Wikipedia:Discuss and draft graphical layout overhauls
 | The following is a proposed Wikipedia policy, guideline, or process. The proposal may still be in development, under discussion, or in the process of gathering consensus for adoption. |
Discuss and draft graphical layout overhauls instead of using a highly visible page as a sandbox. While articles can improve by this normal method of small, unorganized edits, page design is different. When many users edit a page for layout, different plans can conflict, and the article may get worse. This process of attrition is what this guideline is meant to prevent. For example, Help:Contents had many unharmonized edits that brought a clean, good design to one with a very unorganized lead.
As such, we highly recommend that users not make these sort of style edits unilaterally or on a whim. This may seem to violate the spirit of the Wiki, but the resulting hodgepodge of design elements that are not cohesively linked, formatted, colored, and organized far outweighs this philosophical consideration. Instead, we encourage discussing changes on the appropriate talk page, and creating a draft in a sandbox. This encourages consensus and would avoid a gradual erosion of the page's design by many uncollaborative edits.
Please note that this guideline does not apply to most pages—see the next two sections.
Usage
Procedure
If you have an idea for a new design of page that uses a graphical layout, the first thing you should do is bring up the idea on the talk page (if there are subpages, use the main talk page). If you can code, create your design in your own sandbox (User:Foo/Sandbox) or a subpage of the page you are working on (Help:Contents/Redesign). Get as much of the design made as possible if you are assembling it from existing code (or you can write it yourself). If your idea is more abstract, not based off of any existing design, just discuss it and see if someone can create it. But unfortunately, a great idea is worthless unless you can make it a reality.
Do not use the "live" pages as sandboxes! Incomplete and flawed designs on highly visible pages are the very thing you want to prevent. Instead, use your sandbox to perfect your design. If, when, and only when your design is flawless should you present it to the larger community. A message on the Community bulletin board is usually enough.
It is best not to have a strict vote on the design. Voting is evil. Talk it over. See the general reaction. Address some of the concerns people have, and build consensus. Use this as valuable feedback, and don't worry if it takes a bit longer to get the design uploaded. We have all the time in the world.
If someone refuses to cease editing applicable pages, make sure they know about this guideline. Protect the page if necessary. Aim towards calm civility. If they continue to blatantly violate this guideline, ask for help from other users. If you need to take further action, it should be because they are simply uncooperative (that is, they are dicks) and not based solely on this guideline.