Mavyn
quality posts: 22
Private Messages
pantilemon wrote:Hey Wooters! I think I'm needing some help here. What do you guys think I'm doing wrong on my designs? This is my 6'th derby and I'm not getting any better it would seem, so I think its time for some 'constructive criticism' or hate mail... Whatevs, I'm not picky.
Without an easy way to look at your previous entries, I can just comment on this one. First, for the design...I like the idea, but the artwork is not fitted to the shirt well. It feels imbalanced, and is big enough that for me, it would cross my bust and look weird. The giant trident really stands out, but it's not the central concept, so you end up looking at that, and then glancing around trying to figure out what the joke is...and then notice the sea horse making a weird face. The sea horse being unhappy doesn't really stand out, much less why--and I'm not sure what could be done to make that more apparent, but dropping the trident would at least make his face more central. Maybe adding other sea horses laughing, or having it blush or something?
The joke needs to be something that people can get right off. Little details that are visible in a serious study are awesome easter eggs, but they won't sell it.
Second...I do recall seeing you comment in much the same way on your previous entries. That's notable--I don't recall the artwork at all. Not really complimentary. Use that first comment to make me want to see your design. Make me laugh. Failing that, saying 'saved' would be better than unflattering pandering. JMO.
My speech is not splitting. I am speaking in Cthulhu.
Mavyn
quality posts: 22
Private Messages
Re: Worse Every Year

I suspect this isn't getting rejected because it isn't coming down in support of one candidate or party, but rather mocking them both.
My speech is not splitting. I am speaking in Cthulhu.
Mavyn
quality posts: 22
Private Messages
pantilemon wrote:
But when it comes to your second point about pandering comments, I really don't know where it is coming from. This honest to goodness is the first time I've come out and asked for advice, and that was truly out of a desire to improve my designs. And as far as asking for votes, this is also the first time I've written "VOTE" in my comments. I remember because I felt weird doing it, but thought it looked like something a lot of the other artist's did. So, I think you might have me confused with someone else... Which probably isn't that great either as far as becoming memorable...
Thanks again for your comment! I'm going to keep working at it and I hope to hear from you to see how I'm doing.
If it wasn't you, my apologies. And no, asking for advice and help are not pandering. They're good things! It's the first post that irks me. I'd go for making a joke instead. Something like 'Silver missed The Lone Ranger every day since being reincarnated as Aquaman's sea horse steed.'
Ok, that's wordy and weird. So not that. But something like that.
Hanging out and participating in the Pre-Derby thread is an option as well. Other artists and the community can offer great advice.
My speech is not splitting. I am speaking in Cthulhu.
Mavyn
quality posts: 22
Private Messages
pantilemon wrote:Hahaha!
How about, "Join the Justice League, they said. It will be awesome, they said." And then have the thumbnail as just a close up of the sea-horse's face?
I'm going to see about the Pre-Derby thread this time. I'm excited to see how it goes!
Yes, that would be good.
The thumbnail is a tricky one. I know that it matters, but I really can't offer much advice. I make an honest effort to look at every single entry in full, but most don't so the thumbnail has to sell it.
My speech is not splitting. I am speaking in Cthulhu.