'home' for the crew. I'm sure the set looked more cramped while on it.

 

[2takesfrakes]

It's so unfortunate that TNG had to come out at a time when space shows were desperate to look 'real.' TOS use of colour should've been a staple of the entire franchise. Those pools of coloured lights and interesting shadows gave emotion and drama to the very sets, themselves. And it just looks striking ... and very memorable. As an Artist, I find that very appealing. By the same token, TMP was gorgeous eye candy - absolutely gorgeous - and those were all neutrals. Unfortunately, though, it so derailed the colourful approach of TOS that the only way it ever returned to STAR TREK was the Mirror Episode in ENT and Tribble show in DS9. But it should've remained the signature look of the franchise. It's very regrettable that it didn't pan out that way.

 

[Mojochi]

There was something very pleasing & comforting, but also grand & impressive about the TWoK designs, (& subsequent TOS films) a true mergence of the epic but homey nature of a galactic traveling habitat. It's a really terrific amalgam that I don't find in as well proportioned a presentation in any other Star Trek.

TOS had "Homey" down pat, but it lacks a presence of grandeur (Which I forgive like many other aspects of the show, due to the tech restrictions of the time). TMP has grandeur all up in your grill, but willfully seems to leave homey by the wayside. I've kind of been feeling the same way about the Kelvinverse too. TNG, Voyager & Enterprise all have a fairly healthy mix, that leans a little toward homey, & I feel DS9 gets the mix very close to balanced, but I just prefer the TWoK vibe better, personally

 

[eyeresist]

Which color scheme/layout for a ship do you prefer? Kirk's 5YM Enterprise was always colorful (granted, it was color TV's debut) and seemed as diversely decorated as the crew members were. From then on, we moved to grays and browns - office cubicle decor. The Kelvinverse Enterprise corridors, while sleek and shiny looks more like a public washroom - but the bridge is kinda nice... Other thoughts?

You forgot the NX-01, with a submarine/naval look, bulkhead-style doors and lots of blue-grey metallic-looking surfaces.

 

[Tallguy]

You forgot the NX-01, with a submarine/naval look, bulkhead-style doors and lots of blue-grey metallic-looking surfaces.

Yeah , if you're not trying to justify where ENT fits in the timeline it might be the finest design, interior -wise .

 

[eyeresist]

Yeah , if you're not trying to justify where ENT fits in the timeline it might be the finest design, interior -wise .

How does the interior not fit the timeline? The flatscreen displays are more advanced than TOS's blinking lights (unavoidable IMO) but the look is much more mechanical, cramped and utilitarian than Kirk's ship.

 

[2takesfrakes]

I really did not care for those two light-beam pillars, or whatever the balls they are, behind the bridge on the NX-01. I thought they were stupid looking then ... and they're even more stupid-looking, now. Herman Zimmerman's a sweet soul. It's impossible not to like the Man. But, aside for what he had done for the bridge of the Enterprise-D, I don't really care for his design sensibilities.

 

[eyeresist]

I really did not care for those two light-beam pillars, or whatever the balls they are, behind the bridge on the NX-01. I thought they were stupid looking then ... and they're even more stupid-looking, now. Herman Zimmerman's a sweet soul. It's impossible not to like the Man. But, aside for what he had done for the bridge of the Enterprise-D, I don't really care for his design sensibilities.

I actually don't know what you're talking about. I never noticed it.

 

[F. King Daniel]

^I think 2takes is referring to the bridge of NX-02 Columbia.