My Desktop

Like it? Please vote and comment on it! Thanks!

Originally Posted by Kefka

Like it? Please vote and comment on it! Thanks!

Lol, filters get'em everytime. Just clouds and some cut and paste. You should seek a few tuts or ask around for some tips. Remember, keep at it and don't rely on filters too much.

Originally Posted by Rogey

Lol, filters get'em everytime. Just clouds and some cut and paste. You should seek a few tuts or ask around for some tips. Remember, keep at it and don't rely on filters too much.

ok then....

1. The background is ok, nothing special. You atleast could have colourized it, or spiced it up a bit.
2. the way you copied Link, blurred, then beveled and embossed looks a little strange. ><
3. The text, and I'm sorry, is horrible. use a different font, and do you honestly think red and blue is a good match for grey and green? The font colors should be more... greenish.
4. I'm sorry, again, but why the hell is Kirby in it?

Overall, it is OK. I've got to admit, its a lot better than some n00b crap I see. This is not crap; it just needs work. =)

Originally Posted by Kefka

ok then....

Haha, dont' mention it. Sorry if I sound critical but just trying to help out ya know? Good calls Drewey

I'm a bit of a desktop wallpaper connoisseur, so I'll critique this.

Firstly, the resolution is too small. Desktop wallpapers should be no smaller than 800x600, and the standard resolution is 1024x768. Something as small as 633x475 is not only going to look blurry and pixelated on just about any display, it'll also look stretched/distorted.

Secondly, the background is pretty boring. Gray smoke isn't too exciting, especially if it's a simple, Photoshop-made pattern such as what you have here. A more blended kind of smoke would probably look better.

Thirdly, the pic of Link isn't used as effectively as it could be. It's always best to go with as big of a starting image as possible, and simply shrink it down, rather than using a smaller image. And although it's really just nitpicking, that image is so overused. Try using something a bit more uncommon, if you can find a big enough version of the image. Also, the copy/blur/emboss effect is kinda odd. It might be just me, though. >_>;

Another thing to consider is overall image balance. For most desktop wallpapers, you'll want the main part near the center of the screen, not the sides. It has to do with the way our eyes work - they're drawn to a bold image of a character rather than a background. The main part of a wallpaper should never be on the left side, as this is where many people have their icons. In this particular wallpaper, you'd want to move Link more to the right, towards the center.

Next, the text. This is a big kvech for wallpapers. Many people don't like text on wallpapers, and even those that do like it pretty minimal. A logo or something similar can work, and in some cases, stylized fonts can add a cool effect to an image, like it's from some old book. You've used a very plain, basic font, and unless I'm mistaken, you just made up the text, which contains a grammatical error (it should be either "go underground" or "go to the underground"). The two colors are kinda jarring together. I'd say either drop the text entirely, or else use a more interesting, smaller font and use the same color on both of them. Try to keep the text to a minimum, if possible.

Another thing is your "signature" at the bottom of the image. I totally respect that, but people aren't going to want half of your name and "Made By" sticking out from under their taskbar. If you wish to leave a "signature" saying that you made the image, then measure it out so that a standard-sized toolbar would cover it up, and make sure the colors of the font blend in well with the rest of the image.

Finally, what's with Kirby? I know you like him, but he totally throws the wallpaper off. The only time Link and Kirby should be on the same wallpaper is if you're making a "Nintendo chars" type wallpaper, or maybe a Super Smash Brothers one.

Well, I know that's an awful lot of critique, but I mean it all in the best way possible. You seem to have a pretty good understanding of how to use Photoshop (or whatever you're using), so I'm sure that if you keep my critiques, as well as the critiques of others, in mind, you'll improve.

Originally Posted by Eihwaz

I'm a bit of a desktop wallpaper connoisseur, so I'll critique this.

Firstly, the resolution is too small. Desktop wallpapers should be no smaller than 800x600, and the standard resolution is 1024x768. Something as small as 633x475 is not only going to look blurry and pixelated on just about any display, it'll also look stretched/distorted.

Secondly, the background is pretty boring. Gray smoke isn't too exciting, especially if it's a simple, Photoshop-made pattern such as what you have here. A more blended kind of smoke would probably look better.

Thirdly, the pic of Link isn't used as effectively as it could be. It's always best to go with as big of a starting image as possible, and simply shrink it down, rather than using a smaller image. And although it's really just nitpicking, that image is so overused. Try using something a bit more uncommon, if you can find a big enough version of the image. Also, the copy/blur/emboss effect is kinda odd. It might be just me, though. >_>;

Another thing to consider is overall image balance. For most desktop wallpapers, you'll want the main part near the center of the screen, not the sides. It has to do with the way our eyes work - they're drawn to a bold image of a character rather than a background. The main part of a wallpaper should never be on the left side, as this is where many people have their icons. In this particular wallpaper, you'd want to move Link more to the right, towards the center.

