Dc 8 - Promotion Badges, DC badges for Mobile9 Options

[CrazEric]

Welcome to DC8

This time we will be creating 3 Promotion Badges for the DC
This will not be an easy challenge and comes with many restrictions/limitation but the reward
of having your work become a permanent part of Mobile9 and the Design Challenge is really awesome! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wow.gif)
So please read this entire post very, very carefully.

Description:
Make 1 or 2 or 3 promotion badges for the DC. The winning badges will then become a permanent part of the Mobile9 website. You only have to make 1 badge to successfully complete this challenge. But we would really like it if you make one badge for every category. The shape & layout of the badges must fit in with the existing badges being used on Mobile9.

It has to look similar to these badges (a black or dark grey ring –almost black)
Silver or light grey is for Admin and Managers badges only


(IMG:http://static.mobile9.com/badges/giftedthemer.png) (IMG:http://static.mobile9.com/badges/risingthemer.png) (IMG:http://static.mobile9.com/badges/gifteddj.png) (IMG:http://static.mobile9.com/badges/certifieddj.png)

(IMG:http://static.mobile9.com/badges/legendarydj.png) (IMG:http://static.mobile9.com/badges/legendarydesigner.png) (IMG:http://static.mobile9.com/badges/gifteddesigner.png) (IMG:http://static.mobile9.com/badges/communitysuperstar.png)


This kind of shapes and colors are no longer allowed for badges.

(IMG:http://static.mobile9.com/badges/legendarythemer.png) (IMG:http://static.mobile9.com/badges/sitecontributor.png) (IMG:http://static.mobile9.com/badges/certifiedthemer.png) (IMG:http://static.mobile9.com/badges/senioradmin.png)

Promotion badges are divided into these 3 categories:
Badge1
The first badge can be earned by successfully completing 20+ Design Challenges.
As the managers of the DC we believe than anyone dedicated enough to enter 20 times (even if they never win) is an important part of the design community and therefore deserves a badge.
We would like to thank AW for agreeing to this "new" way of rewarding participants.
Badge2
The second badge can be earned by successfully completing 20+ Design Challenges and winning 10+ challenges. Winning refers to a podium finish (1st, 2nd and 3rd place).
Badge3
The third badge can be earned by successfully completing 25+ Design Challenges and winning 20+ challenges (5 wins should be for first place)

You will also decide the title of each badge/promotion. We cannot use the words "design" or "designer" since it is already used by the WPC. Instead we will use the term Artist. Some examples of promotion titles would be: Dedicated Artist, Certified Artist, Renowned Artist, Distinguished Artist, Celebrated Artist, etc.

Restrictions:
Maximum dimensions 100 x 100px
(if you really have to, the width can go up to 120px but NOT the height)
Png-8 format only!!! (You must use Photoshop for this)
Max file size of 10kb
The background must be transparent
The badge must contain the words MOBILE9.COM + the Title in capital letters
The work must be your own do not "steal" or "borrow" from other artists without their written permission (that includes using M9’s mascot Cube).

You can use simple silhouette shapes if you have difficulty creating your own images for the badges (like in the first example below) or make something a little more complicated like the lion in the second example. You can of course make really complicated images also as long as they are unique and nobody else can claim that you used their art work.

(IMG:http://i55.tinypic.com/2rpzh8m.jpg) <--Example1 & Example2 -->(IMG:http://i55.tinypic.com/10sc512.jpg)

This Topic is open for 2 weeks until Sunday, the 20th of February.

Give us your absolute best work this week and good luck everyone (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

Here is a nice video made by Rohan showing you how to make your badge in Photoshop: Click Here

This post has been edited by CrazEric: Feb 9 2011, 11:01 AM

[CrazEric]

Mini Tutorial
Here’s a little mini tutorial (assuming that you know how to use Photoshop or GIMP).
I’m not going into great detail but rather just detailing the order in which to create your badge.

Step1: Create your dark outer ring. Make sure your ring is wide enough so you can add your text later.
The ring can be flat or you can add a bevel effect using black and a dark grey color.
This way you can play around and get some slightly different looks while still making something that matches the existing M9 badges.

Here’s 2 examples
(I made mine on a 100x120px background but if you’re sure your images will fit inside you can start with a 100x100px background)
(IMG:http://i56.tinypic.com/15wbfkp.jpg) (IMG:http://i54.tinypic.com/aobcc5.jpg)

Step2: Create a new layer below you ring.
Make a selection with your Elliptical tool (Eclipse select in GIMP) and fill it with a nice gradient.
You can also make a little orb as an alternative or do some colorful light display.

