The book IS judged by its cover.

[Ghost]

It definitely is. My question is; how much does design and graphics play into your decision to either join, or remain at a forum or website?
For me it matters a lot, unless the content is too amazing to resist or I have a place in the community and the people keep me there.

One such forum looks like crap that I have been at since 2005, but I stayed because of the members. Now however, I am gone as the site is dead (not being posted in much).

 

[Southern Comfort]

Same here, I usually join because the forum is either eye candy or has great content. I appreciate good themes more so than most people (I really need to learn how to code them...) so it is always a big factor when I join a forum. If the place has a shitty logo and bad theme I'll usually offer my services to them just for the practice or if they are willing to pay and tidy the place up. A lot of admins though love how their forum looks which puzzles me, but to each is own I guess.

 

[lowrider.STi]

Design plays a great part. It it looks pro, than be sure that you will find quality content and nice members on a forum.