Forum Banner Challenge

[Nikki]

Hi guys :)

It's back! The forum banner challenge!

So if anyone wants to try their hand at banner for any one of the styles (selectable at the bottom of the page or in the User CP) then they can post them here.

Rules
- Please note the size should be 750x150
- Colour should be consistent with the colours in the style
- Buffy Forums should be somewhere on the banner
- Deadline is the 13th October

You can use any shows/characters you please and I will put a link to your website/LJ if your banner ends up on the top of the forum.

You don't need to make a banner for the Secretive style set as that one will remain bannerless.

If you could post your banners in here saying which style it is for.

Please note: I will only put forward banners to the poll that I believe are good enough to be on the top of the forum. If one style has only 1 or 2 banners that I think are good enough there will be no poll and the current banner will remain until the next challenge. This is so the quality of art displayed at the top of the forum is maintained. :)

Any questions please PM so this thread is for entries only!

[LRae12]

yay! I've been waiting for this challenge to start again :2party:

Here are two so far:

Chestnut:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/LRae12/chestnut.jpg



Green:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/LRae12/green.jpg

[TheCharmed1]

Yes this time again!!! I have been waiting ages for this.

Default -
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/Louise91/supernaturaldefaultbannerforthec-1.png
Link to veiw on photo bucket ^ (http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/Louise91/supernaturaldefaultbannerforthec-1.png)


Chestnut -
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/Louise91/onebighappyfamilybannerchestnut-1.png
Link to veiw on photo bucket ^ (http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/Louise91/onebighappyfamilybannerchestnut-1.png)

Green -
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/Louise91/greenbanner3-1.png
Link to veiw on photo bucket ^ (http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/Louise91/greenbanner3-1.png)


Blue -
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/Louise91/baseforbanner3-1.png
Link to veiw on photo bucket ^ (http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/Louise91/baseforbanner3-1.png)

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/Louise91/defaultbannerforthechallengechanged.psd.png
Link to veiw on photo bucket ^ (http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/Louise91/defaultbannerforthechallengechanged.psd.png)

Black-

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/Louise91/blckbufffbanner.png
Link to veiw on photo bucket ^ (http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/Louise91/blckbufffbanner.png)
EDIT:

Also I have put the links to view the banners on photobucket in case you can't view them on this post. I know I can't at college but I think it might just be this computer. But if any one would like to view my banners on Photo bucket then click the link below the banner.

[Peace]

My entry.

Chestnut
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa52/touched_bangel2/chestnut.jpg

[LRae12]

Default:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/LRae12/Default.jpg


Black:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/LRae12/blackmerged6.jpg

[Vicky]

^wow there is some really nice banners guys! :):):):):

Black-

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/Louise91/bannerthreebetter.png
link incase the picture dosen't load (http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/Louise91/bannerthreebetter.png)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/spelled/bannerseeven.png
link incase the picture dosen't load (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/spelled/bannerseeven.png)

default-

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/spelled/bannerfivepsd.png
link incase image dosen't load (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/spelled/bannerfivepsd.png)

Blue-
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/spelled/2ndattemptchesbanner.png
link incase the picture dosen't load (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/spelled/2ndattemptchesbanner.png)

chesnut-

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/spelled/JaredBanner.psd.png
link incase the picture dosen't load (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/spelled/JaredBanner.psd.png)

and another chesnut-

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/spelled/bannerfour.png
link incase the picture dosen't load (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/spelled/bannerfour.png)

Green
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/spelled/bannersixrewrite.png
link incase the picture dosen't load (http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a172/spelled/bannersixrewrite.png)

[Sebina]

My Entry

For the Chestnut style

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t50/Binec2/FBCH1.jpg

[~*Marilyne*~]

Pretty cool challenge ! :) Here are some entries :

Chestnut
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa75/Marilyne_22/chestnut.jpg

Green
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa75/Marilyne_22/green.jpg

you didn't mention credits, but if you want them just ask ;)

[Jenni Lou]

For the green. I tried to make it match as best as possible. I think it worked.

http://black-celebration.net/1/bfnbanner.jpg

[Sebina]

My Entry

For the Blue Style
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t50/Binec2/FBCH2.jpg

[SaltyGoodness]

Wow - there are some lovely entries here! I have been procrastinating from doing a rather large essay by making some art...here's my entry for the default:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/odelias/BtVS%20and%20AtS%20Art/Banners/BWSept07.jpg

