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Post by Whoopje on Dec 29, 2008 3:31:14 GMT -5
Congratulations, Simy!!!!!! You've done a great job and offcourse Mystery did a great job as welll!
Also congratulations to the judges and offcourse to Clare! You've also done a amazing job!!!!
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x0xtashx0x
Innocent
charmed and dangours
Posts: 26
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Post by x0xtashx0x on Dec 29, 2008 5:58:19 GMT -5
congrates simone i new you would win hehe your work is amazing  buyt congrates to mystry to i loved your blend that was the hard part of voting for me as the blends were amazing |
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Post by Astral Echo on Dec 29, 2008 6:10:13 GMT -5
Well done Simone, you did a great job and you fully deserve this win. But it doesn't go without saying that Mystery did a fantastic job, both entries were very good and even the scores reflect how close the voting was. Also thank you to Clare and her fellow judges for putting on such a fantastic contest and lets hope this is the first of many. Congratulations Simy! |
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Post by Piper Halliwell on Dec 29, 2008 9:25:03 GMT -5
Thank you so much Es
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Simymonna
Familiar
The world is a secret with to many things still not out yet!
Posts: 465
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Post by Simymonna on Dec 29, 2008 13:34:23 GMT -5
*****In a kinda shock...  **** Woow okay! I had never ever expected this! Woow!!! Okay now you want a speech right? Well it's hard to do it but I'll try haha First I want to thank all the voters who voted for me in the rounds. Second! All the Judges and Exspecially Clare! You helped me trought it! even though i didn't always understand all the rules. Thirth! All the other contestands! It was great to go against everyone! You were all great!! Fourth of all! My friends of the Net. They also helped me trough it. What can I say more? Well i'm taking more request from now! Wanna see that I made in all the round? Will post them all in my topic haha xx SImy  |
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Simymonna
Familiar
The world is a secret with to many things still not out yet!
Posts: 465
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Post by Simymonna on Dec 29, 2008 17:47:28 GMT -5
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Charmed4Ever
Familiar
JOIN MY SITE IF UR A CHARMED FAN! http://charmed1304.proboards.com
Posts: 363
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Post by Charmed4Ever on Dec 29, 2008 20:37:37 GMT -5
Congrats you totally deserved it!!
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Post by ~B@MeLiSsA30@B~ on Dec 29, 2008 21:14:40 GMT -5
Congratulations simymonna! You have done a terrific job on your challenges, and you totally deserved to be the winner. |
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Post by ~Andrew~ on Dec 30, 2008 0:04:40 GMT -5
Simymonna I am sooo happy for you! Congratulations! you are definitely talented and yes, you do deserve to be a winner. And *Mystery*, I am very happy for you as well. 2nd place is a great achievment. Congrats to you as well. You are both winners! ;D |
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Post by Clare on Jan 29, 2009 14:48:20 GMT -5
Also congratulations to the judges and offcourse to Clare! You've also done a amazing job!!!! Thankyou very much Whoopje!  Also thank you to Clare and her fellow judges for putting on such a fantastic contest and lets hope this is the first of many. Thankyou so much Dan! ;D Second! All the Judges and Exspecially Clare! You helped me trought it! even though i didn't always understand all the rules. It's my pleasure, thankyou Simymonna. I will post the judges' scores and critiques up soon since I completely forgot about doing that!  |
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Post by Clare on Jan 29, 2009 14:59:44 GMT -5
Here are the judges' critiques and scores for each of the entries: Entrant = Simymonna (Set 1, Blend 2)Piper Halliwell:Banner/Av set = 10/10 I love it, completely christmas themed. Blending is flawless. Well done. Blend = 9.7/10 Blending is a little off but i really like the idea of it. Charmedgirl08:Banner/Av set = 10/10 This set is perfect. i love the blending its flawless and i love the christmas pattern Blend = 9.4/10 I love the whole picture but the blending is a little off. ~B@MeLiSsA24@B~:Banner/Av set = 10/10 I absolutely love this. It's beautiful. And I love the Christmas theme choice you made. The whole banner is flawless. Same with the avatar. Good job! Blend = 9/10 I think the blending is alright. I love the idea you gave. It's really sweet. I like what it says. I like that you included Piper in the corner. Clare:Banner/Av set = 9.6/10 It's very clear/clean and wintry/festive. I like the layout of your pieces, especially of the avatar. The cutting is very nice and I like how there's an almost hidden image of a dove with mistletoe in its beak over the background. The only thing, maybe Piper should have been wearing a Christmas hat or something to make it more Christmas-sy, although I do like how the colour of her top matches the background's colour. Blend = 8.6/10 I like the images you chose to use and how you tried to make it look like Holly's image was in a photoframe on the mantle over the fire. The cutting around the image of Shannen at the left is a little rough. The colour of the text is quite pale for over the pale background but the text sums up the emotions of the piece as do the image