#Cheap Clipart

[thetownwecallhome]

TNBC Shower Thought: Comparing the worst to best TNBC posters

((OOC:

I know how much you love my pedanticy-pedantics about unimportant TNBC details and reviews. Or, at least, I THINK you like em and none of you have told me to can it yet...

So I figured in the spirit of that and Christmas season, why not compare some of Nightmare Before Christmas's movie posters? Comparing posters and covers is a fun activity for me. There have been different kinds of posters and cover art throughout the years for all sorts of things that are great at subtly, creativity, minimalism or just being a good cover overall. One day I hope to compare some of the Walt Disney features' many fantastic poser art for their films, but for now lets stick to Nightmare.

I'm starting from the bottom to work my way up into the GREAT stuff. Lets not waste anymore time...

This is easily the worst cover for the film and what I hate is that it's the most current cover. I already hate when they try to make the clipart we're used to all shaded and three dimensional-like, but just...LOOK AT THIS?!?!

Who thought THIS looked good? Honestly?!? The characters are all way too colorful and smooth and it's plastered on top of the film cel like it fits together...it DOESN'T!!!

Next we have the 2008 DVD cover.

I'll try not too be too harsh on this one in case anyone here grew up with it...but I'm sorry I am sooooo not a fan. It tells you nothing about the film. It's more of that '3D-ish take on the og lineart that looks ugly to me.

The 2023 30th anniversary art is...fine?

Like there's nothing WRONG with it, but it feels incredibly lackluster compared to some of the screen-capped and colored up artwork I've seen on things like T-Shirts and even fan made posters.

Also, and I hope this ISN'T true, it's so basic I worry that it at some point was made by or with AI or at least with an artist who wasn't paid that much in a short amount of time. Like, the composition is all there: Sally and Jack in the foreground, Lock, Shock and Barrel under them and above the title, Oogie in the moon behind them all...but I don't know why they didn't do something really cool like make all the intricate purple and blue-shapes into silhouettes of the other characters and other iconic imagery or scenes?

Look at how...ALONE Zero feels off the side there!!

This next one is another older image I remember on the back of my VHS growing up, though I never knew it was used for an actual cover of the movie. It does INFINITELY look better than the first shaded-lineart image (this was done in the 90s...how...) but while I love the composition of Jack and Sally and them walking around in Christmas Town, I never liked the colors of the image at all.

I also never got why Lock, Shock and Barrel are there, chillin and watching them like they're Belle and Beast and they're Beasts' servants trying to wingman for him...Where's Zero? Everyone knows HE'S jack's wingman.

This is an image I found on IMDB that took my by surprise. To be honest I have no clue if it's an actual film poster or a fan poster, but I like the composition of it all as a Universal Horror film poster. Doesn't work as well as Frankenweenie, but still...

And now, the classic. The one you most certainly grew up seeing everywhere or around the place regarding this movie in the 90s or 2000s. It's the cover to the soundtrack and VHS I had. This is obviously the most famous version.

But there's also this slightly different version with Jack's arms in a different pose 'to receipt Shakespearean quotation'. This is the same version of the cover used on our "The Film, the Art and the Vision" book as well.

But, for my own PERSONAL favorite cover of the film (even if it's just a simple photoshop), I have to go with the original 'special edition' DVD my sister and I still have.

Somehow Sally just being on the spiral hill next to Jack and holding his hand is so sweet and doesn't feel like the cheap and quick edit it is. I think it's because, despite being a reference to the scene I never saw this cover as directly portraying "Jack's Lament", that this was Jack having a nice moment of peace after the events of the films somehow and waxing his poetics in reference to the film...so somehow the idea of Sally coming up to join him in that with his other arm let out to her is ADORABLE.

Here it is on a different version on a French DVD.

Lastly, since it does technically count as a poster for the movie itself, I'd be remissed not to mention Nightmare Before Christmas 3D's poster. This this was great back in the day and it's still great now. I'm fairly certain they just photoshopped stills and photos of puppets themselves but y'see kids- THIS vvvv

This is how you photoshop. Everyone has a unique face and pose. Everyone's doing something you think that character would be doing if they were going to MT3K their own film (Sally that's rude!) and they're all drenched in theater accurate lighting. That's more like it!! Besides Oogie being smol, this is the perfect poster to catch the eye of a rerelease!