[LRae12]

Blue:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/LRae12/bluepop8.jpg

[Bre]

Blue Style:
http://infiniteillusion.primordialsouls.com/random/bf_blue.png

Green Style:
http://infiniteillusion.primordialsouls.com/random/bf_green.png

Black Style:
http://infiniteillusion.primordialsouls.com/random/bf_black.png

[alexa]

Everyone's entries look great, jeez lota Supernatural fans.. I haven't seen it yet.
Was playing around with some pics from Chosen, so just whipped this up for Blue style

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/kangarulz/chosenbanner.jpg

[LRae12]

Another for Black:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/LRae12/black1.jpg

[alexa]

Here's one for Default:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/kangarulz/buffybanner.jpg

[Sebina]

My Entry

For the Black Style

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t50/Binec2/FBCH3.jpg

[Francy]

For the Black Style
Hope it fits...

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/francescam79/bannermisto7copy.jpg

[Linda]

Here's my entry..

Chestnut:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/charmed_shows/chestnut.jpg

[Pandora's_Box]

Default:
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/panbox002/panbox_buffywall_01/bandefault2.jpg

Green:
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/panbox002/panbox_buffywall_01/bangreen2.jpg

Blue:
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/panbox002/panbox_buffywall_01/banblue2.jpg

Chestnut
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/panbox002/panbox_buffywall_01/banchestnut2.jpg

Black:
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/panbox002/panbox_buffywall_01/sign3.jpg

[wenj]

Default:

http://blacklagoon.ohstatic.net/temp/bwbanner_default.jpg

[debbiefm]

Never did a banner before so here goes:

Black
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h54/debbiefm1172/banner2.jpg

Chestnut
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h54/debbiefm1172/chestnut-1.jpg

[LRae12]

Black:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/LRae12/black1-1.jpg

[BlasterBoy]

Finally have time to make some....

Default:

http://differentdimensions.taste-of-honey.net/art/banners/buffyforumsbanner1.jpg

Blue:

http://differentdimensions.taste-of-honey.net/art/banners/buffyforumsbanner2.jpg

Green:

http://differentdimensions.taste-of-honey.net/art/banners/buffyforumsbanner3.jpg

More coming soon :)

[debbiefm]

Another black one. Well black is my favourite colour.:)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h54/debbiefm1172/black2.jpg

[SaltyGoodness]

Chestnut:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/odelias/BtVS%20and%20AtS%20Art/Banners/BFOct07Ches6.jpg

[Alucard]

Blue

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v143/infernal_vampyr/BuffyForumsBluecopy-1.jpg

[debbiefm]

One more

For the Blue or Default. Leave it up to Nikki:)
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h54/debbiefm1172/blue.jpg

[SaltyGoodness]

Black:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/odelias/BtVS%20and%20AtS%20Art/Banners/BFOct07Blk.jpg

[Sebina]

For the Green Style

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t50/Binec2/FBCH4.jpg

[little albatross]

Default (it works for blue as well, except the border clashes a little. It looks better on default, so default it is! :))
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/secretidentitygal/bfblue.jpg
(alt. link (http://adventurous.all-thats-left.net/bf/bfblue.jpg))

[LRae12]

Another Default...wasn't planning on using this for a banner, but made it for another challenge and decided to change it around a bit to fit here as well...:)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/LRae12/transitionbannerchestnut8.jpg

[~*Marilyne*~]

This is for the Black style :)
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa75/Marilyne_22/black.jpg

[holypotatoes]

Okay this is the 1st time I've ever made these so here we go....

For Chestnut:

129

These 2 are slightly different but they're for either the Default or Blue maybe even the Black:

130

131

[ciderdrinker]

First entry - I think it'll fit better with the Green style more than anything else

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r191/ciderdrinker/GreenBanner.jpg

Second Entry for the Black style:-

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r191/ciderdrinker/BlackBanner-1.jpg

(I was going for a girls versus the guys sorta theme, with the guys all moody and manly and the girls all pouty and sexy!)

Awesome entries everyone!

[amy1234]

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd25/Amy92album/creambanner.jpg
Chestnut
1st Entry

[Spillow]

My art is a little rusty, but here's my entry!

#1 - Chestnut

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8231/chestnutic7.gif

[alexa]

Thought we needed more comic banners so I just whipped up this one for green..

