Official Critiques wanted post.

Posted March 1st, 2011 by quakerninja

Do post shirts you want to have fixed.
Don't post shirts that took you no time or thought.

I can't help you if you have no understanding of what I am going to tell you.
Please have a basic understanding of the fundamentals and a willingness to accept criticism and the self motivation to take that information and improve yourself.

This is not a post to do your work for you and they are just opinions so please don't get butt hurt.
Also share and share alike please. No leaches. If you have something of value to add don't clam up we all have things we are really good at and things that we suck at.

Do describe what you are trying to get across and what you think the problem might be in your own words. I can't read your mind.
Don't just flood this place with crap and expect to get better. Your going to have to do all the hard parts on your own. All I can do is point out some technical mistakes and suggest improvements.

3578 Comments

JoeWSE said about 11 months ago

William Henry said:
JoeWSE said:

Wondering why this got rejected.

Theres just not much to it. Theres nothing that sets it apart from other similar designs. Its not bad, its just kind of bland.

I can understand where your coming from, im not pointing fingers or being spiteful for not being accepted but Ive seen much worse designs that Get put up and its really upsetting to see when alot of stuff on critiques page is better? I used to be so into emptees even with the flagging, but now it seems its just become favouritism and elitist.
fabianullstrom said about 11 months ago

Kinda like that the eyes are gone. Do you guys have any thoughts about this one?
JoeWSE said about 11 months ago

I like the simplicity, is this the finished piece?
fabianullstrom said about 11 months ago

JoeWSE said:I like the simplicity, is this the finished piece?

I'm not sure about that. I thought about adding some bones as borders or something but I'm not sure. It's a bugger.
JoeWSE said about 11 months ago

Maybe try a classic cross bones
Craig Robson said about 11 months ago

the line work on it is very sloppy, take some more time over it.

that type and texture needs to go too, the texture looks like a second color print instead of a distress on the black.

spend some more time on it, and work out what you want to say.
Craig Robson said about 11 months ago

JoeWSE said:
William Henry said:
JoeWSE said:

Wondering why this got rejected.

Theres just not much to it. Theres nothing that sets it apart from other similar designs. Its not bad, its just kind of bland.

I can understand where your coming from, im not pointing fingers or being spiteful for not being accepted but Ive seen much worse designs that Get put up and its really upsetting to see when alot of stuff on critiques page is better? I used to be so into emptees even with the flagging, but now it seems its just become favouritism and elitist.

i understand your frustration, however i feel as though you are viewing the "elitist" nature of the site as a totally negative point. there are only two real options for the submissions: let everything through or try to curate it.

the design posted is not the best thing youve done, nor is it possible to pick one submission that IS approved, say yours is better and then claim the whole site is broken.

yes the best stuff will get through (according to community votes, which have a human bias and as such will sometimes be different to your view.) and the not so good stuff will be rejected. but thats the better of two options.
Matt Borchert said about 11 months ago

JoeWSE said:
William Henry said:
JoeWSE said:

Wondering why this got rejected.

Theres just not much to it. Theres nothing that sets it apart from other similar designs. Its not bad, its just kind of bland.

I can understand where your coming from, im not pointing fingers or being spiteful for not being accepted but Ive seen much worse designs that Get put up and its really upsetting to see when alot of stuff on critiques page is better? I used to be so into emptees even with the flagging, but now it seems its just become favouritism and elitist.

It feels rushed man, it just needs more work and refinement. I wouldn't go claiming elitism or favoritism. Sometimes designs that might not be up to par get put up onto the main page, but it's usually pretty clear when they get 0 likes.
Craig Robson said about 11 months ago

also. you would feel just as slighted if the design got put into the Tee's section then flagged off.
fabianullstrom said about 11 months ago

Craig Robson said:the line work on it is very sloppy, take some more time over it.

that type and texture needs to go too, the texture looks like a second color print instead of a distress on the black.

spend some more time on it, and work out what you want to say.

Thanks for your input! I didn't use any color on the texture, just the eraser and a lower opacity. Is it the texture per say that makes it look like another color or anything else? Sorry I'm kinda new with photoshop.
Dzul Alerion said about 11 months ago

Matt Borchert said:
Dzul Alerion said:I'm actually trying to build my portfolio. So here's one of my own personal work. Any comments or what went wrong?

Link to my portfolio: http://cargocollective.com/dzuldesigns

You're trying to build your portfolio so you use the word "Fuck"? Professional design shops won't find that too clever. That and the type doesn't have any flow...keep working.