Hope you enjoyed!

))

[digi-tama-in-your-pocket]

PSA virtual pet collectors, don't buy these cheap v-pets that keep popping up on Ebay

I've noticed these things popping up all over the place. The packaging is very cute, so it's tempting to check it out. But don't. You'll notice almost every single listing here is "new in box" which likely means it's not opened and untested. I don't think that's a coincidence. Likely several crates of these were discovered in a warehouse somewhere and auctioned off to "professional reseller" clowns who take advantage of hobbyists. The only thing they have going for them is that they're usually cheap ( unless the "professional reseller" is an idiot who thinks all old things are worth whatever they think they can get away with. ) and they have a cute design and shell.

I have actually gotten several of these, at first it was intentional because a V-pet discord group told me what they were, they were simply repackaged Hitorikko pets, which were going for a little bit more money than these more cute ones online. So I bought one of each... and none of them worked. Like, they power on, they make noise, the buttons work, but... nobody should be okay with screens like these.

It's easy to look at these and tell me I got a bad batch from a seller who stored them improperly.

Nope.

I thought the same thing at first, but because I wanted a working one, I actually ended up with 9 of these things from various sellers. I tried getting them from a different seller, and then some sellers included them in lots.... every. Single. One. They are all like this.

These are probably very cheaply made defective bootlegs, or they didn't pass quality control and got stowed in a warehouse, only to be auctioned off to the aforementioned e-bay circus entertainers.

If you want this pet, just buy a legit Hitorikko. It won't have a shell this cute, and the packaging has boring clipart-core animals. But they're much more likely to work than the ones with the cute pictures. Maybe it's possible to do a shell swap if you snag some of the bootlegs for cheap, but I'm not comfortable doing that. Besides, I have not seen a fish version of these bootleg pets, nor a dinosaur version of the Hitorikko. Again, look for this package if you want the programming without the shit screen ( Shit screen still entirely possible to get on legit Hitorikko. Never buy vintage pets if they're not willing to show the screen functioning. )

[shark-making-soup]

if i opened poster/banner comms, would y'all be interested?

examples under cut

these are made in canva. all images are either from canva under their free liscence or from wikimedia commons.

i could possibly do stickers or youtube banner.

i cannot draw well, so any image you want would need to be either provided by you, a stock image, or clipart.

[miloscat]

[Review] Mini Golf Arena (PC)

Steam dumpster diving… hidden gem, or just rubbish?

My brother and I have played more than a few cheap mini golf games in our time, but few more cheap-feeling than this. The stock assets and janky play control are hallmarks of the genre, but all the same it’s always a good time hanging with my bro and yelling at the game.

As with other games of this type, you can customise your ball colour, look, and trail (mine became a buckminsterfullerene that trailed clipart cats behind it!), and all the unlockable options are exorbitantly expensive in the in-game currency, earned by playing. Gameplay settings were a bit lacking, merely collision and jump toggles with no option to change the stroke limit from the default 12; it’s never a good feeling to be cut short during your attempt, even when the holes are as dodgy as these.

And they are dodgy, with difficulty stemming from mandatory ramp jumps or holes placed in the course to send you out of bounds (with a stroke penalty!), or our favourite, the poorly-lined up pyramid under the goal. The lacklustre course design combos with the off-feeling physics and gimmicks that just don't work sometimes for a full course of frustration, with a garnish of online issues that for one round cut Cam off every time I sunk my ball before him. The mouse-controlled putt meter is my preferred option, but here it's the only option so get used to it.

There are seven 18-hole courses to play, with some decent variety in the aesthetics, from Mars to a neon sci-fi-scape to a bright, flat-shaded, low-poly fantasy zone of some kind. The look tends towards oversaturated and bloomy, the eye-bleed peaking on the hellish "Eclipse" course. There's also support for user-made maps, although we opted not to explore them; besides, the feature doesn't seem to have the breadth of engagement as the bigger names like Golf With Your Friends or Golf It.

Technically this game is in early access, but the last update was over three years ago and the developer's website is down, so I reckon it's unlikely to make it to "released". Still, as clumsy and slipshod as this is I still appreciate that people out there are getting in and having a go at making games. The rough edges give it a bit of character, and there was a feature that genuinely and consistently tickled us: the announcements of your scores at the end of each hole, where an Eastern European gentleman yells various versions of "PARRR!" or "double bogey..." at you. This is what video games are all about.

