Pixel Joint Forum: Submission does not meet our quality standards (!)

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Haisook
Seaman
Seaman

Joined: 23 October 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4

Topic: Submission does not meet our quality standards (!)
Posted: 28 October 2009 at 11:27am

First I'm not trying to be annoying or rude. I'm just confused.

This is the 3rd time I get this message. As to the first two, they weren't really that good, but this last one is not bad I must say. I have seen worse ones here in the gallery.

So I just wonder what exactly your "quality standards" are? Isn't this a website where amateurs and professionals can equally submit their work? There are impressive pieces here, but what about us newcomers? Do I need to be as professional as some people here in order to just submit my work? What about letting us submit our work, and if they weren't good, the USERS would vote them down, and bring them to the bottom of the gallery. This would be fair.

I like the public queue feature, because USERS are the ones who vote, but "quality standards"? I can't even find them in the FAQ. How can I abide to them when I don't know what they are?

For example, my last submission, Green Monster Welcomes You To Hell, was denied entry due to these reasons.

I don't see how I could do more revision to this piece. It's just a simple cartoon illustration, and I want it to look this way, and I'm sure a few people out there would like it. Why don't you let simple pieces like this in?

I'm really confused

, and would like to hear your explanation.
Thank you.

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jalonso
Admiral
Admiral

Joined: 29 November 2022
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13537

Posted: 28 October 2009 at 1:34pm

I did not send this back but may have had I seen it before it was sent back.
I agree new people to pixelart deserve a chance to get motivated to get better.
That said. I think the mouth and eye being exactly the same colors as the background makes your alien look poor and surely could have been better colored. If the mouth were darker, even if still red and the eye lighter colored, even if still red would make a better pic.
The hand being cut off on the right hand side is not that good a design choice. Any person could reject this just for that.
Lastly, even though you have used several shades of green nothing really is gained by them. Its a dark outline with a single color looking interior.
So....
Maybe if you recolor your piece using more contrast and color variations and center the alien in the canvas it can meet standards.

PJ standards have nothing to do with style or design as a general rule. However, pixelart techniques do. Cartoony is perfectly fine nobody cares or judges that. Think technique, execution and precision.

This is not THE explanation this is just my explanation of what can make your piece better whether accepted in the gallery or not...

fix it ... be patient ... re-submit ... hope its me on duty

PJs FAQ <•> Sticky Reads

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Haisook
Seaman
Seaman

Joined: 23 October 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4

Posted: 28 October 2009 at 2:06pm

Thanks for the reply.

It's ironic how you pointed out the eye, mouth, and background having the same color as the main drawback, when this very style was actually intended! I wanted the monster to look a little freaky (and I also intended it to look dumb with this smile) having a red eye and standing in hell, which is supposed to be red, isn't it?

The hand being cut is also intended because there was no need for another hand in the picture, as waving is usually done with one hand. And well, I want it to be this way! It's like photographing someone's upper part, or a the front of a car. The rest might get cut off, probably because it's not important.

The darker shade of green and the brighter one indicates the lighting is from the front, so the guy's sides are a bit darker, or that's what I thought.

I don't know. Your remarks are good, but highly subjective. Sometimes I come across very popular pieces which I simply dislike. It's a matter of personal taste. But now you're like telling me Pixel Art has rigid rules I can't bypass. Those rules are not even on paper, so I'm not able to follow them. For instance, the Submission Rules did not mention "missing body parts" as a criterion against submission.

Anyway, I appreciate your input, and I'll see what I can do about this piece.

Thank you again.

Edited by Haisook - 28 October 2009 at 2:13pm

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jalonso
Admiral
Admiral

Joined: 29 November 2022
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13537

Posted: 28 October 2009 at 3:12pm

True! art is subjective which is why I ended my comment with,
"This is not THE explanation this is just my explanation of what can make your piece better whether accepted in the gallery or not..."

About your intentions. You can't expect us to know them. The description area of a piece's page is to explain things when needed. For example... "the eye, mouth, and background having the same color is the very style I intended!...then we can understand.

