Where are all the graphic designers at?

[ElseAndrew]

One of my themes in the library has 600 installs and only 10 people have taken the time to leave a rating for it, a lot of people on ProBoards aren't grateful a recent example would be someone removing a link I put to Slightly Insane on one of my premade skins when a lot of work goes into them.

• Design a template in Photoshop
  
• Slicing it all up so it's ready for code
  
• Changing all of the colours on ProBoards theme creator so it matches your pattern
• Spending countless hours coding it.

Also as Smangii mentioned, the current library is full of rubbish work, and the rating system is broke, a skin with 1 vote and 5 stars is rated higher than a skin with a 4.5 rating and 1234 votes so the current system isn't taking the amount of votes into consideration. When someone submits a skin and gets that email saying "Your Template has been added!" They hurry over to ProBoards and hit a 5 star rating, suddenly it's on the front page of "Highest Rated" that's one issue that needs fixing.

ProBoards once had a really active designing community, but in my opinion it took so long for ProBoards to push out updates so other people just moved on to more stables communities that had regular updates and a thriving community pushing out great content that other people appreciated. 

[Former Member]

Putting forth feature requests about the theme library's shortcomings would be quite helpful instead of simply letting it drive you away, guys. I know that some have been put forth, particularly by Stinky and recently Wormopolis for the Plugin Library, but there isn't a resounding cry throughout the site for any change, really. Therefore, to expect any change is unlikely. Developers can't read your minds. I knew there was dissatisfaction but not to this degree, how can you expect them to?

Personally, I'd love to see credits become something added that can't be removed. Like.. a code you can put into a Premade Theme and access only as the creator, kind of like how members can't access the Build area of a Plugin without approval and thus any credit in comments is intact. Perhaps some footer area that's added solely for Theme Creators to put their untouchable credits. That is something I would love to see because people change credits, resize it smaller, remove it, or put their OWN credits on it which is the true kicker. Maybe I'll throw it into support as a feature request if anyone else likes the idea.

I love the new freedoms with V5, I do. When you get a skin, you get all this premade coding with it too and it helps the newbie non-coders get some gorgeous themes! And V5 isn't responsible for the sudden abundance of ugly skins, in my opinion. Goodness do I remember the horrendously ugly V4 premade skins. They just weren't all in one place like they are now. It wouldn't be fair to say creating work to give for free to other members is restricted to "good" creators. If it looks bad, it won't get used, simple as that. Or it will get used by someone who is a little bit less artistically-inclined themselves. Good for them if they can produce something, anything, and have someone else use it, that's a good, sharing feeling that proboards has always seemed to promote. I do agree that voting should probably get a bit of a better balance, though, like ElseAndrew said.

I think V5 has opened the gate to more designers actively putting out their themes. There have always been ugly themes, there has always been lack of recognition, there has always been problems because that's simply life, but the easy-installing themes made the use of premades skyrocket and the new, fantastic way of coding made the quality of some themes skyrocket as well. I never heard of anyone but Stinky before V5, personally. Now, like David Clark said, some of you guys are household names and create the most beautiful themes that truly gift people, even if it's only one person.

/shutting up after long ramble

[Stinky666]

I will hold judgement regarding the premium themes, until we know more.

One thing I do worry about with it, is the simple fact that anyone will be able to make their theme premium. As - unfortunately - been mentioned so many times in the past, it's a case of themes being subjective, whether or not they are good or bad, pretty or ugly. Which I agree with, there is no doubt about that. That will always be the case with anything (design, music, films, etc). What one person likes and thinks is ugly, another will think is amazing and beautiful.

I know the argument will be the same with premium themes, a case of "if it's not 'good' then it wont get as many - if any - downloads as the 'better' ones.

Which again, yes I agree with. However, surely everyone here would agree that there will need to be harsh (or reasonably so) standards for premium content, unlike there currently is with themes. Basically at the moment to submit a theme and it be accepted, you just need to make a few alterations to a default theme, and bam, it's in the library.
Which is fine, since they are all free, and like previously mentioned, everyone has their own tastes.

Personally, I'd rather you guys reject themes as premium (even my own) for whatever reasons, but to say "do this and this, and we will review it again", than to simply accept any and all.


Premium should be exactly that. There should be specific guidelines to follow for a theme can be considered as a premium. Perhaps a minimum amount of alterations in each section (colours, layout templates). You couldn't call a default PB theme a premium one, with it just having the blue changed to a green, for example.

