Wallpapers HELP!

I need advice!

from WinCustomize Forums

   I have been trying to create some wallpapers lately. I am not shure why but the moderators havnt excepted them for the main gallery. Here is the last one that I created.  In my opinion it is really cool but I know that everyone has different Opinions and different taste. Common colors that could be used with many Blinds and these colors are very popular. That is why I chose them.

   It is a little busy and wont work with normal default desktop icons. This I do know and I also know that moderation wont exept walls that . And I didnt really work that hard on it? This wall accually was a distorted image of the original image I made which is this- I opened it with Irfanview and went into the effects and Added Swirl and It turned out to be the Above. The original image was 1024x768 but i added 3 resolutions which where resolutions recomended by someone so that the wall would work on most screen. I included widescreen as one. One porblem was that I was scaleing the image from the smaller to bigger so of course the added resolutions wouldnt be as good quality as the original for people with HUGE screen. If you know what I mean. In order to add the additional resolutions I had to cut the sphere from the middle out of the picture and scale the rest to the resolution and Then pase the sphere back onto the wall resizeing the Sphere to cover the whitel egg shaped Hole. The other resolutions turned out almost as good as the original.

My reason for this post is this... What would you think I could do in the future to make better walls that would be accepted into the main gallery. What do you think went wrong(besides the fact that I didnt start with a larger Image and then scale it to the other resolutions. Is it too busy is I just completely ugly....? You can be honest. I think it is cool but I made it and of course one would love something they made. I was really proud of my self for accomplishing something that I didnt think i could ever accomlish. I was upset about it and very hurt that it didnt get accepted and decided to give up. But I talked to zubaz about it and he pointed out that just becuase they didnt like it that doesnt mean it wasnt good. I will not give up because as zubaz also pointed out to me, by doing this no one wins.

So wallpaper makers help me out. Any advice critique good or bad anything would help. I want to eventually get into every gallery and Walls is one. I am working on WB skinning and icons. Everyone probly knows me as the sound packager guy and I want to go beyond that. Sound schemes are close to the being one of the least important parts of desktop customization. Though I love doing them and will continue I want to do more. Thanks much for anything you can give me in terms of advice.

 

 

 

9,671 views 26 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think maybe personally asking a mod might guide you in the right direction.......
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
My reason for this post is this... What would you think I could do in the future to make better walls that would be accepted into the main gallery.
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RobJK, before some of the others see this and say welcome to the club, let me add my 2 cents. First off, how many walls have you done? Is the only reason you are doing them to get on the main gallery? Now keep in mind that this comes from a non skinner, but you should be doing skinning for your own pleasure, fun, enjoyment, what ever.

Most of the other folks are going to say have patience and keep at it or practice, practice, practice. Walls are all about what looks good to you. It's not like the other skins say WB where there are right and wrong ways of doing things, you know that technical stuff.

Just look at the sound packages you have done. I take it you enjoyed doing them, right?

With time RobJK, with time.  ;) 
SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hm.

Keep at it. That's my best advice. Just keep at it. Find some wallpaper artists you admire and use them as inspiration. Keep practicing, evolve. Make adjustments: don't get in a design rut (do as I say, not as I do.. heh). When you think you're getting good: work at it even more, with more vigor, with more zest and enthusiasm.

Keep practicing. Just when you feel your 'skillz' are such that you 'blow most others out of the water', keep at it.

Ya see what I'm getting at?

Just keep going. Keep designing. Get inspiration from all around: people, places, things (ok, nouns, it seems :P ). Nature, other artists. Don't stop.

And most of all: Try not to knock another's work whilst you hone your craft. Humility does wonders.

Even though I repeated, reiterated and otherwise duplicated my message in a plethora of ways, I hope you got something out of this.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Even though I repeated, reiterated and otherwise duplicated my message in a plethora of ways, I hope you got something out of this.
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 Ok so what were you trying to say? Stop beating around the bush an spit it out.  :LOL:  :LOL: 
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just keep going. Keep designing. Get inspiration from all around: people, places, things (ok, nouns, it seems ). Nature, other artists. Don't stop.

And most of all: Try not to knock another's work whilst you hone your craft. Humility does wonders.

Even though I repeated, reiterated and otherwise duplicated my message in a plethora of ways, I hope you got something out of this.
End of quote


Is the only reason you are doing them to get on the main gallery? Now keep in mind that this comes from a non skinner, but you should be doing skinning for your own pleasure, fun, enjoyment, what ever.
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Yes i was Philly. And I realized from what zoombaz said in PM "you should be doing your art for you not us" That it is true. I am so stuck on trying to get noticed and be someone here that I am not haveing fun! What is the point If I am not Haveing fun? When I make something I am always thinking of what will apeal to a large crowd and what other people will think is cool. When What I should be doing is Creating things that I like and if they dont get accepted .. Who gives a hoot. No but that wall Is something that I like ALLOT! But when I started I was thinking of everyone else and what they would think. I need to stop that. Its not fun. I mean of course if you want to get things in the gallery you have to sort of think of what would appeal to a large crowed so that it may get accepted. But when I create something I want to share it so I cant help but do that. You know what I mean? I have only submitted 5 and This is the only one that I would have expected to be in the main glalery? I know I learned my lesson Already i jumped to the conclusion that I suck way too soon.