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/kangarulz/greenbuffy.jpg

[holypotatoes]

I have another one for Black:

133


By the way I feel really stupid for putting mine on here as attachments because they don't look right when you click on them but I don't have my own website or a photobucket account so please just bare with me. All of your banners are looking awesome you guys! :thumbup:

[ciderdrinker]

Another one this time for the Chestnut theme:-

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r191/ciderdrinker/ChestnutBanner2.jpg

[Signe]

OK, so here are my entries...

Default:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Pigneso/default1.jpg
Images are from: SlayerVerse, Misplaced, Last Beautiful Girl and Daydreaming.
All other resources are mine ;)

Green:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Pigneso/green2.jpg
Images: Daydreaming
All other resources are (agin) mine...

I tried to get the colours to match. Also, I know Grey's isn't that big here, but I hope that's just a matter of time, hihi.

[Jenni Lou]

Oops. Looks like the deadline is up. The banner contest is now closed for entries and Nikki will review the entires and set up polls--if needed--when she gets the opportunity.

[Nikki]

A few people have asked me about this recently and in all honestly I've been putting it off.

I wanted to get at least 4 high quality banners for each style to make a poll from and unfortunately there just aren’t enough in this challenge. A lot of people who entered great banners last time didn’t enter this time so that has brought the standard down.

There are a few very nice banners but maybe one for each style. There are either two options. I do a change for the banners I think are the best for each style or we hang on to all these entries for another few months in the hope of getting more entries.

If we don't get any more over time I will not continue running this challenge. I don't think it's fair when people spend time on banners for them not to go through to voting, I hate telling people that but I won't put a low standard banner on this forum.

[KingofCretins]

Since I'm not a fanartist, I vote for just general sense of fitting the community and the forum and so on, and probably less on the technical merits, since I don't understand the technical merits beyond "wow, that looks cool."

I'm in favor of you just deciding what you think is best, to be honest. I refer you to your own usertitle :) But would there be an appropriate forum to offer opinions on which people think are the best ones or reasons why you should go with one over another?

[Nikki]

Well the deal was I would pick the banners that are good enough to go on the forum and then there would be a poll so the members could decide. But if I only think 1 or 2 are good enough it's not so much a poll as my decision!!

But if you all look at the banners we currently have on forum and then compare them to the entries you should be able to see the standard above which I'm looking for. It's probably the most standout thing on any forum, the banner.

[KingofCretins]

Ah. I gotcha. I guess my only hope would be that you err on the side of including a banner for consideration if it may not be technically superior work but has a basic premise that suits the place.

[Ehlwyen]

Ah. I gotcha. I guess my only hope would be that you err on the side of including a banner for consideration if it may not be technically superior work but has a basic premise that suits the place.

Uhhh...I think pretty much everyone did a piece that fits our forum. That's just the first requirement.

Besides a Buffy fandom forum, our other greatest value is the high quality fanart community. Obviously some of us have been around for years and don't have the time to make banners for every round. But we are here and there is no reason to promote BuffyForums as anything less than the extraordinary fanart community we are.

I have never stumbled upon a fandom art board that has anything near the quality we have here. Not to mention our willingness to help newer members.

Most other boards I frequent will only commission a standout artist of their forum to make the banners or just have a contest every year or so.

We love new artists and helping them become better, but we are about quality and we want to show newcomers to this forum what they might be able to achieve if they stick around this place.

The banner challenge is not a feelgood contest designed to boost morale. Its purpose is to impress people when they enter the forum. Competition can breed unexpected quality out of anyone which is why Nikki typically doesn't just ask certain members to make a banner.

Fanart feedback has been down. So I don't know if there is real reason to create a banner thread to get tips. And to ask Nikki to feedback everyone is too much to ask. Besides, if she was to give tips on what she knows she likes, she may accidentally persuade another person reading the thread from creating a design that she doesn't yet know she likes.

[Jenni Lou]

Nikki, I am fine with you choosing some, if you feel so inclined.

And I concur, I won't browse around a fandom forum if it doesn't have an excellent header image. It just makes it look unprofessional.

And honestly, I think the problem with most of the entires isn't actual technique more so than it is color. A lot of them just don't match the styles. So that is something for people who decide to enter banners should be aware of. For example, the green theme is not green. It's much softer. Same goes for the blue. I don't know if perhaps some of the folks were not aware of this. But changing the forum style in your user cp while you work on your banner could really help! :)

Anyway, there were some lovely entries. Whatever you decide is fine with me, Nikki! :)

[Ehlwyen]

That's an excellent point about color Jenni Lou! :xd

Whenever I make a forum banner I take a screencap of the website. In my art program, I will then place my constructed banner over the spot where the current banner is. This allows me to get an idea of color as well as a visual flow of how the banner design works with the forum.