I for one really look forward to a premium option, to be able to make some money from my designs (if possible - if accepted). I also know other people who are too. I think if you, ProBoards, work with us, the design (theme) community (and of course the Plugin creators), we could at least HELP come up with some guidelines.

---

Also, ₪» ⅀ ƪ Ƒ «₪, I mentioned before (quite a long time ago) about the fact of us theme creators not having anywhere to put our stamp like the plugin creators. I honestly can't remember what was agreed upon, or whatever happened with it. No matter where we designers put some form of copyright (or stamp) it can 'easily' be removed or edited. Personally I am not too bothered about shoving a copyright anywhere visible to members for my themes. I don't think I have done it for any of my themes. However, something reasonably similar to what the Plugin Devs have, would be nice. Perhaps an extra option below "Description" or "Theme Name" (or at the side of name) that says "Theme created by: NAME".

[Kami]

Dec 12, 2013 17:00:45 GMT -8 David Clark said:

Remember, too, that (as you might have already suspected from the large "FREE" text on every library listing) there are plans to allow content creators to be able to charge for their premium content. Is there any credit or appreciation better than money for your work? :D

This would be a HUGE incentive for me, possibly, depending on how pricing was set up.

EDIT: oops I missed page two. Honestly, though, what I think a lot of people are missing are the time and effort it takes to create a premade template when people are SO DEMANDING for something they get for free.

I've been stalking checking out Trinity's support threads for their layouts for a while now and just the sheer number of people who -- despite the useage rules on the opening post -- expect to get catered to is astounding.

People want to use premades and then expect to be able to use them as a base, rather than a whole skin, and I find that problematic considering the time and effort that goes through a premade.

[Former Member]

I agree majorly with that, Kami. There is a difference between a request and a premade and that is a line not many understand, and further than that they ask questions that it shouldn't be the responsibility of the Theme Creator to answer. Things like custom profile fields are something ALL admins have to struggle with learning their first time, asking the Creator specifically to explain all these basic things is rather... rude, honestly. If it something TRULY pertaining to their theme you have a question about, alright. But when it's something general and they go bothering the Creator about how to put it on their site--no. Figure it out like the rest of us and get in your own thread and ask the public rather than the person who spent countless hours making something premade for you.

I really don't know why I felt the need to rant just now.. doesn't really contribute anything. x.x' I'msorry

[Kami]

Dec 13, 2013 13:49:53 GMT -8 ₪» ⅀ ƪ Ƒ «₪ said:

I agree majorly with that, Kami. There is a difference between a request and a premade and that is a line not many understand, and further than that they ask questions that it shouldn't be the responsibility of the Theme Creator to answer. Things like custom profile fields are something ALL admins have to struggle with learning their first time, asking the Creator specifically to explain all these basic things is rather... rude, honestly. If it something TRULY pertaining to their theme you have a question about, alright. But when it's something general and they go bothering the Creator about how to put it on their site--no. Figure it out like the rest of us and get in your own thread and ask the public rather than the person who spent countless hours making something premade for you.

I really don't know why I felt the need to rant just now.. doesn't really contribute anything. x.x' I'msorry

Which is why I have a problem doing requests here. People aren't grateful for what's done for them. I mean, back when I was actively filling requests in GDR, I actually had a list of people I would not fill for anymore, due to some sort of rudeness (either not crediting me, or disappearing and not saying thank you despite using images, being really demanding with what they got, etc). When that list exceeded about a dozen people, I stopped filling. It just wasn't worth it.

Now I do requests if I have time, or make premades if I'm feeling generous. But I've completely been turned off from making them since they're never left in tact.

This was v4, but I'd get so many sites that had a credit to me in their sidebar, like I had designed the skin, but all that *really* happened was they ripped the coding and changed everything, but left the credit.

Of course, I hadn't a leg to stand on either since they were all premade codes since I am not a coder.

[ElseAndrew]

Dec 14, 2013 8:28:39 GMT -8 Kami said:

Dec 13, 2013 13:49:53 GMT -8 ₪» ⅀ ƪ Ƒ «₪ said:

I agree majorly with that, Kami. There is a difference between a request and a premade and that is a line not many understand, and further than that they ask questions that it shouldn't be the responsibility of the Theme Creator to answer. Things like custom profile fields are something ALL admins have to struggle with learning their first time, asking the Creator specifically to explain all these basic things is rather... rude, honestly. If it something TRULY pertaining to their theme you have a question about, alright. But when it's something general and they go bothering the Creator about how to put it on their site--no. Figure it out like the rest of us and get in your own thread and ask the public rather than the person who spent countless hours making something premade for you.

