Pixel Joint Forum: Pixel Art Book (Cover)

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Ensellitis
Commander

Joined: 19 June 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10099

Topic: Pixel Art Book (Cover)
Posted: 19 July 2005 at 3:49pm

Ok everyone... I know most of you have heard of this project. For those who haven't, go here for details.

Last night I discussed the idea of making th cover of the book a collab of the whole community. Not sure if that will be done or not yet... Pixelblink thought it would be a good idea to have one person do it...

However, a new deadline has come up. I got a phone call at 7am this morning. It was a local private publisher that I had talked to awhile back. What I got from the last meeting is that there is no way they would do this, but I guess they changed thier minds sometime since then. Anyways, I got a meeting set for September 5th to meet with their board. I need 2 things, a cover, or start of one, and I need a basic outline. I have the outline taken care of, I am about 25% done with it... But I need help with the cover.

If anyone wants to make one, please do. I need a front and back. Here is a basic mockup of the front...

The text is all nonnegotiable, meaning you can change the look, but all of the texts (Name of book, description, and "Written by..") must remain the same. And the size must stay the same. But other than that, go crazy. You can use old pieces, or make a new one. The back is the same size, but no text to worry about, there will be a transparent box with a small description, so try to have all of the details on the edges.

Any help would be great, and do your best, because this book will be distibuted to Barnes And Noble's, Border's, Amazon, and a few other retail locations...

If there are alot of submissions then we will have a vote for the best ones...

Well, you have a deadline, and a outline. Hopefully I get some help on this, otherwise I will have alot more work to do...

ಠ_ಠ
There's a pubic hair on my keyboard. What the f**k?? I "mow the lawn" so it's not mine. Gross.

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PixelSnader
Commander

Not a troll!

Joined: 05 June 2014
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3194

Posted: 19 July 2005 at 4:40pm

it might be just me, but isnt it a better idea to first make sure you've got all the skills you need to make it?

I mean'you have pretty much just done iso (nothing negative about iso), and a few normal pieces, but i havent seen any moving sprites or anything from you, and, not to be rude or anything, i dont think youre one of the really good artists.

so how are you planning on doing it? cuz it might just be me, but this doesnt seem all such a good plan. no offense, but i think you should think this through again. i mean.. you ask us to pixel something for your pixel tutorialbook :S..

▄▄█ ▄▄█
▄█▄ ▄█▄

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Ensellitis
Commander

Joined: 19 June 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10099

Posted: 19 July 2005 at 5:00pm

I never said I was a good artist. The book is a collection of tutorials gathered...

As stated on my site:
"I am currently working on a book that will basically combine all of the tutorials (useful ones that is), tips, tricks, and so on."

"I am gathering all the tutorials I can to make this book very indepth. So almost anything will help and be added. I will be covering isometric and non-isometric pixel art, so both tutorial-types will be helpful."

This book is just a collection of tutorials, put into an order that if read from cover to cover, the reader will learn the basic skills needed to start getting into it.

I may be a crappy artist compared to other people. And just because I haven't created animated sprites doesn't mean I can't put together a book.

ಠ_ಠ
There's a pubic hair on my keyboard. What the f**k?? I "mow the lawn" so it's not mine. Gross.

IP Logged

sedgemonkey
Admiral
Admiral

Joined: 07 April 2021
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1669

Posted: 19 July 2005 at 5:57pm

I think what Ensellitis is trying to do is just coordinate. He could never have pixelled anything in his entire life and still put the book together.

As for the challenge of getting content... that could be tricky. Leaving the space up for "anything" seems to leave people flat. I would recommend sending PMs to pixel artists you like and asking if they would contribute a new or existing piece or two to the book. It might help to go through their gallery and suggest a few that you like or think would be appropriate for the book.

A lot of artists probably won't give ownership of their work to you for no compensation so I would suggest drafting up a simple contract that allows them to maintain ownership and still have their work in your book. You don't need a lawyer or anything... there's probably tons of contracts at your local Borders in the art section.

Another important consideration is having a graphic designer with print experience (maybe you?) help you with the layout and design. That will give artists confidence that you are really serious about putting the book together and that their work won't be in a sh*tty book.

Once people see that there is a layout, real content by pixel artists and a structured outline you'll be beating back submissions.

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sedgemonkey
Admiral
Admiral

Joined: 07 April 2021
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1669

Posted: 19 July 2005 at 5:59pm

You should probably have a step by step type pixel drawing for the cover since it is a "101" book. I know Bisque, iSTVAN and So-lou all have great step by step pixel pieces that could probably be redesigned for a cover.

