Who else thinks we should raise the standards yet again? I believe we either need to raise our standards for each level, or add a new level in between Inter and Expert, or Expert and Master. IMO, experts are being handed out WAY too often.

What else can you do. An expert is an expert. The problem is that most of the designers here are good at graphics. so...lol is that a problem?

No, we shouldn't. If a teachers students start doing well on their tests, do they make the tests more difficult just so they can't get the A's anymore because they think there's too many?

That's true.

I'm indifferent and'll go with whatever everyone else decides upon.

Alright, think this though, right now, there really is no inter in our judging. People either think a sig is beginner, or it's expert. In my oppinion, there needs to be a few changes put into the judging system.

Suggestions

1. Add more sections, or subsections to each category while judging. For example...

Text -
How does the text fit into the sig? -
How can it be improved? -

Blending -
How is it blended? -
How can it be improved? -

Background-
What techniques were used in it? -
Is there a light source? -
How can it be improved? -

Skill/Creativity
How unique is it? -
Was a tut used to make it? -
How many times has the person done this style? -
C4D or Stock? -
>>>Is it overused, or just added for a little more effect? -
What can be improved overall? -

Overall -

2. A point system. Now, it is possible to put a point system into the current judging system we have now, considering what we have is pretty much a point system with words instead of numbers. However, a point system, mixed in with the judging system above could give more accurate results, especially with that last section added in.

With what we have now, it's too easy for judges to be biased. Not only is it too easy for them to be biased towards a person, but the way the work is done. Say the person makes a sig with 3 layers, and it looks amazing. That's great and all, but the problem is we're not judging with skill, we're judging with first impressions, and not really asking questions about the work of art the person dropped.

Maybe instead of saying "This is beginner" etc, you just rank the parts on a scale of 1-10? Or at least a system that can more accuratly measure it. I like where this is going, but the terms beginner, expert, inter, etc are just to broad. Keep inter at least if you will keep the two. Someone can constantly be getting better, but if they only ever get beginner because there is no higher, they make think their work is for naught and give it up. Know people who have done that on other graphic areas.

So, perhaps a five point system for each category will do, and the total score can be matched up against a point scale that will determine their rank. Would that work?

For example, if I got 3/5 on Text, 1/5 on Blending, 4/5 on Background, and 3/5 on Skill, creativity, I'd have a total of 11/20 points. If Beginner was 1-8 points, Intermediate was 9-16 points, and Expert was 16-20 points, the banner would fall under the low Intermediate category.

We could probably use a similar system with the sprites... if that place ever got active again. :/

Edit: Urm... well, see what ZKX has to say. I got 'swooshed'. :/

All on a scale of 1-5.

Graded on an overall scale of 12-60.
12-21=Beginner
22-31=Novice
32-41=Intermediate
42-51=Expert
52-60=Master

That's what I was looking for right there. Some people may think it takes too much time, but if they really think so, then they shouldn't be a judge.

Either sign onto MSN or unblock me if you have me blocked. We can chat about the system, fine tune it, and put it into effect.

I think you're right. Because when half the droppers get expert, people stop doing it, and they aren't experts any more, they would be average.

This sounds good, but I have a couple problems with Pondy's edit:

I don't think you should get points off for doing a style more than once. It should be rated on that individual sig. If you only do a style once it's not going to be that good since you have not had time to perfect it. You could give someone a rating based upon their current sig, but just tell them that the style is getting old.

EDIT: Another problem is with how you rate the use of brushes. It shouldn't be if they use no brushes and get an auto 5, and if they use them they get a 1. You can make an ugly sig and use no brushes, and therefore it would still get a 5 in that category. It should be if the brushes are used well not the fact that they are being used which gets you a high rating.

And for C4Ds you shouldn't get an automatic 5 points for not using one. Again, it should be how it is used not whether or not you use one. C4D used well gets you 5, and used poorly gets you a 1.

Other than that it sounds great.

Two things.

I agree with ST on the style repeat thing.

Also, why is doing a photomanip worth more points than a render?

I agree with both, lower the manip points maybe. I'll get AIM up and working again so I can talk to pondy and finish this up when I get back from bass.

Ok first of all manips are much easier than forum sigs. Points shouldn't be higher. Also they should be separate categories all together. You can't compare a photomanip to a render sig. They're two different forms of art.

Second, you shouldn't be docked points by using extra brushes. There's nothing wrong with using brushes. Maybe give bonus points if defaults are used.

Other than that I think that point system would work well.

Can't get AIM to work at the moment.

Anyway, the point system works, but why not make separate layouts based on the style of sig?