[Rosely]

Isn't this the exact reason why we stopped having banner contests ever so often anyway?
After one or two rounds, the animo is gone...

And personally I'm happy with the banners we have....

However, Nikki, I think it's fine that you would choose them. Go ahead, you've got my trust :)

[Pandora's_Box]

Okay, I might have an idea, it would last two weeks.

First Week, Nikki do a poll with the entries (hoping it's not too much work for her). There will be 5 winners, one for each style.

Second Week, the five winners defy the five actual banners...

So what do you think of it?
Cause honestly I've seen some really kickin' banners.

[galathea]

That's an excellent point about color Jenni Lou! :xd

Whenever I make a forum banner I take a screencap of the website. In my art program, I will then place my constructed banner over the spot where the current banner is. This allows me to get an idea of color as well as a visual flow of how the banner design works with the forum. Yeah I do that as well. As a tip maybe for other artists, in order to make a banner match the style, I usually take a screenshot from the page in that style, import it into PS and then create a couple of gradients picked from the style screen and use them on the banner. That usually gives excellent colour results. ;)

[LRae12]

Well, if there's not enough for some of the colors, why not do a poll for the others? Because I only see 2 that are actually lacking - the other 3 seem to have quite a few very nice banners...???

[Vicky]

oh wow, i thought their were plenty of great banners. i know the banner HAS to be good quality as thats what people make the first impression of the forum on, but as like most people i don't know what technicaly works and just i go on what looks nice, and plenty og them looked nice.

i'm just a bit disapointed because their are only a handful of artists good enough to get their banner up, and i don't think i will ever be one of them. then again thats the whole spirit of a competetion.

[Nikki]

I think a good way to go forward would be for those who feel they want some feedback to post their banner in here and ask for some pointers.

A lot of what I noticed about the banners was as Lyn and Jenni Lou mentioned, the colours don't exactly match the forum colours. Also the images have to be good quality, well blended and more importantly they have to feel like they belong with the other images. This means everything down to the shadows on faces being correct for each image, and the colour and brightness.

I do honestly suggest people look hard at the banners on our current styles because they are amazing, not only does it match colour wise, but it looks like all those people stood in that position for one photo, a perfect advertisement for BuffyForums :)

But I'm happy to offer anyone feedback on their banner. I'm sure my other mods and maybe some of the members who have their banners on the forum now will also be happy to help if they have time. We do want to encourage growth here but we all agree the standard has to be high for this :)

[Peace]

Okay, I don't get this... Will you change the current old banners? Or they are going to stay there forever? Because personally I'm very tired of all them.
But hey, that's just my POV.
Nevermind.

[Jenni Lou]

I'm not really tired of them myself. I don't even pay attention to the banner at the top, to be honest. Personally, I would be fine with no banner at all on the chestnut style! :p I just love the sleekness of Chestnut, it does not compare tot he secretative style! But, yeah. I actually find the banner an annoyance. It's totally pretty and I voted for it but sometimes I end up clicking on it on accident and wind up on Chris's site. :lol: It happens rather often actually. :p

[debbiefm]

I don't even pay attention to the banner at the top, to be honest. :p

I'm the same. I've always kept the default style...not really for any particular reason other than I find it easier to read (getting on a bit). I get what Nikki is saying about maintaining the quality of the banners and using them to illustrate the quality of the art on the forums but people have a least made an effort to contribute to this challenge and I think it would be a good idea to at least acknowledge this in some way. As to how this happens I don't know but Pandora's Box's idea sounds good to me.

oh wow, i thought their were plenty of great banners.
i'm just a bit disapointed because their are only a handful of artists good enough to get their banner up, and i don't think i will ever be one of them. then again thats the whole spirit of a competetion.

Yeah I agree with Vicky. Most of us on here are just learning and feeling our way around. I don't know if this issue will ever be resolved but I enjoyed entering anyway:)

[BlasterBoy]

Yeah, I thought there were some pretty high quality banners entered :s But, I don't really care if we keep these banners for awhile, but I'd like a change by January, at least, imo.

