What makes a good graphic?

[Alisquid]

Yes, what make as a wonderfull graphic? What do you think finishs a graphic/ Something that makes a graphic look bad?

I think thin borders make a set look good. To thick and it looks bulky, no border and it looks unorginized and unkept. A thin border makes it look thin and orginized.

I also think unique fonts help a graphic. Most of the fonts that come with a bordr aren't very good and are seen often, while hundereds of fonts are avilible for download.

What about you?

[Bangel]

Good

Cleanly background erased images
Matching colors
Interesting borders/If not interesting, well suited for the image
Interesting backgrounds/Same extra comment as above
Suiting font
Pixel fonts used in subtext (Some small exceptions)
High quality images
Cleanly done effects
Subtle animation (ONLY if needed, exceptions)

Bad

Images with stray pixels (not completely transparentized)
Unmatching colors
Borders too thick
Borders too boring (exceptions, exceptions)
Too much animation
Too many cutouts
Boring, solid color backgrounds (exceptions in some cases)
Unmatching font
Too many effects
Incorrectly done effects

Those, in my opinion, are just the basics. I could go on for hours.

[Flame]

It has to be clean cut, nice to look at, everything must look good together, and it has to be unique.

Vague enough?


Sets need borders. Sets usually need color. They need antialiased fonts, and said fonts should be readable.


Bas things are sets without borders, images that weren't cut out well, and too many effects/effects used in the wrong way.

[Jens]

Pixel fonts used in subtext (Some small exceptions)

well... i dislike pixel fonts... erm... my photoshop dislikes pixel fonts, when i follow the instructions and do as it says "put size to 6" my photoshop makes it unclear and such, for my subtexts, i always draw them with a pencil, it sometimes takes a while, but i can write sentences under a minute *feels proud*

also, if you're not good in cutting off stuff, you could use a picture that already has a matching background, then just duplicate the layer, and on the upper layer, cut out the background, then you can add any effects on the lower layer (background) and it will look good even if it's poorly cut off

oh yeah! one more thing about borders (i know not many people are reading this but hey xD) you better have a 2 pixel border, black and white (order depending on how dark your picture is). this way subBlack users will also be able to enjoy your nice sets without missing a border

Last edited by Jens on Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:26 am, edited 1 time in total.

[AutumnElf]

Pixel fonts used in subtext (Some small exceptions)

well... i dislike pixel fonts... erm... my photoshop dislikes pixel fonts, when i follow the instructions and do as it says "put size to 6" my photoshop makes it unclear and such, for my subtexts, i always draw them with a pencil, it sometimes takes a while, but i can write sentences under a minute *feels proud*

also, if you're not good in cutting off stuff, you could use a picture that already has a matching background, then just duplicate the layer, and on the upper layer, cut out the background, then you can add any effects on the lower layer (background) and it will look good even if it's poorly cut off

Not sure if this is the case, but the box next to the font size, if it reads anything other than "None" it will make pixel fonts look blurry. Just change the box to none to get rid of the bluriness.

[Edit] Like this:

[Jens]

Pixel fonts used in subtext (Some small exceptions)

well... i dislike pixel fonts... erm... my photoshop dislikes pixel fonts, when i follow the instructions and do as it says "put size to 6" my photoshop makes it unclear and such, for my subtexts, i always draw them with a pencil, it sometimes takes a while, but i can write sentences under a minute *feels proud*

also, if you're not good in cutting off stuff, you could use a picture that already has a matching background, then just duplicate the layer, and on the upper layer, cut out the background, then you can add any effects on the lower layer (background) and it will look good even if it's poorly cut off

Not sure if this is the case, but the box next to the font size, if it reads anything other than "None" it will make pixel fonts look blurry. Just change the box to none to get rid of the bluriness.

[Edit] Like this:

well i am using a different version of photoshop then you are, but you made me play around with the buttons a little, and when i uncheck anti-aliased, it appears as a pixel font should... (except for some spaces between the letters)

thanks for the info and the nice screenie

[AutumnElf]

No problem.

The screenie? I was bored xD

[Eidolon]

I agree, thanks for the screenie/info! I've been puttering about in photoshop for years (read: since 5th grade when Photoshop scared me) and I never knew that. *wants to go try* *will try soon*

[WIS]

Here are my thoughts on what makes a good graphic:

1. Real life images, like pictures, if you want to cut it out, be sure to make a clean cut with no stray white or other color pixels around it, what I do is finish cutting it out then blur/smudge the edges just a teensy bit to make the picture look not so out of place.

2. The font should be easy for the eye and not look out of place. (I'm having trouble with this one)

3. The borders should'nt be wider than... 4 pixels I suppose... Matching borders are good, I expecially like unique/cutoutish borders.

4. I think the background of the image should be blurred somehow as to not steal the thunder from the foreground or the main focus of the image.

5. I like to put a "mist" over my images, which is basically a light transparent pattern thats matches the background color.

[EDIT] WOOT! 500th post! I am now a tree!

[Yoshi]

(Haha, I'm such a culprit of huge, thick borders. Must work on that some time.)

Things I notice in graphics...

1. Picture quality in the final outcome. It doesn't matter if the original picture (if a picture is used) is good or bad quality- the manipulation and use of the picture is important. Saving the graphic in a proper format too.

2. On the contrary to the thick borders, I think pictures that are too big and have thin borders look rather disorganised. And of course, same for pictures without borders. Borders should be very visible.

3. Where the focus of the graphic is. The focus should be obvious. Also, differentiate between blurry and clear.

4. Maintaining the integrity of the picture, if the focus is on it. Make the background complement the picture, and don't cover it up too much or use too many overlaying patterns. The latter seems to be an ongoing thing I always see...

5. Text should really complement the overall look. If you're rasterising the font layer and want to change it, make sure it looks natural. Text should be clear, properly antialiased, and be appropriately matching.

6. Appropriate, suiting text and subtext.

7. Proper use of space. No cramming or overspacing.

Argh, that's all off the top of my head...maybe I'll add more later.

[Shifty]

I personally like thick borders...

I guess what really makes a graphic(s) good is its originality... Take sets for example... Most of them look the same... Same size, pixel fonts, grid pattern...

When ever I see I set thats different its just more unique and more fun to look at.

[DM was on fire!]

I like...

- bordered text
- a main text with a coloured border and a white background
- picture quality
- border

And if I'm in the mood, shadowed lyrics as seen on my current set.

[Jens]

I personally like thick borders...

I guess what really makes a graphic(s) good is its originality... Take sets for example... Most of them look the same... Same size, pixel fonts, grid pattern...

When ever I see I set thats different its just more unique and more fun to look at.

that's of course true, it doesn't matter if you follow all these 'rules', there are always exceptions and sometimes they can be even prettier

the problem with me is that i almost always use the same kind of stuff, it used to be a grid, but right now it's just the double border...

[fzun]

A good graphic in most cases has

- a border that complements the image. Imgaes with no borders just look really, really bad
- colors that look good with the image
- easily readable text and subtext
- either no or limited cutouts
- nothing blinding and nothing that'll give you a headache
- good quality
- shows effort was put into it

and pretty much what everyone else said

[Alisquid]

Well, when I think thick border, I think something that is about as tall as a smilie...

Yes, I have seen thouse. Its really ugly looking.