Shirt.Woot

eHalcyon wrote:I look at the title as just a snappy hook. For the actual theme, I place stock in the description.

i like derby theme descriptions better when they give examples of stuff that's allowed and stuff that'll be rejected. the more hairsplitting the better, so there's less hairpulling later.

TAYLORT5 wrote:this theme was broad..just because the label says "at the luau" if you read the whole thing I'll post it so You can read it for the first time all the way thru....
Nothing conjures up the feeling of gentle ocean breezes and lush tropical mountains like the distinctive visual iconography of the Pacific islands. Tiki idols and thatched huts, grass skirts and hibiscus, wild pig roasting over an open fire, long wooden canoes carved into intricate works of art, moonlight on the waves: just thinking about it is almost enough to carry you out of your cubicle and whisk you away to the South Seas. There's a reason this exotic, bold, seductive visual style got so big in post-WWII America and remains a retro favorite today. We're not necessarily looking for anthropological accuracy - just designs that use this visual vocabulary. Aloha - and good luck!

No text this week.

Nothing conjures up the feeling of gentle ocean breezes and lush tropical mountains like the distinctive visual iconography of the Pacific islands

moonlight on the waves: just thinking about it is almost enough to carry you out of your cubicle and whisk you away to the South Seas.

There's a reason this exotic, bold, seductive visual style got so big in post-WWII America and remains a retro favorite today. We're not necessarily looking for anthropological accuracy - just designs that use this visual vocabulary

Aloha - and good luck!

hrm, I interpreted the description that woot gave us as a more detailed description of a luau. The night time (moonlight waves) when the people of the village (thatched huts) dance (grass skirts while wearing flowers) around the fire where the pig would be roasting.

no1 wrote:i like derby theme descriptions better when they give examples of stuff that's allowed and stuff that'll be rejected. the more hairsplitting the better, so there's less hairpulling later.

I agree. I'm not in this contest for drama.

sokowa wrote:hrm, I interpreted the description that woot gave us as a more detailed description of a luau. The night time (moonlight waves) when the people of the village (thatched huts) dance (grass skirts while wearing flowers) around the fire where the pig would be roasting.

i keyed in on the phrase "we're not necessarily looking for anthropological accuracy - just designs that use this visual vocabulary." the words but not necessarily the correct meaning. meaning one or more items you might see at a typical luau (meaning probably not one in adder's backyard, unless he lives in hawaii) but not necessarily a luau itself.

eHalcyon wrote:For the actual theme, I place stock in the description.

Am I the only one that found this quite humorous? I would say taking stock in anything related to a theme title or description when it comes to what will be allowed is immensely naive.

bluchez wrote:Am I the only one that found this quite humorous? I would say taking stock in anything related to a theme title or description when it comes to what will be allowed is immensely naive.

Thanks... after a long, bad day, bluchez makes me laugh. Thanks. I needed that.

It is true that the rejecterator's eye is a fickle and unpredictable one. So if I can't take stock, can I at least trade it?

SkekTek wrote:Thanks... after a long, bad day, bluchez makes me laugh. Thanks. I needed that.

It is true that the rejecterator's eye is a fickle and unpredictable one. So if I can't take stock, can I at least trade it?

Derby stock is worth $0.0001 and cannot be exchanged for cash, points, votes, warm fuzzy feelings, or anything else of worth. Legal in all states and most countries. Void where prohibited.

AdderXYU wrote:I sure am enjoying this "Sunsets and Flowers" theme, but I'm somewhat miffed about some of what's toward the top... why does Tgentry's have a tiki mask? What the hell is with that pig? Edgar's has tropical fruits! Seriously, I think a lot of you designers thought this was some other theme, like Hawaii or a luau. I don't know where you'd get that idea in the Sunsets and Flowers derby, but you should really get on topic. The fog doesn't reflect your bizarre luau theme at all, and the fog never lies.

A luau WOULD be a good theme, tho. maybe you can recycle your designs for some time when woot actually DOES make a luau theme.