[ciderdrinker]

I have to say I'm sad that there wasn't enough entries that were of a high enough standard to have a poll for them - I really enjoyed watching how the votes were going on the last banner challenge.

Still not to be downhearted, I agree about the quality must be upheld to keep the forum looking as proffessional as it is run, and that's a good incentive to all us fanartists to keep pushing our limits.

As far as my entries are concerned anyone who wishes to feedback them I would be more than happy to receive it. Like wise if anyone else wishes feedback on their entries I would be delighted to return it.

[Veverka]

Since we're all offering our 2c worth, I'll add mine- I, too, am thoroughly sick of the banners we have, to the point that I change my colour scheme every other day, when I know I prefer chestnut. (Except at work... when it's secretive :( )

I think if even there are only two banners the top artists deem as good enough, we should vote between those two... or if there's just one, change it to that one...

[Zugma]

How about making polls and including in them both the new banners entered this round and those that are up at the moment? Then, if a new entry wins in its style category, it goes up; if an old banner wins, it just stays intact.

This way we could have more HQ banners to choose from, and at the same time give a chance to those who entered their work this round. Just a thought :)

[Signe]

How about making polls and including in them both the new banners entered this round and those that are up at the moment? Then, if a new entry wins in its style category, it goes up; if an old banner wins, it just stays intact.

I'm with Zugma on this, I actually thought of it as well... It seems like a good idea, you get more "options" and the high quality, win-win situation ;)

[Obsessed]

I agree with Zumga. This is a very good idea. This way high quality banners are up either way.

[Pandora's_Box]

Yeah, pretty much the idea I posted but simpler...
I'm also kinda tired of these banners, not because they're not pretty but because I'm looking at them since like 5 months now...
So I'm with Zugma here...

[LRae12]

Oh, I think Zugma's idea is a great one...and that way nobody feels insulted that their banner wasn't deemed that of a high enough standard...;)

[alexa]

I think any kind of art is largely a matter of taste, and I actually don't really 'love' any of the current banners... I like Chestnut except, not all of the girls in the banner :p I liked a lot of the new banners, and being a designer like prolly other fan artists here, everyone knows that an image revamp is always a good thing. But yeah, anyways Zugma's idea was pretty good to.:)

[Bre]

To be honest, I could give a flying rat's patooty what the banner is. Like Jenni Lou, I don't really pay attention to them because right when it uploads, I just press the page down button and it's flashed for maybe two seconds. That being said, I would agree in keeping the forum quality up. True, there were very creative and lovely entries, but out of all of them, for me personally, I would have chosen maybe two that I would consider for being the top banner, at least matching the banners that we currently have.

The nice thing about these polls/challenges/forum is you get to see where you're evolving. It's true that there are a great many people who are still new, who are still floating around in the shadows, but with this forum you get the chance to grow in your efforts and get feedback and pointers and become the high quality awesomeness that is Buffy Forums.

And after blabbing, going with Zugma's idea. Me likey, that way we get the choice, more choices and a chance to have everyone put their word in. :D

[Nikki]

I did think about doing what Zugma suggested but people won't vote for banners they are bored off and that still leaves me with a poll for I think 2 for default, 2 for green, 1 for Chestnut and nothing for black and 1 for blue.. that's no poll.

I feel very trapped by all this. I knew that having banner challenges once a year would result in the quality of entries dropping and therefore the standard on the top of the forum, but with this being a new place I want members to feel they can volunteer ideas for changes/making it better etc.

I'm sorry if people are bored of the banner at the top of the forum, but actually if you look around other places they have banners that never change or maybe once a year. I will not lower the standard so people don't get bored of them.

Tonight I will change the banners on the default and 1 other style that I feel is good enough and the others will stay the same. I think 2 new banners should be good enough. Then I hold a banner challenge in May and hopefully more artists will be able to enter.

I'm sorry if people think it's harsh I make this decision and I know a lot of people put a lot of work into their banners, but as everyone has said, lowering the quality doesn't not make this place appealing to visitors.

[LRae12]

wow, I find that really....strange. I thought black and chestnut had the most number of high quality entries....one man's junk is another's treasure and all....it didn't seem to be a problem 5-6 months ago with the first challenge trusting the community to vote for the higher quality banners....you should just do away with the challenge for all of time then...because this is just rude.

[Veverka]

I agree with you Laurie.

I also find it really sad. I find it sad that members that have made some hot banners are deemed 'not good enough' and also that those of us who are 'just looking at the banners' must be doing it wrong, since it would appear that many of us do like many of the banners offered...

