A few helpful tips for getting the best gfx for your fg


#1 Always assume that someone else can do a better job on your gfx request
If you like a particular signature dont think you have to buy it imediatly: wait to see others or u can always buy multiple signatures
and do not buy the first atempt someone makes: i personaly make sure at least 2-3 other people have made attempts so i can see what my competition is and how
good i have to make my atempt look to win.

#2 If you are having trouble deciding between 1 persons gfx and another: make a poll in the grafic design forum.
There are many skilled gfx artists that hang out there most of the day, they will make sure u get your fg's worth ^^

#3 Always make sure that the signature is within the signature / avatar rules. / Dont ask for illegal gfx.
If you buy a signature that is illegal and a mod tells you to take it off - dont assume the artist will give u a refund, you can check its size / kb limit by right clicking the picture
and selecting properties. Here is copy of the sig / ava rules.


II. Signature and Avatar Rules
No crude, offensive, sexually suggestive, or pornographic language or images allowed. We reserve the right to remove your signature/avatar rights without warning. We also reserve the right to edit your profile information to remove the offensive content. You may or may not receive a warning first.

No links to binary files or sites that contain binary files. Exceptions are sites that are considered trusted. Links to confirmed Trojans will earn you a permanent IP ban. Non-Trojan or virus links will result in removal of links and official warning. If repeated your rights to have a Signature and Avatar will be permanently removed.

No links to auction sites that sell D2 items for money or any other site that sells D2 items for money. First offense will result in removal of links, and any subsequent abuse will result in removal of your rights to have a signature/avatar.

No mislabel/deceptive links to any site for any reason. Offending links will be removed followed by a warning, if it continues rights to have a Signature and Avatar will be permanently removed.

Links to promotion sites like sh*thead or referral type-sites are not allowed. Offending links will be removed followed by a warning, if it continues rights to have a Signature and Avatar will be permanently removed.

The entire size of your signature should not exceed 400 pixels wide by 150 pixels high. Large sections of text that extend the height well past this will be removed and a private message warning issued. Continued abuse of the size will result in your rights to have a Signature and Avatar being permanently removed.

Text sections of your signature should not exceed 6 lines of text if you include no images, and 3 lines of text if you have an image.

Total size of the images contained in your signature or avatar should not exceed 50 kilobytes for the avatar and 70 kilobytes for the signature. Offending images will be removed followed by a warning, if it continues rights to have a Signature and Avatar will be permanently removed.

Any offsite linked image that takes longer then 30 seconds to load is not allowed. You will be warned.


#4 Make sure your topic requesting a signature is detailed and to the point
The more detailed your request is: the better the outcome, but dont fill the whole page with text.
Example:
Theme: muscle cars from 1950-1970
color scheme: red white and blue
size: 350 x 120 px
animation: shine on my username
font: sleek retro / old english / default photoshop etc etc
deadline: 1 week from post
Payment: 100-250 fg ( the general rate for a nice signature atm)

#5 and i cant stress this enough - Dont overdue it on animation
Example: you want your name to fade in, shine, jump across the page, start doing the tango, then explode
Yeah its possible, but chances are it wont be cheap and it wont be within the kb limit
If you wat a ton of animation hey thatts your choice - my personal opinion : animation should only be used to draw attention to a selective part such as your name.
Im pretty sure most experienced grafics artists will agree - To much animation can ruin a great signature

#6 Dont be scared to use a premade signature!
Just because its premade does not automaticaly make it of any lesser quality than a custom. Ive seen several very great gallerys in the grafics showcase forum
And premades are usualy cheaper than custom

#7 Deadlines:
dont overdue it. if your only offering 100 fg fora signature dont say one 1 month deadline. i see that and usualy dont even read the rest.
but at the same time give other grafic artists a chance to show tiher skills.

#8 not realy a tip but gm - do not be make rude comments about someones attempt no matter how bad it is.
Everyone has to start somewhere.

#9 Post in your topic the signature that wins:
When you decide to buy a signature PLEASE post in your topic that you have chosen a signature and the topic is closed
artists dont like having to make a signature thats not going to even be looked at.

#10 Do NOT make multiple posts requesting a signature:
One post is more than enough for people to see
This isnt like a trading ground - Artists do look at the pages past 1

#11 Please keep the foul language to a minimum:
Again this is a signature / avatar request forum - not a trading ground
Lets make this place have some class



10 helpful short tips for artists

• 1. Always think about what are you going to make, take a sheet of paper and pencil, and use your imagination (especially in bigger projects, such as profile backgrounds, or entire design).
  It may seem a little bit time consuming, but usually these 15-20 minutes may turn your overall process extremely, so that you know what you`re going for, what also means that you can finish your job earlier.
  
  
• 2.Remember that your customer is always right.
  
  
• 3. Always listen to your customer clearly, and do what you are told to do (even if it`s a lame project), not something that will fit only your personal like.
  
  
• 4. Don`t force your customer to do something for you (f.ex. to find a stock image if he/she ). You are the artist, and you earn fg for the job you do.
  
  
• 5. If the customer is not artist him/herself, don`t expect him to know the software you`re working in.
  
  
• 6. Do not impose any conditions on your customer.
  
  
• 7. Don`t mention that something your customer requested is impossible to make, or will take a lot of time. If you think so, just leave the topic and think about it.
  
  
• 8. Do not post your negative reactions after your graphic job got denied by customer and he/she prefers graphic from other user (even if it looked worse than yours in your opinion).
  Instead – try to work that out, and maybe come up with something new, to show the customer that you really put some effort into your work.
  
  
• 9. Do not let the price control your mind. Let it be the last thing you`ll think about. Try to rather enjoy what you do and put some passion into it, not to make it torment you.
  
  
• 10. Do not praise yourself by a job you`ve done. No one likes that kind of behavior (including your customer). Stay humble and cool.

Hope these can help a little


Credits to : DB_odin, roy2000 and Spark3399

This post was edited by _Mork_ on Sep 29 2009 08:37am