[physalian]

My experience with Miblart cover designers

I picked Miblart on recommendation. They're a Ukranian company, so my money's at least going to a good cause. Priority one, however, was making sure I had accountability. Freelancers make me very, very nervous, because I have been screwed over and scammed by people on instagram and the like who will just take your money and run without consequence. So this website gave me the all-important paper trail, and the second all-important factor: A deadline I can enforce.

First off: They are very nice, and their website is very easy to use. You get exactly what you ask for, for better or for worse.

However.

—

Biggest complaint: They work with exactly what you give them and don't stray very far from your original design. Which is great, if you're able to give them a quality concept image. If you are not able to do that, and you hand them something jank as hell, you will recieve back a polished version of your jank design. Artist's intuition is what I pay a real person for, instead of dialing up The Robot to generate an image for me.

Secondary complaint: Delivery time*** which I will excuse for the holidays, but their standard delivery time is 8-10 days. Revisions also did not have a true deadline, the only response I got was an "asap".

Tertiary complaint: They don't give you a preliminary sketch to approve general composition. It's radio silence until they give you your cover, watermarked, waiting for your approval. If that's how you like it, then this is a feature, but I don't, and things might've been different if I had been able to make corrections before the hard work was done.

These are general issues, below are my specific issues with my specific cover.

—

I hate clipart covers.

Maybe it's just me, but the images you pick to make the composition of your clipart cover have to be exactly on point so they all look like one cohesive piece, and that's far harder to do compared to a fully illustrated cover, and they make illustrated covers.

I see a clipart cover and I'm immediately looking at how elements don't fit. Everything from the black levels (how one piece is inexplicably darker or more saturated than the other elements, telling you that they're from different photos), to the instagram-y filters to the eras and tones of those different elements all crammmed together.

A cover is supposed to help tell your story. For example, if I'm writing a historical fantasy pirate novel, but the ship you pulled off Getty Images is a 19th century cutter, when the plot says it should be an 18th century Spanish galleon, it's going to look sloppy. Especially if I'm reading this novel because I love historical fiction, if you have the wrong type of boat on your cover, I might not read it thinking somebody somewhere cut corners and didn't do their research picking style over substance.

Especially when clipart covers are pulling more "realistic" images with excessive detail over an impressionist style of an illustrated cover. Your sci-fi novel might be about an underground cyberpunk war, but have a spaceship that leans more into space opera, and maybe a robot that's absolutely steampunk. What genre am I supposed to be getting from these mis-matched elements?

Outside of a horror novel, which tends to be pretty minimalistic with the cover design (a haunted house, a keyhole, a rosary, a grave), they look cheap, and messy.

So, I got my commissioned cover back from my designer.

And they're... not great. I don't know where the rules lie for who owns what so I won't post the watermarked concepts. What it boils down to is a disorganized composition of photoreal elements mixed with semi-illustrated silhouettes, and they clash pretty jarringly.

So after I sent them an essay explaining why I didn't think different elements worked, along with six different examples of where to take the new direciton to experiment, the V2 I got back was even worse.

Little things, like how I gave them a fishing boat, and they used a yatch. Very big difference in the tone and purpose. The revamp of their corals were also bright and healthy, when I'd already told them the whole point was mass coral bleaching, with example images.

The same illustrated silhouettes were copy-pasted in, reoriented, and shrunk, so my initial issue with them remained, and I wasn't pleased.

When I sent them examples for the changes, I felt awful about changing the design since they pretty much gave me what I asked for, it just did not look as good compared to the version in my head (they even used the exact position of that mer that I had given them in the jank sketch). I gave them plenty of suggestions of elements I wanted to change from their own database of covers, but felt bad for the artist so I told them this was in effort to preserve as much of the work they had already done.

And, well, they definitely reworked what was already there. It just feels...

Lazy? The only element they had to draw was a silhouette. So if all you're doing is yanking images off the internet and tweaking the lighting, I can do that, too. I'm paying you to look at a mess and make it better than the sum of its parts. You're an artist, so make something, instead of simply rearranging something. For $220, neither of Miblart's offerings were worth it.

