Design Challenge #18 - September/October 2014 - COLORS
 

Color Swatch for Design Challenge #18 - September/October 2014

http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/...ps554e5c3b.png

Hex Codes: #fcd843, #f78d2a, #8284c0, #fcd6d7, #dd3526, #af4c81

This will be a two month challenge.

Deadline - Friday, October 31 (by 11:59pm CST)
Reveal and Blog Hop on Friday, November 14.

This time there will be two weeks between the submission due date and the reveal/blog hop to give you and the CT some time to do sample layouts before the kit goes in the MS store.

As you are planning your contribution, please look through the things others are making so the kit doesn't have a lot of duplicate items. We want this kit to have tons of variety! Try something new, learn a new technique, and stretch your boundaries a little! Check out this thread for resources, tutorials, tips, and tricks for designers.

We would like to include two templates in this kit. A PhotoShop template with at least 25 layers will fulfill the minimum submission requirement. You should submit both a layered PhotoShop document and untrimmed PNG files named 1,2,3,4,5,etc. The first two people to send me a PM indicating a desire to create a template for this month’s challenge will be listed below.

Template 1: frogfish
Template 2: bonham0731

Submission Guidelines:

• Submissions can be 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 25. The same paper/element in different colors counts as one. A full alpha fulfills the minimum requirement. Although you may submit any combination of items you want, we would prefer to see themed mini kits (which include a combination of papers, elements, and possibly a coordinating alpha).
• 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 may not submit items for which you do not hold the copyright. If you use fonts, 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.
• 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” 300dpi (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” 300dpi 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 72dpi,
    • 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.

You can find more information on QC issues here.

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(s):

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(s):

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.
Please limit the size of each zipped folder to 50mb. If your submission is larger than 50 mb, please split it into separate zipped folders to help control download times. If you have more than one zipped folder, name them in this manner:

Your MS username_DC#_folderletter
Example: MMouse_DC50_A & MMouse_DC50_B

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:
We will be utilizing DropITtoME to collect submissions this month. When you are ready to submit you items, send frogfish (Christina) a PM for the link and password. Don't worry, it's super easy and I will receive your submission immediately (no waiting to download).

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 really see Winnie the Pooh and Friends in this swatch...

It would be perfect for the Crystal Palace character encounters!!!

What do you see?

Please make sure that your preview images follow the above guidelines (they should be 600x600 pixels at 72 dpi) and note the date for the reveal/blog hop (two weeks after the submission due date to give you and the CT time to create sample layouts).

I'm going sign myself up for a template this time :yeah:
It has been sooooooo long since I've joined in the design challenge as a participant and I need to get back in the swing of things! No time like the present, right?

I just love these colors! My first thought was Pooh and his friends too!

I will join in again for this challenge and Blog Hop :yeah:

I will join in with at least a paperback but maybe even a mini kit....I am thinking something princessy.

I have a question about adding elements of neutral colors, and was wondering if it is ok to add some green foliage?

I can make paper pack! I love this theme!

Design Challenge #18
 

I have never officially designed before but would like to give this a try. Any advice from for a newbie (besides reading the instructions)?

I'm back from my cruise and ready for the next Design Challenge! I'll be making a Mulan inspired mini kit and alpha and will be participating in the blog hop. Thanks, Christina!

So glad it's another two month challenge! I'll do a minikit. Hmm, have no idea where I'm going with this yet. I was thinking princess-y, but I think Murmer's already doing that. Have to think some more...

Debbie - are you looking for maybe a beginner's designer course? I've got a couple of tutorials I really like that I can send your way, if that's what you're interested in.

I would like to know what those tutorials are!

The summer was very hectic for me, but now I've got some time to get back into the challenges. :yeah: Love the fun color scheme. I'll do a mini kit with Pooh Bear. And I'll have a freebie for the blog train.

Ok, let me list a few of my favorites - I started typing this out and it was getting TOO long!

Usually I brainstorm what I want (plaid paper! dino footprints! bottlecap element!) and then I google for it, like "plaid photoshop tutorial".

My favorite Photoshop "trick" is using the offset filter to make repeating patterns - here's a tutorial for that: http://www.photoshopessentials.com/b...custom-shapes/

General all-around site - Pixelscrapper - Pretty sure you have to register. You can earn free daily download credits that you can then use towards CU items, plus they have a ton of tutorials (using the shape tool, making striped/plaid papers, how to align objects, etc). I'm currently trialing a designer basics class with Marisa. Here's a link to the different types of papers I've made based on the tutorials there.

Hummie's World - Designer intro class. I haven't made my way through all of this yet!

