Advice on how to improve?

[fedward]

So, ever since I joined Sythe I wanted to make myself a cool signature and avatar theme I could be proud of and now after making a bunch of variations of signatures for myself and for few other people, I feel like I've really improved and would like to get your opinions how I could improve even further and maybe try something new. Here are some of the signatures I've made so far, in the order I made them:

Here are some of the avatars I made:

I personally feel that the difference between the first and the last one is vast and I wouldn't believe it myself if someone told me that they were made by the same person, but thats just how I feel. Any graphic designers or anyone in general, all tips on how to improve are greatly appreciated so hit me!

ps. to improve myself even further, I am willing to make a few signatures / avatars free of charge if anyone is interested!​

 

Damn, the last one is creative +1
Although, is that an F or a 7 lol, maybe choose a clearer font, but not that big a deal.

 

[fedward]

Damn, the last one is creative +1
Although, is that an F or a 7 lol, maybe choose a clearer font, but not that big a deal.

Its an F but sure looks like a 7 lol, I kinda liked the style of the font though. Might switch it out to a clearer one though

 

You also might want to look into creating GIFs

 

[fedward]

You also might want to look into creating GIFs

I actually already did. I was wanting to make a signature with a moving background but I had some trouble with it in Photoshop so I went for this for now. Might be doing that in the future!

 

[WEEABOO GIRL]

I actually already did. I was wanting to make a signature with a moving background but I had some trouble with it in Photoshop so I went for this for now. Might be doing that in the future!

im not sure i can add anything but i was/am new to making sigs as you can tell by mine but i found if you create your sig then save the animation as a gif you can overlap them with different online photo editors you probably can in photoshop aswell i just never got that far before my trial ended haha they look really good though

 

[fedward]

im not sure i can add anything but i was/am new to making sigs as you can tell by mine but i found if you create your sig then save the animation as a gif you can overlap them with different online photo editors you probably can in photoshop aswell i just never got that far before my trial ended haha they look really good though

I’ll have to try this! Thanks for the tip.

 

I actually already did. I was wanting to make a signature with a moving background but I had some trouble with it in Photoshop so I went for this for now. Might be doing that in the future!

Hey Fedward. Happy to see that you're into graphic design.

My advice : Don't try to learn everything at the same time. Master one thing at a time. I know it's tempting to start learning animations and effects as fast as possible, but I'd highly recommend developing one skill at a time. Learning everything at the same time won't result in quality work.

Also, you get better by practicing... and practicing... and practicing again. Like I told @BlackBlasses when he first started, don't rush it. Make graphics for free for people for as long as you possibly can, and try new things. I found that having people expecting something from you really pushes you into trying things and improving your skill. It might be frustrating sometimes because of how much effort and time you need to put into it... but trust me, dedication brings great results. I'm sure BlackBlasses would agree with me. Just look at his free shop and how much he improved along the way.

So conclusion? Take your time man, it will be worth it.

Cheers

 

[gangstacj511]

i like your current one the best the claws as the W really make it stand out

 

[4usq]

I'm going out on a limb and presuming you are using photoshop or you're exporting c4d text to ps. I agree with Matt saying that you should focus on one thing at the time.

So, in saying that, I think it's best to nail layer styles because if you're doing anything text based on ps you'll be using them. I could film on documentary on layer styles because there's so much to them but I think it's best if you check out some tutorials on them. Once you've gone through a few and tested them out download some packs with layer styles and do some abstraction to reinforce what you know.

Also, if you get really good with text/layer styles in photoshop your text will look better than anything text related in c4d. I'll link you some tutorials when I get home.

Also, your first looks the best only because the rest haven't been aligned properly.

 

[fedward]

I'm going out on a limb and presuming you are using photoshop or you're exporting c4d text to ps. I agree with Matt saying that you should focus on one thing at the time.

So, in saying that, I think it's best to nail layer styles because if you're doing anything text based on ps you'll be using them. I could film on documentary on layer styles because there's so much to them but I think it's best if you check out some tutorials on them. Once you've gone through a few and tested them out download some packs with layer styles and do some abstraction to reinforce what you know.

Also, if you get really good with text/layer styles in photoshop your text will look better than anything text related in c4d. I'll link you some tutorials when I get home.

Also, your first looks the best only because the rest haven't been aligned properly.

Thanks for the tips! Its actually made in the photoshop 3D workspace, I don’t have C4D for now. Will look through some tutorials on layer styles for my next work

 

[4usq]

Thanks for the tips! Its actually made in the photoshop 3D workspace, I don’t have C4D for now. Will look through some tutorials on layer styles for my next work

A lot of high quality layer styles cost money, I would argue they're worth it even though I know how to make them. But for now I just just focus on free tutorials/downloads.

Tutorials (all these are metal 3D styles because it's the mot useful and foundamental):

(If you learn from this you'll be making the best text on these forums in no time.)

(you could pull off the effect a lot easier with a gradient overlay but the effort he puts into the lighting widens the scope for creativity when it comes to metal text)

Downloads: This site has a lot of styles (psds) that you can download that will teach you a lot

My final tip would be to take some time to download some nice fonts. You'll start to see what fonts work and don't work after a while. I recommend sticking to thick fonts with sharp edges, nothing too sci-fi because it can be a hit or miss.

 

[fedward]

A lot of high quality layer styles cost money, I would argue they're worth it even though I know how to make them. But for now I just just focus on free tutorials/downloads.

Tutorials (all these are metal 3D styles because it's the mot useful and foundamental):

(If you learn from this you'll be making the best text on these forums in no time.)

(you could pull off the effect a lot easier with a gradient overlay but the effort he puts into the lighting widens the scope for creativity when it comes to metal text)

Downloads: This site has a lot of styles (psds) that you can download that will teach you a lot

My final tip would be to take some time to download some nice fonts. You'll start to see what fonts work and don't work after a while. I recommend sticking to thick fonts with sharp edges, nothing too sci-fi because it can be a hit or miss.

Sweet as, huge thanks to you for taking the time to do all this!

 

[4usq]

Sweet as, huge thanks to you for taking the time to do all this!

Glad I could help

 

[Dalpra]

You need to select colours a bit better, this isn't hard to do...

What i suggest is to get more creative with your design, just don't stick to one singular colour.

 

[Dalpra]

You need to select colours a bit better, this isn't hard to do...

What i suggest is to get more creative with your design, just don't stick to one singular colour.

 

[fedward]

You need to select colours a bit better, this isn't hard to do...

What i suggest is to get more creative with your design, just don't stick to one singular colour.

As @4usq suggested I’ve been trying to get more into layer styles and I’ve been training a lot on those. Might post a few signatures/avatars I’ve made to showcase some progress soon

 

[Dalpra]

Put more shades into every single pixel, and make sure you change the colours of the pixels up as well.

Hope layering goes well keen to see your new work

 

[Ninety9]

try using more advanced programs?

 

[fedward]

try using more advanced programs?

I’m pretty sure Photoshop is advanced enough for making signatures and avatars haha