OK. I’m going to have to word this post very carefully. I want to get it upfront that this entry is in no way just a great big sulk about not getting listed on StyleGala or CSS Beauty/Vault or Unmatched Style. Seriously, its not. Stop sniggering.
There has to be a line of quality that differentiates what gets listed and what doesn’t. Thats as it should be – not every design can make it in. But lets get the awkward question out the way – do I think this design should be listed? The honest answer is that I’m ambivalent. It would be nice, but I’m not going to lose any sleep over it if I don’t. So whats the point of this post?
I know that at least one of these sites has come calling just by checking my referrer stats. I further can see that I haven’t been listed (thats not to say I won’t be of course, I really don’t know if anyone’s even submitted the design or not, let alone had the other gallery sites come calling to have a look). So OK – as I said above, its nice to be listed but at the end of the day if I’m not then I’m not. I’m not gagging for a listing – my self confidence has grown enough since I stopped doing just Flash work that I’m not too worried what others think. But what would be great would be some kind of indication as to the factors that led me not to be listed.
Imagine how useful that would be? All designers are interested in pushing themselves and growing past their current boundaries right? What better way than to get some kind of feedback from the people who made the call as to their opinions as to why it didn’t make the cut? It wouldn’t necessarily have to be massively in-depth, just a sort of tickbox affair stating what the main issue(s) was/were and an indication of what needed to be worked on. A paragraph of text at most. StyleGala does this for successful designs – wouldn’t that effort be better placed offering constructive critiques to those that didn’t make it in?
Now I know the guys running these galleries are busy people but wouldn’t that be a great thing for them to do? I know I would really appreciate constructive criticism on a design from some of the best in the business.
Left Brain Right Brain 
Ye I know how you feel. I submitted “this site”:http://cheltladiescollege.org to all of the showcase sites and it didn’t feature anywhere. I was pretty proud of what we did and to my mind it’s a more complex site than Joshuaink.
_Imagine how useful that would be? All designers are interested in pushing themselves and growing past their current boundaries right?_
Too much for one panel of judges to do. I think StyleGala has the best system for overall feedback but it would be a mission and a half to criqtue every site that was submitted, I mean where do you begin?
Mate as they say at the Oscars – its the nomination that counts not the winning (yeah right!!). Its all subjective anyway – I like, I don’t like, why is that there?
But I’m sure you had enough posts on the re-design to let you know that the site has gone down incredibly well – and all that free publicity from the feed on Mr Oxton’s site will drive a fair few here too.
Personally I learn more from a range of people’s posts on redesigns than one review – good or bad and lets be honest here, these days being listed in Mr O’s side salad with a brief (very brief!) comment may not be the Oscars but its got to at least be the equivalent of the Soap Awards!
I once thought making a gallery was the ultimate thing for a design to happen. I know better now. As long as the client is happy. No, make that “extremely satisfied”. That’s enough. Do you care if some guy doesn’t like it though the client and all _his_ clients do? Exactly. There’s a difference man. I never expected my current design to make any. I made Unmatched Style, which was nice, but I stopped doing it for such. For my own site, I design to serve _my_ purpose, not that of gallery site visitors. My purpose is to serve content in a *very* tasty package. You did that. Dude. What’s the problem? 😉
You’re all absolutely right – the ‘client’ for this redesign was – me and I really like it and thats plenty good enough for me :o)
I do think there would be an opportunity to learn from those who decide but I also think John’s right and its a bit impractical. Shame though as it would be a great thing.
I would like to submit my site at some point but I don’t think it I would be ready for it. If your put a lot of work into something you like to see a good response, when you don’t get one you feel slightly disheartened. Still when you feel you can to better, it puts you off. Just as last little note I think the text size is just a little bit too small. Again I LOVE the spellchecking!
Btw: John, that site is very cool. Nice work with the header.
The moment I saw the new redesign, I was busy submitting it to the galleries, so I’m rather disappointed too. But I think you’ve gone beyond that level where being featured on a gallery mattered. Leave that to us wannabes 😀
Ha! Its a nice sentiment Prabhath but I definitely do not think of myself in those terms. You’re right in that it doesn’t really matter as such but I’m always keen to glean anything that I can from any situation and a chance to improve or hear someone else’s thoughts is always a good thing – and not to hear them feels like a bit of a missed opportunity.
Does that make sense? Hmm.
*John*: nice site, but that Principal has one hell of an unfortunate signature!
I haven’t ever submitted anything I’ve done to any of the gallery sites. It just seems…. wrong. Like patting yourself on the back. Still, I’m perfectly happy for others to submit me. Which hasn’t happened yet. I dunno. Is asking someone else to submit your work as bad as submitting your own? Worse? By the way, I’m not criticizing anyone who submits their own stuff. It’s just not for me.
Still, don’t get up. Being featured in the Garden is quite enough excitment for me this week.
Woah – nice one Pierce!
Danke.
Yes, I am liking the new Distorte too!
_I haven’t ever submitted anything I’ve done to any of the gallery sites. It just seems…. wrong. Like patting yourself on the back_
Well, now, in my particular case I was part of a team of 5 so I did it for all, not just me. Would I submit a project I did on my own, hmmm, maybe because if it gets on, it’s good for business.
thanks.
I never think of that business thing. (I’m not a good business person. don’t tell anyone.)
The 5 person team thing is a good point as well. I retract the gist of my previous post. I am rethinking my current position.
It’s just that Stylegala thing where it has
Designer: A.N. Other
Submitter: A.N. Other
I worry too much about what people think.
I love the redesign, its unique 🙂
Hi stranger 😉 where’ve you been – making your fame and fortune ;)?
I wish! Just about start A Levels, so been busy planning what to do when failure is confirmed 😛
Nah been playing with my new MCE and stuff, not all that active anywhere these days, cept my blog, which Ive linked to you from btw hope you dont mind 🙂