Kyoshi's Banner Thread

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 40,429]

So....since most of my newer stuff is not going to be used, apparently, I have decided to share these things with you all. Not that it matters because they are incredibly mediocre. As you can tell, I have improved over time (I will post them in order, or try to) but I have not gone past mediocre level.

 

So, here you go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will add more as I make them, if I do. My motivation has dropped lately. I can never tell if any of these are going to be used so...yeah.

 

 

 

Edited October 8, 2013 by Kyoshi

[SCS 7,445]

I don't think those are mediocre at all. They all look awesome to me. Don't give up hope on getting your banners used, just keep on making them and submitting them for fun. I'm sure you'll get some accepted.

[Misty Rose 3,215]

Ok that Equestria Girls one HAS TO BE USED!!

I like that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon one too, there haven't been many with them on them so it would be a good change.

[Mightymags 1,053]

I really like the Equestria Girls one. Also, you have had more banners than most people (as in any at all), and that in itself says that you are not "mediocre"

[John 793]

I really like the Equestria Girls one. Also, you have had more banners than most people (as in any at all), and that in itself says that you are not "mediocre"

Wow, those aren't mediocre!  I would say that they're impressive and up to par with a lot of the other ones that I see.  To disagree with the comment above me though, I come to the forums to discuss "MLP"  and not EG, so I like all of them except EG.

[Wonderbolt_Spitfire 235]

Damn dude it seems that you are your harshest critic and that's putting it lightly. Your banners look really well done and definitely NOT mediocre. I would use at least 7 of the 13 you post here as banners at some point (that's just my opinion).

 

Have more faith in your work man!

[Orablanco Account 3,706]

Damn, those are great. Sincerely. Great balance of simplicity and doing something awesome and unique for each banner. You is the best at what you do.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 40,429]

Damn, those are great. Sincerely. Great balance of simplicity and doing something awesome and unique for each banner. You is the best at what you do.

Thanks, I guess...Though I have heard that countless times 'simple'. Everything I make seems to be 'simple'. I suppose that shows my level of skill.

 

Also, only 2 of these have been used. That has to say something.

[Orablanco Account 3,706]

 

 

'simple'

 

Yes, "simple", as in not being overdesigned and created carfeully. Most people overdo their banner designs and add lasers and an overabundance of layer styles and all that jazz. Your good at deciding what each banner needs given the "main idea" and cutting the fat, so to speak.

[Homura Akemi 974]

The last one, the Spike one. SO. MUCH. CUTENESS.

 

 

That is seriously adorable. I don't know how to make banners so I envy the one you made.

[Dark Qiviut 22,192]

Logo

In four of your banners, you have the logo in the center, whether they're up or down. When you put a logo in the middle of the composition, you divide your baner in half and make it look like you slapped the logo in the banner. You changed that in your latest banners like the EQG one, One Bad apple tribute, and tribute to Cadance and Shining Armor.

 

However, you constantly stylize the logo with various effects like gradients, strokes, drop shadows, masks, glows, halos, and unneeded symbols/artifacts like the ones for your One Bad Apple tribute. When you add in stylized effects to a logo, you cheapen the logo's message and make it less powerful. A good logo is about keeping them simple and to the point. Solid blocks of color are all that you need. Extra effects are unnecessary and weaken your entire banner.

 

For your Sombra tribute, "Forums" works fine bcause it's less important as "MLP." However, that typeface doesn't work for "MLP":

1. It's very inorganic. The canon uses simpler shapes, and having all of those serifs contradicts FIM's environment.
2. The "P" is extremely awkward. When I first saw it, it looked like a badly designed "F" due to the round terminal at the bottom of the bowl.
3. For color, the shades of purple blend in too much with your background. Use a brighter color like the green from his eyes foor "MLP." If the green can work just as well with "Forums," do that, too.

If you want to see if the logo (especially if the one you made is a modified version like "Forums" for all of your banners here) works, turn off the color and see your logo in black and white.

 

———

 

As for the backgrounds, it's very important to keep them as simple as possible so your audience doesn't get confused and wonder where their eyes should start. Your Derpy banner atop, DT and SS tribute, Fluttershy banner, Changeling banner, and Sombra banner are all simple, to the point, and impactful.