Why not use the banners that members offered last time to choose between, then? There were about a zillion then.

I appreciate that this fanart community has a lot to offer newbies like myself who have much to learn about the intricacies of making programs like PS do what you want them to do. On the other hand, we're a fan forum, not a digital art school! Right?

[Pandora's_Box]

wow, I find that really....strange. I thought black and chestnut had the most number of high quality entries....one man's junk is another's treasure and all....it didn't seem to be a problem 5-6 months ago with the first challenge trusting the community to vote for the higher quality banners....you should just do away with the challenge for all of time then...because this is just rude.

I'm sorry Nikki but I completey agree with what Laurie said. It's gonna sound cheesy but I think "The community should decide what's best for the community", I mean we do want the most beatiful banners as well.

[Risa]

I didn't even attempt to enter this contest but many others did. I have to agree with the other members of this community and say that we should vote. The entries were beautiful and are definitely good enough to be be on the top of this forum. Not to sound rude, but the fanartists make up this community..they are the reason this forum lives and breathes. Give us all a chance to pick what we think should represent this forum..please.

[TheCharmed1]

I really hope the banner challenge goes ahead, a lot of people have put a lot of effort into their banners this time and I think every banner disserves a chance to be at the top of the forum. I know you want to keep standards high but I am sure people will not vote any thing really awful to be at the top of the forum, even if people are just voting one "oh that looks nice" I am sure the best banners will be chosen.

[Signe]

OK, so I'm on Nikki's side. She is "The Queen of the Realm" and I trust her to do what's best for the community. There really weren't that many entries and in the rules (first post) she did state that she'd only have a vote if there were enough entries. That said, a lot of people have said that they are tired of the urrent banners. Nikki's choise is a logical one, the HQ stays and some new banners will be up.

[Ehlwyen]

I think each artist put a lot of time into making their banner and would more appreciate comments on why you liked their banner rather than an argument on whether there is a poll or not.

There may only be one banner that wins a spot on top, but everyone has a good time and feels recognized if a member takes a few minutes of their time to say why they liked their banner even if it wasn't the best.

That's what the community is about. And that's the main reason why this thread was open.

Anyone can give feedback or comments. If you have enough of an opinion to vote in a poll then you have enough of an opinion to post a comment about what you like or didn't like about a banner. Honesty is the only way to improve and I think all artists appreciate it. :D

[Jenni Lou]

This might be OUR--as in every member's-- forum but Nikki is the one who pays for it, maintains it and she is ultimately the final decision maker.

I don't find her choice to be rude at all. She clearly stated in the first post that she would only hold a poll if there were enough entries of a high enough standard. She isn't saying our entries suck. She just wants them to be as superior as possible because they are the first thing a guest and new member see. If it doesn't look professional, people won't want to stay and look around. Simple as that.

As for last round? There was a lot of entries and excitement surrounding it. A lot of the banners weren't up to standards either but the forum needed something to start off with. But there were LOTS of entries. Not so much this time. That's why Nikki didn't even wanted to run this challenge at this point. And now I am sure she wishes she didn't because of all the drama it has caused.

Look, no one should be offended. Personally, I hated my own entry and don't think it is good enough. But if we don't have as professional looking a site as possible than we lose potential new members and the ability for the forum to grow even more.

Just my two cents.

[Nikki]

Ok I've changed the banners on the green and blue styles. Congratulations to Signe and JJ :)

I'll leave this open incase anyone actually wants feedback on their banners. I want to encourage this as I do love watching artists grow, I just hope you can all understand that image is the most important thing for a new forum :)

Oh if anyone wants private feedback feel free to PM me, and I'm sure Jenni Lou and Lyn will offer some if you want their opinions :)

[KingofCretins]

My feedback is that I really like LRae's black banner and how she used the always-travelling comic title as the URL for the site. I also really like ciderdrinker's chestnut banner, which I think really gets a lot of good out of the Season 8 environment and Georges Jeanty's art.

[little albatross]

Whoa, really? Thanks Nikki!

And I agree with Lyn that as a fanartist, I always appreciate some real feedback. I prefer to know what people individually like or don't like than an anonymous poll ;) Also, I think there was mention of comments possibly swaying people into making banners less in their personal style to something that they know other people like and I hope that's not the case with banners or fanart in general, because it seems less personal that way :/ And you could always blow everyone away with something completely new!