choices. Maybe some more textures and stock images could have been used so it stood out more. Entrant = *Mystery* (Set 2, Blend 1)Piper Halliwell:Banner/Av set = 8.9/10 Christmas themed but the blending is very hard. Something i wouldn't think i would see at this stage in the competition. Blend = 8.8/10 It is a good blend in some ways but the blending is slightly off in most parts. Charmedgirl08:Banner/Av set = 8.5/10 The blending is a little off and its very bright. I do love the avatar however. Blend = 9/10 I love the layout very creative...could be more color though ~B@MeLiSsA24@B~:Banner/Av set = 9/10 I love the bell, and how it shows the girls names on it. That is pretty neat. I like it. The banner I like too, but the cutting around Piper & Paige is a little off, it's slightly bright, but it's still really good though. Because of that small problem, you almost got a perfect 10. Blend = 10/10 The blending is excellent. I absolutely love it. They look so beautiful, and I love the clock in the background, and how it goes along with what it says. Once again, very very good job. Clare:Banner/Av set = 9.2/10 I like how all the sisters are wearing red and how you've made it look like Phoebe's top has white fluff/fur on it. It's very Christmas-sy and the over the top/bright colours are perfect for a Christmas banner. The bears holding onto the baubles and wearing Christmas hats are very cute. However, the cutting is a little rough around the girls. I do like the animated avatar but Piper's bauble on the banner should have been blue to match the one with her name on on the av. Also, the text is a little hard to read over the background. Blend = 9.4/10 This is a very good "blend". I like the choices of images but I don't really like how 2 are black and white and 2 are in colour. Also, the images on the right of Alyssa and Rose are bluntly cut off - they should have been blended or covered over with another image to make it more smooth. I like the "Moments in Time" text and how you've tied that in with the clock, the oldie style buildings in the background and the dresses the girls are wearing which look like they're from different decades. I really like the overall feel of this piece. However, I just feel it needed one little burst of colour to make it stand out more. |
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Post by Clare on Mar 27, 2009 12:13:54 GMT -5
Apologies for taking so long to make these and get them sent!  The prizes for 1st place will be sent and displayed soon (sorry Simy  ). |
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Post by Clare on Aug 13, 2009 16:04:53 GMT -5
I'm very sorry for it taking a long time to get these made and sent Simy! Simymonna's 1st Place Prizes * A gold 1st place badge.  * A banner (500x200) and avatar (100x100) set - one made by each judge.1. Piper/Holly - By Piper Halliwell   2. Prue/Shannen - By Clare   3. Holly & Shannen OOC - By Clare (on behalf of Melissa)   4. Prue & Piper - By Clare (on behalf of Charmedgirl08)   * The choice between a wallpaper, video, short story - you can have a mix of them and there's one by each judge.1. Piper and Prue happy times (video) - By Piper Halliwell www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyvulFZIlg42. Holly and Shannen (wallpaper) - By Clare i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee155/claresown/UCGC/HollyShannenWallpaper.jpg3. Piper and Prue AHBL (wallpaper) - By Clare (on behalf of Melissa) i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee155/claresown/UCGC/PruePiperAHBL.jpg(Unfortunately, none of the judges longer have access to video editing software so a second video could not be made. ) * 1st chance of being a judge in the next U.C.G.C. (unless it is made official).* And 5 blessings from each judge.Done. I will post up the remaining interviews as soon as possible. |
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Post by Clare on Aug 23, 2009 17:45:45 GMT -5
Interview with...* Why did you pull out of the competition?Time. I was juggling like five million things at the time or so it felt like it. With college, work, rehursals, sleep depervation (mostly self inflicted actually, bad me!) and trying to check up on a ton of stuff on line, it's all got a little hectic. It was a really hard round, the pieces weren't going to take a couple of minutes to throw together and as I'm my own worst critic, I probably never would of entered anyway.* Did you enjoy the challenge?So much. It was great having tasks to do instead of just random stuff that I normally do. However I didn't particular like getting hounded for stating my opinions, I don't like people who give critisism but can't take it. It's worse still when I'm told that in fact I'm right (on most things) and that it's just because some people aren't mature enough to take a helping hand.* Do you think you learned anything from taking part in the challenge? If yes, what?Don't say what your really thinking. You might get ganged up on if you do. Smile and stay it's nice instead. But I've always been one who welcomes respect over friendship.* What would have been your ideal task?Actually the DVD one was the ideal task for me. But only because it was really hard. If I was going for simplicity then task one, making a banner and avatar would come up trumps for me.* If we had another competition in the future, would you enter again?Depends. If Clare runs it then yes. But if it's going to be one where only the judges can say anything critical, then no.* Any additional comments?If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. I did, I couldn't handle the pressure of loads to do and no time to do it.