And Miblart does have some gorgeous covers. Idk what happened with mine.

I paid an artist because I psyched myself out of what a typical cover of my genre demands—contemporary sci-fi—and convinced myself I could not draw with the skill necessary.

Well, while waiting for the revisions from Miblart, I made my own cover, from scratch, as I have done for my past two books, and I love it more. The combined work probably clocks in around 4 hours, with everything drawn by hand. Theirs took 12 days, and is all but one copy-pasted elements. I'll be dropping my version with the official book release announcement shortly.

—

Overall, Miblart seems to be very hit-or-miss. If you yourself like clipart covers, and you have an already solid concept to give them, you'll probably find success. Though it does bother me that this implies complete unoriginality, if their artists can only recreate what you give them instead of devising something new. Adhering to genre principles is one thing, but being unable to truly get creative is a red flag for me.

When I tried to cancel my order, after insisting that I wanted to compensate the artist for their time, they hit me with the same canned apology email. On the one hand I can chalk it up to a language barrier, but on the other, once you have an upset customer, the time for canned responses is over. After already dealing with a lack of human artistry in the design, I was not pleased to be dealing with a lack of human comminication with customer service.

These covers aren't awful. They're just uninspired and unprofessional. If I saw it on the shelf, I might only pick it up to study how off it looks, and would not trust the competency of the book inside.

[bluepoodle7]

#ThisHouseEatsPeople#ManlyBadassHero#IsThereAHorrorHauntedHouseMovie #GameGrumps #OurHouse #HouseHuntedGame #MyThoughts

I wanted a gif of this house getting it's picture taken from this video as a gif.

https://gifmaker.me/video-to-gif/viewimage/20241124-18-qWe3gSuca9CgkNkn-0tDsxe-HNET

2:33-2:42

Horror Game Where This House Does Not Eat People - This House Eats People - YouTube

My Horror House Movie Question

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

I'm surprised there isn't a horror movie with a similar concept to House Hunted.

It seems like something Hollywood would make into a movie where the monster house lists their house to be super cheap to lure people in and have the house be successful each time due to houses being expensive while hard to obtain for most people.

If this concept already exists I would love to know the movie title.

Maybe make the house horror movie a joke on the rough housing market that the monster house is so affordable that you will be dying to see it.

I would call it Home Sweet Home for the house mimic horror movie then have a clipart house on the poster with blood seeping under the door or maybe just have a silhouette of a Realtor looking over a blood welcome mat.

Basically this shock event of the blood seeping under the door then shooting up.

I made a gif of this door.

#The Shoot Up Blood Door Shock Event – @bluepoodle7 on Tumblr

Haunted And Monster Houses In Media I Noticed

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

I notice with the haunted house or monster house media I found that either curious (dumb) people check out a house that isn't theirs with a 50/50 chance the person escapes.

And the haunted or monster house comes to you by either controlling a person or having a fake human body.

And the haunted or monster house has a few places it eats from and the house uses acid to melt people down to eat or just have monster furniture that eats people up that sometimes needs help from the controlled person or the fake human body to hold the prey down.

Sometimes these mimic creatures are sometimes plant like and some are just monster houses that just wait for people to be nosey thinking it's just a abandoned house before it's too late or just a unknown creature you don't know what the true creature looks like but has a lure.

Some of these haunted house or monster house type creatures seem to be magic based to be brought to life or natural in their universe.

I still find these creatures interesting.

Either the owner of the house dies and takes over the house to be monster like is a thing.

Also the haunted or monster houses are be mobile by leaving their foundation land and chase their prey.

Videos that give me monster house vibes.

Lure - YouTube

The Open House - A Real Estate Home Buying Horror Game...? ( Open House Simulator ) - YouTube

Feed Me Billy - Puppet Combo Horror Game (No Commentary) - YouTube

Flapjack - Eight Armed Willy - YouTube

The Bizarre World of Fake Video Games - YouTube

Scream Street 1stEpisodes Hauntings - YouTube

Horror Game Where This House Does Not Eat People - This House Eats People - YouTube

Monsters S01E10 - Pillow Talk - YouTube

Dream Catcher - Star Trek: Prodigy: Dream Catcher | IMDb

This House Has People in It - YouTube

Monster House (2006) Theatrical Trailer - YouTube

Courage the Cowardly Dog - Housecalls (Preview) - YouTube

Illbleed (Dreamcast) early promo video - YouTube

Control, Anatomy, and the Legacy of the Haunted House - YouTube

The Haunted House 1908 - YouTube

Smart House (1999) - Original Promo - YouTube

How Realtors be trying to sell Haunted Houses - YouTube

Why You'll Never Buy A House | Honest Ads - YouTube

I wanted a video of the our house part I liked.