Here’s 2 examples
The first is a gradient and the second a simple orb
(IMG:http://i51.tinypic.com/2hxw0lw.jpg) (IMG:http://i53.tinypic.com/8ygp08.jpg)
Your badge should now look something like this:
(IMG:http://i55.tinypic.com/33dcuus.jpg) (IMG:http://i54.tinypic.com/sc3mns.jpg)

Step3: Add your text layer above the ring.
Before you start working on your image you should add the Title + Mobile9.com to make sure your ring is wide enough for the text.
This part can be tricky since it’s difficult to do text in a circular shape. You will find lots of tutorials online to help you with this.

Example
(IMG:http://i53.tinypic.com/33vygbl.jpg)

Step4: Add the image layer on top to complete your badge.
For the example I’m just using a simple sun custom shape from photoshop.
You can keep it black and add a color outer glow or you can colorize the image.
Even a simple little shape like this can give you a fantastic result, so please don’t take someone else’s artwork – try to make your own little image!

Shape:
(IMG:http://i53.tinypic.com/o52mup.jpg)

End result:
(IMG:http://i52.tinypic.com/2ur7bcz.jpg)

Of course you can use some textures or other design elements to improve your image, but as you can see it’s not too difficult to get a decent result.
I know we have some great artist on M9 and I’m looking forward to some spectacular entries! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

Good luck everyone (IMG:style_emoticons/default/byebye.gif)

[your_mother]

Don't know if I'm excited or scared about this. It's a great and difficult topic...

Here's the ad for this week:
(IMG:http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3741/miniadvert.png)

CODE

[url=http://www.mobile9.com/invboard/index.php?s=0&showtopic=73395][img]http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3741/miniadvert.png[/img][/url]

This post has been edited by your_mother: Feb 6 2011, 12:09 PM

[Guest_sonyd_*]

I'm in, great Theme, I'm excited......Eric thank you for the tutorial



btw, Must I write like this:
Gifted Artist
Certified Artist and
Legendary Artist

about the font can I use Shablon?

This post has been edited by sonyd: Feb 6 2011, 01:23 PM

[liapireas]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wow.gif) What a beautiful topic, we are going to design the DC badges ! I love it , I will try to make something cool !!!!!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

[rohan89devil]

Hello people (IMG:style_emoticons/default/byebye.gif)

Look who's back (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:http://i54.tinypic.com/w06xvl.png)

PSD

[jolansky]

wow amazing thread!!!!!!!i (IMG:style_emoticons/default/10.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clapping.gif) love this idea master and i am in support for this one!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/10.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/10.gif)

[BENnGWEN]

I'm IN I think (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)
Great Job Rohan Bro (IMG:style_emoticons/default/notworthy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/notworthy.gif)
Thanks Mother (IMG:style_emoticons/default/notworthy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/notworthy.gif)

[CrazEric]

I'm in, great Theme, I'm excited......Eric thank you for the tutorial



btw, Must I write like this:
Gifted Artist
Certified Artist and
Legendary Artist

about the font can I use Shablon?

Yes - you can choose or make any titles you want (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)
My personal favorites would be
Badge1: Dedicated Artist
Badge2: Certified Artist
Badge3: Renowned Artist
but the managers cannot earn DC badges so you decide what you want to call them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

You can use any font as long as it’s clear & easy to read when so small (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)
(I used Arial Black in the examples and it’s probably best to use a similar text)

Hello people (IMG:style_emoticons/default/byebye.gif)

Look who's back (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:http://i54.tinypic.com/w06xvl.png)

PSD

Hey welcome back!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)
Wow that was a very quick entry (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)
I love it but the ring seems very uneven? If you can fix that then ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/10.gif)





Lia, Jolly & Ben - looking forward to your best work ever (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wow.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wow.gif)

[rohan89devil]

I changed it a bit :-

(IMG:http://i55.tinypic.com/2n4y05.png)

[your_mother]

Damn! I thought today I would be quicker than Eric, I'm almost never up that early!!

I can't believe how quick you were, Rohan!! And with a very nice entry!

[rohan89devil]

Thanks Ben, Eric and Mama (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

Here are two final badges :-

1. Proficient Artist

(IMG:http://i51.tinypic.com/9aagjs.png)

PSD

----------------------------------------------------------

2. Shining Artist

(IMG:http://i56.tinypic.com/2h5plbl.png)

PSD

This post has been edited by rohan89devil: Feb 7 2011, 04:07 AM

[magicas1]

I am in thanks for tutorial eric (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)
a great challenge very fun but I have to get aphotoshop some where for that 8png saving
I will do my best

@rohan welcome back great starters (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clapping.gif)

[rohan89devil]

Thanks Mags (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

[jolansky]

rohan nice start! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wow.gif)