Interview with...* Why did you pull out of the competition?Had alot going on in my life, being pregnant and work, just couldnt find the time (or motivation) too finish the work.* Did you enjoy the challenge?Oh yes I definately enjoyed the challenge, it was such a lot of fun!!* Do you think you learned anything from taking part in the challenge? If yes, what?Definately, having seen what everyone can do, has given me alot of new ideas on some of my own work!* What would have been your ideal task?Hmm, not sure, I'm up for anything really, the tasks were perfect as they were, Clare was such a ideal host of the Challenge!* If we had another competition in the future, would you enter again?Most definately!!!!! Depending on life of course* Any additional comments?Would like to thank the judges, on all their efforts and their constructive criticism.. Taught me alot! I really enjoyed the challenge and hope to participate in any future competitions, thanks again
Interview with...* Did you enjoy the challenge?Yes.. In the beginning I was not really sure were to start because of the rules and they were quit difficult for me to understand but after talking to you Clare I came to a point that I did understand them * Do you think you learned anything from taking part in the challenge? If yes, what?Yes I did. I learned to be a bit more carefull with my earaser or something.. to make the background go away. Normally I was very very like hurry up in everything.. and now I take more time to do it* What would have been your ideal task?As in my competition.. Well I would let people make posters. As I like to design Posters for people.. People like my favourite artist in music and It's pretty funy to make so that would be the task.. and then it would be an Invite poster.. that people have to come there* If we had another competition in the future, would you enter again?Maybe.. depence on the tasks.. I mean.. I'm not really into Charmed anymore with grapics.. so depense on the tasks  * Any additional comments?Well I would like to thank everyone who is out there who thinks they cannot make any grapics.. You can! I started with Paint and now I do this! it took me years but you can learn everything Further mini-interviews will be posted up once I receive the answers from people.
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Post by Clare on Sept 29, 2009 11:07:13 GMT -5
As *Mystery* is no longer a member of the forum, I cannot interview her but here is the banner I made for her anyway:
Interview with...* Why did you pull out of the competition?To be totally honest with you? Mostly due to that evil, evil thing known as "Real Life". It was hitting busy season where I work and I was also buried with assignments / exams for school -- which meant that I was most definitely not going to be able to put the time into my graphics like I wanted to. And with me being the perfectionist that I am, I didn't want to submit an entry that I was not 150% happy with, even if I had the option to do it over. As much as I don't like to quit at anything, I'd rather bow out with my head held high than slap something together to keep going and be completely embarassed with / by it -- knowing that it was not my absolute best effort.* Did you enjoy the challenge?Yes, aside from certain other competitors who couldn't keep their hyper-critical, sour-grapes-spewing traps shut. * Do you think you learned anything from taking part in the challenge? If yes, what?Yes, I learned quite a bit:
1) I learned that I really enjoyed having my mind challenged by such interesting tasks and I enjoyed seeing what the other competitors came up with. It's always fun to see how different people interpret the same task -- the wallpapers and DVD covers were a great example of this.
2) I also learned that I enjoyed seeing the differences between what the judges saw and what the members saw.
3) Lastly, I learned not to be too upset when judges didn't see my piece the same way I did -- after all, this contest was first and foremost intended to be just for fun and was never meant to be a professional contest run by professionals and only opened to professionals. It was strictly for fun and when it was treated as a purely amateur contest, it was.
One more thing...
I also learned a few things about running fan contests. I realize that this was a learning experience for all of us -- judges, contestants, members -- in hopes that when we have our OFFICIAL Cafe Graphics Contest, it will run much smoother. As a trial run, the people who ran this contest, especially Clare, did a fantastic job, but I think we all learned quite a bit. I know Es and I used these things to make our "Who Wants to be a WitchWRITER" at ALTERNATE CHARMED a better contest, so I'd like to thank everyone for that.
Here are the four most important things that we learned and that helped us so much and that I would love to see part of the OFFICIAL Cafe Graphics Contest, if it ever comes to fruition -- as I hope it does:
1) It would have been nice to know what criteria the judges are judging on, as people are bound to like / dislike certain things more than others. And public opinion polls tend to have more to do with the actual content than for the artwork itself. For our "WitchWRITER" contest, the judges actually had a little rubric of sorts that they filled out, which worked rather nicely and let each judge's score weigh the same as the others. Also, that way going into the contest, the contestants knew exactly what the judges would be looking for, and how they would be judged.
