j5 wrote:I feel I've been scolded for my response. 
Allow me to clarify my position.
I wholeheartedly agree with this. For the record, I never bashed "cute" I have several "cute" shirts. I was asked my personal preference in this particular case, and I replied why I liked the original submission over the second one.
By the same token, J5, I know of where I speak. I've been on hiatus for a few months due to a move and the start of a new job. I've been playing the game around here since '07, been printed by woot 3 times, and I've had one design that, had I gotten it in just a tad bit earlier on a Monday, probably would have given me yet another 3rd place print (it made 5th, I believe). My titles reinterpreted is a poor example of what I can do. I tossed that together in a few hours on one night. I know I can do much better than that.
The fact remains, if you play the game for fun, it doesn't matter when you submit, you get to know your fanbase, and you can expand upon your designs from there. If you play to always win, your work will usually suffer. Planning, concept, and awesome art skills are what separates 100th place from the fog. And every once in a while, you beat the odds and that's how you end up with those at the top.
