Pink Poogle Toy Forum

Week 2 Grading:

Round Note: I personally think most people did a very good job this round. The icons look fabulous.


DM was on fire!


I like how you changed the colors and such, it is paler and more pleasing to the eye. The text works nicely, and is placed well. The faint background you added works nice and doesn't detract attention from the buildings. I'm not too quite fond of the star under the text, I would have preferred something else is used to fill up the empty space. I.e. small tiny text, other brushes, etc. I'm not too fond of the border as well, I think you should have either left it blank or just use a solid color (like the color of the border at the top of the icon). Try working with gradients more often. - 8/10


Ethics


This is very simplistic and very pretty! The colors are marvelous and the text works very nicely with the icon. Good choice of image, too! The gradient sky behind the flower works very well and acts nicely as just empty, negative space, not taking attention away from the flower. The whole graphic has a nostalgia feel. The icon is also very, nicely sharpened and clean, which makes it just that much more attractive. The whole icon draws attention to the flower, as it stands out very nicely. Very nice job! - 9.5/10


JellyFish72


I'm seeing some nice improvement. The whole icon is a little messy, to me, though. This kind of image is a little hard to work with as a graphic, but it's good as a standalone image. The colorfilter you used was a nice touch, and I like the mini text. I'm not so sure about the main text though, but I don't think it detracts from the image. I would also get rid of the border, as I think it seems a bit thick and this graphic would benefit without a border. Like I told DM, try playing around with gradients in your icons. - 8/10


kentieness


I think this is also a big improvement from last round! I love the way you colored the image, and the gradient and such. However, my favorite thing about this icon is the text. You did a wonderful job with it! Personally, though, I think the transition from purple to blue in the gradient is too sudden. I haven't used PSP 7 in a long time, but try editing the gradient so that it fades over a larger area. When you're selecting gradients, and in that window, if there are two arrows (they look like X and +) in the center of the square that shows the current gradient, drag those until you're happy with the effect. Although, this function may not have been implemented until later versions. - 9/10


Kidwaiy


First of all, I don't think the image you chose was very good at all. It's not easy to work with and rather... dull. The border is creative, but it's too thick for an icon and rather unappealing. I would rather have just a normal border. The text and the stuff behind the text doesn't quite work either. However, good job for trying brush variances and other tools. It's really a shame, though, because I thought the background (what I can see of it) was very good. - 5.75/10


Kitten Medli


This icon is nice with the colors and the cool texture over it. However, the biggest, biggest, biggest downfall of this graphic is the text. The black and white colors did not fit at all. I think this icon would have been a lot better, if the text's fill had not been black, but instead a pleasant orange. A different font could have benefited this icon as well. - 8/10


LAQ


The effects on this graphic is lovely. However, the problem is, the original image looks very, very, very pretty. Although, I am glad that you did enough to the icon to make it your own, instead of "Ripping" off of somebody else's artwork. The border and the text work nicely in this graphic, the border is unique and pays off. However, I feel like the color of this icon is a little too monotone and saturated, and you're kind of pushed into a corner graphic-wise because there's not much more you can do. When something like that happens, I recommend you go with some of the blend modes that doesn't require an addition in contrast, like Lighten, Darken, Multiply, Screen, and sometimes if used correctly, Difference and Exclusion. (Although I know GIMP doesn't have exclusion). Other than that though, the graphic is still very pretty and aesthetically pleasing. - 8.5/10


moogie


I absolutely adore this graphic! The colors are fantastic, the color wash-ish effect you did, works with the image perfectly and compliments everything else nicely. The little circles of light at the bottom is subtle, but contributes to the overall icon very nicely. The text works nicely and doesn't distract from the focus of the icon. Another great thing about this icon is that it's crispy clean! It's very nicely sharpened and it just adds to the already very gorgeous graphic. The graphic is very nicely nostalgic. Superb, excellent job! - 10/10


Neko


First of all, I really like the crisp, cleanliness of this icon. The colors work very effectively and the image just gives off a radiant, sharp, very appealing feel. The icon is very pretty, although I have just a few tiny tiny concerns. First of all, I think the little circles in the background could be toned down just a little bit. Secondly, I think there might be too much little tiny text under the main text. The bottom left corner, wouldn't hurt, I don't think, to be left empty. Other than that, though, another excellent job! - 9.25/10


