For this week you will be creating a banner, a la that of Monthly Artwork and Photoshop contests, for the weekly contest. It must have the title The Avatar and Signature Weekly Contest in it, but the rest is up to you. You get to decide the size, animation or unanimation, as well as magic or non-magic artwork. As always cite non-magic art.
Yes, when I said any size I meant any size. Now if you would like to take that to mean make something huge, as you did, you may. However, I would guess that it will not recieve many votes from the regulars here.
Topher, yes it may be animated. I figure as our contests often allow for animation the banner to represent it may as well be able to as well.
Any size also means that the FileSize is unlimited correct? If so, I am probably going to feel sorry for those with dial-up if someone with a huge banner wins.
Any size also means that the FileSize is unlimited correct? If so, I am probably going to feel sorry for those with dial-up if someone with a huge banner wins.
I should think that we need to cap the filesize. A webpage itself should be under 128 KB. No sense having a contest where the fricking logo is a 1-2MB Flash animation.
I should think that we need to cap the filesize. A webpage itself should be under 128 KB. No sense having a contest where the fricking logo is a 1-2MB Flash animation.
lol, forgot about animation. If there isn't a dimension limit, then put a filesize cap.
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Uncle [T]utor of the [T]'s Winner of Weekly Contest 46!
Nex has done 500kb before, however this will, depending on each artist's style, be larger. Does 600kb sound about right? I really am a fan of an honor code in that anyone can submit anything they like but only those which are reasonable are voted on. But if you all would like more strict limits in the future, I can do that too.
we need a cap. Im still on dialup (everyone pity Le_G) may i suggest largets size 300-400 KB its large enough for most still png banners, but still has some movement for animtions that accentuate certain aspects of the banner. (although this would still be a bit larger than I would like, but hey, im on dialup :-(. )
Okay then, more output is welcome, but I am willing to say 400KB for now. Anything else?
"Hello! I've come to serenade you. I can't play guitar. I can't play this accordion either, but I thought it'd be less obvious."
Dylan Moran, Black Books
filesize-wise it's about a quarter that of the banner you're currently using because .gif like what
<snip>
in summary, gif 128 dither, photoshop's default for "save for web," is where it's at
The only problem with saving a banner as a gif, is that if it has even a little transparency, it'll look terrible.
While I am sorry about Le_gambit in me saying this... but I don't see the reason why other users should be cut in our inspiration because of prehistoric connections, I think just allow any size because in the end the winner is whoever gets voted the most and, to be honest, I don't think a wallpaper or a 2gig movie would end up with a lot of votes
Isn't that the point? If a huge banner isn't likely to win, then we're not really losing anything by capping it off at a level that Le_Gambit and other ancient relic-users can handle. And it's not just for the contestants - I'm sure there are plenty of voters and banner connoisseurs out there who will be prevented from critiquing the art if the sizes aren't capped.
As a student, I know that viewing threads with banners on every post already cuts a huge chunk out of my web quota, and I'm sure there are plenty of others in my position. I know we'd appreciate the cap just as much as Le_Gambit and the other web-limited entrants would.
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Endless thanks to Le_Gambit of æтђєг for my avatar and banner!
If you've tried Tim-Tams dipped in salsa, let me know and I'll add you to the list!
Le_Gambit - No it isn't. In fact, having an image that big breaks one of the fundamental rules about web design. Any decent web design school will tell you to shoot for 128 KB TOTAL PAGE SIZE. Obviously, with banners, that goes up a bit. But feasibly, the image shouldn't be any larger than 128kb itself - which is large even for a single image.
Then again, to top it off, I'm a firm believer that animated logos are ugly and simply a former trend from the late 90's.
Because the image will appear on every Avvy/Banner Contest Thread, it should be non-animated to begin with. Also, it should almost undoubtedly be below 200k.
Why? Even if everyone has broadband internet service, MTGSalvation's server still has limited bandwidth. And the more bandwidth we use, the more likely Hannes is to add more advertisements to fund the additional bandwidth.
Other than that, it's just courteous to try and keep your website low-bandwidth friendly. Smaller filesize doesn't necessarily mean less attractive graphics.
Because the image will appear on every Avvy/Banner Contest Thread, it should be non-animated to begin with. Also, it should almost undoubtedly be below 200k.
Why? Even if everyone has broadband internet service, MTGSalvation's server still has limited bandwidth. And the more bandwidth we use, the more likely Hannes is to add more advertisements to fund the additional bandwidth.
Other than that, it's just courteous to try and keep your website low-bandwidth friendly. Smaller filesize doesn't necessarily mean less attractive graphics.
Bingo.
And it's not like the logo gets uglier by making it static - in fact, I'd contest that it'll look better being static.
Because the image will appear on every Avvy/Banner Contest Thread, it should be non-animated to begin with. Also, it should almost undoubtedly be below 200k.
Why? Even if everyone has broadband internet service, MTGSalvation's server still has limited bandwidth. And the more bandwidth we use, the more likely Hannes is to add more advertisements to fund the additional bandwidth.
Other than that, it's just courteous to try and keep your website low-bandwidth friendly. Smaller filesize doesn't necessarily mean less attractive graphics.
It uses the same amount of bandwidth on MTGS if it's uploaded to an off-site host like imagesocket.