2) Whenever you have judges and their friends receive high scores, especially in amateur contests, members can't help wondering if that had anything to do with the judging. Not that I thought that was something that was happening here -- nor would I make such an accusation, as it is most definitely NOT my style to do so -- but a lot of the comments made by others sounded like they felt that way. So at "WitchWRITER", we kept the names of the entrants and which entries were theirs anonymous right up until the very end, not only from the general public, but also from the judges themselves.
That's why we used an MC for "WitchWRITER". All the entrants submitted their pieces to the MC, who then passed them on to the judges as "entry 1", "entry 2", etc. Nobody, aside from the MC -- who never voted until the last round -- knew whose pieces were whose -- allowing for total anonymity. The same thing went for the results of each round -- the Judges' reviews for each piece were PM'd to the MC, who then sent them onto the various contestants. But just like the Judges not knowing whose piece was whose, the contestants didn't know whose review was whose either. It also made the announcements of all of the contestants and which pieces were theirs much more exciting.
3) It would've been nice to know how long the contest was going to last, what sort of time requirement was needed. Had I known that the contest would extend into the holidays and my work's busy period, I would not have entered.
At "WitchWRITER", we set up deadlines at the very beginning--we gave everyone a week to work on each entry (that time would probably have to be extended for graphics, since those tend to be fairly time-consuming), then gave the Main Judges the weekend to make their decisions. Any Main Judge who didn't get their decision in on time (Due to Real Life or whatever) forfeited their chance to judge that round. That way no one had to wait forever to find out the results...I think that drives people away more than anything else. We never had a single person drop out due to Real Life like a number of us had to for this, nor a single judge miss judging, because everyone knew the deadlines before the contest even started and could plan ahead for them.
4) We really liked the idea of the Judges deciding which contestants automatically went on, but allowing the general members the chance to decide which one(s) were eliminated. That's what we did with "WitchWRITER", but a bit differently.
Except for the final round, which was done via poll, the Main Judges’ votes were used to decide which entrants were automatically passed onto the next round, then the SECOND-CHANCE Judges decided which ones of the remaining ones joined them. But rather than a poll, any member could be a Second-Chance Judge by PMing their reviews of each entry to the MC along with which two that Second-Chance Judge wanted to see continue. These reviews were also anonymously sent by the MC to the individual contestants.
Since the members got to review the entries, they felt like a part of the process, too. We never had anyone -- member or entrant -- post reviews in the public part and I think that the fact that we kept the entries anonymous (even from the Main Judges) until the contest was over helped a lot with that, too. Everyone said that was part of the contest that they enjoyed the most.* What would have been your ideal task?Since banners / avis and wallpapers are what I do most often, I'd have to say that those were my ideal tasks (or at least my strong points). However, the DVD covers proved to be a fun stretch of creativity, as I'm sure the magazines would've been. Actually, anything that allows me to put my imagination to work is an ideal task.* If we had another competition in the future, would you enter again?Depending upon time requirements, I certainly would, and have a suggestion if a future contest ever becomes a reality. That suggestion is as follows:
How about instead of having one contest with one category, it's one contest with two categories -- one for the folks who consider themselves as graphical experts, and one for those of us who just do graphics for fun?
That way, if the people in the first category want to get hyper-critical with their observations about each other's pieces, they can do so to their hearts' content and leave the rest of us out of it. Because I'll be honest, that was something that happened that shouldn't have (esp in the second round) -- which is why I was ecstatic to see the poll threads in the later rounds become locked to comments and only opened up after the polls for that particular round were closed.
One other suggestion: For any rounds involving wallpapers, screen set-up requirements are a must, please! Contrary to popular belief, not everybody has their screen set with the icons on the left and the taskbar on the bottom. If part of the criteria for wallpapers is how they look with the "icons on the left, taskbar on the bottom" setup, then the contestants need to know, so they can make (and test) their pieces accordingly, even if that's not the setup they use on their own machine(s).* Any additional comments?Of course! And here they are:
1) Thank you to Clare, Melissa, Georgia (aka Piper Halliwell) and charmedgirl08 for running this contest. You guys did a bang-up job with it, and believe you me, it was quite the fun test of my graphic-making skills.
2) Congrats and job well done to our winner (Simy) and my fellow participants -- you guys are fantastic artists, and it was a pleasure and an honor to compete with you. |
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buyt congrates to mystry to i loved your blend that was the hard part of voting for me as the blends were amazing 
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