Wallpaper - First one I've done, actually

Yeah, so I just made this wallpaper to use as my new desktop. :3



Ike ftw. What do you all think? It's the first time I've made my own wallpaper, so bear with me.

Can I use it?

Alex: Uh...okay.

Coss: For what?

Also, I take it you think it's good? XD

Too blurry and it is not a correct resolution for any monitor. If you have a 1000 x 1000 monitor, sure.

Next time, start with from something like 1600 x 1200 or 1920 x 1080 and scale down from there, using high quality images to avoid artifacts.

I usually prefer my backgrounds to be cleaner, and a bit less.. cluttered. I'd probably lose my icons using something as bright and garish as the one you posted. I would probably tone down the bright lines all around the outside.

List time!

• Why are there two main focal images?
• And why is one 2D and one 3D? Ditch one, I think.
• Above the top image, the girl's face is repeated. Why?
• The text looks slapped on, and pretty plain.
• I'm not a big fan of the daisies or whatever scattered around the images.

On the upside, I like the blending.

Originally Posted by Pani

List time!

• Why are there two main focal images?
• And why is one 2D and one 3D? Ditch one, I think.
• Above the top image, the girl's face is repeated. Why?
• The text looks slapped on, and pretty plain.
• I'm not a big fan of the daisies or whatever scattered around the images.

On the upside, I like the blending.

the two bolded things are what I agree with.

those aren't daisies, I think they're cherry blossoms. I like them.
I don't understand what you mean by one 2-D and one 3-D image...
I have no problem with the text.

I think that the main thing here is that there are 2 focal images, and the repeated face of the girl is kinda weird-looking.

It's a matter of personal prefference, since you mae it to use for your own wallpaper, so if you like it, then who cares. But I definately see where Pani's coming from with it being too "busy" and possibly losing her icons

I'd say next time, make only one focal image and make sure it's user-friendly for the desktop icons.

EDIT: lol, I was just thinking- if you put all your icons inthe bottom left corner so you can see them, it will look like the dude's glaring at them

Originally Posted by Margaret

I don't understand what you mean by one 2-D and one 3-D image...

The lower image looks like it has more depth, more three-dimensional, while the top one looks very flat.

Originally Posted by Pani

The lower image looks like it has more depth, more three-dimensional, while the top one looks very flat.

ok, that's kind of what I figured you were talking about. they are two different drawing styles or whatever. One is more shaded. It kind of looks like the main picture has more light in the scene.

Looks very low quality and just generally not very well made. The images you used were extremely low quality, the text is not well done, and what's up with the randomly brushed background?

You don't make wallpapers the way you make signatures. Try again.

Nothing here is helping me...

- I did not do the text
- I did not do any brushing
- The duplication of Elincia's and Ike's faces were part of the picture I used, as is the text
- I don't care what size the whole wallpaper is as long as it looks good
- I wanted both pictures and besides that, there isn't an image I know that is big enough to fill enough space in the image that I would want to use.
- I also could care less if one picture looks 3D while the other looks 2D
- I don't care much about the image quality either.

I basically blended in my two favorite pictures that feature Ike with an abstract background. It took me awhile to erase it all just right and get the right blending options. NOW, I'd like some criticism. :3

well seeing as you just discredited everything people have said about it, there's really nothing left to "critique".

it looks as if anything anyone says about it is going to have some reason for being the way it is, or you'll just say you don't care.

It all boils down to- It's a wallpaper you made for yourself. If you like it, why bother asking for critique?

I wanted to see if I got off to a great start in making wallpapers, but I guess I haven't, so yeah. I didn't mean I wasn't going to take the crit, I meant that NEXT time I make a wallpaper, I'll take what I've been told into mind and use it to make something better. :]

well then in that cas, everything people have told you so far should help you next time.

because most people have said they don't like there being 2 images. they think it's too busy, and the blending is off, etc...

basically- if you're ever going to make a wallpaper for other people to use, keep those things in mind and you're more likely to score a hit.

