Design Challenge #33 - May/June 2017 - COLORS/THEME
 

The color swatch I created for this challenge was inspired by the image you see above (credit: Google search).

We are going to do this challenge a bit differently...
You may either use the provided color swatch to create something of any theme, or you may use the photo as your theme inspiration. You don't have to create Star Wars, and you don't have to use the color swatch...just use one or the other to create something magical. Of course, if you want to use both the theme and the color swatch, you may.

Don't forget that if you choose to use the 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, gold, and green (when used for foliage only).

Deadline - Friday, July 7 (by 11:59pm CST)
Reveal and Blog Hop on Friday, July 14.

Note the change in deadline and blog hop dates...they have been shifted ahead by one week due to a conflict in my schedule.


This kit will not be sold in the MouseScrappers store. The only way to get it is to participate in the Design Challenge. Since the kit is only available to participants (shared between friends), many of the restrictions that were in place for previous challenges have been lifted. Please contact me if you have any questions.

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 post in this thread indicating a desire to create a template for this month’s challenge will be listed below.

Template 1: roxana
Template 2: murmer

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, gold, and green (when used for foliage only).
• You must include a TOU 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.

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. Please submit only ZIP files, do NOT submit RAR files.
There are many ways to compress (zip) a folder. You can use a program such as WINZIP 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:
Effective June 15, 2017 -- We will be utilizing Dropbox to collect submissions, so you will need a free, personal Dropbox account (dropbox.com). When you are ready to submit your items, upload your zipped folder(s) to your personal Dropbox. After you have the folder(s) uploaded, navigate to them in your Dropbox account and select "share" next to the desired folder. Choose "create a link" and then "copy link". Paste that link into a MouseScrappers PM to me, frogfish (Christina), and send. Note: if your submission includes more than one zipped folder, you must share the link to each individual zipped folder. Please let me know if you have any questions or problems.

Disclaimer:
This kit will NOT be sold in the MouseScrappers store. The only way to get it is to participate! 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. 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!

What a great choose of colors!!!!!!!!!!

Great Star Wars colors! I love them. Count me in :r2d2:

Me with a template again!!

I am going to try and participate this month, but I have no idea what. I am leaning towards Haunted Mansion, but I am still very uncertain. The inspiration picture is "haunting".

I think I'll do something with American Adventure.

I'll use the color palette and do a Genie theme from Aladdin.

Can I do the other template please?

I'm in - I kind of thought Haunted Mansion too - but maybe I'll try for something else - Can't wait!

Hello,
I've never participated in one of these before and never ever designed something before but I'm hoping to join in. I have been working on a star wars kit just to see if it was even something I was able to do before signing on for anything. So I would like to join in.. and do a star wars kit. :)

I want to participate too. I'm not sure what I'll do yet. I'd like to maybe try my hand at an alpha--do I need to find a commercial one I can modify? Or create one from scratch? Any hints on where I can get more info?

Also, since the kit isn't sold, are we allowed to get a little closer in our interpretation of the characters to what they actually look like?

BTW, In an effort to make myself a little less crazy, I'm going to move the blog I set up (DigiDizScrapper) into a new one that just covers all of my blogging interests (123-autism dot com). I've gotten a few posts caught up, and on Thursday I'll be connecting to DigiDizScrapper.

I'm hoping no one objects to the move. I've been driving myself crazy with multiple blogs.

Hi,

For the alphabet, you can get a commercial alphabet, draw your own, or use a commercial use font to create one. If you check the sticky posts under Design Challenges, there are quite a few good resources and directions for designing. Yes, you can get a little or a lot closer in your interpretation of the characters, props, etc.

Hope this helps.

I created my May/June kit early and just uploaded it.

I wanted to let you know that there was a large message header in DropItToMe".
"PLEASE NOTE! This service will be discontinued on June 15, 2017. Read more"

Can anyone participate? If so, count me in! I've been designing for almost 2 years now and am always looking for fun new places to get involved. :) Also, can you have more than one alpha? I can make one .. they are one of my favorite things to create! Every one of my kits has at least one alpha in it. Lol

Oh no! What do we do for getting our files to you Christina???

I have my template ready and uploaded to dropittome but as Michelle pointed out today is the last day for them, so I dont know if you will be able to see the files after today.

Update on dropitome...

DropITtoME is the service allows you to send your submissions directly to my dropbox account. It is not affiliated with dropbox and nothing is changing with dropbox so all of the submissions that I've received thus far are safe in my dropbox :). So, feel free to use DropITtoMe today if your submission is ready.

Since I received the message from DropITtoMe, stating that they would be discontinuing their service after today, I've been looking around for an alternative. Sadly, no one else wants to offer the same service for free or without the threat of viruses. That means that the submission process is going to change slightly.

