Johndis5 wrote:I am aware that your robot design contained zombies, and instead of just doing a zombie shirt, you did something creative and original that included zombies. Something that I haven't seen done in..., well maybe ever. That is an accomplishment, and deserves artistic and creative praise.
Cola + mentos
Marvel super heroes
d20
office space
ect...ect...ect...
Were all just pop culture and existing IP slapped on a shirt with no real creativity or originality. They were just there, for the sake of people going "I like D&D! This shirt rocks!" or "Hey, Office space was funny! This shirt rocks!" All you are doing here is essentially copying and pasting other people's ideas and trying to get a large enough target audience to earn you a grand. All I am saying is, it's obvious you are capable of doing some really cool stuff, and it's frustrating to see talented people just trying to go the cheap route. But like I said, if that's your game, go and play it, just don't act indignant when you are called out on it.
I would love to have a pissing match with you, but I pee sitting down, like any high horse riding gentleman would.
I know the 2 of you are passionate about the designs here at woot. I appreciate that you care enough to post and share how you feel. If you had initially posted:
"Hey, Midge, I like your work and you have a lot of potential but I really don't like when you use pop culture references and really dig when you go out on your own and create something different."
If you came to me like that, you might have received a better reception from me and maybe a number of artists that sub here that would receive that message.
Also let me be clear when it comes to pop culture elements when I use them... I use them because I dig them... the source of the reference. office space, d20, marvel comics, zombies, etc... I dig these things. So I use them because I'm a fan and know others are fans. If you look at the whole catalog of designs I've subbed here you'll see the majority is not pop. But there will be times when I will use them because I want to make an interesting shirt. You might not like them but there are others that do.
Also, when designing for the derby many of us artists don't just design for the derby. We design in a way that if the design doesn't win here, where else can I possibly pitch this design. The majority of sites that do take submissions take those which are pop culture. Places like teefury and ript dig these types of designs. More geek oriented designs might fly more @ jinx and similar sites. So after a derby my design although may not have worked here can see a second life and potentially earn some money which right now with being the only bread winner in my family after my wife has lost her job means a lot.
I understand that you want to encourage me. I appreciate that. I am trying my best each week just like every other artist to win. I use what I have at my disposal and try to come up with which I think are clever or funny designs which I would and I hope others want to wear. If this design is not to your liking, check out the others I subbed this week. I normally sub 2-3 designs each week. Last week I subbed 4. One caught many votes while the others did okay. The one, although you may say it was weak, I felt was a very wearable design, which others felt the same. Was it the most original on the planet? Art wise being my own... yes. Conceptually fitting for the derby theme? yes. Was the concept mindblowing or genius? No. It was easy but there were no other shirts with that slogan out there and with my art I felt was a solid design. You may not agree but I stand by it.
So please feel free to continue to support my designs and those of others. If you don't like a design provide some helpful feedback. Each week I ask for that and normally don't get any, but just blasting the design doesn't help me or others in their development. If you don't like how I drew something or think something could have been communicated better, share that. But if the design's not your cup tee because of the content or you wouldn't wear it, don't vote. If you feel the need to share your disdain for a design, can you do it in manner that may reach me? There's a lot of truth to catching more flies with honey than vinegar. I am all for feedback. Honest feedback and critique but when giving it to someone trying to develop their craft many of the artists here would agree provide something helpful to make it better. If your only helpful comment is don't design this or remove it immediately presented with all the snarkiness one can muster, then it doesn't really help. And when I do post designs which are to your liking, can you hook a brutha up? I mean seriously! Let me know. Poor all that energy you have for biting comments into something more supportive, encouraging the stuff you want. And this goes for all voters. I can speak for a number of artistshere, we would love to hear from you.
