Signature of the Month Contest Generic Discussion Thread

[Marcus H.]

I guess the pressures of the next academic year followed by constant spurts of "I feel like I can't do art right now" recently has affected my judgment regarding this. So far, all those entries from the month that passed and January made me feel like they were leagues away from my works.

I too have an account in DeviantArt, but recently, I've been feeling like I can't draw. I just need something to keep me going.

[Ice Climbers]

Originally Posted by Marcus H.

I guess the pressures of the next academic year followed by constant spurts of "I feel like I can't do art right now" recently has affected my judgment regarding this. So far, all those entries from the month that passed and January made me feel like they were leagues away from my works.

That doesn't matter. We're not here to judge, merely to have fun and/or give advice to those who needs them. If you don't do it, you just won't improve! (at least that's what I think)

[Marcus H.]

I did receive few comments along the two SOTM sessions I've joined; is that a good thing? o.o

[KiNA]

If you take it as so, yes ..There's always room to evolve your skill. Sometimes what obvious to us isnt obvious to someone else.. and vice versa ..

Taking others advice to improve is one of the thing to do, but sometimes, its ok to just stick with your own style. Be unique, but at the same time, be open to suggestion.

[mero]

Why is there a bytes requirement for the SOTM out of curiosity? Compressing the files/saving as a worse format such as jpg to meet the requirement deteriorates the original quality of the sig.

Spoiler for EXAMPLE:

http://i43.tinypic.com/wvsdow.png

[ganbaru]

Why? because we use the same rules than for the signatures than we can use on this forum.

[Solace]

Your version -



My version -



Spot the differences.

[mero]

You could have just looked at my example. It is brighter like i said. You may not notice it but i certainly do.

[Solace]

I did look at your example. I also noticed that your uncompressed PNG, your compressed PNG, and your Jpeg are wildly different. I used the version posted in your thread and compressed it to Jpeg to show that the loss isn't as striking as your example. Since you posted your example as one large image I can't tell the differences in file sizes and couldn't work with it. If you want to post your original PNG I can certainly compress it to Jpeg if you want to see the differences I come up with.

Anyway, I've had this argument before, but ultimately it is much easier to ensure signatures follow forum rules. It discourages people from using the larger file as a normal signature and receiving a warning/infraction, and it adds to the challenge of creating the signature.

I will admit, as I did back when I had my first argument over this, that there is an obvious loss from uncompressed PNG to Jpeg. However most users here have no issues with creating quality signatures that fit under the limit. The biggest complaint against file size on the forums is against animation, which is understandable but even then creative users have managed to work with it and shine.

It might seem silly that the contest restricts the file size when many other similar contests on other sites do not. However, consider it an additional challenge instead of a restriction and you might find yourself learning some new tips and tricks. There's always the tutorial thread for some helpful pointers.

[mero]

Originally Posted by Solace

I did look at your example. I also noticed that your uncompressed PNG, your compressed PNG, and your Jpeg are wildly different. I used the version posted in your thread and compressed it to Jpeg to show that the loss isn't as striking as your example. Since you posted your example as one large image I can't tell the differences in file sizes and couldn't work with it. If you want to post your original PNG I can certainly compress it to Jpeg if you want to see the differences I come up with.

Anyway, I've had this argument before, but ultimately it is much easier to ensure signatures follow forum rules. It discourages people from using the larger file as a normal signature and receiving a warning/infraction, and it adds to the challenge of creating the signature.

I will admit, as I did back when I had my first argument over this, that there is an obvious loss from uncompressed PNG to Jpeg. However most users here have no issues with creating quality signatures that fit under the limit. The biggest complaint against file size on the forums is against animation, which is understandable but even then creative users have managed to work with it and shine.

It might seem silly that the contest restricts the file size when many other similar contests on other sites do not. However, consider it an additional challenge instead of a restriction and you might find yourself learning some new tips and tricks. There's always the tutorial thread for some helpful pointers.