Pixa


Very nice colors. The icon seems a little bit over-contrasted, though, despite not appearing to be so. Watch out for for those little sharp color ridges around the trees. I suggest, however, to lighten the sky and tree via something like screen. Also, in my opinion, I think the text should have been lower, so that it looks like the text is "sitting" on the grass. Also, personally, I would remove the faint texture put over the icon. It adds a sort of messy, unruly feel to it. I don't know why, but your icon seems dull, yet over-contrasted at the same time. - 8/10


PK


It was a good idea, but it wasn't executed in the most appealing way. =\ First of all, I don't see any point in cutting the quill out. Because the original image's background was fine, and suited the quill, and it didn't look unnatural. You could have worked with the original image just fine, but the glow and the sharp cuts (I.e. top right corner, and the tip) make this quill look very awkward. Plus, you replaced the background with an almost unnoticeable cloud render. The line leading to the text looks very awkward and... squiggly, if you will. Try using the pen tool, and stroking the path it makes. It will create a much, much smoother, more appealing path. Lastly, and this is just a small one, I don't really see the point of having a black outside border. Perhaps a darker brown would have suited the icon more. - 6/10


sigh_driven


I really, really dislike the text in this icon. I think it's very out of place, and that this would have been a much, much, MUCH better icon if you didn't have the text go vertically like that. What I would suggest for text is simply a simple font, perhaps in all capitals for a more sophisticated look (I recommend Georgia) in a lighter brown and placed on the "horizon". Also, I'm not too quite fond of the effect you did over the Eiffel Tower either. I think if you had just enhanced the colors, or did a more subtle effect... The icon had potential. - 5.5/10


spiral_star


Let me tell you that, the image you picked was very, very, very hard to work with. I'm actually surprised the icon turned out as it did. However, next time, I think you should pick a better image. Although this icon didn't turn out bad, I think it could have been much better. Back to the icon, however, I really like how you did the rainbow subtext, and I thought that was rather appropriate and effective. A problem I have is that the skittles have a lot of JPEG compression noise on them, and you can fix this with one of Paint Shop Pro's noise removal tools. (Perhaps JPEG artifact remover?) - 7.5/10


YesItIsh


This is actually a really hard icon to rate. I'm sort of on the fence on this one. The odd effects seem strangely appealing, but messy at the same time. First of all, I don't think you should have contrasted the fruits anymore. Seeing as how the image you picked was a very artistic one, and the contrast was already well-established. Secondly, I think that one of the diagonal stripes should be going the other way. (The way the light was hitting the fruit in the image). I do rather like the text, however. - 7.75/10


Zilary


Very cute idea. Just a few tips and pointers though. If you're going for this particular advert kind of effect, with how you were doing your text, I suggest making your icon as crisp clean as you can. I'm not too fond of that faint grid texture over the cow. Also, possibly the biggest downfall of the icon, is the border. It seems way too harsh and dark for the icon, and because there's no overlay anywhere else, the border looks odd. I think a simple, 2-pixel white border would have worked much better, or even no border at all! The text is cute, though, and fits the icon very nicely. - 7.75/10

Curses! Why am I plagued with a name that is late in the alphabet!?! T_T

Meh I agree the text is hideous. I was probably delirious, I had made like 5 icons by then. XD

At least you're not last. By that time, the judges' eyes are probably ready to drop out of their sockets from staring at our miniscule icons for so long and typing up critiques.

(I would vote to judge by going through anti-alphabet order or backwards....at least by the submission order )

*sigh* all done. x)

I just realized that I forgot to set a due-date for the gradings. It's up now, and it's March 10th

Hehe, I tried the text down there, but I found it a little poky under that tree. Also, I didn't use a texture, it was just a couple of brushes, but, overall, I'm happy. Thanks WIS. I wanted the image to be bright and cheerful, but had a hard time doing that without making it too blinding.

Ugh, I agree with everything you've said, WIS... >.< I had just never made an icon like that before, and was kind of lost on what to do...

The weird thing Wis, is that the computers here at CSUN show the circles as very prominent, but at my computer at home the circles are the way I want them sullen and faded. I think it's my monitor...blah. Oh well.