About rules, specs and other technicalities. Every art style has its own limitations. Like any form of art a list can never be compiled because there are exceptions and things can occasionally evolve a little.
Pixelart comes from a time when computers were technically limited therefore just because you current computer has millions of colors does not mean you get to use them. Just because a spiffy new program can 'simulate' pixels does not mean its pixelart, etc.
Then there are the cultural aspects of pixelart. For example, in pixelart you NEVER light head-on because many years ago Photoshop invented filters and the first on the list was 'bevel and emboss'. Soon pixelartists were cheating with it and someone said its 'Pillow Shading'. It stuck, it lives.
Your decision to light head-on is wrong for pixelart. You be yourself and do what you wish but if your vision calls for head-on lighting then you must also pick another style. Nothing is wrong but styles have their 'thing' which you need to respect.
If you carve David out of butter it will not be classical art. It would be modern art...see.

Edited by jalonso - 28 October 2009 at 3:15pm

PJs FAQ <•> Sticky Reads

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greenraven
Commander

Joined: 08 September 2016
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2598

Posted: 28 October 2009 at 3:12pm

Originally posted by Haisook

I have seen worse ones here in the gallery.

Most people react very negatively when hearing that, however true it may be, try avoid saying that it's only going to work against you in the long run. It's a double standard, it sucks I know, but there's not much you can do about it.

For what it's worth I don't think your piece is all that bad for a newcomer. But then again, I'm not the most disagreeable person you're going to meet here.

Also, listen to any advice jal gives you, he's like... Jesus around here. Both in wisdom and age.

"pwnage comes with patience, practice and planning." ~ Jalonso

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Haisook
Seaman
Seaman

Joined: 23 October 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4

Posted: 28 October 2009 at 4:01pm

Well, isn't that head-on lighting in your avatar, jalonso? I think it is. It's like the light is coming from the front.

Anyway, thanks for your responses, and I'm back to my stuff.

Edited by Haisook - 28 October 2009 at 4:03pm

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Pragz
Commander

Joined: 09 August 2009
Location: Ireland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 136

Posted: 28 October 2009 at 4:20pm

Actually, as you can tell from the scarab engraving on the pumpkin, the light is coming from top-right on his avatar. :3

The piece was most likely not let in because there weren't enough "Yes" votes. I'm pretty sure the Mods don't go running around sending back every piece they dislike. If you had enough "Yes" votes for it, they'd probably just pass it along saying "I don't like it, but 4 other people do so..."

Also, do note that the gallery was created for the purpose of displaying good artwork. You may or may not like it, but the Mods ultimately get to say if your piece goes on or not based on quality. If it doesn't look up-to-par, they'll just send it back and kindly ask you to revise it. I mean, it's not like they're saying "OMG just give up already!", right?

Also, must say you saying his comments were subjective is quite hypocritical. The second sentence in your first post is subjective and quite rude.

Hello - I'm new here. :)

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greenraven
Commander

Joined: 08 September 2016
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2598

Posted: 28 October 2009 at 4:45pm

Originally posted by Pragz

The piece was most likely not let in because there weren't enough "Yes" votes.

No. Then it would have gotten a "not enough points" message.

Viola, FAQ.

Edited by greenraven - 28 October 2009 at 4:46pm

"pwnage comes with patience, practice and planning." ~ Jalonso

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Pragz
Commander

Joined: 09 August 2009
Location: Ireland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 136

Posted: 28 October 2009 at 5:07pm

I meant that from a post I saw from one of you Mods. It said you use the Yes/No votes to make some decisions regarding on-the-line pieces.

Hello - I'm new here. :)

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Haisook
Seaman
Seaman

Joined: 23 October 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4

Posted: 28 October 2009 at 5:10pm

I was pretty rude when I said that. I'm sorry, but I actually didn't mean it. I meant that there are ones which look seemingly simpler, with no effects, or details, and they were let in. To be honest, there are ones I've come across that I couldn't figure what they depict. I'm not against those pieces, because their owners must have meant something by them, and other people may find them appealing.

This is why I vote for either: 1. Let all people submit their work whatever they are, and the votes would bring them down if they are really bad, OR 2. If that's too open, the public queue feature is excellent - where ALL works pass by it before being published. Let people decide. But please drop out the 'quality standards' thing. I'm sorry if I sound rude here.

May be a public poll in the main page would be a good idea, if that goes along with your own views about your website of course.

Sorry for being such an annoyance.
Thanks.