And it's not like the logo gets uglier by making it static - in fact, I'd contest that it'll look better being static.
And that is why you do not want for someone if they make it animated. I am leaving it open and will not disqualify anyone. You all have asked for more openess before and here it. In a contest decided only by voting I do not think this is a problem. If you believe that the winning logo should be static then only vote for those that are static. Is this not sound to you? Also I still feel 400kb is fair when some will want to make their's animated. You obviously do not have to use this much, it is just the max. If the majority does however feel that it should be changed out not allow animation that is fine. I am just attempting to clarify where I am coming from.
Also while I had hoped to do this once I cleared it with whomever becomes the new moderator I am going to go ahead and open a suggestion thread for future contests so I can get a more clear picture as what exactly everyone wants to see in this contest.
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The Weekly Contest
For this week you will be creating a banner, a la that of Monthly Artwork and Photoshop contests, for the weekly contest. It must have the title The Avatar and Signature Weekly Contest in it, but the rest is up to you. You get to decide the size, animation or unanimation, as well as magic or non-magic artwork. As always cite non-magic art.
I hope I have time for this one.
The Weekly Avatar & Signature Contest needs Your Vote!
22|24|34|36|38|41|48|50|63|67|98|102|103|114
I knew it sounded wrong this is really cool good idea SG
*ideas!*
*ideas!*
Rolleyes copyright 2001 vbulletin software inc.
Yes, when I said any size I meant any size. Now if you would like to take that to mean make something huge, as you did, you may. However, I would guess that it will not recieve many votes from the regulars here.
Topher, yes it may be animated. I figure as our contests often allow for animation the banner to represent it may as well be able to as well.
Would anyone object to me allowing this?
QFT
Although a sizelimit would be nice, a logo for something has to be reasonable. No wallpaper sized stuff guys
Winner of Weekly Contest 46!
Entirely.
I should think that we need to cap the filesize. A webpage itself should be under 128 KB. No sense having a contest where the fricking logo is a 1-2MB Flash animation.
[KalmWave] [Last.FM]
Ubuntu Linux
lol, forgot about animation. If there isn't a dimension limit, then put a filesize cap.
Winner of Weekly Contest 46!
filesize-wise it's about a quarter that of the banner you're currently using because .gif like what
edit: also, if I may, I'd like to suggest a future week's contest: a banner 6kb or less
edit edit: yusuke, remember to never ever EVER save anything rendered, especially things with gradients, as a .jpg. (Serious advice)
edit edit edit: okay this is completely off topic now, but I was curious myself how big a difference it would make
original jpg
gif 128 dither
gif 64 dither
gif 92 lossy at 25
in summary, gif 128 dither, photoshop's default for "save for web," is where it's at
Okay then, more output is welcome, but I am willing to say 400KB for now. Anything else?
spanglegluppet dot com
"Hello! I've come to serenade you. I can't play guitar. I can't play this accordion either, but I thought it'd be less obvious."
Dylan Moran, Black Books
The only problem with saving a banner as a gif, is that if it has even a little transparency, it'll look terrible.
Isn't that the point? If a huge banner isn't likely to win, then we're not really losing anything by capping it off at a level that Le_Gambit and other ancient relic-users can handle. And it's not just for the contestants - I'm sure there are plenty of voters and banner connoisseurs out there who will be prevented from critiquing the art if the sizes aren't capped.
As a student, I know that viewing threads with banners on every post already cuts a huge chunk out of my web quota, and I'm sure there are plenty of others in my position. I know we'd appreciate the cap just as much as Le_Gambit and the other web-limited entrants would.
that's no excuse for saving something as a .jpg
Then again, to top it off, I'm a firm believer that animated logos are ugly and simply a former trend from the late 90's.
[KalmWave] [Last.FM]
Ubuntu Linux
Why? Even if everyone has broadband internet service, MTGSalvation's server still has limited bandwidth. And the more bandwidth we use, the more likely Hannes is to add more advertisements to fund the additional bandwidth.
Other than that, it's just courteous to try and keep your website low-bandwidth friendly. Smaller filesize doesn't necessarily mean less attractive graphics.
The Weekly Avatar & Signature Contest needs Your Vote!
22|24|34|36|38|41|48|50|63|67|98|102|103|114
Bingo.
And it's not like the logo gets uglier by making it static - in fact, I'd contest that it'll look better being static.
[KalmWave] [Last.FM]
Ubuntu Linux
It uses the same amount of bandwidth on MTGS if it's uploaded to an off-site host like imagesocket.
And that is why you do not want for someone if they make it animated. I am leaving it open and will not disqualify anyone. You all have asked for more openess before and here it. In a contest decided only by voting I do not think this is a problem. If you believe that the winning logo should be static then only vote for those that are static. Is this not sound to you? Also I still feel 400kb is fair when some will want to make their's animated. You obviously do not have to use this much, it is just the max. If the majority does however feel that it should be changed out not allow animation that is fine. I am just attempting to clarify where I am coming from.
Also while I had hoped to do this once I cleared it with whomever becomes the new moderator I am going to go ahead and open a suggestion thread for future contests so I can get a more clear picture as what exactly everyone wants to see in this contest.