Most of the other folks are going to say have patience and keep at it or practice, practice, practice. Walls are all about what looks good to you. It's not like the other skins say WB where there are right and wrong ways of doing things, you know that technical stuff
End of quote


Yes I know and I do practice practice practice honestly. And Useually When I go to do something It tunes out pretty good. So I try to upload it and It is only pretty good. I am in the practice stage so I shouldnt expect for everything to get accepted. Expecially with walls. Isnt that the gallery with the most srtict moderation policy?

causticFX--- Yes I know I know I am tryig to be a PRofessional when I am just getting started. It takes time. It takes practice. It just doesnt come naturally. I draw that came naturally, but with imaging on the computer You have to work at it. It isnt as easy. It is far from it!


You all are kind of missing the point though. What I wanted to know is what is wrong with that Wall. Is it to busy or is the execution off? Not realistic enough? Because to me that one tunred out WAY better than I ever though I could do! And it is really cool? Dont you think. It may not be Wallpaper material of course but the image is good... to me? Am I thinking this because I made it and was shocked at how it truned out? Or am i right? Does anyone have any advice on what I could have done differently is what I want to know?





Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
And I forgott to thank you for helping me to feel better about it. I am WAY to sensative. I HATE IT! My feeling were so hurt. And why? I dont even know. I love that wallpaper and Have been useing it for a week now. That is the longest time I have ever had a wall! So if it isnt in the gallery so what I still got something out of it! I have a hard time thinking possotive.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
And most of all: Try not to knock another's work whilst you hone your craft. Humility does wonders.
End of quote


Yes I know what you mean by this(It took me a min LOL I am not good with fancy words? LOL). I see allot of Spheres in allot of walls. So thats what I went for. Not only because of this but also because I am getting good at makeing spheres.I should start on a clean slate! I love to create but I do have a hard time comeing up with Ideas. Even when Sketching? I am not very Imaginative? I need To Open my imagination and think for a while about what I want to create and then go at it.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

RobJK ...constructive criticism would tell you that both images above are quite prominent and thus distracting as wallpaper to most people.

Analysis in detail of the 'unswirled' image, though 3 dimensional has conflicting lighting effects....the ball's is offset but the rest appears not so...so the 3D effect is garbled [confused].

Your own comment 'it is a little busy' is probably its failing.

Keep experimenting/practising.  You never know what might be around the next [creative] corner...;)

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
zoombaz
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The love child of Zoomba and myself?

 :LOL:

There are "art" walls and there are functional walls.  Sometimes they are the same but most offend not.  Look to leave space for icons (most people still use them).  Make sure that they will be easy to see.  The swirled example does not allow for this I think.  (the unswirled is better but the colors seem distracting because they are so sharp).
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

When I moderate walls, I look at some very specific technical things:

1) Does it make a good wall? 
2) Are there plain areas for icons?
3) Is it technically well done.

The 3rd one is the difficult one.  First, the style has a lot to do with what will technically be accepted.  If you are making something in 3D (versus abstract or hand drawn) you have to be very exact with lighting, edges, color use, etc. 

I wasn't able to find the originals on your page, but from the small images above, this would be my critique:

1) It's too busy to be a good wall
2) There is not enough plain area for icons
3) The lighting is off, and the pieces feel disconnected.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
When I moderate walls, I look at some very specific technical things:
1) Does it make a good wall?
2) Are there plain areas for icons?
3) Is it technically well done.
End of quote


I don't think this is right. just because something doesn't meet your so called "specfic technical things" should not be a reason to not except/upload someones work. Art is art, it's an expression of ones ideas and it differs from person to person and by their talents so for someone to say this or that doesn't fit "our" standards is wrong, just plain wrong.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Art is art, it's an expression of ones ideas and it differs from person to person and by their talents so for someone to say this or that doesn't fit "our" standards is wrong, just plain wrong.
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Desktop wallpapers are a very small subset of "art".  And much "art" would make bad wallpapers (in the PC world as with meat-space ;))

dA has art.  WC has desktop customization graphics. There is a difference.  :)
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Art is art,
End of quote

Yes, it is.  However this gallery is a 'Wallpaper' one, not an 'Art' one.

Sculpture is Art, too...but poking a "Statue of David' into your computer screen isn't going to make it a wallpaper....ergo not all 'Art' is suitable as a Wallpaper...;)

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sculpture is Art, too...but poking a "Statue of David' into your computer screen isn't going to make it a wallpaper....ergo not all 'Art' is suitable as a Wallpaper...
End of quote


ROFL... true words.. :D

I don't think this is right. just because something doesn't meet your so called "specfic technical things" should not be a reason to not except/upload someones work. Art is art, it's an expression of ones ideas and it differs from person to person and by their talents so for someone to say this or that doesn't fit "our" standards is wrong, just plain wrong.
End of quote


Well you can make one pixel red in the upper left corner and call it modern minimalistic art... still wont make a good wallpaper.. And the mods need some kind of guidelines what to accept and what not to accept for a efficient workflow etc.. else there would be chaos and and the red dot would be in the wallpaper section and none would benefit from that.. :)
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well you can make one pixel red in the upper left corner and call it modern minimalistic art
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If you tile that it's a friggin' awesome wall.   ;)  :LOL:
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yes, it is. However this gallery is a 'Wallpaper' one, not an 'Art' one.
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This makes no sense what so ever  X-( 
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Art is art, it's an expression of ones ideas and it differs from person to person and by their talents so for someone to say this or that doesn't fit "our" standards is wrong, just plain wrong.
End of quote


change a few words.......

