Design Challenge #3 - May/June 2012 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, CHIT-CHAT
 

Use this thread to make comments, ask questions, and chit chat with each other.
Please post a written description of your (planned) submission in THE KIT thread here.

Color Swatch for Design Challenge #3 - May/June 2012
http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/...12/May2012.png
Hex Codes: # 388e94, # 7cd0de, # 1897d4, # 7d2779, # d43b95, # fcbd4c

Deadline - Friday, June 29 (by 11:59pm CST)

Submission Guidelines:

• Submissions can take one of two forms (although either is acceptable, we encourage you to create mini kits):
  1. Themed mini kits (Dumbo, Typhoon Lagoon, general use, etc.): They must include 3-5 unique papers and 7-10 unique elements (the same paper/element in different colors counts as one) with no more than a total of 20 papers and elements. An alpha is encouraged but not required.
  2. Freestyle: Any combination of papers, individual elements (such as ribbons, scatters, frames, etc), word art, alphas, and clusters. The minimum number of unique items is 5; the maximum number of unique items is 15. [/B] The same paper/element in different colors counts as one. A full alpha fulfills the minimum requirement.
• You may not submit items for which you do not hold the copyright. If you use overlays, elements, etc. to create your items they must be labeled for commercial use (CU) and if their terms require, include with your submission a statement that gives proper credit.
• All papers and elements MUST use the provided color swatch—you can use any shade (darker or lighter) of the chosen colors. You may also use these neutral colors: black, white, shades of gray, brown, silver and gold.
• You must include a TOU/copyright notice in your submission. A basic fill-in-the-blank TOU can be found here if you don’t have one of your own.
• There is no mb maximum for submissions, but please make sure you are sizing a saving your items according to the following guidelines.
  • Papers should be:
    • 12”x12” 300ppi (which is 3600pixels x 3600pixels),
    • Saved as a JPG file that is about 3mb.
      • In Photoshop, after clicking on the “Save As” button, enter the desired file name and select “JPG” from the dropdown menu; click on “OK”. A popup screen should appear entitled “JPG Options”; change the quality value to “8” and click on “OK”. Saving the file with a value of “8 or 10” for quality will ensure it is the correct size (approx. 3mb).
  • Elements/Alphas should be:
    • Sized appropriately for a 12”x12” 300ppi layout; make your items the same size you would want them to be when creating a layout. For example: 12"x12" is not a reasonable size for flower elements; 2"x2" is more appropriate,
    • Trimmed so there is a minimal amount of blank canvas around the item,
    • Saved as a PNG file—the file size (mb) will vary based on the size (inches) of the element.
  • A preview of your submission is required. It should be:
    • 600pixels x 600pixels 72ppi,
    • It must minimally include your name (the one you used to save the files) and pictures of the items that you created for the challenge,
    • Previews may be as basic or elaborate as you want them to be.
      • A basic preview would tile the papers and/or line up the elements,
      • A more elaborate preview would arrange papers and/or elements in a more creative manner—as designers do to advertise their kits.

Some quality issues to pay attention to are listed below. If you have questions about what these things are or how to prevent/fix them, please ask! Everyone can benefit from adhering to these bullet points.

• Do not pre-shadow elements or elements on papers.
• Make sure paper textures aren’t blurry at 100%.
• Check that elements are not cut off or missing parts.
• When extracting or creating elements, be sure the edges are not jagged. Do NOT use the paint bucket tool to recolor elements--you will get jagged edges every time!
• After creating a paper or element, check to be sure it is in gamut.

I will hopefully be getting some tutorials together that deal with these topics and more very soon.

IMPORTANT:
You may NOT include:

• Any items trademarked or copyrighted by Disney. This includes but is not limited to names, words, song lyrics, and phrases (for example, you cannot create word art that says “Cinderella”, “Splash Mountain”, “Pop Century”, etc.).
• Photos, clipart, silhouettes, etc. of Disney characters—no Mickey heads either!
• Park, attraction, resort, restaurant, or movie signage/symbols/logos.
• Photos of buildings/structures on Disney property.
• Elements that are too similar to images copyrighted by Disney (for example: you may create a turtle that has similar coloration as Crush, but you may not create one with the same markings, eyes, expression, etc).