Video not mine but link is there. 4:54-5:28

Our House - YouTube

A nice Maison Talo cosplay.

Maison Talo live action

ꜱᴇʀɢɪᴏꜰᴇʀʀᴀᴢ.ᴄᴏs | #househunted #househuntedgame #househuntedmaison #househuntedcosplay #maisontalo #maisontalocosplay #cosplay #maisoncosplay #cos | Instagram

A nice handshake with the monster house.

STICK | UMM actually I like John Doe better🤔 #art #househunted #househuntedgame | Instagram

[glowing-disciple]

Outside of DeviantArt and one specific fandom website I frequent, the main place I’m seeing AI generated images is advertising.

Apparently AI has replaced cheap clipart, and it honestly looks worse.

[macaroni-rascal]

Okay, I have to do the men first while they're still fresh in my mind.

Malinin wtf, that's one of the worst outfits I've ever seen. It's giving ClipArt, it's giving shitty MySpace photo edits done in MS Paint, it's giving WinAmp skin. And it's a freaking Succession program - a simple ribbed black turtleneck sweater would've sufficed, but no. At least he's improved his movement quality.

Kevin with the slay of the weekend so far, such a shame it was to Bolero. I had forgotten it was Bolero and then the dread of the realization set in when the music started. His gloves were stained red by the blood gushing from my eardrums. But when he was standing in the middle of the ice, hip cocked, staring down the judges? Iconic. He needs to close his shirt a little bit and it needs some sort of intricate beading or a pattern or something, it's all a bit plain and boxy again and dark. And the hair again - truly reminiscent of some of Scott's worst post-retirement moments.

Shun, if you're gonna skate to the Four Seasons, then why dress like the cracked earth of the Atacama Desert? It looked better up close and I'm sure it looked great as a drawing, but it had these skeletal lines that made me wonder if it was a Halloween costume. It looked like if someone ripped the ruffles off of one of Yuzuru's old costumes and ran over it with their car in the mud.

Nozomu - this costume is too literal and silly and it belongs on a cruise ship show, not a senior GP. If a novice boy was wearing this, it'd be cute, but this is a grown-ass man. I did like the color and beading on the vest upon closer inspection and default bonus points for not wearing black pants, but the music selections were too heavy and dramatic for such a childish outfit. And I thought we'd left the boot covers behind in the early 90s, wth.

An Eteri boy? In this economy? The ripping-open of the shirt is such a cheap Dani G gimmick as to be a parody of itself at this point. And a red shirt for Roxanne? Groundbreaking. At least he's appropriately attired for what he is to his coach - just another Redshirt.

Deniss would be my main B if it weren't for the problems. I love how the audience was creaming itself as soon as he started moving. I looooved the fuchsia color, but let's be real for a sec - that's a blouse. He's wearing a blouse. But I don't care. He looked like a slutty pirate and I'm here for it. That said, his body was performing, but his face wasn't, and I hate that for him, because he's the only boy here who could bomb and still get a standing O.

Gogo's shirt was having an identity crisis. Was it supposed to be kimono-inspired? Is the music from some obscure sci-fi show and this shirt is somehow based on an alien civilization? Because both short sleeves over long ones and a scarf (that's just a little shorter than the shirt) under a belt is a lot to be going on. Was the costume brief "just fuck my shit up"? The color wasn't bad and it suited his complexion, but the gloves were an unnecessary touch in an overall look that followed no rhyme or reason.

Litvintsev strikes again, this time with an overly literal costume and a community theater interpretation of a toy soldier that he doesn't have the rizz to make camp enough to work. The ruffled collar I found to be personally offensive.

Tatsuya wearing a random, loosely fitting tactical outfit and skating to contemporary classical music, because those two things somehow go together. Whatever.

