SD no idea. Need a critical eye

from WinCustomize Forums
This is a risk. Some will say I am trying to start something. Some will say I'm trying to give my walls exposure. Some will say ...I don't know ...something else. What I want is a good critical eye to tell me what I need to do to get a wall accepted here. My first two were (I'm thankful), but probably shouldn't have been. The eight that I submitted after were not and I don't know why. Really. It's not a gripe, at this point, I just want to know what I have to change or HOW I can improve to meet the standard here. I am looking for CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Maybe by the admins that rejected them, or someone like SBGFX that makes such great walls. Do I need an orb to get a wall accepted? Do I need to write script? If someone says "they need to be better" or "try harder" I'll puke. Which direction should I aim my efforts toward. OK. Here are a couple (a couple were understandably rejected) to look at in the screenshot section.
https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=13&SkinID=7211
https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=13&SkinID=7165
https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=13&SkinID=7153
https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=13&SkinID=7073
https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=13&SkinID=7099
https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?library=13&SkinID=7093

Just want to know which direction to head.
5,588 views 28 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Public discussion is rarely a great idea.

Probably better left to emailing admins/moderators.

Generally, several of those are effectively Windowblind-specific...or in other words would be better if bundled with a specific WB.

Last one is just plain dull and unimaginative...aka simplistic.

As I said.... never a great idea to discuss in public forum...

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
But am looking for truth. If it's brutal, it's brutal. Just want to know. Thank you, Jafo.
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I only looked at he first one (dial-up connection, not enough time/patience to look at them all right now).

I really can't speak for anyone else, but, in my opinion, that kind of wallpaper is usually only useable if it is part of a skin suite. It's good work, just too busy for most people to use as a wallpaper.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank you, Sylva. I appreciate it.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
IMO...most are to dark for most users...the textures used are bland and/or are fuzzy in clarity. not to mention the textures look reminisant of old win 95 back ground tiles . 1 word (eww) ..
most "as stated" would go ok in a skin suite, but not for individual walls.

the only one that sort of caught my eye was the stone one.

the orange one gave me flash backs to my dads old early 70's lazy boy chair .. aggggg that hideous thing!!!!***takes deep breath** whew.

look at the most popular wall's.they are clean and clear and can be used easily with many themes.

i hope my criticisms help:)
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Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Most of them show some promise but # 4 is pretty bad. Please don't do that again. It looks like it took about 5 minutes to make and to be brutally honest, the fact that you had to ask why it was rejected shows you still have a lot of room to grow. I bet a year from now you are embarrased by it.
In future works I suggest laying off the beveling tool a little. Be bold but not "green" in your judgement.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok. I really appreciate it. I will improve. Just needed a direction, so thank you for taking the time to look.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sleeping Dragon ...it's OK to publicly air/critique your own yourself...but not those of others.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not a criticism of someone's work. Whoever that was has a right to make whatever he pleases and upload it for other's enjoyment. I do, though, have a right to disagree with some of the selection and rating policies on this site. You, Jafo, are one of the most sarcastic, critical people on this site. I'm not sure if you are even aware of how condescending and arrogant you come across. I know you are probably not that way in person. You're probably a nice guy. I just wish you would take your own advice sometimes.

I really am trying to fit in here, but I get criticized for too many screenshots so I try to upload something else and get shot down. I'm frustrated is all.

There are some people I really like on this site, and I really enjoy the skins and the community. But I sure do feel like giving up on the submittal thing. YOU make me want to give up, Jafo.

If history ever repeats itself, you'll erase my comments and lock this thread. At least that is what I would expect you to do.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Sleeping Dragon ....please re-read comment/response #1.

Ask and you shall receive.

That does NOT entitle you, or anyone else to introduce a third party's work/s for comparison here in public exposure.

You may be happy with a public critique but it is not your place, or that of anyone else to include others.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You are right about that, and I apologize. Just frustratd.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Frustrated. Yes, I own a dictionary.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

BTW....I'm unaware of anyone complaining about your number of screenshot uploads.

I'm on record somewhere saying the 'number' is fine...over time....it's the frequency [ie 6 per day regularly] that goes a bit far.....and AFAIK that does not apply to you...

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It happened. But maybe I'll stick to that, then. Yes, your comment # 1 was correct, but my intention was good. It turned into a gripe when I saw what I saw. I'm done ranting. I always feel a bit foolish when I complain, even though I believe my complaint is just. Sorry to air this in public.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
this little sucker right here makes all the difference in the world when communicating sometimes. = arrogance in the eyes of most readers and even though it's not necessarily meant to be arrogant, it is still recieved by the reader as arrogant.

Blame the smilies!
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Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have never seen that damn smiley unless the recipient was being admonished or corrected. I think you're partly right.
I also think that people are more important than being right all the time. There is someone on this site who is usually right, but has few people skills.
My issue was not the people here, though. I like them. Just some of the rating and acceptance practices. Or maybe the truth is I am frustrated that something I created and thought was good, in reality was just average (or below). I think it will be a while before I upload another wall. By then, maybe I will be better.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hum, know what ya mean, never had one go thru moderation.

But I've seen walls that I wondered how they made it and seen some that I wondered why they didn't.

But mine isn't to reason why, just enjoy and download the ones I like.



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Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I almost always type a   followed by a ) as it is a friendly wink.....aka   'Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more, know what I mean?'...

The : ) requires another key press and looks a tad 'mindlessly inane'....akin to a startled rabbit in the crosshairs of an armalite....

Generally when 'mildly bothered' the smilies of either sort are just left off.

My recommendation would be to just ignore life in general....Spell checker

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Of course, the site coding ate my semicolon......
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
But I've seen walls that I wondered how they made it and seen some that I wondered why they didn't.

Haven't we all? /me hopes this doesn't appear arrogant-->  



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Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Life is to be lived. If given sour grapes, I will try to make wine. If my attempt at walls fails, I will try harder. If my attempt to establish relationships falls short, I will try to walk a mile in their shoes. If my ...

Wine. That's an idea.

Hey Jafo. Let's tie one on and forget the whole thing. I like Cabernet or a good sake. You?
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I ate your semicolon
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think she like you. Or maybe just your semi colon. Why is it semi?

Just kidding.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
SD,

The one bit of wisdom I'd like to impart on you is: “Less is more” Any time I apply a filter or layer I always set the “effect” to a level I think is good…and then I reduce it a bit. Less is more.

Keep working at, keep learning. Look at the walls that are accepted and learn from them.

Happy Skinning!

Wicked.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
...Can be pretty difficult teaching someone 'design sense', ya either have it or you don't. I think you do have it in this case, so there's really nothing for me to offer that would drastically improve your work. What it does lack is a refined look. By refined, I mean take a look at some of the better graphics artists out there [GT3?] or Danillo's work. Take a peek at Danillo's wallpapers. What, besides clean graphics do you notice about his work?.. His wallpaper work [to me at least] looks to be one design, one cohesive mass of graphics and not just a bunch of graphics that comprise a wallpaper. Does that make sense? I'm currently running into issues like this making my first WindowBlind. I need it [ok, want it] to look like one windowblind, not 1000 graphics thrown together. Make sure your wallpapers maintain at least some semblence of continuity.

I've had people ask me if I draw some of my designs ahead of time, or have a "vision" of what the final product will be beforehand and to be honest, 99% of the time it's entirely improvised. Hopefully the result LOOKS cohesive enough to fool the user into thinking I intended the wall to look as such from the start. [but I know better ..]
So all I can suggest is keep playing. Patience, practice and tenacity in photoshop will yield results. [or whatever program you use] You'll get it in no time.