Edited by Haisook - 28 October 2009 at 5:52pm

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Author	Message
Haisook Seaman Joined: 23 October 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Topic: Submission does not meet our quality standards (!) Posted: 28 October 2009 at 11:27am
	First I'm not trying to be annoying or rude. I'm just confused. This is the 3rd time I get this message. As to the first two, they weren't really that good, but this last one is not bad I must say. I have seen worse ones here in the gallery. So I just wonder what exactly your "quality standards" are? Isn't this a website where amateurs and professionals can equally submit their work? There are impressive pieces here, but what about us newcomers? Do I need to be as professional as some people here in order to just submit my work? What about letting us submit our work, and if they weren't good, the USERS would vote them down, and bring them to the bottom of the gallery. This would be fair. I like the public queue feature, because USERS are the ones who vote, but "quality standards"? I can't even find them in the FAQ. How can I abide to them when I don't know what they are? For example, my last submission, Green Monster Welcomes You To Hell, was denied entry due to these reasons. I don't see how I could do more revision to this piece. It's just a simple cartoon illustration, and I want it to look this way, and I'm sure a few people out there would like it. Why don't you let simple pieces like this in? I'm really confused , and would like to hear your explanation. Thank you.
	IP Logged

jalonso Admiral Joined: 29 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13537	Posted: 28 October 2009 at 1:34pm
	I did not send this back but may have had I seen it before it was sent back. I agree new people to pixelart deserve a chance to get motivated to get better. That said. I think the mouth and eye being exactly the same colors as the background makes your alien look poor and surely could have been better colored. If the mouth were darker, even if still red and the eye lighter colored, even if still red would make a better pic. The hand being cut off on the right hand side is not that good a design choice. Any person could reject this just for that. Lastly, even though you have used several shades of green nothing really is gained by them. Its a dark outline with a single color looking interior. So.... Maybe if you recolor your piece using more contrast and color variations and center the alien in the canvas it can meet standards. PJ standards have nothing to do with style or design as a general rule. However, pixelart techniques do. Cartoony is perfectly fine nobody cares or judges that. Think technique, execution and precision. This is not THE explanation this is just my explanation of what can make your piece better whether accepted in the gallery or not... fix it ... be patient ... re-submit ... hope its me on duty
	PJs FAQ <•> Sticky Reads
	IP Logged

Haisook Seaman Joined: 23 October 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 28 October 2009 at 2:06pm
	Thanks for the reply. It's ironic how you pointed out the eye, mouth, and background having the same color as the main drawback, when this very style was actually intended! I wanted the monster to look a little freaky (and I also intended it to look dumb with this smile) having a red eye and standing in hell, which is supposed to be red, isn't it? The hand being cut is also intended because there was no need for another hand in the picture, as waving is usually done with one hand. And well, I want it to be this way! It's like photographing someone's upper part, or a the front of a car. The rest might get cut off, probably because it's not important. The darker shade of green and the brighter one indicates the lighting is from the front, so the guy's sides are a bit darker, or that's what I thought. I don't know. Your remarks are good, but highly subjective. Sometimes I come across very popular pieces which I simply dislike. It's a matter of personal taste. But now you're like telling me Pixel Art has rigid rules I can't bypass. Those rules are not even on paper, so I'm not able to follow them. For instance, the Submission Rules did not mention "missing body parts" as a criterion against submission. Anyway, I appreciate your input, and I'll see what I can do about this piece. Thank you again. Edited by Haisook - 28 October 2009 at 2:13pm
	IP Logged