Naumov's shirt I possibly liked best, but that's mostly because it was slim pickings out there. It was more interesting up close, but the little colorful islands of rhinestones just looked like stains in wide shots. I liked the ombre, it was well-positioned and the shirt was well-constructed and fit him well.

Torgs strikes again, this time in a system failure blue crewneck sweater someone tested black and white eyeliner swatches onto. I'm issuing an arrest warrant for whoever is responsible, he should demand his money back. At least he had a redemption skate.

Nordeback with the laziest Batman costume. I can't even be bothered to comment. His performance def was a dark knight of the soul.

I'm gonna give on sentence on each skater along with you, as a fun game.

Ilia: Why, bro...just why?

Kevin: V necks are apparently the reason for the season, but I'm not sure if they are in.

Shun: You nailed it so hard I have nothing to add besides a crisp thumbs up.

Nozomu: Boot covers should be outlawed unless you are skating to Kinky Boots, then an allowance will be made, but only if BOTH skaters wear bright red knee high boot covers.

Eteri boy: Ugh.

Deniss: Oh, Deniss.

Gogolev: Every time he skates I think: does he hate this?

Litvintsev: Camp is only camp if it's camp and this wasn't camp.

Tatsuya: Boring.

Naumov: Pretty solid.

Torgashev: What a choice.

Nordeback: Rough stuff.

[platypan]

--make something cheap! Do your huge gorgeous originals, but also have prints! Postcards! Pins! If you're a sculptor, sell photo postcards or make something small that can be cast and reproduced! Not many people can drop hundreds of dollars on art but many can drop $3-$30

--relatedly, see if you can make something that gets used up and must be bought again, like greeting cards, packaging or design for something like lip balm, soap, or candy, or something useful that wears out like clothing

--put the art you're most proud of on your business card! On the back, big as you can, maybe a detail of something if it's otherwise too large to see. Don't just write 'artist' and put some clipart of a paintbrush on there! Pick something recognizable in your style! Don't let that person who grabs a card to shop your website on payday forget who you are

--when at the show, convention, or whatever, bring a big expensive thing to draw attention, so people can see your art from far away! It will sell the prints even if no one buys it (also make sure to have some small versions for people it draws over...don't summon them with pokemon fanart and then only have prints of realistic landscapes or vice-versa)

--go to shows and conventions first and see if your kind of art might fit there. Is it mostly home goods for the yoga crowd? Your costumes will sell better at a geeky convention, but funny candles might do great. Look for advertising and see whether they advertise in a way that would get your crowd! If they advertise mostly on facebook, they'll get a different crowd than if they have posters in every video game and comic shop. Many artists get discouraged at the wrong events! Try something small and local before you do big expensive events.

--if they're free and don't seem to mind, ask successful artists in your field any short, specific questions you have, like "how do you safely transport sculpture??" Or "where did you get those nice foldable print displays?"

--charge for your labor! Ideally, have products that take less labor and can be sold cheaply, like postcards, stickers, or buttons--but don't risk frustration and burnout by undercharging!

I think at some point in time we need to sit down and start explaining to artist who want to make a career out of art that there are FAR more options than just "living off of commissions" and "posting my art online and praying I get paid for it".

[thesnarkerramblings]

Choosing Good Images For Medium Articles

In a Medium article, the most important thing is often the writing. It’s what Medium was primarily made for, and there is a reason a minimum word count for pieces was put in place. 

However, that doesn’t mean images don’t have a purpose. From photo and art gallery articles to supplementary decoration of primarily written pieces, visuals can be powerful tools for storytelling and information. 

With that being said, pictures must be chosen carefully and wisely. Failing to do so could take away from an otherwise thorough write-up or ruin the aesthetic of an image collection. 

This piece will go over how to pick images for a Medium (or Medium-like, such as one on Vocal Media) article. Please note that I cannot fully guarantee that my advice here will work. However, I nevertheless hope it can be of at least some use to you.

Aesthetic

An important thing about photos and art when it comes to inserting them into articles is their aesthetic quality. This may mean different things when it comes to the differing mediums of visual expression.

For photos: is the resolution (pixel clarity) good? Is the lighting clear, and is there a purpose for any optical obscurity present if it isn’t? Do the objects, animals, and/or people within the photo appear well defined - unless there’s a strong reason to make things look uncanny like deliberate horror or intentional weirdness? 