...oops...I think I'm late for class...XD

Oooooh, reverse order! Forgive errors. Anyone who has taken the SATs know that they completely fry your brain.

Zilary- I’m rather fond of this one. It makes me smile. Usually, I’m just “Oooh, pretty icon.” With this one I’m like “SWEEEET, it’s a pink cow! And it makes me strawberry milkshakes!” Honestly, I thought you might’ve used an image of a cow edited to be pink already, but you did that yourself, so kudos for it. It looks like a 3-D cow. Love the text. It’s fresh and new and it’s two totally different fonts that WORK together. The only thing I’d maybe change with this is the border. I think something solid, maybe a double lined border with two different shades of pink to add to the smooth semi 3-D-ish look would’ve been better. 9/10

YesItIsh
Very nice, very original. I’ve never seen an icon, or well, anything, with lines like that, and I wouldn’t have thought it could work until I saw this. Good font choice, good image placement. Love the lines. The colors are a good choice, and I also like how they are varied in color and size but still work together. I also like that a stripe goes over the text fruit. Only nitpicky thing is that I think there might be subtext under ‘fruit’, but I can’t read it? 9.5/10

Spiral_star
The image is a bit faded out and it needs to be brightened up a bit. “the rainbow” subtext blends in too much with the jelly beans, and Taste is sort of plain looking, though I do like the font. The border is also sort of a dull, unhappy color. 5/10

Sigh_driven
Okay, where to begin…I’m seeing just a filter and text added to this. As to the filter, that would’ve worked better had it been zoomed in on part of the eiffel tower, I think. Then it would’ve blurred more defined features…with how small the image is now, it just takes away from the detail too much. As for the text, I don’t like it. The vertical aspect is fine, but not the font choice and not how it comes out of the icon. The colors also are not really appropriate considering the colors in the rest of the icon. 4.5/10

PK
It’s a cute concept, but it could’ve been better. Because you made the feather itself so small, leaving the background so plain makes everything very empty. The glow around the feather is nice, but that solid goldish color around the text would have been better had it also been a glow. The text also doesn’t look very smooth is some parts. Overall, it’s very plain. The black border also really doesn’t go. 4/10

Pixa
I can’t get your original image to load for the life of me, so I’m going to have to base this rating on the assumption you just used a regular old tree as your original. I like the dreamy effect of this, and I’m not against off centered placement by any means. I even like the text placement in this and the color. It’s just that there is a lot of empty space over on the right side. I’m thinking maybe if there was a person standing there on the ground or something it wouldn’t look that way, but that empty space is pretty much my biggest problem with this. 8.5/10

Neko
I like the text placement in this, between the flower stems, and the wing is a nice touch. However, this sort of looks too busy to me. I think you might have flowers faded into the background (or just pink blobs), and they sort of draw away from the main flower image, which unfortunately because of the resizing, now lacks a lot of detail. I think maybe just those dotted swirls in the background would’ve been better. 8.5/10

Moogie
Love the image placement and the aged effect, and the text has just enough swirl to give it the appropriate amount of detail and flair. You also picked a very good image, because on the left, that scratchy design, looks like a detail added by you and not part of the clock. The dots at the bottom are also a nice effect. 9.5/10

LAQ
Pretty! Never would’ve known that your original image was what it was. The transformation is pretty impressive. Love the border, and the colors. It’s bright and eye catching. The only thing that might’ve made it better would’ve been to offset the image somewhat to the side. It makes it a better focal point. (Not sure that’s the phrase I’m looking for though…) 9/10

Kitten Medli
Love how you’ve changed it to a yellowish tone, really brightens it up. Also love the lighting effect. Makes it look like a painting or something. It’s also very different because, well, it’s garlic! The only thing I don’t like is the text. I swear it almost works, but something about the white outline bothers me, and the outline isn’t smooth enough either. 8/10

Kidwaiy
It’s a cute concept, but it doesn’t really work in the end. I like the image placement, but overall everything is way too washed out. A darker background with maybe a glow around the background would’ve been better? This background color is dull, and nothing is really eye catching whatsoever. The text doesn’t stand out, and I think there are stars behind it, but they don’t add anything because there’s no contrast… 4/10

