Fei Shou

On my couple of days on this site, I have seen some really bad comments on artwork. Merely saying 'ZOMG 10/10 SO COOLIE!!!' or something along the lines of it is spam everywhere else I've been.

So, for those who can't make proper comments, I've decided to post this guide on how to MAKE PROPER COMMENTS. Note: This guide was not created by me, it was created by Deep Dive and anotondev of KHU (Kingdom Hearts Ultimania). I take no credit of creating it, I just feel it is really needed.


1. The falsehood of perfection.

10/10 Never helped anyone. No one. Nada. Zip, zero, squat. So please, don’t hand them out so freely… I highly doubt that there are more then 3 people on the known internet that can make a perfect signature time and time again.

And yes, when you give it a 10/10, you’re calling it perfect.

Even if it’s just a 9.99/10. When I see 10/10 ZOMG! BRILLIANT! PERECT! MICHAELANGELO EAT YOUR HEART OUT! I think of a few things.

1. You have NO idea what you’re talking about.
2. You didn’t take the time to look You saw it, thought “Hmm, that’s pretty snazzy.” And decided that it must be perfect.
3. You feel bad and are trying to make feel good about myself, even though the signature sucks.

Hence, the 10/10. So I usually ignore your post. Even if a 10/10 signature would put me on an ego boost like whoa. .

2. CRITIQUE DAMNIT! (a.k.a Words are our friends.)

Even if you break the habit of 10/10 (or in my case, just don't use it), and give them a 9.99/10, don’t just put good job! Nice tag! Hurrah!

… Once again, that never helped anyone. Be specific! What did you like, what didn’t you like?


QUOTE
"Critique: A written or broadcast assessment of something, usually a creative work, with comments on its good and bad qualities."


Ok, so the cutting was good, the stock blends nicely, and the colors are nice. But… you know what… it’s just slightly oversaturated.

Or the left side looks kinda plain. … And this looks… well, exactly like the last signature you’ve done. And the one before that. And before that. Try something new, nay?

Besides, numbers really don’t tell much. 7/10 might be good in your book… but for those who are used to the 10/10, it’s pretty bad. Words are you’re friends. They’re a lot more descriptive.

BUT if you must use the number system, try breaking it down:

Color: x/10
Stock Choice/Cutting: x/10
Typo: x/10
Technique: x/10
Overall: x/10

Or something like that. This way, you can still use your numbers, but you’re showing what the good, and what they need to improve.

If you just tell them 10/10, once again, you’re saying that overall, as a whole, their work is perfect.

Remember!! There is no law that states that critique must be less then 1.34 sentences long and include numbers.

Believe me, it doesn’t have too.

3. Mixed Signals

You want to make sure when you critque someone, you send a clear signal. Don't tell them you think the font is great, but then list 8 different things that should be changed with it. That the signature is fricken' perfect, but you need to add a border and a do betting cutting with the stock.

Another thing: Don't say it's a "decent" or "ok" siganture, and then give it that cursed 10/10. How cany anything be OK and Perfect at the same time?!

v.V Doesn't make much sense. You confuse the person!! When you do that, I can't tell if you like it or not, if I should change it or not. If you're trying to get a point across, sending mixed motions about something only serves to confuse.

You need to decide: Do you, or don't you like it.

4. Excuses, excuses...

I've noticed this alot lately, people going "This is my first, second, 912th signature" and whatnot, and kinda using it as an excuse for their skill, or lack of.

I don't know if this goes for everyone, but I find it kinda annoying. Same with people going how they only used default brushes, didn't use a tutorial, just got photoshop, etc, etc.

It's like you're making excuses... so don't. You should be proud of what you made, regardless. So please... don't use your inexperience as a way to get sympathy from others. It kinda puts me off infact...

5. A good clean game.

If you’ve made it this far, I’ve hoped you learned that very few signatures are perfect, and honestly critiquing never hurt. So now we’re down to the core of critiquing:

Helping people improve.

If people post their signature, it’s because they want feedback. They could’ve easily just put it in their signature and screwed all our lovely opinions. But seeing as they didn’t...

Let’s play nice, and fairly?

Don’t say a signature good if you honestly don’t think it is. But don’t go on a bitchfest about how it sucked either. Offer suggestions, maybe even point out a tutorial or two. But don't get so hardcore that you discourage them.

Supportive and nurturing children!!


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There. Hopefully that will help some of you. And hopefully you won't be so lazy as to not read it, it shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes.

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