That one you posted in your last post was the original uncompressed png by the looks of that DA address associated with it.

I was really more curious about the reason for the restrictions rather than attempting to argue them. I didn't know that the sotm rules corresponded with the forum rules until just recently. I guess it isn't a huge deal.

[White Manju Bun]

Originally Posted by mero

I was really more curious about the reason for the restrictions rather than attempting to argue them.

Obviously as stated the restriction itself from the forum rules. Size limit is restricted so the forum loads easier but users who may have slower speeds. I'm not sure when this policy went into effect (and Im too lazy too look ) but its been in place since Ive been a member here. Personally I like it since Ive been on several forums where users have lines and lines and image after image of sigs and its distracting sometimes, plus usually slows loading speed.

[Solace]

Originally Posted by mero

That one you posted in your last post was the original uncompressed png by the looks of that DA address associated with it.

I was really more curious about the reason for the restrictions rather than attempting to argue them. I didn't know that the sotm rules corresponded with the forum rules until just recently. I guess it isn't a huge deal.

Fair enough. I suppose I was a bit defensive. The origins of the SOTM are a bit ummm...haphazard. The concept began as a SOTW event that had some initial interest but kind of didn't really fit with the pace of the community here. Pretty much everything about the SOTM grew from the community discussing how to make it work for them. There's always room for improvement of course, but volunteer efforts and time....well, I'm sure you know how that goes.

Some of the rules were created simply because it was easier to mix them with things the community already understood, like the method of voting and the way the duration of the contest was handled (the original rule template for the SOTM was our banner contests). Some of them happened because of issues that arose when the a particular contest was happening (the rules regarding crops and derivative works for example).

It's a convoluted history but the bright side is that the contest has managed to stay running for years with stable participation. Can't ask for more than that honestly.

[Mike_Tha_Hero]

I was viewing the current SOTM voting, and I notice the load of entries. My God. ^_^'

You guys seriously need a SOTW. Week by week contests are a whole lot better. I have a lot of experience with these, so if you guys need any guidance, let me know.

[ganbaru]

Not sure than it's a good idea for here; as the decission making / thread opening can sometime be slow and a week is kind of short and the fact than some of the sig maker do not connect on the forum that much...

[Daniel E.]

Originally Posted by Mike_Tha_Hero

You guys seriously need a SOTW. Week by week contests are a whole lot better. I have a lot of experience with these, so if you guys need any guidance, let me know.

I am not a sig maker but I am curious regardless.

Care to elaborate a bit on this?

[Larthak]

Originally Posted by Mike_Tha_Hero

I was viewing the current SOTM voting, and I notice the load of entries. My God. ^_^'

You guys seriously need a SOTW. Week by week contests are a whole lot better. I have a lot of experience with these, so if you guys need any guidance, let me know.

Hell no.

Most of us don't have that much time to participate in SOTW. Not to mention we'd run out of themes rather quickly this way.

It would become a ghost town...

[NorthernFallout]

SotM is fine. SotW is usually very fast and it needs even more organizing. Not to mention participation would drop drastically.

[Marina]

I agree with sticking with SotM. AnimeSuki is a pretty lowkey place, especially here in Fan Creations. By having a more time intensive SotW, participants would drop and us volunteers who help out with the contest would probably get burnt out or miss deadlines.
We have a wide range of skills in our contests as well, and besides the busy-ness of real life, I can imagine those just starting out in gfx would get overwhelmed with the quicker rate of things. It's nice to give them time to get feedback on their works so they can work on them before submitting final entries.

[Larthak]

Originally Posted by Marina

I agree with sticking with SotM. AnimeSuki is a pretty lowkey place, especially here in Fan Creations. By having a more time intensive SotW, participants would drop and us volunteers who help out with the contest would probably get burnt out or miss deadlines.

The May SOTM thread not being ready yet is a good example of this.

[Daniel E.]

Yeah, if it were once a week, a lot of people would not have enough time to finish their entries, and those that do could easily get burned out of it rather quickly.