Kentieness
Ooh, very nice. Love the blends from blue to purple in this. Very nice, dreamy effect. The only problem is that the mountain sort of disappears, and in the icon you can tell that it’s because of clouds. Something about the text bothers me. I cannot figure it out. Honestly. I like the two different fonts…I’m tempted to say that it’s too centered… 9/10

JellyFish72
A good comindiation of the two images….I think the main image is maybe a little too small, as you lose the details of the city building except for the outline of the main one. I like the text placement in the black, though some of it is a little uneven. The “Dallas” is a cute idea, like a postcard, but it almost doesn’t stand out enough. I think it would’ve been better if part of the D and s hadn’t been cut off. 7/10

Ethics
Simple and pretty. I think the background needs to be a bit darker though. The white text needs to be contrasted more. There’s honestly not much to rate. You changed the colors with a filter, I believe, kept the same background, and added text. I would’ve like to have seen more done to it. 6/10

DM
My computer protested against this icon for some reason…I had to transfer it to my photobucket account to view it. *headdesk* Anyways, I like the coloring of it, that blue grey…The small dots add a nice touch, same with the star. I don’t like the text though, nor that the border isn’t solid. It doesn’t work, maybe because it’s mostly solid at the top and pretty much not solid whatsoever at the bottom. 8/10

Thanks for the rating and comments WIS. I have two questions-

1)

I agree, but where do you people find good images?? Please help me on this!

2)

I've not had PSP(8 ) long - could you/someone tell me where to find this?

Thank you

*Hugs flame* Reverse order! ^^
I'm just really happy I got to be a part of this, you guys have already helped me so much, you don't even know...
I wish there was a permanent place to put up graphics you've made for comments. Sometimes I just REALLY want an honest, experienced opinion, if the graphic is bad, i need to KNOW lol.

Oh, and spiral star... I use google images ALOT, and just try to search different buzz words. Say your topic is "Music". Don't just search music, you can search "Piano", "Instrument", "Notes", "Melody", etc. Try to be creative in the way you search, and above all, NEVER "settle" for an image. Keep looking until you are happy and confident with your image.

There used to be a sticky in the Av and Siggy board.. where'd it go. o_o

It got put into the Workshop board quite a while back... xD
http://www.pinkpt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21694

And spiral_star, I usually go looking at stock photography websites (I use http://www.sxc.hu) when I'm looking for high quality images. They have photographs on basically any subject, and they are always huuuggeeeee. If photographs aren't your thing, then Aethereality.net (and other sites) have transparent PNGs, images that have been scanned in and cut out from their background. They also have very large galleries of images that you could browse through.

I suggest tons more places, but I'd end up making a massive post and I want to avoid that.

Thanks for the site LAQ, there's a lot of interesting pictures there. Heh, I also have a very similar problem to you, spiral_star, I find it so hard to find good images, I really just don't know where to look. I can imagine spending many hours trailing around such a site, so many of the images are so great. Hehe, now I want to make some graphics.

*kicks coursework*

I completely agree with everything LAQ has said. http://www.sxc.hu offers wonderful stock images at high qualities, look for the certified artists. There are plenty of other stock sites as well. Of course, Google is also very helpful at times. Try avoiding things that aren't very... focused. For example, it is rather hard to make a graphic when you have an image of lots and lots of skittles, etc.





Hmm, I'm not using PSP 8, but on my version of PSP X, the function is:

- Click the "Adjust" tab at the top
- Go down to Add/Remove Noise
- A list of options would be present to you

A few functions I like are JPEG artifact removal, Edge Preserving Smooth, and Texture Preserving Smooth. And they do exactly what their name says.

Another really good noise removal function in paint shop pro is the "One-Step Noise Removal" which can be found also under the adjust tab. However, this tends to leave images a bit blurry, so I reccommend you sharpen it afterwards. I hope this helps.




There is a ratings thread in the Workshop forum, but it isn't very active at all. Perhaps if graphics and/or rating got it's own forum, it might be a little more active. I wish something can be done about this though, because I would love to have an active forum or thread to critique and receive criticisms.


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Also, I'd like to say that it's very nice to see you guys take the initiative to ask questions and respond to our comments. That's what we're here for.