I really don't know why I felt the need to rant just now.. doesn't really contribute anything. x.x' I'msorry

Which is why I have a problem doing requests here. People aren't grateful for what's done for them. I mean, back when I was actively filling requests in GDR, I actually had a list of people I would not fill for anymore, due to some sort of rudeness (either not crediting me, or disappearing and not saying thank you despite using images, being really demanding with what they got, etc). When that list exceeded about a dozen people, I stopped filling. It just wasn't worth it.

Now I do requests if I have time, or make premades if I'm feeling generous. But I've completely been turned off from making them since they're never left in tact.

This was v4, but I'd get so many sites that had a credit to me in their sidebar, like I had designed the skin, but all that *really* happened was they ripped the coding and changed everything, but left the credit.

Of course, I hadn't a leg to stand on either since they were all premade codes since I am not a coder.

I designed and coded a full forum for a guy on ProBoards v5, I was constantly updating it and I did all of this free of charge, but I didn't want to work for free anymore, and I told him that he'll have to find a new developer to continue working or he can pay me and I'll gladly continue, not only did he not take me up on my offer despite all of the free work I've done, he hasn't spoken to me since even though before hand he spoke to me every single day, it's shows how much people use you until you won't do things for free.

[Adam]

When I first joined the forum many years ago, before taking a long break, that section was filled with requests and requests takers. I myself would occasionally find myself taking care of someones request.

One of the reasons I stopped was because how ungrateful people were.

I would sometimes spend a half hour+ on some graphics for their forums and I would get a simple "thanks" reply with no gratitude whatsoever, like they were above me.

Also, obviously that section was for "free" graphics and I found my way selling them instead which for me was a better way to go, and I am sure I am not the only person who took that path.

[Kami]

Dec 15, 2013 6:55:44 GMT -8 ElseAndrew said:

I designed and coded a full forum for a guy on ProBoards v5, I was constantly updating it and I did all of this free of charge, but I didn't want to work for free anymore, and I told him that he'll have to find a new developer to continue working or he can pay me and I'll gladly continue, not only did he not take me up on my offer despite all of the free work I've done, he hasn't spoken to me since even though before hand he spoke to me every single day, it's shows how much people use you until you won't do things for free.

And that is exactly why I refuse to fill "requests".

[sharon]

I appreciate everyone's feedback on the matter - there's a comfort in knowing I'm not alone in remembering the old days. I hope this thread will not be ignored and people requesting assistance in the Graphic Design Request Board will be more attentive to their own request and be generous with their compliments and gratitude. I'm not sure if it's possible to get the GDR board back to where it used to be but I would really love to see other designers fill requests as well so I can check out different techniques, etc... That was one of the funnest part of the old days is seeing something by another designer and then learning their technique - it was EXCITING!

I think the thing that turned me off in the past was when people would request specifics in the intial request and then end up changing all of the details later like change of text, colors, pictures, etc... Without appreciating the fact that I attempted their request and with the understanding the time that was put into the design (we don't always like to save the PSD files, so we cannot always simply alter specifics in a finished design). ...but I may be preaching to the choir on that one huh?

[alleriarose]

I have done stuff for many communities spanning many type of boards and sites. and I have to say the ones I do free make me feel better when i get a compliment on them, even if it's one and it's from the person who requested it. As far as all the complaining well think of it like this ... it's more credits under your belt as well as more exp. I'm sure, like me, you all save the originals. Anyways. I don't put my work up for blind public use very often(EX: deviantart, dafont,etc.). I only do custom requests. and if they pay me cool. If you want money for it, make a site and sell your themes, and code perma watermarks as well as get a broad Copyright or TM for your company and put it in it. My company has perma watermarks that cannot be removed. as well as all my sigs ,bg and buttons I put in watermarks on them. If I haven't made the original template and there is a coders emblem I do leave them on mine.

Anyways .. Hope you all stay positive and do it for you and how it makes you feel to complete amazing work.. not for what others think.. thats just a perk!!

Much luve

Rose

[blc]

I've often wondered if the requests are even for proboards sites. Sure they create a site, no members, no categories and make requests, but how do you kow if they just created the forum because they need to list the link to the forum with their request. How do you know they aren't doing that for cover and really taking the graphics elsewhere?

You can invest a ton of time into a theme for someone and then it seems they never even use the graphics. Its discouraging.

[alleriarose]

that why you water mark it.. so no matter where they bring it ur name is there... my water marks are embedded into the coding and you cant take them out... lol

[Former Member]

I'm new to graphics editing. Maybe it has something to do with people deleting their forums when it's still in its infancy (I'm guilty of this).