Anywiggle, I really liked Marilyne's black banner, though it was pretty dark for my taste...as is the black style altogether, now that I think about it :) I'd love something like that as a wallpaper from her. But it feels a little more haunting than welcoming, for me at least.

[LRae12]

Well, if I'd had the chance to vote I would have chosen:

wenj's default with Angel, Buffy, Tru, and Sam and Dean
Marilyne's green with Sam and Dean
kanga's blue with the Chosen scene
And a toss up between Salty Goodness's Firefly and amy123's Scoobies for the Chestnut
There were so many pretty black banners - I'd of had a hard time deciding...but I loved Bre's Bangel and Francy's Heroes very much.


All were superb, matched the skin colors perfectly, blended well, and were artistically appealing. All of you created beautiful banners that were of very high quality IMO and all would have looked beautiful on top of the forum. Congratulations on a job very well done. :)

Kanga, I really loved the banner you made for default...but I think it would have looked better with the chestnut coloring...but it was totally gorgeous! :thud:

Bre - your Cordy banner was exquisitie as well...;)

[ciderdrinker]

Thanks KofC for your comments.

So my faves were:- (in no particular order)

Peace's Chestnut (beautiful images and colouring)
Salty Goodness's Black (Angel themed and lovely placement)
Bre's green (pretty use of light and surly poses)
Vicky's Chestnut (Dean and the flashlight - I love the "looking for" theme)
LRae's Default (with Buffy throughout the years - great concept)
Marilyne's Black (with the eyes - spooky but original)

I think that Nikki has made the right decision - even if the two she has chosen aren't necessarily my favourites, they fit very well with the colouring and do look very professional, so congratulations to JJ and Signe.

I hope that the banner challenges will continue, even if the are less regular or last longer to allow more entries. I enjoyed taking part and would love to try again another time.

[Signe]

Ooh, cool :D Thanks!

Anyway, I agree with ciderdrinker, banner challenges are fun, so I too hope there will be more of them - even if they're not very often or even regular. Furthermore, as stated by many before me - real feedback is always nice because it can help you evolve and who here doesn't want that?

[Ehlwyen]

Oh if anyone wants private feedback feel free to PM me, and I'm sure Jenni Lou and Lyn will offer some if you want their opinions :)

If anyone EVER wants serious thoughts and critiques or tips on improving fanart whether a wall or a banner, just pm me.

Congratulations to JJ and Signe! Okay just a few that grabbed my eye.

Marilyne all your banners were utterly gorgeous. The green SN particularly stole my heart. I loved the dusty coloring, the perspective of them looking down, and the bright white light filtering behind them. I love all the different elements at play which kept my eyes interested yet not wild enough to be distracting.

Your chestnut one had gorgeous coloring and lightness as well. I love the vertical strips and intricate pattern paired with the smoothness of everything else.

JJ - I loved your banner, partly because it has Kara on it to give it a fun nature along with all the dots and textures. I also love KB's smirk there. Great pic selection. The coloring is also strangely unique with the smoldering crimson and hazy blue. awesome! :heart:

wenj - gorgeous coloring! :heart: I loved this to bits. I think effects got too strong on the smaller pics of the Winchesters and particularly Tru. But other than that I loved the free design of this. :heart:

debbiefm - I really like your design with how you chose to use a range of different sized pictures of Buffy. It makes the banner feel more alive and dynamic. I love how you did the Buffyforums text and the little dotted design. The coloring is pretty on its own but for the forum banner it is not assertive enough. Brightening the brights and darkening the darks would make this banner demand attention. If you want tips, let me know.

A good tip for anyone is that a border can add a lot to a forum banner here. The banner is something special and is surrounded by all that solid color. Frame it! and say this is something special and separate. :D

Other tips: Make the title Buffyforums stand out or at least be clearly readable.

Use HQ photos unless you are good at making screencaps sharp. A great trick is to duplicate the piece, sharpen the duplicate layer, then erase away bits revealing the smoother portion below.

Don't make your pictures too small either. You want the banner to demand attention, not give the viewer eyestrain trying to figure out what it is of.

Up the contrasting nature of lights and darks so the piece doesn't seem murky or faded.

These are all things that you learn with time. No one is born with this knowledge. You just have to take time to think about how the presentation grabs a viewer who has never seen the banner.

