The Gang of Five

Beyond the Mysterious Beyond => The Arts => Visual Art => Topic started by: action9000 on December 11, 2007, 12:19:16 AM

Title: Now hiring: Graphic artists for project
Post by: action9000 on December 11, 2007, 12:19:16 AM
[EDIT]
Please Disregard this topic.  I have decided not to go through with this project.
[/EDIT]
Hi,

I am attempting to complete a project for the Stepmania Stepmix 3 contest.  Click the "Stepmix musician" banner in my signature for details.  Stepmania is a Dance Dance Revolution simulator for the PC which is completely customizable.  The creators are holding a contest with a January 12th deadline, where entrants may create their own songs, make steps to them and submit the final product to be judged and potentially win prizes.

The project must contain the following parts:
Song (which I'm working on right now)
steps (multiple difficulties.  I'll do this once the song is complete).
Background art
Song banner art
any goodies the creator wants to throw in.

Problem: All artwork must be used with full permission and must be legal to use in the contest.  I do not have the artistic skill to produce a piece of background art, nor song banner art for this project.  That is why  I need your help. B)

The situation is as follows:
I am in need of two pieces of visual art (digital pictures), both of which must compliment the song.  The song I am working on does not have a confirmed title but the temporary title is "Expedition of Mount Titan".  The scene I am picturing will look somewhat like the "mountains that burn" from LBT 1, with flying creatures, similar to pterodactyls (mythical creatures, somewhat ancient-looking...feel free to use your creativity).

The scene is fantasy, not "realistic", per se.  So far, the progression of the song has 4 adventurers opening up a grove of ferns to reveal a large volcanic mountain range.  Looking upwards, the adventurers see the flying creatures hovering about the mountain, unsure of what they're getting themselves into.  The adventurers have heard many tales of these mountains, that they contain secrets far beyond what the mind can comprehend, from great riches to unfathomable rewards for those so deserving to be able to obtain them.  in order to achieve these rewards, the adventurers (who are human, by the way) must brave this mountain range and its perils, uncertain of anything from the first step beyond the grove of ferns.

I am in need of a large background image to sit behind the arrows scrolling across the screen (for example here: http://www.stepmania.com/viewfile.php?file...jector.jpg.html (http://www.stepmania.com/viewfile.php?file=images/screens/Users/tn/Silverfish%20pump%20projector.jpg.html) the picture in the background is where I need an image).

I also need a "song banner" image.  A song banner is an image that appears when the player highlights a song on the "song select screen.  See this image for an example:
http://www.stepmaniawiki.com/viewfile.php?...20(22).jpg.html (http://www.stepmaniawiki.com/viewfile.php?file=images/screens/Versions/StepMania%203.0/tn/StepMania%203.0%20(22).jpg.html)
(the box near the top-left corner of this image is the song banner (where it says .59))
Here's another example of a song banner:
http://www.stepmaniawiki.com/viewfile.php?...20(51).jpg.html (http://www.stepmaniawiki.com/viewfile.php?file=images/screens/Versions/StepMania%203.0/tn/StepMania%203.0%20(51).jpg.html)

Image sizes Must be as follows, please:
Backgrounds graphic resolution must be at least 640x480 (4:3) or 768x480 (16:10).
Banners must be either 256x80 (DDR style) or 418x164 (ITG style) in dimension. Do not use "rotated banners", and do not use transparency.

I am in need of the artwork before January 11th.  I am willing to make fair compensation to anyone who's artwork I use in the final release of the project, including Full credit upon presentation of the entry to the judges.

Scoring for the project is as follows:
Song: 40%

Interesting samples, rhythms, melodies: 15%
High quality samples and production: 15%
Quality of game-size (~1:30) edit: 5%
Appropriateness and creativity of song selection: 5%
Steps: 40%

Criteria for all steps: rhythms fit the song, interesting step placement, appropriate challenge for rated meter, steps are fun
Single easy: 10%
Single medium: 10%
Single hard: 20%
Graphics: 10%

Criteria for all graphics: aesthetic appeal, layout appropriate for graphic shape
Banner: 5%
Background: 5%
Additional Content: 10%

Any extra steps (beginner, challenge, double steps)
background animations.

I know there is some fantastic artistic talent here, which is why I am confident to turn here for assistance. :) If you have any questions, feel free to ask.  This may a unique opportunity for any artist.

Thank you to everyone in advance! :D  I do have a January 12th deadline so submittions before January 11th are much appreciated.  Thank you!
Title: Now hiring: Graphic artists for project
Post by: Petrie. on December 11, 2007, 09:19:26 AM
I'm no expert but I may give it a fair try...no compensation needed. :)
Title: Now hiring: Graphic artists for project
Post by: action9000 on December 13, 2007, 10:46:19 PM
Thank you very much, Petrie! :yes  :yes


Please note to everyone: Every part of the finished image MUST be legal to distribute in a non-commercial or commercial manner, meaning that you MUST own the rights to anything in the image.  No stealing work from elsewhere or we WILL be Disqualified!  Thank you. B)
Title: Now hiring: Graphic artists for project
Post by: action9000 on December 20, 2007, 03:06:42 PM
I probably picked the wrong time of year for this, as some of our artists have run off for Christmas! :p

Anyone else interested in contributing, I'm accepting anyone willing to take on the project! :yes
Title: Now hiring: Graphic artists for project
Post by: action9000 on December 28, 2007, 01:47:23 AM
Please disregard this topic.
I have decided against proceeding with this project.