Your papers/elements should be useful for Disney layouts without infringing on the copyrights that Disney has on its characters, movies, parks, rides, attractions, etc.
The following website has a searchable database where you can look to see if a name/phrase is trademarked: http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/index.jsp

*** If there are any questions about minimum requirements or copyright infringement, please ask. ***

Files and Zipped Folder:

Naming your files:

Your MS username_DC#_element type_description

Paper Example: MMouse_DC50_paper_green.jpg
Element Example: MMouse_DC50_button_red.png
Alpha Example: MMouse_DC50_alpha_uppercase_A.png

Naming your folder:

Your MS username_DC#
Example: MMouse_DC50

If your username is longer than 8 characters, please use an abbreviation. Avoid using spaces anywhere in the file/folder name. If you design under a different name, you may use that name instead of your MouseScrappers name.
To zip files place all your elements and a TOU inside a folder, then zip that folder. This is automatically creates a folder containing your files in whatever folder the user unzips to.
There are many ways to compress (zip) a folder. You can use a program such as WINZIP/WINRAR or, if you are on a Windows operating system, there is a utility built into Windows that you can use.

• Right click on the folder containing your items and select “Send To”. Click on “Compressed (zipped) folder”. A new folder will be created in the same directory with the same name but it will be compressed (zipped).

Uploading Submissions:
Upload your completed submission to the file sharing website of your choice (4shared, Mediafire, and Box are some free ones) and contact frogfish (Christina) by PM with the link. Submissions will be checked for copyright compliance and size before being added to the distribution list.

Disclaimer:
The completed kit will be added to the MouseScrappers store for anyone to purchase. All proceeds from the sale of the kit will be used to keep MouseScrappers running. Every month you participate in this challenge, you will receive the resulting design challenge collaboration kit (for that month) free of charge, but will receive no compensation (monetary or otherwise) for your submission to the challenge or for the sale of the collaboration kit. Any and all proceeds from the sale of the completed kit go to MouseScrappers. Copyright of your submission remains with you.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. You DON'T have to be a designer; anyone can do this! The more people who participate, the bigger the monthly kit will be!

I'm going to create a Monsters Inc. mini kit. The colors are perfect for this. This is fun, and I'm learning so much about the whole design process.

I'll do a mini-kit based on Aladdin/Jasmine with papers, elements and an alpha. :)

i'm gonna do water park themed.

I'll stick with a general use minikit.

I'm going to do a Full Alpha & Numeral pack (maybe 2)

I'm working on a general use minikit, including alphas.

Okay I started thinking of water with the gorgeous Blues so The Seas it is!:yeah:

I've already finished my kit and sent the 4-share link to Christina (frogfish). Haven't heard from her yet, though.

I am stilld eciding what to do. I have some general papers done, but need to tie it together! lol

I'm going to have to bow out I think... i have way too much on my plate over the next 2 weeks and I really have to shorten my "extras". Maybe I can tag along on the blog train when the kit is released!

I've never designed a kit before, but I ran across this on someones blog while I was working on a page for Mother's Day. I made glitter papers and Mother's Day word art using your color pallet. I'd be happy to share if anyone wants them.

Lori

Since the date is pushed back, I may be able to participate still... I will have to see how things are in June.

Maybe...
 

I've never made a scrapbook kit, but I'd love to try. I'm feeling kind of Alice inspired by this one. I'll play with it and see if I can come up with anything that looks good. If not, it could be good practice. I'd love to put together some kits eventually, just still getting used to the programs.

I would love for you to submit your creations for the challenge! Hang tight and I'll be posting some specific info on how to submit (instructions are posted in the challenge instructionos thread but I think I'm going to make some changes to the submission process this time...)

This is going to be my 1st time designing in 8 or so months, so I am going to stick with a general use kit. I dont want to get too detailed and burn out already :)

This is going to be my 1st time designing EVER !!! I think I'll be working on a Princess Jasmine / Aladdin kit !!!

:yes:

I just opened CS5 for the first time in 8 months and its like learning to ride a bike again :/

I also learned that using a Bamboo is not as easy (and fun) as it looks LOL.

I'm making a water park themed kit, had it almost done, guess I have a bit more time now.

I can do one, requests?
 

I have not designed a kit for MS yet so would love to be in on this. Any requests? Let me know, otherwise I will think about it today and get back to you. I love the colors. :yeah:

I just emailed my mini :)

Count me in!! I will do a mini kit. Thanks for the challenge.

Just finished my mini! It feels weird to be done early...

I went with a water theme. Hopefully someone will be able to use it for water parks, pool, beach, even Splash Mountain.

I am confident that my elemets and papers are quality, but since I'm not a kit scrapper I've got a lot to learn about what others find useful. When this DC collab comes out I would love some constructive criticism!

