With the recent trends in wallpapers changing to have more of a simple, artsy and "original" feel to them, the staff has noticed a severe increase in wallpaper submissions of the simple vector, and reCG type. We all decided it was time to make an announcement on it.

From this point on, we will not accept wallpapers that are the following:
- Simple vectors with an even simpler background EXAMPLE!
- reCged scans
- walls that are just a repainted scan


We find it pretty upsetting that these wallpapers are getting far more attention than they deserve over works by newer, and maybe less experienced members, who make everything from scratch. This doesn't mean you can't repaint something. But it must be significantly different from the original scan. Also, adding texture to any of those does not take it to the next level in wallpapers either. We have denied these kinds of wallpapers in the queue, but have noticed that most of them are coming from the community and senior members.

Now, to define what we mean by simple vectors. We've seen a lot of wallpapers of just a screenshot being vectored out and having a single color background, or a gradient, or a simple pattern. Screenshots do not make the best vectors, and if you ARE going to vector a screenshot, a significant amount of work will probably have to be done on it to make it look decent. And it can't just be slapped onto a blue background and called done. Simple is okay only when the design calls for it. And the staff can tell when thats the case.

So, please keep this in mind for future submissions, because we will delete them if we see them. If you have any questions on this, you can comment in this thread and we'll do our best to answer any questions you may have.

At last. i was fed up to see almost "no-work" walls to draw in all the comments and favs when walls that are obviously the fruit of hard and painfull labor get no attention. i'm happy that you guys decided to adopt this behaviour from now on.

Hmmm... that is kinda unfair to be said, since I did think Crapmonster's simple vector walls considered as great walls as well. Plus like the one that was done by Tama neko was really quite nice as well, although it is only repainted. However, I guess it is the right choice, it would have been giving an easy way out.
Rather, if such is done, it would be best to submit as a vector or scan instead.

You're doing the right thing,whith these new rules.I don't say that SOME simply vectored and low-worked-on walls aren't nice, but as I said,these are very few.And usually even if you like them at first,you get bored of them pretty quickly >.>
And, like you said yourself,hard-worked-on wallpapers get ignored when they have the bad luck to be submitted at the same time with a simple-vectors walls.hmm..Guess that's because the last ones kinda ...poke the eye XD quicker than more crowded,complex walls...and that's not a good thing.:P
Glad AP has taken this decision :)

While I have to say some walls that you have described are very good the majority are nothing of special note. I'm glad that you're instilling these new rules because it saddens me to see a wall by a newer member that took them months of hard work get passed by quickly and a wall that took only a few hours and fits the criteria you stated get a vast amount of praise.

That's a great decision. This community needs a wake up call. They are some submissions that really don't qualify to ap. But, anyway I'm glad you made this decision.

First, a TEST ;] in terms of the new rules, would this wall be rejected or not? it will help me clarify things...

now, on the topic:
well, i am not sure about this new rule. i mean, a lot of most popular walls could [not would, but could] be rejected by this. on the other hand, a lot of walls that should not be here, would be rejected, which is good. however, 'the simplicity' is a nice factor for desktop walls, it makes them clear and usable -- cause they are in fact pictures for the desktop..

alienzero

well, i am not sure about this new rule. i mean, a lot of most popular walls could [not would, but could] be rejected by this. on the other hand, a lot of walls that should not be here, would be rejected, which is good. however, 'the simplicity' is a nice factor for desktop walls, it makes them clear and usable -- cause they are in fact pictures for the desktop..

I'm inclined to agree with you. The wallpapers I use on my desktop are simple ones with simple bases and colors. They are beautiful for being so simplistic and they work well with my desktop content. I don't like a lot of clash on the papers I use because too much bulk can be confusing. Sure wallpapers with heavy textures brushes and high quality detail looks pretty, but they don't always work well for people who have a good amout of folders and application shortcuts on top of it.

I'm not sure how valuable my opinion is since I've only been a member for a short time, but there you have it.

::Edit::
I should probably add that I'm not completely against this new rule. I'm just stating that in my own preference I enjoy simple papers.

Kalico said that simplicity can work for some walls and that it would be accepted if simplicity was the right thing to do for a wall. but honestly, there are so many walls with a scan slapped over a gradient... makes me sick.
Now for the "popular" walls that would be rejected, i see so many crappy walls that are praised to the skies just because they are FMA, Naruto, Fate stay Night, or other popular series. I hate to say it but i think there are many people that will only comment walls of their favourite series (mainly the previously named ones), and won't even give a look to other walls that are much more beautiful and resulting of very hard work, just because it's not featuring Edward Elric, Kakashi-sensei, or Saber. And that makes me damn sick. AP is famous because of it's high standards of quality and should remain as so, even if the price to pay is to reject more walls only to keep the really good one.

alienzero

first, a TEST ;] in terms of the new rules, would this wall be rejected or not?

It would have been accepted.

Clear design choice. Good parody of Eva. Clever mixing other gainax shows. 's a good wall.

Simplicity as a design choice isn't what's at question here. Simplicity because you couldn't be arsed to do a proper background is.

APs gallery is a place for people to showcase their particular brand of walling, and put on display their very best works. It's not for dross.

(Dross goes in session zero where we can all help to make it into good stuff :).)

the11342

AP is famous because of it's high standards of quality and should remain as so, even if the price to pay is to reject more walls only to keep the really good one.

that's the point -- keep the good ones. no matter if they are simple or complex, just keep the best ones. and the choice of what is best i will leave to the staff -- i somehow trust 'em.

It was about time...at last

With an ever-widening community it makes sense...More style and effort needs to be encouraged.

Well...i guess there goes half my walls....

crapmonster

well...i guess there goes half my walls....

not really crap...cause your walls have a very good design sense. it's one thing to choose to have a solid color background with a vector in the middle, it's another thing to vector a screenshot in some show and stick it on yellow because you thought it looked pretty.
you make clear design choices, so unless you start getting half-assed and doing themesong screenshot vectors on a gradient background, you have nothing to worry about.

we're only attacking the wallpapers that are clearly low quality with a severe lack of design sense. i would show an example, but i don't want to single anyone out and make them feel bad. I plan on going into photoshop and making clear examples very soon though. that way people will know whats not okay, and what is.