The Graphics Rating Thread [READ THE FIRST POST. D:<]

[SwampertTrainer]

Opinion

I'm not looking for a rating for these, just an opinion as to which one I should use for the logo of my blog:
This one?

Or this one?

These one's are up for rating:

Also, can I request a desktop wallpaper? I'd like one a style similar to my signature featuring Crawdaunt, size 1024 x 768. Thanks

 

[Utami]

@SwampertTrainer
I think the 2nd one looks better.

The BMW one looks pretty nice. There's a very simple aesthetic and it works! My only critique would be that the icon looks a little choppy.

The second one needs some help though. The white is sort of blinding and the text isn't very readable. The text can easily be solved, just make it brighter. The white is a different story. I think it would probably be best to use a Clipping Mask on the white. Use the original picture and then move it around to see how it looks.

@El Capitano
Sorry evilcheese, but I disagree. I think it's fine with all the extra effects since it doesn't detract attention away from the focal (although on the first one, I got distracted by that strange crack on the left). It also helps with the flow. I do agree with the fact that you got some depth problems though, especially in the second one. The wireframes are the main culprit.

This is what caffine and lollipops do to my system.

 

[SwampertTrainer]

@SwampertTrainer
I think the 2nd one looks better.

The BMW one looks pretty nice. There's a very simple aesthetic and it works! My only critique would be that the icon looks a little choppy.

The second one needs some help though. The white is sort of blinding and the text isn't very readable. The text can easily be solved, just make it brighter. The white is a different story. I think it would probably be best to use a Clipping Mask on the white. Use the original picture and then move it around to see how it looks.

This is what caffine and lollipops do to my system.

Yeah, I was really unsure about the text to begin with =(
I'm not sure why the beamer logo did that- it was a perfect circle when I put it in, but when I shrunk it in Transform, it chopped off the sides a bit...

@Utami: I like this one, especially the text. The render is good. I like the right side of the banner more than the left- the left is a bit choppy around the laser effects. The effects around the render are probably the best aspects.

here's mine, I'm not too sure about this one. I have this feeling I could have done more on the render, although I like the lightning...

 

[RYOUKI]

SwampertTrainer: The banner is pretty well done but, I think it's pretty bland, and I think something is missing, but I don't know what...

Also, the black thingie on the back, is that supposed to be a border? because i think well, it's better if you put it on front of magnezone, well, that's just me though.

---

Anyways, I've finally got my Photoshop back, though I'm pretty sure no one cared, anyways, here's the outcome:

I'm pretty sure it's crappy, but meh, my work is always crappy.

EDIT: I made another one, another crappy anner:

 

[SwampertTrainer]

SwampertTrainer: The banner is pretty well done but, I think it's pretty bland, and I think something is missing, but I don't know what...

Also, the black thingie on the back, is that supposed to be a border? because i think well, it's better if you put it on front of magnezone, well, that's just me though.

I agree. I just couldn't think what that something was...

Anyways, I've finally got my Photoshop back, though I'm pretty sure no one cared, anyways, here's the outcome:

#1: This one's interesting, but far too complicated. You might wan't to try to simplify a bit. Excellent use of brushes (I'm assuming that's what you used). My only big complaint- I hate the text. For one thing, The top word is nearly impossible to read. Also, you really need to do a bit more with it than just applying the outer glow texture. Right click the layer and click "Rausterise type" and then try playing around with the doge and burn tool on it, maybe make some custom brushes.

#2: First things first, WAY too much sharpen on the Vaporeon. I cut that down to exactly the right amount using the Smart Sharpen filter.
The text it also looked like you used sharpen on for some reason, which I'm a bit confused about...
The sun is most definetely the best aspect of this banner- quite nice.

Here's mine. I can't say it's best I've ever done, but hey here it is:

 

[Zebra Thunderhead]

I don't have time to rate tags right now but I wanted to throw something up here to make my return, more official?

I have like 4 different versions of this tag but this is one the I like the most. I PROMISE TO CRITIQUE WHEN I RETURN TONIGHT!