 

However, your Cadance and SA, EQG, Vinyl, and One Bad Apple tributes have too much going on in the background.

1. Vinyl's background colors are way too saturated; the only way for the logo to be noticeable in that state is to use a drop shadow. With Vinyl being pastel, I recommend complimenting it with more muted colors. The logo would be solid color.
2. For the OBA tribute, I would actually scrap the background and start over. The Cutie Mark Crusaders are your main subject. The psychedelic background forces me to look at that and not the characters. (With the brilliant pink logo, it clashes way too much with the logo, ruining your visual hierarchy.) If you want to retain the background, mate the colors more to make the CMC stand out.
3. What I would do for the EQG banner is have Twilight as the main header and them have the other characters slowly fade away. Since you use muted shades of pink, try fading each character behind Twilight by about ten percent (using your darkered pink) to create depth.
4. Cadance & Shining Armor has a very detailed background. I would fading the Crystal Empire by adding a transparent white layer.

 

 

Discord Banner

Never warp a logo or typeface. A great deal of time is spent to designed these characters and symbols to be instantly recognizeable. Warping them distorts the shapes, alters their personalities, and disrespects the people who created the logo and characters. Treat the symbols and characters with respect.

Edited July 28, 2013 by Dark Qiviut

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 40,429]

Logo

In four of your banners, you have the logo in the center, whether they're up or down. When you put a logo in the middle of the composition, you divide your baner in half and make it look like you slapped the logo in the banner. You changed that in your latest banners like the EQG one, One Bad apple tribute, and tribute to Cadance and Shining Armor.

 

However, you constantly stylize the logo with various effects like gradients, strokes, drop shadows, masks, glows, halos, and unneeded symbols/artifacts like the ones for your One Bad Apple tribute. When you add in stylized effects to a logo, you cheapen the logo's message and make it less powerful. A good logo is about keeping them simple and to the point. Solid blocks of color are all that you need. Extra effects are unnecessary and weaken your entire banner.

 

For your Sombra tribute, "Forums" works fine bcause it's less important as "MLP." However, that typeface doesn't work for "MLP":

• It's very inorganic. The canon uses simpler shapes, and having all of those serifs contradicts FIM's environment.
• The "P" is extremely awkward. When I first saw it, it looked like a badly designed "F" due to the round terminal at the bottom of the bowl.
• For color, the shades of purple blend in too much with your background. Use a brighter color like the green from his eyes foor "MLP." If the green can work just as well with "Forums," do that, too.

If you want to see if the logo (especially if the one you made is a modified version like "Forums" for all of your banners here) works, turn off the color and see your logo in black and white.

 

———

 

As for the backgrounds, it's very important to keep them as simple as possible so your audience doesn't get confused and wonder where their eyes should start. Your Derpy banner atop, DT and SS tribute, Fluttershy banner, Changeling banner, and Sombra banner are all simple, to the point, and impactful.

 

However, your Cadance and SA, EQG, Vinyl, and One Bad Apple tributes have too much going on in the background.

• Vinyl's background colors are way too saturated; the only way for the logo to be noticeable in that state is to use a drop shadow. With Vinyl being pastel, I recommend complimenting it with more muted colors. The logo would be solid color.
• For the OBA tribute, I would actually scrap the background and start over. The Cutie Mark Crusaders are your main subject. The psychedelic background forces me to look at that and not the characters. (With the brilliant pink logo, it clashes way too much with the logo, ruining your visual hierarchy.) If you want to retain the background, mate the colors more to make the CMC stand out.
• What I would do for the EQG banner is have Twilight as the main header and them have the other characters slowly fade away. Since you use muted shades of pink, try fading each character behind Twilight by about ten percent (using your darkered pink) to create depth.
• Cadance & Shining Armor has a very detailed background. I would fading the Crystal Empire by adding a transparent white layer.

Never warp a logo or typeface. A great deal of time is spent to designed these characters and symbols to be instantly recognizeable. Warping them distorts the shapes, alters their personalities, and disrespects the people who created the logo and characters. Treat the symbols and characters with respect.

