.DS_Store is pretty neat solution to store folder-specific metadata. Whenever a user changes settings on how contents of the folder are displayed the file gets created. And since .DS_Store is a local file it is portable. Nothing breaks when folder is moved anywhere. Some programs use that to present a simple drag'n'drop installation picture. You don't need anything else, just a folder with correctly positioned files and custom background image.
I wouldn't call it a bad solution.