You might get a bit more leeway when it comes to the visual arts outside of photography. Art is subjective, as an old saying goes - when it comes to the simple accompaniment of other work, at least. But there still needs to be some sort of appeal present in the visual.

Relevance

How relevant is your image, anyways? Does it symbolize at least one part of your topic in any way? Does it provide important data (eg. via graphs, tables) that give context to the subject you’re writing about? Does it match the tone of your piece?

It’s likely in poor taste to put a picture of a cute anime schoolgirl from a wholesome slice-of-life series in an article about a real-life serial killer cold case. Or a photo of a surgery for a writeup on the dangers of cryptocurrency. Heck, even a cheap clipart of ice cream would probably not match up all too well with a piece comparing different types of ceiling fans. The list goes on.

Full disclosure: I am not a genius at choosing the perfect images for my articles. Sometimes, I will just go through random public domain image websites to search for topics vaguely matching the mood of - or related to - the subjects of my pieces. However, I think there’s something both me and those better at picture choices for articles can agree on: basic formatting. 

The specifics of accepted formatting can vary based on the publication and/or genre of your article. Drop quotes, citation methods, heading styles. But one thing's for sure: writing flow is vital. Interrupting a sentence to drop an image in the middle of it, unless used for dramatic effect, is far from ideal.

Basic Decency

Finally, there’s also just basic common sense when it comes to picking article images. 

Be a nice person. Don’t use personal photos from or of other people you haven’t been granted permission to use, or are of the sorts of things whoever is affected cannot properly consent to. Avoid stealing someone's secret vent art. And please, please don’t just go and leak classified information.

Also, I do not encourage breaking the law. It’s not worth it for five seconds of fame.

…

Images can wonderfully add to articles - when used with care.

Any other thoughts on this? Let me know in the comments!

Other Socials

Twitter/X: https://x.com/snarkylisa

Main Tumblr: https://snarkylisa.tumblr.com/

Medium version: https://medium.com/@SnarkyLisa/choosing-good-images-for-medium-articles-b99acb37af63

[reminderband]

Reminderband Custom Luxe Silicone Wristbands (Midnight Black/Red)

In today’s fast-paced world, sometimes the simple things pack the most punch. The Reminderband Custom Luxe Silicone Wristband is a sleek, two-tone bracelet that blends style, comfort, and meaning. Let’s explore what makes the Midnight Black/Red Luxe band a standout choice for personal expression, motivation, and unity.

Sleek, Dual Layer Design

The Midnight Black/Red Wristband stands out with its smooth black silicone and vibrant red inner core, revealed through precision engraving. This dual-layer luxe finish offers a more refined and tactile look compared to standard bands. It combines durability with visual appeal, making it ideal for everyday wear.

Fully Customizable Message

What makes this wristband unique is its customizability. You can personalize it on up to two sides with quotes, names, dates, logos, or motivational prompts. With various font and clipart options available, your wristband can truly reflect your personal style. The engraved message appears in high-contrast red, creating a bold and lasting statement.

Comfort Meets Durability

Made from 100% hypoallergenic, latex-free silicone, this wristband is perfect for sensitive skin. It’s waterproof and tough enough for active lifestyles while remaining soft and flexible. Unlike cheap alternatives, this band won’t irritate skin or fade over time. It’s designed to stay comfortable and attractive no matter how often it’s worn.

A Band for Every Purpose

The Custom Luxe Silicone Wristband fits a wide range of uses:

Motivational reminders: A phrase like “Stay Strong” can provide daily encouragement.

Event branding: Ideal for concerts, fundraisers, or corporate events.

Group unity: Perfect for sports teams, clubs, or company staff.

Fundraising and awareness: Share support for causes such as health campaigns or community projects.

With options for single or bulk orders, these bands suit both personal and large-scale needs.

Trusted Quality Since 2004

Reminderband has been a leader in custom silicone wristbands for over two decades. Known for quality, fast turnaround, and excellent customer service, they provide a reliable solution for meaningful accessories that last.

Final Word: More than Just an Accessory

The Midnight Black/Red Custom Luxe Silicone Wristband offers more than a stylish look — it’s a way to carry your message with pride. Whether you’re inspiring yourself, uniting a team, or commemorating an important event, this wristband delivers your message with elegance and strength.