TAYLORT5 wrote:this theme was broad..just because the label says "at the luau" if you read the whole thing I'll post it so You can read it for the first time all the way thru....
[b]Nothing conjures up the feeling of gentle ocean breezes and lush tropical mountains like the distinctive visual iconography of the Pacific islands. Tiki idols and thatched huts, grass skirts and hibiscus, wild pig roasting over an open fire, long wooden canoes carved into intricate works of art, moonlight on the waves: just thinking about it is almost enough to carry you out of your cubicle and whisk you away to the South Seas. There's a reason this exotic, bold, seductive visual style got so big in post-WWII America and remains a retro favorite today. We're not necessarily looking for anthropological accuracy - just designs that use this visual vocabulary. Aloha - and good luck!

I almost responded in much the same way TAYLORT5 did last night when I saw Adder's post but ran out of gas, so now here's my 2 cents. I am relatively new to this woot game, but this theme, like all of woot's themes, seems to be broad and "At the LUAU" is simply a title to capture the style they were looking for. That's why the description says "exotic, bold, seductive visual style" and to use the "visual vocabulary" of the South Seas. Otherwise, why would they mention "long wooden canoes carved into intricate works of art"? And really tiki idols (also mentioned) do not directly correlate to a luau and were used in over forty designs, but there seems to be no issue with them. Flowers also seem to draw ire for this theme, but hibiscus is also directly mentioned in the theme description. I think the thing to take away from this debate is that woot generally does not pigeon-hole designers with narrow themes. Otherwise we would have ended up with 100+ pig roast designs. Instead, they seem to leave it pretty open to interpretation so that a ton of ideas emerge, and I personally prefer it that way. Woot still has final say with their rejection button, but seems to use it sparingly because, using this derby as the example, there are so many different ways to capture the "distinctive visual iconography of the Pacific islands."

klswoot wrote:I think you make a good point Taylor. Either the description doesn't really match the title well, or vice versa. The description would lead me to believe that just about anything goes so long as it's tropical or beachy. If this is the case, why specifically use Luau in the title? Why not call the derby "Hawaii", "The Tropics" or "Beachbound" as this would seem to match the description better. But, that's not how they posted the derby this week. It is called 'At the Luau", so I think the design should be more than marginally connected to a luau activity (IMO).

Given the very broad description and fairly specific title, I really don't know what Woot will do about rejections. If they expected designs more luau-related, then I'd expect a lot of rejections. But, if they're okay with tropical/beachy designs, then I suspect to see only the most severely 'off-topic' offenders being rejected. Ultimately, it's their call.

Whatever they decide, I wish we knew...because hotness and fogged spots are hard to come by and if they are planning rejections, it'd be nice to see them done sooner than later.

To me, I think it far more likely that they wrote the description first, and someone else titled it. The purpose of the description is to tell us the theme in enough detail that we know what is OK. If we are stuck with "at the luau" then almost everything entered is off-topic. They often tell us whether text, or pirates, or a variety of other stuff is allowed in the description, and that is another reason to think that it is the description that matters more than the title.

I finally decided to throw one in this week.


Not expecting to get far, but I had to get it out of my system.

I have been experimenting with painting designs..has anyone used this technique and then scanned them into photoshop? I am wondering what the outcome would be and if it is a better way to get a solid image. Any feed back, once again, is greatly appreciated. Take care all!

fablefire wrote:This derby is awesome. It's nice to know that I can put less and less artwork into designs every week, and have even better chances at winning than if I toil over a piece. I mean, where else can you win $1000+ for doing copy-paste work?

Thank you voters!

QFT

BUT WOOTERS WANT THESE SHIRTS SO THEY MUST BE GOOD

Lamest. Derby. Ever.

What's debry 60?

I totally agree with all the comments made with regard to the description being the guide when it comes to creating your design. But, in light of the title and the description, I truly thought that they wanted a tropical design that still had at least some marginal tie to a luau. Not just a tropical free-for-all. This isn't the first time that I've completely missed the boat when it comes to the derbies and I'm sure it won't be the last.

As for tikis ... I definitely see tikis as being on-theme.