Next, the text. This is a big kvech for wallpapers. Many people don't like text on wallpapers, and even those that do like it pretty minimal. A logo or something similar can work, and in some cases, stylized fonts can add a cool effect to an image, like it's from some old book. You've used a very plain, basic font, and unless I'm mistaken, you just made up the text, which contains a grammatical error (it should be either "go underground" or "go to the underground"). The two colors are kinda jarring together. I'd say either drop the text entirely, or else use a more interesting, smaller font and use the same color on both of them. Try to keep the text to a minimum, if possible.

Another thing is your "signature" at the bottom of the image. I totally respect that, but people aren't going to want half of your name and "Made By" sticking out from under their taskbar. If you wish to leave a "signature" saying that you made the image, then measure it out so that a standard-sized toolbar would cover it up, and make sure the colors of the font blend in well with the rest of the image.

Finally, what's with Kirby? I know you like him, but he totally throws the wallpaper off. The only time Link and Kirby should be on the same wallpaper is if you're making a "Nintendo chars" type wallpaper, or maybe a Super Smash Brothers one.

Well, I know that's an awful lot of critique, but I mean it all in the best way possible. You seem to have a pretty good understanding of how to use Photoshop (or whatever you're using), so I'm sure that if you keep my critiques, as well as the critiques of others, in mind, you'll improve.

IT IS SMALLER AND I Put kirby because thats my carater.

If you want others using your wallpaper, then it can't be centered around you.

And did you get my message? If you're willing, I'll be your photoshop tutor. Meaning I'll help you get better at graphics. That is, if you have photoshop.

Originally Posted by Kefka

IT IS SMALLER AND I Put kirby because thats my carater.

When you say "it", what are you referring to? It doesn't help that you quoted my entire post, so I have no idea what your "it" is referencing. If you're referring to what I said about the resolution of your image, well, no one's going to use your wallpaper if it's not even the right resolution. =/

What Drewey said is true. If you're going to be making a wallpaper for public use, it really shouldn't be centered around you. If it's for your own use, then you can use whatever, but not many people are going to want a desktop that has both Link and Kirby on it, like this. Either make a Kirby wallpaper, or a Link wallpaper.

Also, Kirby isn't "your character", he belongs to Nintendo. :P

Originally Posted by Eihwaz

When you say "it", what are you referring to? It doesn't help that you quoted my entire post, so I have no idea what your "it" is referencing. If you're referring to what I said about the resolution of your image, well, no one's going to use your wallpaper if it's not even the right resolution. =/

What Drewey said is true. If you're going to be making a wallpaper for public use, it really shouldn't be centered around you. If it's for your own use, then you can use whatever, but not many people are going to want a desktop that has both Link and Kirby on it, like this. Either make a Kirby wallpaper, or a Link wallpaper.

Also, Kirby isn't "your character", he belongs to Nintendo.

sorry :'( I dont mean to make this for public use...i am just sharing it.

here is how it looks as my desktop:



....Can someone give me some bacround creating tips? Like what Resolution it should be, or what size. Also what should i make for a public wallpaper?

Originally Posted by Kefka

sorry :'( I dont mean to make this for public use...i am just sharing it.

here is how it looks as my desktop:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66...ampioncopy.png

....Can someone give me some bacround creating tips? Like what Resolution it should be, or what size. Also what should i make for a public wallpaper?

That's fine, then. I'm just saying, if you ever decide that you do want to make desktops for public use, then you shouldn't center the wallpaper on you. At any rate, sharing your art is the best way to get feedback on how to improve.

Read that really long post that I made again, I discussed wallpaper dimensions as well as some pointers on making wallpapers for public use.

Is this better:



I like this one better than the other one! YAY!

Kefka are you even listening to me? 0.o?

I want to help ya.

Will you get on AIM?

And... personally I like the other one. You can see the background was not cut from the lower link. ANd the one up higher is choppily cut.

The boxes do not look good, I'm sorry.

And the random color swirly things are GOOD, but press Ctrl+U when you have the layer selected and try making them all one color.

DON'T make the stroke so big. Please, I'm wiling to help >.> I can give you all the tips you keep asking for.

Ok...I made one more, then i am logging off for the night:



It is kirby related! Like it?

Better than the last.

Again, I must emphasize color schemes.

The brownish color is OK for a background, but mabye amore pinkish or red color would do better.

What is with the blue font? It totall contrasts; horribly. It makes the text stand out, and we want the pictures standing out, remember?

So, maybe a background color change, and make the 'Kirby' font yellow, and maybe the Star Warrior of the Skies a different shade of the background color.

Those are my thoughts. =P