[alexa]

Ok little weird of a decision, but it's Nikki's forum and I really understand how crazy banner challenges get on other sites I've been involved with running.. had some peeps join up as diff names to vote for themselves, but anyway :p

I wanted to give some feedback to my favs because people do take time out of their day to make stuff.. although granted I took about 10mins.. and was a bit lazy with mine ;)

And thanks for the kind comments LRae :heart:

LRae's Supernatural banner is professional looking to me, just as much or more then what is current. Although looks more like a style for black.
Peace's chestnut. Beautiful
Marilyne's supernatural... perfect.. Partly responsible for me checking out the show ;)
ciderdrinker's girls.. and comic one. You're so talented, these are gorgeous.
little albatros default.. very cool and current, Love it.
wenj's .. kind of perfect.. dont think id change a thing. You have a great eye for setting.

[Risa]

First of all, congrats to those that won.
Next is feedback...
Peace-Your chestnut entry is beautiful. I was actually looking forward to that winning so I could have it at the top of my screen. It was well made and I think the text fit it nicely.
Marilyne-Your green entry was very appealing to look at. The text on it was the best. Cute idea...get sexy...hehehe.
SaltyGoodness-I was really hoping to see your defualt banner on the top. I loved it. Its got such a fun happy feel to it. And it the style rocks. It says..Buffyforums...fun with a touch of talent. Your chestnut piece was also amazing. Its nice and simiple, yet it catches the eye.
Francy-I like the idea for your black entry. Meet your heroes. It was nice touch. It looks really to me and the use of textures and brushes was well done.
LRae12- All your entries rock, my friend. The one that cathes my eye the most is your entry for the black. I love the comic book style. You pieced it together very nicely. GOod JOb!
Alucard-Battlestar!!!! Nice blue entry. I think the purplish color in the corner would keep this from being a blue header, but the banner does look awesome. And its refreshing to see a different show. The font works for it. BTW, I like your avie...looks cool.
Ciderdrinker-Your black entry is soft and feminine. I think it should have been a bit blacker for the category, but it still looks good. I can't begin to imagine how you made them look so sultry yet soft. Keep up the good work.
Signe-Crisp clear and put together nicely. You merged the pics skillfully and the pieces look very professional. It shows off your talent without being overly flashy. Congrats on your green piece winning...though I'm not a fan of Grey's Anatomy. *thumbs up*
Well thats all folks. Good job to all that entered. All your pieces rocked!!!

[EndersWrath]

Congrats to J.j and Signe! I love them both! I keep switching between the two :roll: I love me some Greys and I love the blue style setup and the mega hawtness of the banner.

Though I am kinda surprised that Marilyne's black one didn't go up. I really loved how dark it was and how the pic matched to mood of the color ... or rather shade. I really wanted this one up there :lol:

[TheCharmed1]

I am quite up set that we didn't get a vote on this, don't get me wrong I do like the banners Nikki has chosen they are really beautiful but I think that the people should have had at least a poll.

OK, so I'm on Nikki's side. She is "The Queen of the Realm" and I trust her to do what's best for the community.

I know that Nikki works hard for this forum, but us the people work hard here too, we respond to posts have debates and keep this place alive. So I think it is only right that we have some say too.


As for last round? There was a lot of entries and excitement surrounding it. A lot of the banners weren't up to standards either but the forum needed something to start off with.

What your saying about last time was right, there were some banners better than others but we all chose great "high quality" banners last time, why can’t we be trusted to do the same again?

Any way that’s all I am going to say on the matter, I just wanted to get my point across. I do really like the banners Nikki has chosen, I just wish there could be a few more new banners up there.

[digitalMindy]

I for one was really looking forward to seeing LRae12's black banner (with comic Buffy and Xander) at the top of my homepage. I love the repeated images and that the bfn is on Xander's arm patch. I'm actually surprised Nikki didn't change the black banner because the one that is currently up does not meet the standards of this forum imo.
Jenni Lou's entry for green was my fave for the green but I think that it would have worked on the blue or default styles as well. I love the candidness of it.
ciderdrinker's chestnut entry was the best for that scheme and would have won my vote. I think that the texture over the faces was a little strong but other than that it was a pretty decent entry.
Signe default entry was all win for me.
The only entry that even piqued my interest for the blue scheme was LRae12's GA entry. But I thought the text didn't match up so well.

I didn't enter this round because my life is made of chaos right now. But I'm working on some entries for the next round (whenever that might be).