Opinions are Opinions, they are an expression of ones ideas and differ from person to person and by their experiences........... so for me to say your opinion is wrong....well that's just plain wrong.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but not everyone sets the rules.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Robjk dont quit. keep on it and you will get it. See my gallery and you can see there are walls which look ok but none got to main gallery. I also feel they didnt deserved to get to the main gallery. Buddy I have worked on a wall for not more than 1 hour. what about the people who work for a day nonstop 24 hours in a wall. dont they deserve more than what we are making. I know that one day I will decide to make a wall seriously and it will get to main gallery till then just making and uploading walls for fun.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Robjk, My advice would be to stay away from default filters.. spend more time conceptualizing and thinking about design elements than adding effects.. No matter how many effects someone adds to a bad design the end result is the same.. a bad design. Also swirls and balls have been done to death over the years.. If your gonna do one using eiother of these.. make sure it's damn good before submission if you want it in teh gallery.

Only other advice is the old standby with regards to design. Less is more (Just don't tell IR that) ;p 

Imo.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
When I moderate walls, I look at some very specific technical things:
1) Does it make a good wall?
2) Are there plain areas for icons?
3) Is it technically well done.
The 3rd one is the difficult one. First, the style has a lot to do with what will technically be accepted. If you are making something in 3D (versus abstract or hand drawn) you have to be very exact with lighting, edges, color use, etc.

I wasn't able to find the originals on your page, but from the small images above, this would be my critique:
1) It's too busy to be a good wall
2) There is not enough plain area for icons
3) The lighting is off, and the pieces feel disconnected
End of quote

Copy and Pasted to notepad and saved! Thanks much. I have read it in the moderation thingy but now it is on my pc and I will keep it in mind on my next try.


Well you can make one pixel red in the upper left corner and call it modern minimalistic art... still wont make a good wallpaper.. And the mods need some kind of guidelines what to accept and what not to accept for a efficient workflow etc.. else there would be chaos and and the red dot would be in the wallpaper section and none would benefit from that..[/quote]
LOL true thier is allot of people who do walls and It if they where strained then the gallery would be CLOGGED!



I wasn't able to find the originals on your page, but from the small images above, this would be my critique:
1) It's too busy to be a good wall
2) There is not enough plain area for icons
3) The lighting is off, and the pieces feel disconnected
End of quote


Make sure that they will be easy to see. The swirled example does not allow for this I think. (the unswirled is better but the colors seem distracting because they are so sharp).
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Yes i can see that. Very true. I just liked the image as a picture in istself. I can see how it isnt wallpaper material. I only use object dock though so I have to keep in mind that not everyone does this.

Yes, it is. However this gallery is a 'Wallpaper' one, not an 'Art' one.
Sculpture is Art, too...but poking a "Statue of David' into your computer screen isn't going to make it a wallpaper....ergo not all 'Art' is suitable as a Wallpaper...
End of quote

LOL Yeah!


Robjk, My advice would be to stay away from default filters.. spend more time conceptualizing and thinking about design elements than adding effects.. No matter how many effects someone adds to a bad design the end result is the same.. a bad design. Also swirls and balls have been done to death over the years.. If your gonna do one using eiother of these.. make sure it's damn good before submission if you want it in teh gallery.

Only other advice is the old standby with regards to design. Less is more (Just don't tell IR that)
End of quote


Yeah I Took an okay image and Added an effect to it and it turned out better. And Balls are over done. I just got exited about the turn out! I was shocked and then when it wasnt accepted.. WHAA! I was sad. But you all have great points.




Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OOPs I messed up the quotes on that one! EEK! Sorry.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OOPs I messed up the quotes on that one! EEK! Sorry.
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Check Zubaz' 'How to post correctly 101'  :LOL: 
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
robjk,
you are getting noticed.
look at how many love your sound schemes (me included)
your colors were good on those walls, looking forward to seeing more from you that will work for my desktop.
keep it goin!
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Yes, it is. However this gallery is a 'Wallpaper' one, not an 'Art' one.This makes no sense what so ever
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'Art' encompasses ALL self-expression in physical media.

Wallpapers are images used on a computer desktop background.

The 'definitions' are quite distinctly different...;)

Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Check Zubaz' 'How to post correctly 101'
End of quote


I just made a mistake I know how to do it. I just must have put my comment in the middle of a quote?

robjk,
you are getting noticed.
look at how many love your sound schemes (me included)
your colors were good on those walls, looking forward to seeing more from you that will work for my desktop.
keep it goin!
End of quote


THANK YO SO MUCH! It means allot to me. Really.