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Ensellitis
Commander

Joined: 19 June 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10099

Posted: 19 July 2005 at 6:30pm

I have expierience in printing. I worked for "The Chronicle" as assistant editor, and I have been doing graphic design since 1994. And I am currently working with a person who has had 2 of his books already published.

As for pixel artists contributing pieces, I already have had 12 deviants over at DA note me to let me know I can use thier pieces in the "gallery" in the book.

As it is, I have 23 tutorials that I have gathered and am rewriting (Still giving the original author full credit of course). I already have a crap load of "permission to print" forms, as they are needed for work. I am going to go have Nina redraft those for this project and once that is done I will start collecting mailing addresses so that I can get them sent out.

Within a month I should have the Wiki for this all set up and have the content there that I have done so far

Right now I am still trying to organize the structure a bit more. Sorry if it is misplelled, but I am about to head out the door, and I haven't typed this yet, I am going strait from the sheet...

NR : Needs revising
^   : Needs moved (New section/Placement)
/// : Needs research

1. Getting started
    A. What is pixel art?
       a. Types (///) (NR)
            i. Isometric
            ii. Non-Isometric
            iii. Icons
            iiii. Gaming
       b. History (///)
       c. Usage (///)
    B. Tools
       a. Software (Reviews?) (NR) (///)
(NR)

2. Isometric
    A. Basics
       a. The Grid
       b. Shapes
          i. Giving them shape (^)
          ii. Making them pesky spheres (^)
          iii. Shading/Lightsources (^)
(NR)

3. Non-Isometric
(NR)

4. Icons
(NR)

5. Gaming
(NR)

The structure is still being set up, but that is where I have gotten. As you can see, it is still being worked on. I know it looks a little chaotic, but this is a very rough draft.

ಠ_ಠ
There's a pubic hair on my keyboard. What the f**k?? I "mow the lawn" so it's not mine. Gross.

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sedgemonkey
Admiral
Admiral

Joined: 07 April 2021
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1669

Posted: 19 July 2005 at 7:58pm

Well, that sure clarifies a lot. Your first post doesn't really indicate anything specific so it's hard for us to know what is going on.

Good luck getting it going.

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Saboteur
Commander

Joined: 29 January 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 888

Posted: 19 July 2005 at 10:11pm

Ahh, I wish I had my computer at home...

And I've got a lot of respect for Ensellitis. Not only does he have pixel skills, but he's got people skills as well.

I'd love to help, I'll probably send a cover design once I get back home.

"I was minding my own business and walking across a pebbled path, and a Duck started giving me the business."

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Saiklor
Commander

Joined: 16 May 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 230

Posted: 21 July 2005 at 8:48pm

if you're going into lightsource stuff do you intend to go into other aspects of art as well such as perspective, composition, use of lines/shapes/colours/values/patterns etc etc etc

for the non-iso how indepth do you plan to go?

and this is just me being nosy, I have no real reason to ask this question :-)

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Ork
Midshipman

Joined: 21 April 2014
Location: Finland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 46

Posted: 22 July 2005 at 2:24am

wiki, cool, so there's gonna be a free online version of the book?

...or maybe not, trying to make some money is cool too

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Ensellitis
Commander

Joined: 19 June 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10099

Posted: 22 July 2005 at 7:34am

THe wiki will just be for proof readers and some of the contributing editors. I will be releasing parts of it for little samples though... As for making money... Hardly. I am basically keeping the cost as low as possible for the book. Just enough to recoop losses basically, if I make $10 off this book, I'll be suprised.

ಠ_ಠ
There's a pubic hair on my keyboard. What the f**k?? I "mow the lawn" so it's not mine. Gross.

IP Logged

Ensellitis
Commander

Joined: 19 June 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10099

Posted: 22 July 2005 at 7:37am

Originally posted by Saiklor

if you're going into lightsource stuff do you intend to go into other aspects of art as well such as perspective, composition, use of lines/shapes/colours/values/patterns etc etc etc

for the non-iso how indepth do you plan to go?

and this is just me being nosy, I have no real reason to ask this question :-)

I am going indepth with isometric, including some mathmetics type stuff. Basically every little thing I can think of, including different styles. As for non-iso, I plan on going very deep in, since there are sooooo many different styles.

ಠ_ಠ
There's a pubic hair on my keyboard. What the f**k?? I "mow the lawn" so it's not mine. Gross.