Thanks for the input!
William Henry said about 11 months ago

JoeWSE said:
William Henry said:
JoeWSE said:

Wondering why this got rejected.

Theres just not much to it. Theres nothing that sets it apart from other similar designs. Its not bad, its just kind of bland.

I can understand where your coming from, im not pointing fingers or being spiteful for not being accepted but Ive seen much worse designs that Get put up and its really upsetting to see when alot of stuff on critiques page is better? I used to be so into emptees even with the flagging, but now it seems its just become favouritism and elitist.

You should worry more about improving your designs and less on what gets approved and what doesn't. Pointing out that you feel there are worse designs that have been approved does nothing to help improve your own work.
Rehmsmeyer said about 11 months ago

I have finished the first part of my new design. It's an Anchor design and I am not sure what route to take it now. Should I just use some brush effects and make it look like a crest, or add some color and make it some-what animated? Also, any critiques on what I have so far are more than appreciated. Thanks!
JoeWSE said about 11 months ago

I understand all the comments, I would like more feedback to help me get back into the community I loved so much, what can be done to this design?
Craig Robson said about 11 months ago

JoeWSE said:I understand all the comments, I would like more feedback to help me get back into the community I loved so much, what can be done to this design?

im not sure its possible to point to exact things to do with the technique or content of the design that will get it accepted. personally i just think its a bit dull, aside from the one knife the rest of the design is just pushing buttons. the design isnt very dynamic, it just sort of is what it is. im finding it really hard to explain what i mean right now so dont take all this to heart. maybe someone else can weigh in and put into words better than i can.

the best i can do is that its not very dynamic, its super static and really expected.
Rehmsmeyer said about 11 months ago

Craig, I have always really likeed your style. What route would you take if you had to do something with my anchor design? Would you turn it into a crest style or take it more animated?
cityhall said about 11 months ago

JoeWSE said:

Wondering why this got rejected.

Those letters would never print at that size. Plus the fonts you used are very uninspired.
WXGFX said about 11 months ago

WinterArtwork said:thoughts?

Absolutely killer. That is all.
WXGFX said about 11 months ago

This is what I've been up to. Thoughts anyone?
JoeWSE said about 11 months ago

Thanks for all the crits, Ive never minded crit because its everybody's view and point so I definitly wont take it offensively. I starting to see it in a clearer light and I will improve my skills till i get at least one new design accepted!
xic said about 11 months ago

WXGFX said:This is what I've been up to. Thoughts anyone?

auto vectoring sucks man, just take ya time vectoring it piece by piece and maybe some colour would do. As for the concept its really abstact to me
WXGFX said about 11 months ago

Uhhhh, auto vectoring?
I drew this in Photoshop using a tablet..
Rehmsmeyer said about 11 months ago

WXGFX said:Uhhhh, auto vectoring?
I drew this in Photoshop using a tablet..

Well, I can see how it appears that you used Auto Trace in Illustrator, but I still agree. Some of the lines don't quite blend well. Try it with fewer "crease" lines in his jacket.
ImViolent said about 11 months ago

fabianullstrom said:
Kinda like that the eyes are gone. Do you guys have any thoughts about this one?

Really dig this, Whats the project?
EdEnIc bLiSs said about 11 months ago

HEY GUYS WAT U THINK OF THIS???
http://mintees.com/tees/354361-twisted-physiognomy
Glenn said about 11 months ago

Something I'm currently working on. Though I've been struggling a bit with the goat head. Any thoughts?
fabianullstrom said about 11 months ago

ImViolent said:
fabianullstrom said:
Kinda like that the eyes are gone. Do you guys have any thoughts about this one?

Really dig this, Whats the project?

It's just some personal doodling. Just to keep myself fresh and to learn a bit or two!
Craig Robson said about 11 months ago

Glenn said:Something I'm currently working on. Though I've been struggling a bit with the goat head. Any thoughts?

im getting two swans over a goats head, im guessing thats intentional but the overall shape of the swans detracts from the expected shape of the goat, a better balance is required, a little less swan, a little more goat?
Somaon said about 11 months ago

Tried this one again, Took all the crits I got from everyone thank you, but wasn't good enough, it was rejected. Let me know what you guys think.
cmeyers said about 11 months ago

Somaon said:Tried this one again, Took all the crits I got from everyone thank you, but wasn't good enough, it was rejected. Let me know what you guys think.

the biggest problem for me is the background texture. completely kills it and doesn't serve much purpose, and is cut off with a solid line in certain places.
Glenn said about 11 months ago

cmeyers said:
Somaon said:Tried this one again, Took all the crits I got from everyone thank you, but wasn't good enough, it was rejected. Let me know what you guys think.

the biggest problem for me is the background texture. completely kills it and doesn't serve much purpose, and is cut off with a solid line in certain places.