To submit your minis/templates from now on, you will need a free dropbox account. Create and zip your submission folders as we always have, but then you'll upload your submission to YOUR personal dropbox account and share the link to that zipped folder with me via pm here on MouseScrappers. If you need help figuring out how to share a link in dropbox, I will be more than happy to give more specific instructions.

We will not be adding groups or anything like that, dropbox will simply be serving as the free and safe way to house the zipped folders we are sharing links to.

Dropbox is how I've been sharing collab links with all of you all along and many of you have shared files with me via dropbox. I know it works well and it isn't difficult to use.

I'll be changing the upload instructions in the challenge post today. If you have any questions, please let me know!

Thanks for the update Christina! I'm plugging along to get my mini ready!

Hi Heather, of course you can join. There is a minimum of what to submit for each challenge to get the other parts for free as well. Just 1 full alpha is enough (I know I have submitted 1 or more alphas when running out of time, or when colors/theme didn't appeal to me).
It's up to you if you want to join in the bloghop or not.
Welcome to MouseScrappers and the design challenge! :)

Christina I just sent you a PM. I will participate in the blog hop :yeah:

Hi Christina...I sent you a PM with the links to my kit. I will participate in the blog hop. - Pam

Hi Christina -

I just uploaded my file to Dropbox and sent you the link via a PM. Please let me know when you get it - that it's okay if you can!

Thanks!!

Shahar

I have a submission ready to go I can pm the link to Dropbox tomorrow.

Is there a minimum of items for the blog train? I'm thinking I'll have three digital "pins"

New website (putting it all together in one place). 123-autism.com

Sorry, I'll be a day late with my submission... I had hoped to get the final things done today, but spent most of the day in bed with a bad migraine... :( I'll be joining in the bloghop as well.

I don't have as much as I usually do but I do have a submission almost ready... been a BUSY Summer. I will be able to upload tomorrow. :thanks:

My computer is in the shop. I should get it back tomorrow afternoon. I will send you the links then.

I had planned to make some papers or alpha and some clipart matching the palette for a freebie but unexpectedly started a new job so I wont have time to finish everything I had planned. I already have 3 different Mickey clipart, would that be ok for the bloghop? If it's not that's ok I know they are not proper design.

I will participate in the blog hop.

Id also like to take part in the blog hop. I'm not sure what all is needed from me though so please let me know what I need to do :)

Is the bloghop still supposed to go live this Friday? I haven't heard anything and my time is getting short...

You can offer anything you want to! I just need your blog's address to add you to the hop :)

I'm still working on the collab. We had a few hiccups this time since we lost dropittome. I'll post info about what I have and get the collab out to you soon!

Here is the blog hop info so you can get it set up. I pulled all of the people from the forum who indicated that they would be participating; if I missed anyone, please let me know! I'll be adding the missing info as soon as I get it.

Chef Minnie Mouse: http://lisacampbelldesigns.blogspot.com/
Pooh46: http://bookladydesigns.blogspot.com/
Digidizscrapper: http://123-autism.com
Romajo: http://romajoscrap.blogspot.nl/
Roxana: http://scrapscardsandmore.blogspot.com/
Cindyrelly: https://cindyrellyblog.wordpress.com/
Scrappin2girls: http://babyjaydensmommy.blogspot.com/

Roxana let me know she does want to be included in the blog hop. Her blog address is:
http://scrapscardsandmore.blogspot.com/

Thanks, Lisa!

Here is the final blog hop lineup.

Chef Minnie Mouse: http://lisacampbelldesigns.blogspot.com/
Pooh46: http://bookladydesigns.blogspot.com/
Digidizscrapper: http://123-autism.com
Romajo: http://romajoscrap.blogspot.nl/
Roxana: http://scrapscardsandmore.blogspot.com/
Cindyrelly: https://cindyrellyblog.wordpress.com/
Scrappin2girls: http://babyjaydensmommy.blogspot.com/

Thanks Lisa and Christina!!!!

Looking at my blog stats, it seems like everyone is getting lost on the home page. This is the URL to the blog within my site. The linked is:

https://123-autism.com/blog/

If you want the design challenge 33 post it is,

https://123-autism.com/2017/07/14/mo...33-blog-train/

Perhaps that will help?

And thank you everyone! I'm having so much fun downloading and looking at the creativity!

I changed the url in my blog. Hope it helps!

Thank you!!!

Just got my Blog post up - we're moving, and I thought I had set the date/time for it to go live correctly - but I didn't....oops! Anyway, it's up now!!! Sorry everyone!!

https://mom2aprincess.wordpress.com/