January Art&Writing contest~!

Yes there will be a contest next month, we just need to create more interest and stuffs. :3

Actually right at this moment I'm talking to two other ZUers of how to improve the contests and the Art and Writing section in general, so expect a slightly different Monthly contest next month. :3

I think the main problem is perhaps motivation to actually enter something in the art contests. People often seek prizes when they win, but I don't know how that will work on ZU. I was thinking about some sort of banner, but if the same person keeps on winning and all artsist eventually get one, then it gets old very very quickly.

Also, the contest should be advertised somewhere on ZU where so many people lurk. This thread in particular is hiding in the shadows, so no wonder why it's missed a lot.

I'll pm you if a great idea comes in mind Holly. Could I also pm Liah since she is involved in this too?

I'll see what I can do to motivate people and of course to help out with a new renovation to the future art contests on ZU.

One thing I would suggest would be to take the route that they did with the SOTW this past run. Instead of having people post their entries, they should be PM'd in. That way people don't get discouraged when they see something that might be better than theirs or, even worse, pirate someone else's idea. That was the first thought I had after I posted my entry back in January; even if they didn't read it, the post was so bloody long they might have lost all hope of being competitive.

Another thought that would be cool, though I doubt it would happen, would be to advertise the contests on the main page of the site, or perhaps have a showcase for the current winners there. This would be a great community and pride-building action. Eternal Legend is right: many people who would probably participate might not even know the contests exist. If we were able to garner that much attention, it would surely do better.

I would join no matter what. I'm motivated now. ^_^

Oh, if you need help with the contests (organization or whatever) I'd be happy to offer my services.

Another thought that would be cool, though I doubt it would happen, would be to advertise the contests on the main page of the site, or perhaps have a showcase for the current winners there. This would be a great community and pride-building action. Eternal Legend is right: many people who would probably participate might not even know the contests exist. If we were able to garner that much attention, it would surely do better.

That alone would motivate people to join more. A lot of people don't know about the contests.

I might join this if I can finish in time with something worth entering.

Ah, I know just what villain to draw. ;D

Originally Posted by Lady Ranny

I might join this if I can finish in time with something worth entering.

Ah, I know just what villain to draw. ;D

I think that was last months contest.

Originally Posted by Lady Ranny

I might join this if I can finish in time with something worth entering.

Ah, I know just what villain to draw. ;D

As sugarpoultry said, that was last months contest and barely anyone entered anything.

So we're now moving on into the next contest, but that won't be accomplished until everything is settled out.

Can we nominate for a theme here?

Slow down people, I was going to make a seperate thread for all of this. xD

But because I'm so lazy I willl reply to the suggestions here and bring them up again in the other thread.

Originally Posted by Eel

I think the main problem is perhaps motivation to actually enter something in the art contests. People often seek prizes when they win, but I don't know how that will work on ZU. I was thinking about some sort of banner, but if the same person keeps on winning and all artsist eventually get one, then it gets old very very quickly.

Maybe a banner that only lasts for a month and then gets taken off you when someone else wins the contest but you get to keep it if you win the contest again. Immunity from the Biggest Loser and other shows like that come to mind when I suggest that. P:

Also, the contest should be advertised somewhere on ZU where so many people lurk. This thread in particular is hiding in the shadows, so no wonder why it's missed a lot.

I'll pm you if a great idea comes in mind Holly. Could I also pm Liah since she is involved in this too?

No just PM it to me. Liah is not really involved in it but gave me the ideas for improvement and motivation to get this all started, so we should all thank her for that. :3

I'll see what I can do to motivate people and of course to help out with a new renovation to the future art contests on ZU.

Thank you. :3

Originally Posted by Doran

One thing I would suggest would be to take the route that they did with the SOTW this past run. Instead of having people post their entries, they should be PM'd in. That way people don't get discouraged when they see something that might be better than theirs or, even worse, pirate someone else's idea. That was the first thought I had after I posted my entry back in January; even if they didn't read it, the post was so bloody long they might have lost all hope of being competitive.

A couple of people have suggested that to me actually, but the reasons are all different. I am going to do something similar to what SOTW does with the PMing and then having the entrys "Entry No.1, Entry No.2, etc". The only problem is that it could still have biased votes, with people going on MSN and saying "Vote for No.1, its mine!" but less so just saying who did this Artwork/Story/Whatever.

Another thought that would be cool, though I doubt it would happen, would be to advertise the contests on the main page of the site, or perhaps have a showcase for the current winners there. This would be a great community and pride-building action. Eternal Legend is right: many people who would probably participate might not even know the contests exist. If we were able to garner that much attention, it would surely do better.

