A lot of these player designs are stunning. Does anyone know where I can browse for more? Kudos to the OP and the artists behind the ships he posted.

In to support "normal" drone carrier ships. I would love a ship with 1/2 high slots for weapons that could field 10 or 15 drones. From a flavor point of view, Gallente being the "drone lords", but still fielding the same number as everyone else is... annoying.

Also, a dedicated, bonused Exploration BC would be awesome. The main thing stopping me from going on deep exploration runs is the need to be close enough to my combat ships.

Hmm... well a pocket carrier is one thing... but what you propose here would be a real game-changer... there would need to be some significant ANTI-drone options for other non-Gallente ships if you did that... could be a real tricky thing to pull because is would throw off game balance for all drones...

XL Destroyer. Ships roughly destroyer sized, but mounting only a single but extremely oversized XL weapon module.

Aside from a fitting bonus for the XL weapon, there should be a synergy-bonus, that enhances the damage when several XL destroyers focus their fire on a target.

A bit like the Ion-Frigate from the Homeworld-games.

Or limit what drones it can hold, just like they are doing with Fighters. Say, a battleship/mini-capital that has maybe only 4 highslots (no hardpoints) and a drone bay that can only hold heavies and/or sentries (or maybe any drone that is 25m3). Maybe has a bonus to drone MWD velocity and HP, and a reduction to non-MWD speeds (i.e. drones can get to their targets quicker, but are easier to shoot down once they are there.) Not sure if it should get a mini-triage or not, but I'd imagine it shouldn't be much stronger RR than a logi, if not a little weaker. Not sure if it should be allowed into mission/incursion deadspaces, or be PVP only. Maybe give it a 250k m3 ship bay, just to emphasize it's carrier-ness.

Of course, it would be even nicer if drones were fixed to be less a pain in the ass.

XL Destroyer. Ships roughly destroyer sized, but mounting only a single but extremely oversized XL weapon module.

Aside from a fitting bonus for the XL weapon, there should be a synergy-bonus, that enhances the damage when several XL destroyers focus their fire on a target.

A bit like the Ion-Frigate from the Homeworld-games.

what about a medium size freighter; sure you can use a orca but i mean a freighter class same size as a orca but replacing the corp hangar and ore cargo hold for a nice 250 k of cargo space and maybe a few utility slots or rigs but not capable of interacting with object in space like a normal freighter

In to support "normal" drone carrier ships. I would love a ship with 1/2 high slots for weapons that could field 10 or 15 drones. From a flavor point of view, Gallente being the "drone lords", but still fielding the same number as everyone else is... annoying.

Also, a dedicated, bonused Exploration BC would be awesome. The main thing stopping me from going on deep exploration runs is the need to be close enough to my combat ships.

get a t3 works just fine

I have to say one idea I've heard recently that makes a bit of since is the concept of escort carriers.

Half the size of a full carrier, maybe a reduction to drone control units fitting cost as well.

Of course there would be limitations such as not able to launch fighters , or maybe as many, remove/limit logistic bonuses and jump drive.

As I said, it's an idea I've heard thrown around that I think deserves some discussion

Why not give freighters / JF's slots? You can reduce the base cargo hold to offset people adding cargo expanders. Maybe even allow jump freighters to have guns so they can fend off a couple frigates. CCP shouldn't consider adding another cargo class ship until these ships are rightfully given slots. The only other ships in the game without slots are shuttles iirc.