Based on description alone....nearly everything in the derby is on-theme. If there's supposed to be at least a marginal tie to a luau, then some rejections should be made.

klswoot wrote:I totally agree with all the comments made with regard to the description being the guide when it comes to creating your design. But, in light of the title and the description, I truly thought that they wanted a tropical design that still had at least some marginal tie to a luau. Not just a tropical free-for-all. This isn't the first time that I've completely missed the boat when it comes to the derbies and I'm sure it won't be the last.

As for tikis ... I definitely see tikis as being on-theme.

Based on description alone....nearly everything in the derby is on-theme. If there's supposed to be at least a marginal tie to a luau, then some rejections should be made.

And if there isn't supposed to be a marginal tie at least, why would woot bother having a theme?

klswoot wrote:I totally agree with all the comments made with regard to the description being the guide when it comes to creating your design. But, in light of the title and the description, I truly thought that they wanted a tropical design that still had at least some marginal tie to a luau. Not just a tropical free-for-all. This isn't the first time that I've completely missed the boat when it comes to the derbies and I'm sure it won't be the last.

As for tikis ... I definitely see tikis as being on-theme.

Based on description alone....nearly everything in the derby is on-theme. If there's supposed to be at least a marginal tie to a luau, then some rejections should be made.

I definitely don't know enough about the subject to speak definitively about tikis and luaus, but the little I do know leads me to believe that the tiki is a spiritual idol used to represent gods or spirits (if we are basing it off the actual cultures that use them) and is not directly associated with the luau. In fact, to play devil's advocate, if we were to take the derby title alone then anything not related to Hawaii would be rejectable as luau is a hawaiian word (hawaiian feast). That's why I think woot was looking for the South Pacific feel or style more than anything and left it pretty open, and so in my eyes most anything South Pacific goes. In my opinion, this dissection of theme intent becomes a slippery slope (and recurring theme) in that each person has differing opinions as to what fits and what doesn't and I think that is why woot is relatively ambiguous with their themes. Admittedly this leaves artists in a tough spot as they may invest a lot of time in something that might be rejected, or they might avoid developing a great idea because they fear it might be rejected.

AdderXYU wrote:And if there isn't supposed to be a marginal tie at least, why would woot bother having a theme?

Now that is disingenuous. They give a title, and an extensive description that ought to explain what they were thinking when they wrote the title (personally, I think they write the description and then the writers, Toon, etc, come up with a title). If you go by the description OR by the title, you ought to be found as on theme. I guess I can't picture a reasonable judge looking at an entry that fits the description and being able to decide it isn't on theme because of the hugely more limiting title. As far as I can see, every entry made has been on theme.

klswoot wrote:I totally agree with all the comments made with regard to the description being the guide when it comes to creating your design. But, in light of the title and the description, I truly thought that they wanted a tropical design that still had at least some marginal tie to a luau. Not just a tropical free-for-all. This isn't the first time that I've completely missed the boat when it comes to the derbies and I'm sure it won't be the last.

As for tikis ... I definitely see tikis as being on-theme.

Based on description alone....nearly everything in the derby is on-theme. If there's supposed to be at least a marginal tie to a luau, then some rejections should be made.

The thing is, your belief is that your opinion about the theme is right and therefore anyone who didn't think about it the way you did ought to get rejected. I saw it a different way, but because the title and the description are in some conflict, I can't decide that my opinion, or your opinion, is better, so I believe that the more inclusive theme should be used.

That said, I think we probably recognize that the Joel ex machina is the decider and we're all just pissin' in the wind.

fablefire wrote:This derby is awesome. It's nice to know that I can put less and less artwork into designs every week, and have even better chances at winning than if I toil over a piece. I mean, where else can you win $1000+ for doing copy-paste work?

Thank you voters!

L O L. There are cases when it seems like the more time I spend on something, the less amount of votes I get. I mean, I'm not complaining. I'm thankful for the votes I've gotten this derby, it's just that my pig is exhausted from fighting those flowers! L O L!! :P

Kwatson29 wrote:I have been experimenting with painting designs..has anyone used this technique and then scanned them into photoshop? I am wondering what the outcome would be and if it is a better way to get a solid image. Any feed back, once again, is greatly appreciated. Take care all!