IP Logged

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Pixel Joint Forum : The Lounge : Resources and Support

Author	Message
Ensellitis Commander Joined: 19 June 2005 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10099	Topic: Pixel Art Book (Cover) Posted: 19 July 2005 at 3:49pm
	Ok everyone... I know most of you have heard of this project. For those who haven't, go here for details. Last night I discussed the idea of making th cover of the book a collab of the whole community. Not sure if that will be done or not yet... Pixelblink thought it would be a good idea to have one person do it... However, a new deadline has come up. I got a phone call at 7am this morning. It was a local private publisher that I had talked to awhile back. What I got from the last meeting is that there is no way they would do this, but I guess they changed thier minds sometime since then. Anyways, I got a meeting set for September 5th to meet with their board. I need 2 things, a cover, or start of one, and I need a basic outline. I have the outline taken care of, I am about 25% done with it... But I need help with the cover. If anyone wants to make one, please do. I need a front and back. Here is a basic mockup of the front... The text is all nonnegotiable, meaning you can change the look, but all of the texts (Name of book, description, and "Written by..") must remain the same. And the size must stay the same. But other than that, go crazy. You can use old pieces, or make a new one. The back is the same size, but no text to worry about, there will be a transparent box with a small description, so try to have all of the details on the edges. Any help would be great, and do your best, because this book will be distibuted to Barnes And Noble's, Border's, Amazon, and a few other retail locations... If there are alot of submissions then we will have a vote for the best ones... Well, you have a deadline, and a outline. Hopefully I get some help on this, otherwise I will have alot more work to do...
	ಠ_ಠ There's a pubic hair on my keyboard. What the f**k?? I "mow the lawn" so it's not mine. Gross.
	IP Logged

PixelSnader Commander Not a troll! Joined: 05 June 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3194	Posted: 19 July 2005 at 4:40pm
	it might be just me, but isnt it a better idea to first make sure you've got all the skills you need to make it? I mean'you have pretty much just done iso (nothing negative about iso), and a few normal pieces, but i havent seen any moving sprites or anything from you, and, not to be rude or anything, i dont think youre one of the really good artists. so how are you planning on doing it? cuz it might just be me, but this doesnt seem all such a good plan. no offense, but i think you should think this through again. i mean.. you ask us to pixel something for your pixel tutorialbook :S..
	▄▄█ ▄▄█ ▄█▄ ▄█▄
	IP Logged

Ensellitis Commander Joined: 19 June 2005 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10099	Posted: 19 July 2005 at 5:00pm
	I never said I was a good artist. The book is a collection of tutorials gathered... As stated on my site: "I am currently working on a book that will basically combine all of the tutorials (useful ones that is), tips, tricks, and so on." "I am gathering all the tutorials I can to make this book very indepth. So almost anything will help and be added. I will be covering isometric and non-isometric pixel art, so both tutorial-types will be helpful." This book is just a collection of tutorials, put into an order that if read from cover to cover, the reader will learn the basic skills needed to start getting into it. I may be a crappy artist compared to other people. And just because I haven't created animated sprites doesn't mean I can't put together a book.
	ಠ_ಠ There's a pubic hair on my keyboard. What the f**k?? I "mow the lawn" so it's not mine. Gross.
	IP Logged

sedgemonkey Admiral Joined: 07 April 2021 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1669	Posted: 19 July 2005 at 5:57pm
	I think what Ensellitis is trying to do is just coordinate. He could never have pixelled anything in his entire life and still put the book together. As for the challenge of getting content... that could be tricky. Leaving the space up for "anything" seems to leave people flat. I would recommend sending PMs to pixel artists you like and asking if they would contribute a new or existing piece or two to the book. It might help to go through their gallery and suggest a few that you like or think would be appropriate for the book. A lot of artists probably won't give ownership of their work to you for no compensation so I would suggest drafting up a simple contract that allows them to maintain ownership and still have their work in your book. You don't need a lawyer or anything... there's probably tons of contracts at your local Borders in the art section. Another important consideration is having a graphic designer with print experience (maybe you?) help you with the layout and design. That will give artists confidence that you are really serious about putting the book together and that their work won't be in a sh*tty book. Once people see that there is a layout, real content by pixel artists and a structured outline you'll be beating back submissions.
	IP Logged

sedgemonkey Admiral Joined: 07 April 2021 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1669	Posted: 19 July 2005 at 5:59pm
	You should probably have a step by step type pixel drawing for the cover since it is a "101" book. I know Bisque, iSTVAN and So-lou all have great step by step pixel pieces that could probably be redesigned for a cover.
	IP Logged