So what I get out of this is, I am right and people need to STOP giving me praise that I do not deserve.From what I get of this, you said only one positive thing. That is nice. Though you have a strong tendency to nitpick the hell out of anything and everything, but at least you were honest. Given that most of my banners suck, I don't even know why I bother at this point.

 

Really though, I understand you are trying to give me 'advice' but something about that posts bugs the f*ck out of me. Plus, really? Treat the characters with respect? I made the banner for fun, so who the hell cares? That banner, the Discord one, was made specifically for fun. The rest were made for submissions, which apparently they all suck. I say this because I submitted quite a few and none of them were used, so obviously something is horribly wrong, but after reading your post, I feel like setting them all on fire if I could, the banners that is.

Edited July 28, 2013 by Kyoshi

[Dark Qiviut 22,192]

@@Kyoshi, You're completely misunderstanding me. I like your banners here and moreso the potential for them. The problem with them, however, is the lack of polish. You have the ability to take what you have already and work on them even more to become an even better graphic designer.

 

The fact that I'm paying close attention to the little details is something designers should do: Little tweaks here and there can really go a long way and really make your work stand out. Something like repositioning the logo to the left or right can make your banner much stronger and create stronger visual hierarchies. The same with your logo building: Great logos are about keeping them simple and creating well-done, hidden messages. A lot of your custom logos do well, but the effects are redundant and kill the messages. Look at logos like CBS, Toyota, NBC, Apple, and IBM:

 

Anyone can be a good graphic designer, even you. Take your time, research, and practice. If you need any advice on upcoming banners, display them and/or send messages. We're all here to help you. There's no need to snap like that.

Edited July 28, 2013 by Dark Qiviut

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 40,429]

@@Kyoshi, You're completely misunderstanding me. I like your banners here. The problem with them, however, is the lack of polish. You have the ability to take what you have already and work on them even more to become an even better graphic designer.

 

The fact that I'm paying close attention to the little details is something designers should do: Little tweaks here and there can really go a long way and really make your work stand out. Something like repositioning the logo to the left or right can make your banner much stronger. The same with your logo building: Great logos are about keeping them simple and creating well-done, hidden messages. A lot of your custom logos do well, but the effects are redundant and kill the messages.

 

Anyone can be a good graphic designer, even you. Take your time, research, and practice. If you need any advice on upcoming banners, display them and/or send messages. We're all here to help you.

I just don't think I am going to get any better. You say lack of polish. I guess that applies to all of them. If I really cannot get any better after making that many, then maybe I have no major talent to begin with. I don't even know what to do at this point. Edited July 28, 2013 by Kyoshi

[Ihei 711]

These are amazing! (( So are your signatures. )) All of these need to be used, especially the changeling one! I'd be so happy to have any of these, ANY, as the banner.

[Dark Qiviut 22,192]

If I really cannot get any better after making that many, then maybe I have no major talent to begin with.

You're overthinking what "talent" means. A talent is nothing more than an interest your pursue. If you're willing to practice, research, take your time, and perform, you can do it. It's impossible to create a perfect piece, but the idea of creating perfectly good work is something you should definitely pursue.

 

I'm unsure if you have this thought, but the idea of something being "good enough" is a sign of embracing mediocrity; if you have that thought, scrap it and push your talent further.

 

You and everyone of us want to create something for fun, but it's just as important to create something that's fun and good. Treat your work as if they're worthy of being submitted in your portfolio; the work that's most fulfilling is ignoring it for a few months and then coming back and admiring your work just as much as (if not more than) the day after you completed them.

 

I don't even know what to do at this point.

Simple: Just keep practicing. And once more, don't be afraid to push your skillset and ask how to improve your banners.

Edited July 29, 2013 by Dark Qiviut

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 40,429]

You're overthinking what "talent" means. A talent is nothing more than an interest your pursue. If you're willing to practice, research, take your time, and perform, you can do it. It's impossible to create a perfect piece, but the idea of creating perfectly good work is something you should definitely pursue.