I've been wondering the same thing. I've been trying to get a good watercolor look from the brushes in PS, but it doesn't do quite what I want it to do.

AdderXYU wrote:QFT

BUT WOOTERS WANT THESE SHIRTS SO THEY MUST BE GOOD

Indeed.

I loved your post about adultery justification.

theinfinityloop wrote:There are cases when it seems like the more time I spend on something, the less amount of votes I get.

Actually, this is a scientific ratio. The amount of time and effort you put into a design is inversely proportional to the amount of votes it receives. Perhaps you can use science to your advantage because art will get you nowhere here.

But seriously, the best I ever finished was 18th in my second derby when I knew nothing about nothing. My design would have printed horribly, and I couldn't have provided a print-worthy if I needed to. I put a decent amount of time into it, but that's because I was teaching myself at the same time. And now that I (mostly) know what I'm doing and spend lots of time planning and designing and reworking? Well, let's just say my wallet isn't gettin' any fatter... llo.

EDIT: Of course, there's always the option that my designs are as unattractive as an ogre entering a beauty pageant, but if that's the case, PLEASE, for the love of Sleep, someone tell me now! :D

fablefire wrote:This derby is awesome. It's nice to know that I can put less and less artwork into designs every week, and have even better chances at winning than if I toil over a piece. I mean, where else can you win $1000+ for doing copy-paste work?

Thank you voters!

AdderXYU wrote:QFT

BUT WOOTERS WANT THESE SHIRTS SO THEY MUST BE GOOD

AdderXYU, I know I haven't been here long, but didn't you make it pretty far in the work derby by copy/pasting a Mega-Man themed design? Couldn't using a famous video game reference with this particular audience be considered pandering (one of the deadly woot-sins you so vehemently abhor)? And from what I can tell, all you did was copy, paste and flip the same design...5 times (which is what you seem to have declared your dragon to slay in this derby). But it's ok if it's your design getting all the votes, huh?

Sometimes you seem like a really noble kind of person who's here to keep woot honest...but most of the time you seem like you thrive on unnecessary conflict.

theinfinityloop wrote:L O L. There are cases when it seems like the more time I spend on something, the less amount of votes I get. I mean, I'm not complaining. I'm thankful for the votes I've gotten this derby, it's just that my pig is exhausted from fighting those flowers! L O L!! :P

Ditto. Less detail is better at woot. Seems that "instant read" is preferred to "studying a design." I just save those for other sites where detail is more appreciated. I like doing cartoony and I like doing more complicated things. I just need to remember not to submit one to the wrong site.

I do wonder if woot is trying a more relaxed approach to rejecting and didn't tell us. Kinda like they didn't mention that they up'd the "sellout" shirt count . .which affects next-day shirt sales and I was a bit surprised how quietly they implemented that.

jwa143 wrote:AdderXYU, I know I haven't been here long, but didn't you make it pretty far in the work derby by copy/pasting a Mega-Man themed design? Couldn't using a famous video game reference with this particular audience be considered pandering (one of the deadly woot-sins you so vehemently abhor)? And from what I can tell, all you did was copy, paste and flip the same design...5 times (which is what you seem to have declared your dragon to slay in this derby). But it's ok if it's your design getting all the votes, huh?

Each one of his "megamen" were different, and had unique outfits. He did more than flip, size and rotate.

sokowa wrote:Ditto. Less detail is better at woot. Seems that "instant read" is preferred to "studying a design." I just save those for other sites where detail is more appreciated. I like doing cartoony and I like doing more complicated things. I just need to remember not to submit one to the wrong site.

QFT. I encourage all artists to try out their detailed designs on other sites where the target audience is different. However, keep trying here too.

Josephus wrote:The thing is, your belief is that your opinion about the theme is right and therefore anyone who didn't think about it the way you did ought to get rejected. I saw it a different way, but because the title and the description are in some conflict, I can't decide that my opinion, or your opinion, is better, so I believe that the more inclusive theme should be used.