Ensellitis Commander Joined: 19 June 2005 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10099	Posted: 19 July 2005 at 6:30pm
	I have expierience in printing. I worked for "The Chronicle" as assistant editor, and I have been doing graphic design since 1994. And I am currently working with a person who has had 2 of his books already published. As for pixel artists contributing pieces, I already have had 12 deviants over at DA note me to let me know I can use thier pieces in the "gallery" in the book. As it is, I have 23 tutorials that I have gathered and am rewriting (Still giving the original author full credit of course). I already have a crap load of "permission to print" forms, as they are needed for work. I am going to go have Nina redraft those for this project and once that is done I will start collecting mailing addresses so that I can get them sent out. Within a month I should have the Wiki for this all set up and have the content there that I have done so far Right now I am still trying to organize the structure a bit more. Sorry if it is misplelled, but I am about to head out the door, and I haven't typed this yet, I am going strait from the sheet... NR : Needs revising ^ : Needs moved (New section/Placement) /// : Needs research 1. Getting started A. What is pixel art? a. Types (///) (NR) i. Isometric ii. Non-Isometric iii. Icons iiii. Gaming b. History (///) c. Usage (///) B. Tools a. Software (Reviews?) (NR) (///) (NR) 2. Isometric A. Basics a. The Grid b. Shapes i. Giving them shape (^) ii. Making them pesky spheres (^) iii. Shading/Lightsources (^) (NR) 3. Non-Isometric (NR) 4. Icons (NR) 5. Gaming (NR) The structure is still being set up, but that is where I have gotten. As you can see, it is still being worked on. I know it looks a little chaotic, but this is a very rough draft.
	ಠ_ಠ There's a pubic hair on my keyboard. What the f**k?? I "mow the lawn" so it's not mine. Gross.
	IP Logged

sedgemonkey Admiral Joined: 07 April 2021 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1669	Posted: 19 July 2005 at 7:58pm
	Well, that sure clarifies a lot. Your first post doesn't really indicate anything specific so it's hard for us to know what is going on. Good luck getting it going.
	IP Logged

Saboteur Commander Joined: 29 January 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 888	Posted: 19 July 2005 at 10:11pm
	Ahh, I wish I had my computer at home... And I've got a lot of respect for Ensellitis. Not only does he have pixel skills, but he's got people skills as well. I'd love to help, I'll probably send a cover design once I get back home.
	"I was minding my own business and walking across a pebbled path, and a Duck started giving me the business."
	IP Logged

Saiklor Commander Joined: 16 May 2005 Online Status: Offline Posts: 230	Posted: 21 July 2005 at 8:48pm
	if you're going into lightsource stuff do you intend to go into other aspects of art as well such as perspective, composition, use of lines/shapes/colours/values/patterns etc etc etc for the non-iso how indepth do you plan to go? and this is just me being nosy, I have no real reason to ask this question :-)
	IP Logged

Ork Midshipman Joined: 21 April 2014 Location: Finland Online Status: Offline Posts: 46	Posted: 22 July 2005 at 2:24am
	wiki, cool, so there's gonna be a free online version of the book? ...or maybe not, trying to make some money is cool too
	IP Logged

Ensellitis Commander Joined: 19 June 2005 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10099	Posted: 22 July 2005 at 7:34am
	THe wiki will just be for proof readers and some of the contributing editors. I will be releasing parts of it for little samples though... As for making money... Hardly. I am basically keeping the cost as low as possible for the book. Just enough to recoop losses basically, if I make $10 off this book, I'll be suprised.
	ಠ_ಠ There's a pubic hair on my keyboard. What the f**k?? I "mow the lawn" so it's not mine. Gross.
	IP Logged

Ensellitis Commander Joined: 19 June 2005 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10099	Posted: 22 July 2005 at 7:37am
	*Originally posted by Saiklor* if you're going into lightsource stuff do you intend to go into other aspects of art as well such as perspective, composition, use of lines/shapes/colours/values/patterns etc etc etc for the non-iso how indepth do you plan to go? and this is just me being nosy, I have no real reason to ask this question :-) I am going indepth with isometric, including some mathmetics type stuff. Basically every little thing I can think of, including different styles. As for non-iso, I plan on going very deep in, since there are sooooo many different styles.
	ಠ_ಠ There's a pubic hair on my keyboard. What the f**k?? I "mow the lawn" so it's not mine. Gross.
	IP Logged