jalonso Admiral Joined: 29 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13537	Posted: 28 October 2009 at 3:12pm
	True! art is subjective which is why I ended my comment with, "This is not THE explanation this is just my explanation of what can make your piece better whether accepted in the gallery or not..." About your intentions. You can't expect us to know them. The description area of a piece's page is to explain things when needed. For example... "the eye, mouth, and background having the same color is the very style I intended!...then we can understand. About rules, specs and other technicalities. Every art style has its own limitations. Like any form of art a list can never be compiled because there are exceptions and things can occasionally evolve a little. Pixelart comes from a time when computers were technically limited therefore just because you current computer has millions of colors does not mean you get to use them. Just because a spiffy new program can 'simulate' pixels does not mean its pixelart, etc. Then there are the cultural aspects of pixelart. For example, in pixelart you NEVER light head-on because many years ago Photoshop invented filters and the first on the list was 'bevel and emboss'. Soon pixelartists were cheating with it and someone said its 'Pillow Shading'. It stuck, it lives. Your decision to light head-on is wrong for pixelart. You be yourself and do what you wish but if your vision calls for head-on lighting then you must also pick another style. Nothing is wrong but styles have their 'thing' which you need to respect. If you carve David out of butter it will not be classical art. It would be modern art...see. Edited by jalonso - 28 October 2009 at 3:15pm
	PJs FAQ <•> Sticky Reads
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greenraven Commander Joined: 08 September 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2598	Posted: 28 October 2009 at 3:12pm
	*Originally posted by Haisook* I have seen worse ones here in the gallery. Most people react very negatively when hearing that, however true it may be, try avoid saying that it's only going to work against you in the long run. It's a double standard, it sucks I know, but there's not much you can do about it. For what it's worth I don't think your piece is all that bad for a newcomer. But then again, I'm not the most disagreeable person you're going to meet here. Also, listen to any advice jal gives you, he's like... Jesus around here. Both in wisdom and age.
	"pwnage comes with patience, practice and planning." ~ Jalonso
	IP Logged

Haisook Seaman Joined: 23 October 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 28 October 2009 at 4:01pm
	Well, isn't that head-on lighting in your avatar, jalonso? I think it is. It's like the light is coming from the front. Anyway, thanks for your responses, and I'm back to my stuff. Edited by Haisook - 28 October 2009 at 4:03pm
	IP Logged

Pragz Commander Joined: 09 August 2009 Location: Ireland Online Status: Offline Posts: 136	Posted: 28 October 2009 at 4:20pm
	Actually, as you can tell from the scarab engraving on the pumpkin, the light is coming from top-right on his avatar. :3 The piece was most likely not let in because there weren't enough "Yes" votes. I'm pretty sure the Mods don't go running around sending back every piece they dislike. If you had enough "Yes" votes for it, they'd probably just pass it along saying "I don't like it, but 4 other people do so..." Also, do note that the gallery was created for the purpose of displaying good artwork. You may or may not like it, but the Mods ultimately get to say if your piece goes on or not based on quality. If it doesn't look up-to-par, they'll just send it back and kindly ask you to revise it. I mean, it's not like they're saying "OMG just give up already!", right? Also, must say you saying his comments were subjective is quite hypocritical. The second sentence in your first post is subjective and quite rude.
	Hello - I'm new here. :)
	IP Logged

greenraven Commander Joined: 08 September 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2598	Posted: 28 October 2009 at 4:45pm
	*Originally posted by Pragz* The piece was most likely not let in because there weren't enough "Yes" votes. No. Then it would have gotten a "not enough points" message. Viola, FAQ. Edited by greenraven - 28 October 2009 at 4:46pm
	"pwnage comes with patience, practice and planning." ~ Jalonso
	IP Logged

Pragz Commander Joined: 09 August 2009 Location: Ireland Online Status: Offline Posts: 136	Posted: 28 October 2009 at 5:07pm
	I meant that from a post I saw from one of you Mods. It said you use the Yes/No votes to make some decisions regarding on-the-line pieces.
	Hello - I'm new here. :)
	IP Logged

Haisook Seaman Joined: 23 October 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 28 October 2009 at 5:10pm
	I was pretty rude when I said that. I'm sorry, but I actually didn't mean it. I meant that there are ones which look seemingly simpler, with no effects, or details, and they were let in. To be honest, there are ones I've come across that I couldn't figure what they depict. I'm not against those pieces, because their owners must have meant something by them, and other people may find them appealing. This is why I vote for either: 1. Let all people submit their work whatever they are, and the votes would bring them down if they are really bad, OR 2. If that's too open, the public queue feature is excellent - where ALL works pass by it before being published. Let people decide. But please drop out the 'quality standards' thing. I'm sorry if I sound rude here. May be a public poll in the main page would be a good idea, if that goes along with your own views about your website of course. Sorry for being such an annoyance. Thanks. Edited by Haisook - 28 October 2009 at 5:52pm
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