To some extent I will agree.

Where I disagree: I disagree with your assessment that 'anyone who didn't think about it the way I did should be rejected'. In my initial post, (not this one but one a few posts back), I was trying to point out why I feel a disconnect with this derby. As a voter and buyer, I don't feel connected to this derby at all..even though I'm participating in it. Like I said a few posts back...it's a very strange feeling this week because I can't recall every being so wrong about a derby theme before.

Here's where I agree with you:
Based on the description, I think most entries are on-topic. I just can't reconcile the description with the title and still feel the same way.

And, I definitely agree with you that it is my opinion, and likely means a whole lotta nothing.

So regardless of the competition....good luck to you, the foggers and the nearby contenders. It's been a rewarding derby for me even if I totally missed the boat (or canoe). Looking forward to a new theme. Hopefully the title will be broad and the description more specific .... as is usually the case.

jwa143 wrote:AdderXYU, I know I haven't been here long, but didn't you make it pretty far in the work derby by copy/pasting a Mega-Man themed design? Couldn't using a famous video game reference with this particular audience be considered pandering (one of the deadly woot-sins you so vehemently abhor)? And from what I can tell, all you did was copy, paste and flip the same design...5 times (which is what you seem to have declared your dragon to slay in this derby). But it's ok if it's your design getting all the votes, huh?

Sometimes you seem like a really noble kind of person who's here to keep woot honest...but most of the time you seem like you thrive on unnecessary conflict.

I'll let Adder defend his design or not, but I cannot let this post slide by without a comment:

You used your first post to question the morals of a long-standing, active member of a community which you have been part of for only 3 weeks or so? Only on the internet would people dream of getting away with such audacity. You, sir or ma'am, know nothing about the work or creativity that went into Adder's design, nor what his intentions were when he entered it, yet you still jump to conclusions in order to out his assumed hypocrisy. I advise that you take a humbler role and get a little more acquainted with the goings-on at Woot and the people here before you assume the job of Derby Inquisitor and start pointing fingers.

I'm not trying to start something, but I refuse to sit by and let someone be falsely accused. I'm sure I will be taken out of context, but such is the way of things.

klswoot wrote:

And, I definitely agree with you that it is my opinion, and likely means a whole lotta nothing.

as does mine!

Personally, this derby has convinced me that for something like whether a design is on-topic, unless it is really glaringly off-topic, like cowboys in tutus (not drinking mai tais) would be in this derby, I'm going to keep my opinion to myself. That is, unless Iget lambasted for being off-topic.

next week: Derby 60: Cowboys in Tutus.

theinfinityloop wrote:Each one of his "megamen" were different, and had unique outfits. He did more than flip, size and rotate.

Granted, but the changes are minimal at best...perhaps not as minimal as resizing and rotating, but that's splitting hairs. He used the same basic design 6 times with slight changes. The design was also based on a character that is a recognizable pop-culture icon.

I stand by my point that both aforementioned characteristics of his previous entry mirror characteristics of current entries at which this person seems to spit venom at every opportunity.

I'm certainly not trying to start a flame-war, just pointing out the hypocrisy of a very vocal member of the community who I feel is in error.

ansharp wrote:I'll let Adder defend his design or not, but I cannot let this post slide by without a comment:

You used your first post to question the morals of a long-standing, active member of a community which you have been part of for only 3 weeks or so? Only on the internet would people dream of getting away with such audacity. You, sir or ma'am, know nothing about the work or creativity that went into Adder's design, nor what his intentions were when he entered it, yet you still jump to conclusions in order to out his assumed hypocrisy. I advise that you take a humbler role and get a little more acquainted with the goings-on at Woot and the people here before you assume the job of Derby Inquisitor and start pointing fingers.

I'm not trying to start something, but I refuse to sit by and let someone be falsely accused. I'm sure I will be taken out of context, but such is the way of things.

