Art Club

[livesinthewalls.livejournal.com]

Come along, now--even if you didn't participate, there are some house icons worth seeing!



This was a difficult contest to judge for a number of reasons. Obviously, many of you submitted such impressive icons that I didn't know how to apply a rating system. I judged as fairly as I could, and even if you don't agree with some of the winners, I am sure you will be supportive and appreciative, and understand that I had my reasons for each and every placement. In case you were wondering, the few things I chiefly took into consideration, in order of importance, were:

1. Effort--not everyone has Photoshop XIV Deluxe Mochachino Supreme, but everyone can use what he or she has to make something interesting. Further, if I felt squishy and warm inside from a particular icon, I knew it was because the maker was really promoting house unity, not just submitting a graphic in hopes of some points.
2. Going along with this, I looked carefully at the polish of the icon--does it look intentional? Or is it messy and castoff?
3. Slogan--not all icons had a slogan, so this didn't always get considered; however, was it catchy wording? Did it make me wonder, make me think, make me laugh?
4. Digital quality--pretty far down the list, so you still had a chance even if you were stuck with a sucky PSP program.
5. Gut feeling--some icons just made me look twice. A few caught my eye and wouldn't let go.

1st Place: rushofsilence


2nd Place: shayuko


3rd Place: vulfgrl


The winner for stereotypical iconnage is rushofsilence.


Here are the rest of the icons submitted:
haleihriequado


frozen_regret


vulfgrl


shayuko


rushofsilence



I hope you'll discuss these extensively in the comments. I have not yet set a new assignment because I want to brainstorm new ideas with you all (we can do that in the comments to this post, as well). That way I'll get an idea of what you want to do. Remember, if you don't tell me what you want, I can't give you what you want.

Thank you all so much for participating. I'm so pleased! *squish*

Comments

[frozen-regret.livejournal.com]

OH COME ON, MAN. How can you resist Frank Iero kissing a puppy?! xD Just kidding. The winning icons deserved it. Congrats, guys =)

I think I need to explain my Slytherin icon, and why it says "Sly 'Therine".

The piece of secks that is my Slytherin icon is indeed Catherine, your beloved Art Club leader. I was trying to suck up, but it obviously didn't work. ;)

At any rate, one of my many nicknames for her is 'Therine. So there I had Slytherine. But then I thought, wait-- Slytherins are sneaky, and cunning, and sly, and the picture is of Catherine, who has been sorted into Slytherin house. Sly 'Therine. Slytherin.

So there you go. I will now explain in small detail my other two icons.

Ravenclaw- I had that picture of the gorgeous, Indian actress Aishwarya Rai (Bride and Prejudice) in my files. I was flipping through for pictures to use in my Ravenclaw icon, and I thought she looked pretty clever in that one.

Hufflepuff- I love My Chemical Romance. Frank Iero is sex. Puppies are cute. Huzzah!

For both my Ravenclaw and my Hufflepuff icon, I wanted to go beyond "intelligent & clever" and "loyal and kind." I came up with different words that were along the same lines, but still different. Resourceful and devoted (devotion) were the winners.

Once again, congratulations to the winners. xoxo.

[frozen-regret.livejournal.com]

Eheh. I forgot.

Katie // Gryffindor

P.S. IloveyouCatherine.

[livesinthewalls.livejournal.com]

Aw, you sure know how to make a girl go all squiggly inside. Usually people are like, "I like your personality and you're pretty funny, but boy are you uggers." By usually I mean whenever I apply for rating communities or post pictures in my journal. Heh. I do love my Katie.

Oh, and funny thing is, I always slip and write "slytherine" because it ends just like my name. I'm such a goon :>

[livesinthewalls.livejournal.com]

It probably was, but maybe I'll pretend from now on I did it on purpose, hm? ;>

[frozen-regret.livejournal.com]

Surely. It may not be done very soon ((I've got a crazy week and weekend)) but I will get to it.

<3
Katie

[dramedy.livejournal.com]

so...can we use these? even if not, i think they were all done really well. i would have participated but..i didn't. sorry. not very good with icons.
<3 congrats everyone <3
Lauren//Ravenclaw
<3

[livesinthewalls.livejournal.com]

Fo' sho'. The two first place icons won fifty points each, second won forty and third won thirty. Everybody who did not place won ten points. I like this system, although I didn't make it up.

[livesinthewalls.livejournal.com]

So, is it just me, or is shayuko amazing? I really like contrasty icons with bright colors, but it seems like now all anybody makes is those faded, misty ones. They're pretty, but not my style. I just like stronger icons, I guess. More forceful, or something.

And haleihriequado's Hufflepuff icon is so cute, I have to mention it.

[shayuko.livejournal.com]

Omg, wow, thank you ^_^ Funny you should mention that, because I noticed that too. In most icon communities those faded icons are winning and I do kinda like them, so I've been trying to change my style a bit. It's not really working for me though, I like colors too much XD

[shayuko.livejournal.com]

Okay, time to explain my icons I think ^_^

Slytherin - The picture is from the chamber of secrects obviously, and I was looking for a word to describe Slytherin, something other than sly or ambitious. And well, look at that chamber. Only a Slytherin could create something like that. They've got style ^_^

Ravenclaw - I wanted to add a slogan to this one, but.. I didn't. Lol, I thought the look of the eagle said it all and that any other text I would add would simply ruin the atmosphere.

If anyone wants to use either of these, feel free to do so ^_^ Credit is appreciated ;)

The Ravenclaw one of rushofsilence is awesome. Perfect composition! And the Hufflepuff one is just too cute ^_^

The Slytherin one of vulfgrl made me giggle XD


-Marije, Hufflepuff

[livesinthewalls.livejournal.com]

shayuko, may I use your Slythie icon? I will credit like nobody's business.

Who has ideas for new projects? I want input, people! Input!

:shakes fist:

:sprains wrist:

[dramedy.livejournal.com]

INPUT?! ha!
photography?
hmmm more drawing type stuff?
: )
<3 what ever you decide fearless leader.*bows*

[shayuko.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, please do ^__^


hmm... new projects.. how about HP friends-only banners? Or pick a specific character and have people do anything artsy with it, drawings, icons, blends, wallpapers, paintings, anything!

[livesinthewalls.livejournal.com]

Yes, I was thinking maybe something about specific characters. Maybe with specific color schemes. I'll put up a new post soon.

[haleihrieguado.livejournal.com]

Congradulations to the winners!! ^_^

I really like rushofsilence's Ravenclaw, it's hawt!