I'm certainly no expert, but I'm happy to help if anyone needs help :)

Oh, oh.. Figment! I'll do a Figment minikit :) Now to dig out my old Journey Into Imagination photos...

Looks like Mulan has already been taken - so not sure yet what I will do, but I can't wait - I do truly love these challenges!

Ok, I'm thinking Rapunzel in a mini-kit

I would love to take the second template spot if no one else has claimed it yet. :)

I'll take anything. I took the Design Star class over at Scrapaneers but I couldn't finish cause of work committments so I am hoping I can get a mini kit done. We will see. Thanks for your help.

I think it's time to add green to our list of neutral colors... let's make it so you can use green even if it isn't included in the color swatch ONLY for accent foliage (leaves, stems, etc.). I don't want the green to get out of control if it isn't part of the swatch, but I do think flowers need leaves and when green isn't a swatch color that becomes rather difficult.

Please let me know if you have questions :)

You've got it! I'll put you down for the last template spot. Thank you!

Oooh, I do LOVE the Crystal Palace! I think it has always been my favorite place to eat in MK and we usually always go there if we can. The palette is nice and BRIGHT!! Love it too!! I am just going to have to see where this palette takes me.... Yipppeeeee :yeah:

Thanks for the green, Christina! That's helpful! Purple leaves just wasn't doing it for me!! :)

I have a question...since I haven't tried one of these challenges before....I want to get my feet wet. If I do five different paper styles, do they count as 5 papers? Or do the 5 papers count as one thing?

Thanks!

-Lori

Lori I think if they are five different papers not just recolored it will count as five.

Christina I sent two folders today and will participate in the blog hop. :hooray:

I uploaded 2 files and I would like to participate in the blog hop.

I uploaded my zip file. I've got something for the blog train too! :)

got to get this done!:scrapbooking:

Good Idea
 

Hiya Christina... I have uploaded two files for you today: One of 10 Patterned Papers and Two of 30 Embellishments for the Challenge Kit, yes some are recolors but I use a lot of damask. It is a kit themed around the tea cups and Alice. I will participate in the blog hop and have an Embossed Paper in each color and Cardstocks in each color plus word arts and embellishments/journal cards. I would like to make an Alpha Set but we shall have to see if time allows. Please use my new and neglected website.... http://www.geekyherbivore.com/ Oh, ya I named the kit a Good Idea. :thanks:

Christina - I'm going to do something with Cinderella....

I uploaded my file today! :) Thanks

Hi Christina...I uploaded 2 files for you today and I will participate in the blog hop, also. Thanks! :)

Hey Christina -

I just uploaded 2 folders to DropItToMe - and I will participate in the blog hop! Can't wait to see what everyone made!!

Shahar

sent 2 folders
 

Christina ~ I sent two folders for the challenge.

Uploaded my files. Just made it! :woohoo:

I missed the deadline, but I sent in my files and am hoping for forgiveness, with all this DSD stuff it slipped my mind!! I will also have something for the hop on the 14th! thanks Christina!

Due to our WDW vacation (yay) and jet lag, I've been out of concentration to create... :( I do have 4 alphas ready, only need to cut them, make a preview, zp and upload it... But will be gone soon for the rest of the night... :( I could send it to you tomorrow morning, though, if I still may join... Otherwise I'll keep it for something else (a pp or so).

The past two months have flown by and I'm so excited to share this collab with you! This weekend I'll be busy compiling all of your submissions and getting a preview ready. If you didn't get your submission to me yet, please send it! I'm pretty busy today so I won't get to do any real work on this stuff until tomorrow sometime. That gives you one more day to finalize submissions and upload them :yeah:

Here is a list of what I have from everyone so far. Please check the list to make sure I'm not missing anything from you.

pooh46: 2 folders
bonham0731: 1 folder
wahoomrm: 2 folders
cindyrelly: 2 folders
chef minnie mouse: 2 folders
msbagley: 1 folder
mjajmom: 1 folder
murmer: 2 folders
shahar: 2 folders
smileygirl: 1 folder
frogfish: 1 folder

Don't forget that this kit will be released one week later than usual which means the blog hop will be one week later than usual...
The release and blog hop will happen on Friday, November 14. It is delayed so we can hopefully get some sample layouts done to showcase all of your hard work on these mini kits!

I will be compiling and sending a blog hop lineup in about a week, so that gives you some time to get something together for the blog hop and let me know that you want to participate (if you haven't already done that).

You get my part today! Almost done the cutting, but have to go to church in half an hour.

Christina, did you get my part? Sorry for being late... :(

I got it! :) Thank you for joining us again!