Whether it was my first post or 400th, am I not entitled to my opinion like everyone else? My join date doesn't reflect how long I've been observing the woot websites and has no bearing on my right to voice my opinion to whomever I wish. I'm sure if the moderators feel that I'm being inappropriate my comment will be removed.

As far as Adder being a longstanding and active member of the community, that's fantastic. He deserves whatever respect or authority that status comes with, and I made no attempt to diminish whatever that may be at all. I saw comments posted by Adder all over the derby that I thought were unfair. This inspired me to actually leave a comment voicing my own opinion.

I'm pretty well acquainted with Adder's reputation in the forums as my first post revealed. I've found myself quietly agreeing with many of his opinions. When he posts another great idea, I'll be sure and give him kudos and PM you a copy if it will ease your mind. But if you have a problem with a new member expressing their opinion about something, I would advise that you report them or ignore the post.

jwa143 wrote:The design was also based on a character that is a recognizable pop-culture icon.

Actually, it was based on that character's enemies. ;P

theinfinityloop wrote:Actually, it was based on that character's enemies. ;P

Hehe...so it is. I suppose I should have written:

"The design was also based on a -VIDEO GAME WHOSE MAIN- character is a recognizable pop-culture icon."

:P

jwa143 wrote:Whether it was my first post or 400th, am I not entitled to my opinion like everyone else? My join date doesn't reflect how long I've been observing the woot websites and has no bearing on my right to voice my opinion to whomever I wish. I'm sure if the moderators feel that I'm being inappropriate my comment will be removed.

As far as Adder being a longstanding and active member of the community, that's fantastic. He deserves whatever respect or authority that status comes with, and I made no attempt to diminish whatever that may be at all. I saw comments posted by Adder all over the derby that I thought were unfair. This inspired me to actually leave a comment voicing my own opinion.

I'm pretty well acquainted with Adder's reputation in the forums as my first post revealed. I've found myself quietly agreeing with many of his opinions. When he posts another great idea, I'll be sure and give him kudos and PM you a copy if it will ease your mind. But if you have a problem with a new member expressing their opinion about something, I would advise that you report them or ignore the post.

Of course you are entitled to your opinion. I said to take a humbler role, not a non-existent one. I was merely pointing out your lack of social tact. How do you think it reflects on your character for your first impression on this community to be an accusation of another member? It's like if you went to a new school and didn't speak for 3+ weeks, then the first thing out of your mouth was an insult to the teacher.

If you have a problem with something Adder or any other member has done or said, why not ask them questions instead of making assumptions and accusations? Several of us saw this particular design in the planning stages as well as different working versions before the final, so we, in Adder's absence, could have easily answered any questions you might have had. The Private Message feature is also very useful in these matters as it keeps a mere suspicion between two people instead of making it a public subject.

I reported your initial post as soon as I read it, not because you are a new member voicing your opinion, but because you are any member attacking another one. I don't intend to make an enemy. In fact, I'm very happy to see new people constantly coming in, especially ones who care about making woot a better site, but only if we can keep it civil.

Oh, and I don't need you to PM me any praise you may give Adder down the road. I'm sure I'll see it. If you really want to make it up to me, feel free to throw me a vote or two.

Josephus wrote:as does mine!

Personally, this derby has convinced me that for something like whether a design is on-topic, unless it is really glaringly off-topic, like cowboys in tutus (not drinking mai tais) would be in this derby, I'm going to keep my opinion to myself. That is, unless Iget lambasted for being off-topic.

next week: Derby 60: Cowboys in Tutus.

A good point. Although good things come from reasonable discussions.

And, thanks for the visual...cowboys in tutus. Sadly, I saw a visual as soon as I read your post.

jwa143 wrote:Hehe...so it is. I suppose I should have written:

"The design was also based on a -VIDEO GAME WHOSE MAIN- character is a recognizable pop-culture icon."

:P

Whose enemies looked very similar and were encased in such a fashion as his entry was.His entry merely followed the subject matter as opposed to a rushed design that merely used the copy and paste to fill out the design more.

ansharp wrote:Of course you are entitled to your opinion. I said to take a humbler role, not a non-existent one. I was merely pointing out your lack of social tact. How do you think it reflects on your character for your first impression on this community to be an accusation of another member? It's like if you went to a new school and didn't speak for 3+ weeks, then the first thing out of your mouth was an insult to the teacher.