 

[Comic Tragedy]

I'll just rate both.

SwampertTrainer: Great job with this one bud. Definately an improvement from you're usuals. WEl anyway I would like to see better lighting and depth in the banner. I think it would make it that much better. Other than that you are really doing a great job with all the other fields. The blending is good, and I actualy think you did a great job with the text. It is cool how it is sorta hidden in the grass......

Keep it up!

Color Me Evil: I love this stlye. The whole lala-land thing is really working for me. (kinda reminds me of some of Loki's banners) the bg is wonderful, and I love all the effects, accept for those wierd white splatter-like things in the top left corner. The depth is great, but you should soften the sharpening you made on the focal just a tad. The last thing I would like to comment on is the flow. Ther flow is really amazing in this tag. Not at all forced, or messy. Just clean, and composed.

Great opening tag CME keep it up.

Rate please....... This was my miss SOTW entry (I entered my own theme!) xD

Oh and just a heads up, besides the blended scanlines EVERYTHING is original pentoolin!

 

[SwampertTrainer]

Probably my favorite of yours, EC. You probably could have done a bit more filter-wise than just cutout. the combo of blur and the scribble are really nice. The background is apparent, but very simplistic and easy on the eyes. You may want to have continued it up into the top left a bit, though...

here's mine. If it's not too much to ask, I'd like them rated separately
If you want to know what the render is, click here>>

 

[Zebra Thunderhead]

@Swampert - They're both kinda lame. :\ There's not much depth, or much work put it into them, and the stocks are very well hidden. There's no flow or much artistic anything. Both need a lot of work.

Here's Capitano and I's collab. I tried to salvage the original colors as best as I could. D:

 

[Comic Tragedy]

Ok I can't really rate my own collab sooo...... I will post my own stuff!

 

[SwampertTrainer]

It's weird, I keep trying to post something, but it never shows up...

 

[Zebra Thunderhead]

Then why don't you critique our collab?

@Capitano - The first one is the nicer of the two. Although, I don't like the red orb you set to Lighten under her chin. It's too distracting. The tag seems washed out, so try adding some pop with a bit of B/C. The second one would be a lot nicer without the giant render sticking out behind him. The part in front is fine, but the one in back is really distracting.

 

[SwampertTrainer]

@El Capitano: Ok, I'll rate this one since I like it better =). I love the background for this one. The one problem is that the render behind the person looks good. But that's not the issue- the guy in front doesn't look good. It looks like a collage, which would look good if the rest of it looked similar. It doesn't. I'd suggest belding him a bit.
The text looks good, I like the effects. The image is defientely suiting if you just fix that one problem.
...oops. I guess I spent a little longer than CME on my rate. Can I still keep it up?

Here's my two:

Probably not my best, but I like the colours:

This one's a personal favorite:

 

[Hazuki]

SwampartTrainer:.... Great... more of the stuff I suck at doing at. xD; Um! Ok, first off the first one. Border wise, I think the widescreen borders is not necessary, I think regular borders will do fine. I like the coloring of the eye, it's pretty nice. The text is nice too, but I think I would like to see some more yellow because you already have green there, why not some yellow? And also, try to get better brushes because I'm just saying, default brushes suck, I'm sorry but they do. XD; Also try adding some more textures, no not C4Ds (why do people like those things anyways =/), just regular scratchy textures will do fine. I also suggest to read some tutorials regarding new adjustments layers, they will help I will tell you that.

The Umbreon one, well I can see you really like taking the original image and just pasting there. DO SOMETHING TO IT FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. Change the color, add the lighting, do some layer placements, do some adjustment layers. Yeah I know I sound like something tough, but trust me, they will help you improve in your graphics. Well I like the text placement, except the "fades to" is wierdly positioned in front of Umbreon, I think it can go a little to the right instead right in front of it... ^^; Also I can tell you just get stocks from somewhere and make them your background. You should try using brushes as your backgrounds for future work, just saying instead of stealing stocks from people that took their precious time to take a picture of that stock or whatever... ><

Third one.... I have no idea what that is... is it ok if I can skip that one since I suck at rating your style? I'll come back later if you want... =/

Banner

Features Kamui from X/1999.

