Hey, y'all. I've been having some goes at the graphic requests here on d2jsp, specifically signature requests, but am noticing a stark difference in my design styles / capabilities versus most of the other designers here. Signatures aside, I've been consistently learning and growing my general design skills and knowledge of design programs; but modern signatures are throwing my brain for a loop.

I hadn't touched signature design for close to 15-years until just about a week ago, and am finding myself falling into my old habits — styles that are simply far-outdated for modern standards, even though they were once-upon-a-time solid designs.

That said, I'm not sure what to focus on changing or improving, nor how to go about doing so. Which is kind of why I'm making this post. I'm hoping to get some kind feedback from other designers on areas I can focus on improving, and possibly ways to make said improvements.

Visually, what makes a good signature? What differentiates the gorgeous from the sub-par; the modern from the outdated?

Here are some of my recent designs to give you an idea for a baseline of seeing what may be less-than-appealing to the current eye of signature designs:


I'm not expecting any sort of direct criticism of any of the work above - just general ideas as to where to go in my learning and growing as a designer; specifically in the realm of signature design.
I'll really appreciate any and all feedback from the other designerfolk here.

*Note: The above image is for example purposes only. I'm not trying to sell or advertise any of the above signatures, as most of them are already sold to the folks that requested them.

This post was edited by xJollyLlama on Oct 28 2021 07:59am

To be fair unless you do micro pick at small things, in the world of "design" what looks good is unfortunately the winner to make it short. It is so subjective on what someone finds good/worthy.
Age or whatever you are calling it are just trends at that moment if it "looks" aged to you. Powerful "designs" will just look "good" naturally on it's own. There really is no quick bandaid answer for this.

Keep creating, enjoy doing it and don't rush into shit. When it becomes a chore that is when you slack. Its harder to get integrity into shotgun work in the request forum nowadays. Sit down and just keep making stuff for yourself and it will come. Composition and small details are what will set someone's work apart (and it may be stuff that no one ever really notices).

I am rambling.

This post was edited by Laoshun on Oct 28 2021 08:01am

I appreciate this reply a lot - definitely not rambling.

I'm definitely not trying to rush into improvements - and whether or not my signature designs are received well don't bother me much. Maybe I didn't phrase my post the way I meant to mean it.

I love designing to my core - it's how I make part of my living, and it's been a deep passion for as long as I can remember. I guess I was mostly curious about current signature trends, as well as how to further push my own design sense from an outside perspective. Feedback from other designers is something I've been severely lacking on in the past few years and has always only helped my personal growth, so I was hoping I could find that here, with so many talented artists in our midst. I'm always just looking to expand my knowledge in design and was hoping for some input from other designers in terms of what direction to look towards.

I completely agree that enjoyment of signature designs, as with any graphic design, or any art in general, is beheld by each individual. I certainly wouldn't still be pushing myself to grow in this medium if it was an all-or-nothing kind of place. So know that I 100% fully agree with you in that regard.

This post was edited by xJollyLlama on Oct 28 2021 08:10am

I’m sure already invited you. But you’re welcome to chat with us on disc if you want!

I can vouch for Laoshun and 037.
Come join us in disc and learn.
Check out my profile to see how far I've come from just others advice and my own passion (traditional was my first attempts).

there are very few things that are objectively making or breaking a signature, most of it is like laoshun said subjective matter
check this out, some basics to composition, lighting and flow

https://imgur.com/pIiRDFr
https://imgur.com/MzRplEp

those are things i personally always care for. but signatures can look good while ignoring some of the stuff there

may i ask for the discord invite? id like to share some of my work with you guys and make new connections if possible!

The discord invite is earned by showing artwork here and being a part of the community! When we see you active around here you might get one

haha thats silly, i dont have all day to make random designs for nothing and sharing it here

It’s a discord for these who create art for pleasure, not for FG mate!