Faience: A Stunning Gnome Shell Theme for Linux
Gnome Shell: Aesthetics and Customization
It’s undeniable that the Gnome Shell interface possesses a certain visual appeal, regardless of individual opinions regarding its functionality. While some critics argue that Gnome Shell disregards established ergonomic principles, a significant number of users find it enjoyable to use.
Currently, I personally find Gnome Shell particularly well-suited for my netbook. I appreciate the efforts made by the developers to revitalize the traditional desktop experience.
Further enhancements could potentially lead me to adopt it as my primary desktop environment across all my computers.
The Importance of Theming
Fortunately, the Gnome Shell developers have maintained the ability to customize the interface through theming. This has spurred a vibrant community dedicated to creating visually striking themes.
I’ve previously highlighted some of these themes in a prior article. However, a new theme recently emerged that has quickly become a favorite of mine.
Although the default Gnome Shell theme is attractive and refined, its inherent status as the 'default' option can be a deterrent for some users.
Custom themes offer a way to personalize the experience and overcome this initial hesitation.
The availability of theming options is a key strength of Gnome Shell, allowing users to tailor the desktop to their individual preferences.
Introducing the Faience Theme
Faience represents a Gnome Shell theme developed by tiheum, the creator also renowned for the widely-used Faenza icon set.
According to the developer’s statement, both the theme and its associated icon set are presently undergoing development. This indicates that the project is not yet complete and further refinements are anticipated.
Current Status and Compatibility
As of now, a dedicated GTK3/2 theme specifically designed for the Faience Shell theme is unavailable. However, its creation is actively being pursued.
In the interim, tiheum suggests utilizing an alternative GTK3/2 theme for optimal visual harmony. This recommended theme integrates seamlessly with Faience, offering a cohesive aesthetic.
Visual Overview
The Faience theme offers a distinct visual style, building upon the foundation established by the popular Faenza icon set.
Users can anticipate ongoing enhancements and updates as the theme continues to evolve, ensuring a refined and polished experience.
Installation
A successful installation of the recommended themes, fonts, and wallpaper requires several steps. These instructions are designed to be compatible with any distribution currently supporting Gnome Shell. For reference, the process will be demonstrated using Fedora. The Gnome Tweak Tool will be utilized to simplify the final stages of installation.
Gnome Shell Theme
Initially, the Gnome Shell theme must be placed in the appropriate directory. Download the ZIP file from this page, then extract its contents. Subsequently, move these extracted files into your ~/.themes folder.
For example, the complete path might be /home/makeuseof/.themes. You may need to manually enter this path or enable the display of hidden folders to access it.
Icon Set
Optimal visual consistency is achieved using the Faience icon set, which shares a name with the theme. Those acquainted with the Faenza icon set will find the Faience set visually comparable. However, the Faenza icon set can be used as an alternative if preferred. To install the Faience icons, download the ZIP file from this page and extract its contents into the ~/.icons directory.
Additional Font
Enhance the theme’s appearance by downloading and installing a complementary font. Obtain the ZIP file from this page, and then extract all contained font files into your ~/.fonts folder. This completes the font installation process.
GTK3/2 Theme
The GTK3/2 theme, responsible for the appearance of windows, requires additional components. Specifically, the Unico, Murrine, and pixbuf engines must be installed for the themes to function correctly. Ubuntu users should acquire Unico from this location (or perform a web search for "unico ubuntu") and install the other engines using the command sudo apt-get install gtk2-engines-murrine gtk2-engines-pixbuf.
Fedora users need to add a repository. Copy the contents of this page into a new file within the /etc/yum.repos.d/ directory. Then, install all necessary engines using the command yum install gtk3-unico-engine gtk-murrine-engine gtk2-engines. Finally, download the ZIP file and extract its contents into ~/.themes.
Wallpaper
Complete the aesthetic with a suitable wallpaper. A recommended option is available here, though you are free to choose any wallpaper you prefer. If you wish to replicate the wallpaper used in the provided screenshots, visit this page.
Applying the Theme via Gnome Tweak Tool
With all the necessary components installed, the next step involves activating the theme. Launch the Gnome Tweak Tool to begin customizing your desktop environment.
Theme Configuration Steps
Within the Gnome Tweak Tool, adjust the following settings to fully implement the Faience theme:
- Navigate to the Interface section and set the GTK+ theme to Zukitwo.
- Still within the Interface section, modify the Icon Theme to Faience-Azur.
- Switch to the Shell section and select Faience as your Shell Theme.
- Finally, in the Windows section, designate Zukitwo as the Current Theme.
Occasionally, the Gnome Shell may experience temporary instability and crash. Should this occur, simply accept the interruption and log back into your session.
Upon re-login, you can resume the theme configuration process and complete the remaining adjustments.
Finalizing Your Faience Theme Installation
The Faience theme has now been successfully applied to your Gnome Shell environment, accompanied by the suggested GTK3/2 theme, font selection, and wallpaper.
Explore your system thoroughly to discover the full extent of the visual modifications introduced by this new theme compared to your previously used configuration.
Ongoing Development & Updates
It's important to note that the Faience Gnome theme is continually being refined and improved.
Regularly visiting the official download page is recommended to stay informed about the latest updates and enhancements.
Share Your Experience
Are you a Gnome Shell user?
If so, we'd love to hear about your preferred theme and the reasons behind your choice.
Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!