Non-animated icons

(From left to right) Fai from Tsubasa Chronicles, Kamui from X/1999, Maka from Soul Eater, Soul from Soul Eater

Animated Icons:

Soul from Soul Eater I could do a Black Star one harhar :'D I didn't know which one was better... fast or slow... XD;

 

[Zebra Thunderhead]

why
does
nobody
rate
my stuff
>:

@Swampert - I second Hazuki's post.
@Hazuki - The tag is really bland. It looks like all you did is throw on that circle texture and write some stuff in cursive. Maybe you added those light blots but I don't know. It definitely needs a lot more pop though.

As for your icons, the last two remind me of my kind of style. xD
Mine:

lol all persona 3?

At any rate, they aren't too bad, but they're lacking in pop just as much as your tag. They're washed out. Don't be afraid to use Hue/Saturation. <: D

>:
rate
>:

 

[Loki]

I should be doing homework right now. <_<

Anyway, Color Me Evil, I like it... if we're just going by aesthetics. What I really hate about it are those big blobs of light that seem really concentrated. Like, they don't spread out evenly, and it just doesn't look right. The light streams are also really over done, and so basically, the light just buries the render. She like, disappears in the background. :|

I like the text- I'm a fan of those 'barely readable' things, and the font is definitely my fave font. ;D But um.

In general... I'm surprised that you and El Capitano didn't turn out something better, I guess. It's not a bad tag; it's great, and has both of your tastes in it, but it's like... two styles are fighting for attention, and it's not... working...?

I'm not really here for a rate, but I'll be a piss-off anyway and throw something at the next poster. xD!

Yeah. Crapped out colors. Score one point for Loki. <_<

 

[Zebra Thunderhead]

Well... I had received the PSD from Capitano and when I opened it, CS2 gave me some error about the stock and trust me, I tried to get rid of that blob up top, but when I removed those layers, half of her head was missing. ._. So I had to keep it. I took out most of the stuff that was in the original and it was all one shade of yellow/orange. I tried so hard to salvage it. D':

As for your tag Loki, it's not so bad except for that the music notes and lines are blurry. And I don't like how you reduced the opacity of the light blobs, either. I'd bring those back out to 100%. Light blobs never look good or right when their opacity is decreased. The background just needs a bit of sharpening but other than that it's not bad at all. And I'm not a big fan of the blobby render in front of her. Some more light blobs would look nice there, I think.

 

[SwampertTrainer]

Also I can tell you just get stocks from somewhere and make them your background. You should try using brushes as your backgrounds for future work, just saying instead of stealing stocks from people that took their precious time to take a picture of that stock or whatever... ><

Actually, that's a sunrise photo I took myself from my house. Here's the original:
https://attachments.wetpaintserv.us/di5U3My2BaCOaHFxGZRTdg==1190601

Also, since I'd REALLY like a rate on this one (one of my fav's), here it is again:

 

[Zebra Thunderhead]

@Swampert - You know, if you want your stuff rated, you have to rate other people's stuff.

I'm not exactly sure what the stocks are, but the whole tag is monotone in that gray/brown scheme. I've noticed that with your tags, you seem to stick to a 1-2 color combination and it rarely ever works. I agree with Hazuki, you really need to stop using just regular old pictures as your background. Tags have a lot more personality and meaning when you make the background yourself. And you use the same font in a lot of your tags, so go to dafont.com and download some. And I don't really like how the "i" is brown, it's too distracting. I'd say by now it's time to go to dA and look up some tag tuts so you don't use the same style in every one, because it gets boring fast.

Now, here's mine:

It's not my favorite. But I made a tutorial too, in the thread for tutorials here.

 

[THIRTY-SIX]

You made the colours drown out part of the depth.
The type layout needs work too.
Colouring needs work too.
Make a tut on your current. xP