This is the reason why I personally rejected it.
cmeyers said about 11 months ago

Somaon said:Tried this one again, Took all the crits I got from everyone thank you, but wasn't good enough, it was rejected. Let me know what you guys think.

and i don't think it's a huge deal, but making your mockup a little more interesting definitely helps the viewer. a plain white background with a simple mockup may not be your best option. not saying it has to be super crazy, but a little thought into making your mockup be a little more appealing would help as well. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. just opinion.
Somaon said about 11 months ago

cmeyers said:
Somaon said:Tried this one again, Took all the crits I got from everyone thank you, but wasn't good enough, it was rejected. Let me know what you guys think.

the biggest problem for me is the background texture. completely kills it and doesn't serve much purpose, and is cut off with a solid line in certain places.

I guess I tried to give it some balance with it and some texture. I guess that was a bad idea lol. I get you on the solid line just notice it.

Glenn said:
cmeyers said:
Somaon said:Tried this one again, Took all the crits I got from everyone thank you, but wasn't good enough, it was rejected. Let me know what you guys think.

the biggest problem for me is the background texture. completely kills it and doesn't serve much purpose, and is cut off with a solid line in certain places.

This is the reason why I personally rejected it.

So would you suggest not have any texture to it at all?

cmeyers said:
Somaon said:Tried this one again, Took all the crits I got from everyone thank you, but wasn't good enough, it was rejected. Let me know what you guys think.

and i don't think it's a huge deal, but making your mockup a little more interesting definitely helps the viewer. a plain white background with a simple mockup may not be your best option. not saying it has to be super crazy, but a little thought into making your mockup be a little more appealing would help as well. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. just opinion.

Thank you I'll look in to it a bit better.

Appreciate all the critiques.
Glenn said about 11 months ago

Glenn said:
cmeyers said:
Somaon said:Tried this one again, Took all the crits I got from everyone thank you, but wasn't good enough, it was rejected. Let me know what you guys think.

the biggest problem for me is the background texture. completely kills it and doesn't serve much purpose, and is cut off with a solid line in certain places.

This is the reason why I personally rejected it.

So would you suggest not have any texture to it at all?

I would lose the texture and try to fill up the space with another element
Somaon said about 11 months ago

Thanks I appreciate it.
Matt Borchert said about 11 months ago

Take out that background texture (it really doesn't add anything and takes a lot away), and try around with maybe some red highlights in the roses. If it doesn't look hot, ignore that. Check out how OBEY uses colors as I think the style of that piece fits nicely with Shepard's typical style.
xic said about 11 months ago

Somaon said:Tried this one again, Took all the crits I got from everyone thank you, but wasn't good enough, it was rejected. Let me know what you guys think.

fix the perspective of the head, don't be lazy and remove that grey background thing.

use the fix they gave you ( REDRAW THE WHOLE THING ) refrence from real flowers and mask, take time to study the mask. draw with light pencil,sometimes drawing infront of a screen isn't the best form of light so i suggest you draw in the day light so you can get some proper shading done actually print the refs so you wont have to go back to your pc.

great foundations lead to great things

if you got tracing paper ya should try out some different hairstyles, make use of your scanner and printer to complete this. Have fun.
Rehmsmeyer said about 11 months ago

Any ideas on what to add to my anchor design? I am considering a crest type, or should I just leave it as is?
Glenn said about 11 months ago

Craig Robson said:
Glenn said:Something I'm currently working on. Though I've been struggling a bit with the goat head. Any thoughts?

im getting two swans over a goats head, im guessing thats intentional but the overall shape of the swans detracts from the expected shape of the goat, a better balance is required, a little less swan, a little more goat?

Thanks for the feedback! i definitely agree about making a little less swan and more goat. I also changed the face of the goat, it was a bit too lion looking.

William Henry said about 11 months ago

Rehmsmeyer said:Any ideas on what to add to my anchor design? I am considering a crest type, or should I just leave it as is?

The scales should follow the contour of the anchor since the suction cups do.
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