Geez creating a kit/alpha takes a bunch of time, doesnt it, LOL.... template are so much easier for me!

I'm working on a Aladdin and Jasmine mini 's kit too :) The colors are beautiful for them.

I PM'ed my submission. It is a "Freestyle" type kit. Beautiful colors. Thanks for the challenge.

Going to send my part to you in a moment. Had to start my kit all over again, because last week my external hard disk crashed... Decided to go with an other thing then I said at the starting of this challenge. It turned out to be a pool/beach/summer/cruise mini. Think it's my best submission so far! ;-)

I just sent a PM with my entry, also. Mine is a Jasmine & Aladdin mini kit. Love the colors! :yes:

I sent in my Alpha!

I've received several submissions but haven't been at a real computer to download (I dont know what I'd do without internet on my phone!) I'll send PMs when I get them downloaded. It's already an awesome collab! Each challenge gets better and better! You still have a little bit of time to join in. The deadline is Friday, June 29.

Updates:

I'm moving stuff around on the DC3 threads today. The KIT thread is going to be reserved for the reveal and blog hop info. These kits are so good they need a thread of their own! Starting now, all DC3 posts should go in the original DC3 thread--which is where I'm moving everything that is currently in the KIT thread.

I'm working hard to find something better than 4shared. It may not happen before the DC3 reveal, but it will be in place for DC4.

We are going to try just a theme with no color swatch for DC4. How about a focus technique/element too? Watch for more info soon!

As far as a prize for participants goes, I'm thinking of a virtual charm bracelet with little charms for each DC you complete. I think it would be neat if the charms use the colors from or coordinate with that month's challenge. It would be something you personally add to your signature (if you want). What do you think? Can I get some volunteers to help make it happen (we have to backtrack a bit to include DC1&2)?

Thank you for your patience as we get this streamlined!

Finally finished. I created a mini Monsters Inc. kit. 6 papers and 8 elements. I sent you a PM with the link.

I also created a freebie to go along with it and will post that on my blog on the release date.

Can't wait to see what everyone did.

I just finished mine...my first attemp at a kit with an Arabian theme

I can't remember if it was in a post/pm/where. But you spoke of having a 'charm bracelet' for participating in each design challenge. I LOOOVVVVVEEEEE that idea. How can I help?

I'm so glad you like the idea! I hadn't heard anything from anybody about it and was starting to think it was a bum idea and nobody wanted to tell me...

My vision is to have a volunteer make a little charm for each challenge (we can do signups like we do for the templates). It can be an original creation or one of the elements from the collab (with the designer's permission, of course). I would love for it to use the colors/theme for that month's challenge. The charm would then be distributed with the DC collab for that month.

If I can get a couple more people on board with the idea then I will work on making the bracelet/chain part (unless someone wants to do that for me :) ). I will then be looking for volunteers to make the charms for the challenges that have already passed and for the current one. I really don't want to do any work on it until I get some more confirmation that it is something we should do.

If you like the idea, please let me know! If you don't, please send me some other ideas. I really want to get something going soon so we don't have too many challenges that we have to backtrack to.

Thanks!

I've been so caught up in things, I just plum forgot to respond. I would be more than happy to volunteer to create charms for past (and future) challenges. I can create the bracelet too if you give me and idea of what you are looking for (style, size, etc). So keep me in mind if you get more of a interest.

I must have totally missed that! I think it is SUCH a cute idea!! (charms)

I just submitted the link to Christina, with a fairy/flower theme. Looking forward to the next dc. LOVE THE VIRTUAL CHARM BRACELET IDEA.

Kelly, thanks for bringing this up (again)! Hadn't read about it yet. I think it's a great idea. I would love to see in the signature that people had joined in a DC. But if you can't get the bracelet idea worked out, maybe you/we can do something with virtual pins? So if you joined in a DC you get a virtual pin made in the colors/theme of the challenge.
For DC#3 I made a kind of Ariel-looking Mermaid, turned it into painted metal (it's in my freebie pack). It's finished already so if you want, we can use that charm. If you want it, I'll keep it out of my freebie-pack!

I send you my contribution :) a mini-kit "1001 Nuits"

OK, we are going ahead with the charm bracelet idea! I have the bracelet chain made and have volunteers to create a charm for DC1 and DC3. Does anyone want to make the charm for DC2? You can make something specifically for this or use an element you created for the DC2 collab. I would like for the charm to represent that collab in some way (colors, theme). If you are interested, send me a PM and I'll give you more info on size, etc. Thank you!