If you have a problem with something Adder or any other member has done or said, why not ask them questions instead of making assumptions and accusations? Several of us saw this particular design in the planning stages as well as different working versions before the final, so we, in Adder's absence, could have easily answered any questions you might have had. The Private Message feature is also very useful in these matters as it keeps a mere suspicion between two people instead of making it a public subject.

I reported your initial post as soon as I read it, not because you are a new member voicing your opinion, but because you are any member attacking another one. I don't intend to make an enemy. In fact, I'm very happy to see new people constantly coming in, especially ones who care about making woot a better site, but only if we can keep it civil.

Oh, and I don't need you to PM me any praise you may give Adder down the road. I'm sure I'll see it. If you really want to make it up to me, feel free to throw me a vote or two.

I can see that this is quickly becoming something I didn't intend it to be, so this response will be the last thing I say on the matter.

I've been accused of being outspoken once or twice, and social tact is a relative term. I chose the words I used, and you disagreed with them. No big deal. Somebody else might think I know what I'm talking about.

Comparing the situation to school and insulting the teacher is a bit of a stretch though, don't you think? I'm sure there are more than a few people who have seen the "social tact" of the person you're so quick to defend. Some of it could be considered biting and mean, but no more so than my first comment. I used no sarcasm or ill intent as Adder seems to in many of his posts. If anything, he should be considered a very intelligent (and perhaps well-meaning) bully. I made no assumptions or accusations, his words are all over these threads in black and white.

That's great that you reported my comment based on what you felt was an attack rather than because I'm new. It seems from your statement that you would report any member attacking another. I noticed a back-and-forth with you and the subject of this post pertaining to this comment he left:

AdderXYU wrote:This truly evokes the south pacific, and not some cattail marsh by Hick's Lake in South Carolina.

I hope you were true to noble form and reported this also. This is the kind of mean-spirited thing I alluded to earlier.

I suppose that's all that I have to say about it. I actually will throw a vote your way. I like your distressed, out-of-control volcano. +57--->+58

I'm clearly not taking my t-shirts seriously enough.

So I’ve been thinking of some things lately concerning the derbies, and a few questions have surfaced that perhaps, if answered, could help with some of my future submissions. There are some trends that I have taken note of that seem to either make or break a design. I just want to bring them before the community, and perhaps we can make some sense of them together:

Voting. I believe that most people vote on a design because they actually do like it, and can see themselves wearing it. However, I wonder how many votes are given simply because it’s winning, and people like to vote for winners. Imagine how different the derbies would be if you removed the new hotness, the fog, and the ability to sort by votes.

On a different note, how can having a following influence the votes? If I win enough times, will my designs get votes just because my name’s on it?

Time of Submission. I’ve noticed that the two designs of mine that won were submitted somewhere between 11:00-12:00 at night, around the time when people are on Woot to see what the new shirt or the next hot item is going to be. All other submissions were total and utter failures. Is that just a coincidence? Is it possible that an awesome design can fall between the cracks because it was submitted at a bad time?

Thumbnail. Is it possible that people don’t vote for a design because the 240x240 image isn’t appealing right off the bat? Can a bad thumbnail hinder your votes?

Guy/Girl Ratio. I’ve noticed that the designs of mine that have won were “cute,” but not too cute to be worn by a guy. What would you say the guy to girl ratio is here?

mmodlin wrote:I'm clearly not taking my t-shirts seriously enough.

that's right. i'm afraid we'll have to stone you now.

noisdois wrote:Imagine how different the derbies would be if you removed the new hotness, the fog, and the ability to sort by votes.

if you remove the fog people will try to game the system to force ties and get two-for-one deals.

noisdois wrote:Thumbnail. Is it possible that people don’t vote for a design because the 240x240 image isn’t appealing right off the bat? Can a bad thumbnail hinder your votes?

sure. presentation matters.