Talking about Shaft

[dar_jeeling]

Is it bad etiquette to give concrit on icons?

You know, like: Love the effects! But mmmaybe you should look into that sharpening thing? Or: Adore the colouring! But perhaps you should try not to sharpen quite that much? Or: Ohhh, I like these, especially the cropping, but you might wanna get familiar with the anti-alias thingy?

Because I don't think I've ever seen a comment like that.

Comments

[siria]

I think its reception depends from person to person, on how you phrase it, and maybe on how well known you are to that person before you give concrit. That said, I really don't think there's a culture of concrit in the iconmaking community that I've seen (though really, I'm on the very edges of that community, if I'm even in it at all, so...)

That said, if you have any concrit for anything I make, I'd love to hear it. I'm very aware that I'm still only learning my way with Photoshop, and any pointers are always helpful. :)

[dar-jeeling.livejournal.com]

Hmm, you know, now that I think about it... There are communities where you can get concrit. It seems to be a bit of a hassle, but on the other hand, you don't know these people, so they're unbiased.

I'm very aware that I'm still only learning my way with Photoshop says the girl who really knows how to work those textures. ;)

[siria]

Eep, I don't really think I am all that good at them. And at the moment, I really think that I'm hiding behind them rather than actually learning how to do anything new. I'm going to have to push myself to improve, I think. *frowns*

[coreopsis.livejournal.com]

I don't know the etiquette (although I tend to assume that nobody wants concrit on anything unless they specifically ask and even then I worry...) But your suggested comments are way nicer than the ones that come to my mind which are more along the lines of "Is that text supposed to be readable? Because it's not." or "Is it supposed to be that fuzzy?" and "Wow, that's ugly...I mean, ummm...interesting choice of effects and colors." And on a few occasiona "Canon does not mean what you seem to think it means. Look it up."

But I never say any of that because it would be mean. And also, kind of weird considering I'm not much of an icon maker myself. Coming from someone with your talent and skill, on the other hand, it might be appreciated if you feel out the person first to see if a gentle constructive comment will destroy their soul or something.

[dar-jeeling.livejournal.com]

unless they specifically ask and even then I worry...
Which is understandable if you've ever met someone who's all: Concrit! Yeah, totally! and then gets defensive and cranky about it.

And also, kind of weird considering I'm not much of an icon maker myself.
But you still have...eyes, you know? ;)

Coming from someone with your talent and skill, on the other hand, it might be appreciated
Or it might come across as condescending. Ah, the possibilities.

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

I definitely, definitely welcome concrit, and really think it would be fine to give it -- if you're worried, send a mail; only the most touchy ones would find fault in that. & :-)

[dar-jeeling.livejournal.com]

Email's always good, but I still wonder if some people even want concrit, you know? Maybe they just don't think it's necessary.

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

If they don't think it's necessary while you do, they are plain wrong. Or blind. Or foolish.

But I am a bad, rude woman. *eg*

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

To clarify: Obviously, nothing excuses rudeness, or ad hominem attacks. But the kind of friendly-worded suggestion you mention above? Seriously. FINE.

[mcalex22.livejournal.com]

The three lovely ladies above me pretty much phrased my thoughts! I would love concrit if required as I pretty much consider myself a novice and I keep my old icons to remind myself of what I used to do.

It depends on how well you know the person and if he/she seeks out criticism. I subscribe to the belief that no matter how nice criticism is worded, it's still a critique and will ineveitably cause some degree of hurt... unless you absolutely know the person who knows that you mean well. And a lot of people are pretty sensitive even if they don't let on. What's worse is if they have friends who decide to be "champions" to their cause and in the wonderful of internet, words can be distorted and intentions misplaced.

Uh, ok, so maybe that was a bit longish...? But I think you get the picture.

[dar-jeeling.livejournal.com]

I keep my old icons to remind myself of what I used to do.
Hee. You know, that could be a cool meme. Post very old, not so old and your latest icons.

What's worse is if they have friends who decide to be "champions" to their cause
Reminds me of some wank in the application post for an elite icon community. Someone got rejected and suddenly there were a few people who were all: Omg, but s/he makes great icons! etc.

[kaizoku.livejournal.com]

You know, that could be a cool meme. Post very old, not so old and your latest icons.

meivocis did a meme like that fairly recently. It was AWESOME. S/he has so many icons, you could really see the changes. You should totally do it too.

[fatuorum.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty open about crit, and I've got something going with tinnny regarding mutual tutoring. (Though uh, not much at the moment, because I got sick of my own icons.) It's still another thing for strangers to come up to you and say your stuff needs work though, and the idea of putting yourself up for crit on a comm full of them is even more daunting. Considering the fact that we all have our own learning curves, there is a certain amount of guarantee that we *will* get better, that it is only a matter of time. So if crit isn't solicited, I'm okay with the idea that the icon maker is happy to do things at their own pace. Afterall, we're all doing it for fun here.

[dar-jeeling.livejournal.com]

there is a certain amount of guarantee that we *will* get better, that it is only a matter of time.

True. Making icons involves alot of trial and error. Or, you know, trial and omg, I didn't know it would look so awesome!

[kaizoku.livejournal.com]

Dude, that's so what I need. Or maybe an icon beta... I think icons are exactly like fic in that after you've been working on one for hours and hours (yeah, I'm slow at making icons) you have no idea which version is best or why something totally isn't working. On the other hand, each icon can be so individual, as well as what makes someone like an icon, that it might be hard to give concrit for a whole set (though some people seem to do themed sets of icons which all use the same textures or colors or concept... I love those, but I can't seem to do it myself.)

[dar-jeeling.livejournal.com]

Oh, hey, if you ever need someone to say: That one!, I'm here. ;)

each icon can be so individual, as well as what makes someone like an icon, that it might be hard to give concrit for a whole set
Very true.

When I do a themed set, this is my usual modus operandi: Play in Photoshop, discover cool effect completely by accident, make a few icons, get bored.

[kaizoku.livejournal.com]

Oh, hey, if you ever need someone to say: That one!, I'm here. ;)

Cool! I might take you up on that.