 

I'm unsure if you have this thought, but the idea of something being "good enough" is a sign of embracing mediocrity; if you have that thought, scrap it and push your talent further.

 

You and everyone of us want to create something for fun, but it's just as important to create something that's fun and good. Treat your work as if they're worthy of being submitted in your portfolio; the work that's most fulfilling is ignoring it for a few months and then coming back and admiring your work just as much as (if not more than) the day after you completed them.

 

Simple: Just keep practicing. And once more, don't be afraid to push your skillset and ask how to improve your banners.

That is the thing. I think everything I make is garbage. You basically evidenced that. You say that you 'like' them, but you basically pointed out the flawed parts, which was nearly EVERYTHING about them. I have no resources to go by. I have no self esteem. I want to improve, but I feel like I will never get better even with 'practice'. Maybe my depression is just too deep at this point. I hate myself with such a severe passion, I don't think I will ever truly get better. Basically I am in a dark room with nowhere to go and I just keep hitting walls.

[Felix 1,363]

Maybe it's just me, but I think the words garbage, worthless, and lame are not the way to explain your signatures. To me, those look wonderful! I can see myself using the ones that drew my eyes attention. And the one I'd use is more than half the signatures you have right there. Don't be so negative. You have talent. You just need to realize it.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 40,429]

Maybe it's just me, but I think the words garbage, worthless, and lame are not the way to explain your signatures. To me, those look wonderful! I can see myself using the ones that drew my eyes attention. And the one I'd use is more than half the signatures you have right there. Don't be so negative. You have talent. You just need to realize it.

Thanks I suppose. I just have no self esteem anymore. Plus, my techniques just seem incredibly stagnant and unoriginal, in my opinion. Maybe that is just me though. At this point, I almost do not like anything that I make.

[Felix 1,363]

Thanks I suppose. I just have no self esteem anymore. Plus, my techniques just seem incredibly stagnant and unoriginal, in my opinion. Maybe that is just me though. At this point, I almost do not like anything that I make.

Well, I'm pretty sure it is just you. Everyone seems to really like your signatures. You should take credit for that and realize these people might even want more.

[Zygen 6,065]

I think your signatures are awesome Kyoshi, a million times better then anything I could ever do.

 

And them being more simple isn't bad, a clustered banner isn't a good way necessarily,  there is a such thing as to much detail, but the banners you made all look awesome i think.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 40,429]

I think your signatures are awesome Kyoshi, a million times better then anything I could ever do.

 

And them being more simple isn't bad, a clustered banner isn't a good way necessarily, there is a such thing as to much detail, but the banners you made all look awesome i think.

The way I see it is the reason why they are all simple, is more than likely because I cannot do anything more. I have no skill beyond that. Again, that might just be me, but that is how I see it. This just goes along with my horrible judgement on everything. Thanks for the compliment though...

 

I will probably be working on a few more and putting them up here, since they probably won't get used anyways. That is, if my mood will let me...

Edited July 29, 2013 by Kyoshi

[Zygen 6,065]

The way I see it is the reason why they are all simple, is more than likely because I cannot do anything more. I have no skill beyond that. Again, that might just be me, but that is how I see it. This just goes along with my horrible judgement on everything. Thanks for the compliment though...

 

I will probably be working on a few more and putting them up here, since they probably won't get used anyways. That is, if my mood will let me...

I'm sure you could do plenty more if you set your mind to it . You'd be surprised what you can do. I don't think its a matter of skill that you don't have, but skill that you know when its to far.

 

So don't be so hard on yourself bud . and i'm sure me and everyone would love to see more .

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 40,429]

I have added another meaningless banner to the list. Even though I hate this Bronycon stuff, I decided to give it a shot in terms of making a banner. I cannot do much else, so why not? It is mediocre at best (Surprise?) and obviously completely meaningless, because we got this little group photo as that banner. Just...ugh....I have no problem with mine not being used, because it is no good anyways, but...meh. 

 

Knowing the odds I will have another one up soon..

[Flow 1,619]

I actually like your designs for banners, hopefully someday we might see one of your creations up on the site. Also don't give up!