What makes a banner worthy... A few suggestions

shiraijunichi · Post by **shiraijunichi** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 2:14 am

Ok, I know this isn't about AMVs really, but there isn't a banner forum where I could start this. I figured enough people on this site would be interested to see what might be said about this topic, so I decided to post it here in the GENERAL AMV forum. Hope it doesn't make too many people mad ^_^;;;

So, what does everyone think makes a banner worthy?

Humor?
Originality?
Special effects? (like styles and filters etc.)
Specific to a certain anime? (having seen the anime provides insight to the banner)
Action?
Sexy?
Violence?
Bright colors or dark colors?
Simplicity maybe?
Animated or static?
Advertise the site well?
Simple fonts, or extravagant ones?

Also, do you think that only a certain percentage of banners should be worthy? As banners get better, the bar should be raised?

I'd like to make one suggestion myself, though, it's more of a technical one than an artistic one. Recently, I saw a banner that simply wasn't compressed well. What might have been a worthy banner was ruined by the fact you could blatantly see artifacts all over the logo. That could easily have been prevented if the creator had simply saved the file with a higher quality. Sure, the file would have been a little bigger, but I'm sure it still would've easily been under the maximum of 20 k. I know most of you will already know this, but for those who don't- DON"T SACRIFICE QUALITY FOR FILE SIZE! Unless you doing animation- in which case I think most people will understand. Now with that said...

I'm looking forward to everyone's input. Happy banner making! ^_^

Farlo · Post by **Farlo** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 2:16 am

its mostly originality now. at least thats how i vote.

FoxJones · Post by **FoxJones** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 2:32 am

I vote them worthy by a simple reason.. Does it look good or not. It's easier to mention reasons for voting unworthy.
- ANY mention about opinions == instant fail
- Other a-m-v.org inside jokes == instant fail (with very rare exceptions)
- Animated == instant fail unless it's VERY good
- I Had to read the text more than twice to understand it because of weird font == fail (with some exceptions)
- Image looks squished or other similar problems == fail
- Banner looks like it's compressed to hell == fail

Anamorphic Productions · Post by **Anamorphic Productions** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 2:42 am

I am frankly tired of the banners. I see very little humor, originality, nor sense.

Banners are meant to catch the eye and advertise the community in a few short words. They shouldn't constantly rely (heavily) on in jokes. Banners that make fun of other banners are not good.
The current trend of banners complaining that (the creator's) banners aren't getting accepted is even worse.

People are trying too hard to be witty, and its failing miserably. They're also paying no attention to quailty when it comes to their source image, nor their compression.

A banner can be sexy or cute, dark or light, simple or extravagant, and I'll vote for it. But the first thing they have to be is GOOD.

I've gotten to the point where I vote 'no' for 9 and sometimes 10 of the submissions, and I remember when I joined the org I was clearing over half the entries with each vote.

Perhaps I'm getting picky- but I also think the general quality is going down. Instead of quality, people are focusing on quantity, and it's just frustrating.

I'd love to see a flood of good banners, with solid composition and relevant text, but I don't expect to see one anytime soon. And as much as I'd like to submit more of my own, I am really too busy with AMVing and other aspects of the community to really have time for bannermaking as well.

My 16.5 cents.

shiraijunichi · Post by **shiraijunichi** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:01 am

Thanks for your 16.5 cents- but perhaps I can squeeze out another .5 to make an even 17.
I know what you mean about relevant text. I've seen a lot of them that just have one word, like "beauty", or something. Trying to be aesthetic, I guess. I'm not conviced it doesn't work- but I can see how it could be seen as dull. Not to mention unoriginal.
Anyway, so what do you consider relevant text? Relevant to the anime? Relevant to the site? What?

Corran · Post by **Corran** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:11 am

Like FoxJones I automatically reject banners that mention the word opinion. Banners should represent the site encourage outsiders to visit the site. Here are my methods for selection.

1. Says opinion or banner in it? = reject
2. Pretty girl and logo? It is nice but that is getting old. = reject
3. Contains generic slogans like 'Dare to Dream' = reject
4. References something only people in the community would know about = reject
5. Image quality is bad to include aliasing = reject.
6. Doesn't break 1-5 yet but I could care less if the banner wins = no vote (I'll let others decide)
7. Doesn't break 1-5 and represents the site in a good way (IMO). = approve

Following this regimen I approve roughly 10% of banners I vote on.

FurryCurry · Post by **FurryCurry** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:19 am

FoxJones wrote:I vote them worthy by a simple reason.. Does it look good or not. It's easier to mention reasons for voting unworthy.
- ANY mention about opinions == instant fail
- Other a-m-v.org inside jokes == instant fail (with very rare exceptions)
- Animated == instant fail unless it's VERY good
- I Had to read the text more than twice to understand it because of weird font == fail (with some exceptions)
- Image looks squished or other similar problems == fail
- Banner looks like it's compressed to hell == fail

This covers 95.8% of my criteria, thanks for saving me all that typing, Fox.

shiraijunichi · Post by **shiraijunichi** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:23 am

I completely agree with everyone that banners shouldn't be a joke about themselves. I understand about opinions too. They're both things that someone who isn't a member of this site wouldn't really understand- which isn't good. But what if it's done with originality? Like, the one that became worthy just recently that said, "You don't like it? ...I don't care what you think anyway"? I thought it was funny and so I voted for it. Apparently, a lot of others did too. But, it's not explicity about getting an opinion, so... What do you think?

Corran · Post by **Corran** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:34 am

It still would confuse outsiders since a a lot of people don't realize the background as to why a banner like that was made. I would vote unworthy.

shiraijunichi · Post by **shiraijunichi** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 3:54 am

I see what you mean. But I think I'll play devil's advocate for a second. Is the banner for members of the site to see, or visitors? Members will see it a lot more often than just visitors, so wouldn't it be better to play to that audience? Plus, it's the members who get to vote on the worthiness of the banners... not the visitors.

I think that explains why there are a lot of banners like that. But I suppose the fact remains that a truly good banner will appeal to both visitors and members, right?