Would like to hear your opinions....

[krkw72]

On another site of design contests, someone left a comment (on a particular contest) to the effect of: "all these look like clipart".

Now, I'm fully aware of the no-no's of using clip art in a contest...and over the years I've seen hundreds and hundreds of pieces of clip-art.

But what would make a design or piece of art "look like clipart?" what does that mean, anyway?? what are some tips to avoid it?

I mean, designers, somewhere, sometime, made all the clip-art out there (I wonder if someone said to them "hey, that looks like clip-art!", or if the artist was working for a source co. if they were told, "no, these won't work, they're not "clip-arty" enough)

My design happened to be in that particular contest, and I thought about replying in the thread, "tell my burning eyeballs and throbbing mouse-elbow that stayed up til 3 am working on that thing that it looks like clip-art!", but I refrained.

or, should I just not even worry about it?

[deleted member]

don't worry about it. people say whatever they want on the internet... and not all of it is intelligent if you worked hard at it and its original thats all that matters.

[xValentynex]

Yea dont worry bout it...some people (especially in my class) will say anything to get people to notice them....I think maybe clip art look is like very basic maybe? i dunno

[nirmanapro]

Don't worry at all..there are many people who just wanna tease others work.funny thing is those people can't do anything.that's the reason for their waggishness.In other case if someone can't separate your real work from a clip art that shows how talented you are.Just think positive.You'll go far.

[resurepus]

please, note that making something look like clip art (on purpose or not) is quite different from actually using clip art. Using clip art means that you use an image created by someone else. I can't say for other contest sites but here on DC it is strictly forbidden. You have to design everything yourself in your logo. You can still use fonts created by others (providing you have the needed license), but the symbol/illustrative part has to be done completely by yourself and has to be 100% original.

[85graphics]

I've wondered the same thing about 'something looking like clip art' I agree it is a very difficult thing to say "these are the 4 things that make something too much like clip art" I think it is something that looks generic, nothing special about how the lines and shapes fit together. I think it is usually using 1-2 colors, and very simplistic. If there is any type used its likely to be arial or something really simplistic - I would think of it overall as being something that you wouldn't remember.

When designing logos and little vector graphics I think its a fine line between simplicity and making something creative enough for people to remember. At the same time keeping it simple enough to make it large or small, and have it still look clear.

hope that helps -

Christina 85graphics.com

[krkw72]

Thanks, everyone, for the replies! this was helpful....