Originally Posted by Lord Ranny

- I don't care what size the whole wallpaper is as long as it looks good
- I also could care less if one picture looks 3D while the other looks 2D
- I don't care much about the image quality either.

These things you don't care about are making the wallpaper... bad.

Perhaps if you want it to look good, you should start caring?

Bad in your opinion. I like how it came out, and that's why I'm using it on my desktop. The crit I'm going to take is about the text looking bad, the comments on the abstract lines, sparkles, etc. that stuff.

Also, I do care about image quality and whether or not they both look 3D or 2D. It was those particular images I used that I didn't care this time.

Originally Posted by Lord Ranny

Nothing here is helping me...

We're telling you things you could improve on.

- I did not do the text
- I did not do any brushing
- The duplication of Elincia's and Ike's faces were part of the picture I used, as is the text

Then use a different image, or try to fix those things.

- I don't care what size the whole wallpaper is as long as it looks good

It's personally for you, so I guess it doesn't really matter. But in future, if you were making wallpapers intended for other people to use, you'd be better off taking Yami's advice. Most people want their backgrounds to evenly cover the desktop, not to have black/white bars on the sides or be stretched.

- I wanted both pictures and besides that, there isn't an image I know that is big enough to fill enough space in the image that I would want to use.
- I also could care less if one picture looks 3D while the other looks 2D

These are the things that bother me.

You asked for critique on how you could improve on your wallpaper, and when we give it to you, you shrug it off and complain that that was how you wanted it to look. I'm confused - were you just trying to show off what you made, or look for real advice? From the way you're speaking, it seems like you were proud of what you made and just wanted people to tell you it was fantastic.

To be honest, I really did like how it came out and I wanted to see if others agreed. But since nobody does and they gave me useful critique, I'll take it into mind the next time I make a wallpaper. I believe I stated this already...

Also, where did I ever complain about anything?

I'll be honest--I know nothing about making wall papers xD In fact, I've been dipping into trying with new stuff like vector and GIMP (spying on people's homerooms for inspiration, too xDD <3), but pshaw, I'm far too shy to show my work to anyone here because I'm such a beginner xD! But, honestly, Ranil, you've got more guts than me to show off a first-time thing! In my opinion anyway since I'm such a wuss.

I read through the critique and some of it is genuine help (like Yami saying about the resolution) because if it's gonna be for other people to use (if you want that to be a goal later, that is!) something like that is a general point that would be helpful for a wide range of people, see? However, there's some other critique that's more subjective, like whether people like daisies or whatever. I personally adore flowers--I'm a romantic, shoot me xD We get that you like how it came out, that's cool. Be proud of your first go and let that pride inspire the need to improve and do more.

Now, I'm gonna agree with people with the 2D/3D thingie. It doesn't quite mesh. I would rather it focus on that lovely kissy pic since it seems to be a romance-based show. Also, honestly, when I do my art I LOVE glowy effects and such and sometimes I abuse that <_> Perhaps less-is-more for a try? Giving it a go with another round won't hurt much, if anything a little more experience under the belt.

Anyway, I wouldn't say there isn't useful critique here. Hell, I read through it and was like o: because I'm trying to learn some of this stuff, too. Sometimes critique can seem harsh depending how blunt/how it's phrased/the tone of it can come across, but with almost ANYTHING in life one of the secrets to great success is reading beyond the harshness and taking in what the real gems are that people are throwing your way. It takes some practice trying to see things that way, but it's all for the greater good, ie your graphical talents ;D

Good luck with your next wallpaper (:

Originally Posted by Lord Ranny

Bad in your opinion. I like how it came out, and that's why I'm using it on my desktop. The crit I'm going to take is about the text looking bad, the comments on the abstract lines, sparkles, etc. that stuff.

Also, I do care about image quality and whether or not they both look 3D or 2D. It was those particular images I used that I didn't care this time.

So in your opinion bad, distorted and unmatching images look good?

...k.

**** it, I'm not helping you ever, ever again.

****ing hell.