Liah suggested moving the Art Arena to the top of the Art and Writing boards, hopefully that will bring more attention but more attention is good for something like this. I will ask Cody or someone to advertise it for us, or I could just find out a way to do it myself. Thank you Doran. :3

Originally Posted by Sugarpoultry

I would join no matter what. I'm motivated now. ^_^

Oh, if you need help with the contests (organization or whatever) I'd be happy to offer my services.

Thank you for the offer. =3

We probably (notice I say that a lot? xD) don't need a lot of organising yet but when the contests start to get more active again, I will need as much help as I can get. ;-;

Can we nominate for a theme here?

Sure, go ahead. :3

We probably (notice I say that a lot? xD) don't need a lot of organising yet but when the contests start to get more active again, I will need as much help as I can get. ;-;

Well, great. That will be fun.

Sure, go ahead. :3

And hmmmm now I"ll have to think about it... haha

Originally Posted by Holly

Maybe a banner that only lasts for a month and then gets taken off you when someone else wins the contest but you get to keep it if you win the contest again. Immunity from the Biggest Loser and other shows like that come to mind when I suggest that. P:

That's actually a great idea! Artists and writers alike fighting for one amazing banner to carry around. As long as the banner looks very appealing, then I think that would be great!

No just PM it to me. Liah is not really involved in it but gave me the ideas for improvement and motivation to get this all started, so we should all thank her for that. :3

Oh okay. :3

Will the theme stick as heroes at the moment?

Originally Posted by sugarpoultry

And hmmmm now I"ll have to think about it... haha

xD

Well if you can't think of anything this time around its fine, just suggest it in another month. :3

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

That's actually a great idea! Artists and writers alike fighting for one amazing banner to carry around. As long as the banner looks very appealing, then I think that would be great!

Yaaay the idea is liked.

The problem is getting someone to make one for us, because I have no idea how to make a good one. D:

Oh okay. :3

Will the theme stick as heroes at the moment?

If no one can think of an idea then yes. :3

Originally Posted by Holly

Yaaay the idea is liked.

The problem is getting someone to make one for us, because I have no idea how to make a good one. D:

Liah seems to make good siggys... Maybe she could make an amazing banner, or someone else?

If no one can think of an idea then yes. :3

Okay! Cool! :3

How about colors? Just make it colorful and bright looking? yay nay?
Now these can be anything right, it doesn't have to be Zelda related?

Oh, and I could make a banner to use to advertise if you guys want. I mean, multiple people can, and you guys can choose.

Originally Posted by sugarpoultry

How about colors? Just make it colorful and bright looking? yay nay?
Now these can be anything right, it doesn't have to be Zelda related?

Or we could go the opposite and make it grayscale, or mayhaps a certain colour, like green or blue? *starts rambling*

Good idea. o:

And yah it doesnt have to be just Zelda, in fact I was considering entering the next contest with a picture of Mother 3 characters because I wuv that game so much. <3

Oh, and I could make a banner to use to advertise if you guys want. I mean, multiple people can, and you guys can choose.

Oooh, that would be good. I haven't seen one of your banners yet but I have seen pictures you have done, I like them. :3

May I see a banner you have done before?

Edit: and oops, maybe we should start talking by PMs or Visitor Messages? x3

Originally Posted by Holly

Or we could go the opposite and make it grayscale, or mayhaps a certain colour, like green or blue? *starts rambling*

Good idea. o:

And yah it doesnt have to be just Zelda, in fact I was considering entering the next contest with a picture of Mother 3 characters because I wuv that game so much. <3

Ah ok. Sounds good, I'm really down with anything really.

Oooh, that would be good. I haven't seen one of your banners yet but I have seen pictures you have done, I like them. :3

May I see a banner you have done before?

Edit: and oops, maybe we should start talking by PMs or Visitor Messages? x3

Yah hehe I'll send you a few to look at.

Fantastic, Holly Things seem to be mooooving. Also, sugarpoultry is brilliant with her graphics, if anyone can make something wonderful, it'll be her.

Also, have you found the other arty judge yet?

^

This is all thanks to you Liah, with your brillant suggestions. :3

I have looked at Sugarpoultry's banners. They're goood. ~_~
We are working on what do for the banners now. :3

This contest technically stopped Liah, because it went for two months and had only two entries. This thread has turned into a discussion on what to do next, even though I was going to make a thread about this.

I think I will just make a general one for Art and Writing on the main board of this section, aye? xD

^ LOL I should've realised that since, well, I bugged you about it xDDD *head-desk*

Well, I think Liah should be done with the image, and I'll work with it for a banner.