If you’re looking for a meaningful, customizable way to express yourself or your cause, the Reminderband Custom Luxe Wristband is a smart and stylish choice. Buy Now From Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B08MJJ1GYQ

[raxlogo]

your logo is giving 2014 and it’s time to let go 🔥💀

Photo by DistinctiveBat

key takeaways: ☠️ gen z is judging your crusty gradient logo 🚀 your static logo can’t hang in the metaverse ✨ how to glow up without losing your brand’s vibe 💸 the tea on why outdated logos = lost $$$

PSA: if your logo still has those ~~fancy 3D bevels~~ from the obama era, gen z is already subtweeting you. let’s fix this before 2025 turns your brand into a meme.

(insert GIF of a crying Wojak reacting to a 2010s logo)

☠️ gen z’s verdict: your logo is their ick

gen z has a PhD in Spotting Lazy Branding™. if your logo looks like it belongs on a geocities page (google it, grandpa), they’re swiping left.

real talk: these kids control $450B+ in spending power. they want bold, clean, and insta-worthy—not your 2014 wordart fantasy.

example: burger king said ✨bye✨ to their cringey cartoon burger and embraced a retro-flat design. now they’re winning at the tiktok branding game.

(insert side-by-side meme: “old BK logo vs. new BK logo” with Drake hotline bling reaction)

🚀 your logo can’t survive the metaverse apocalypse

newsflash: your flat, lifeless logo will look like a potato in VR. brands are out here designing logos that:

animate for tiktok ads

glow in AR filters

scale on smartwatch screens

meanwhile, your logo is still trying to figure out how to look good on linkedin.

vibe check: if nike can make a swoosh work in 4D, you can ditch the clipart energy.

(insert GIF of a pixelated logo transforming into a hologram)

✨ the “glow up without selling your soul” guide

updating your logo doesn’t mean erasing your history. do it like starbucks:

simplify (they dropped “coffee” but kept the siren)

vibrancy (colors that pop on discord servers and twitch streams)

motion (a subtle loop for your linktree)

still lost? hire this genius on fiverr who’s lowkey carrying the logo redesign game.

(insert meme: “me trying to redesign my logo in MS Paint vs. the designer I hired”)

💸 let’s talk about the money you’re losing

fact: 48% of people side-eye brands with outdated logos. worse, your 2010s relic is:

killing your insta engagement

making collab offers ghost you

giving “cheap temu knockoff” vibes

spending 500onarefresh>losing500onarefresh>losing5k in sales. math queens, assemble.

(insert GIF of Scrooge McDuck swimming in money)

✅ your 2025 logo survival kit

stalk competitors: if their logo looks fresher, panic (then take notes).

poll your followers: “does this logo make me look old?” (they’ll drag you, but it’s for the best).

hire someone who gets it: like this wizard who turns cringe into cool.

final thought: your logo isn’t just a PNG—it’s a ✨vibe✨. in 2025, make sure it’s not screaming “hello fellow kids.”

[verbnounadjective]

if im looking for cool pictures of wizards the last thing I want is to have to specify not to show me anything after 2020 and still see a wall of lame ass AI crap and then have to look for clipart of wizards because nothing is sacred anymore except for the established public works - what if I was some kid who didnt grow up 20 years ago with the knowledge of clipart? would I just think cool wizard images look glossy and cheap? think of the children. show me better wizard images the first time.

send feedback

[shirtsbargain]

Journey to a Style Icon: The Sweatshirt's Unexpected Rise to Fashion Fame

Crisp fall air falls on your nose and leaves crunch underfoot in a symphony of autumn. You pull your arms tighter, a happy sigh escaping your lips. But wait, there's more to this cozy picture than just a brisk day. You are enveloped in a layer of pure magic – a sweatshirt.

Yes, the sweatshirt. That unassuming friend who is always there to give a warm hug on a chilly day. But it's time to leave the image of the sweatshirt as just any lazy-day staple. It's a secret weapon in your style arsenal that is ready to be unleashed.

Imagine that perfectly worn-in grey sweatshirt you love. Pair it with sleek black leggings or trousers and crisp white sneakers. Effortless chic, right in front of your eyes. Perfect for a casual brunch or that afternoon spent browsing bookstores. Feeling a sporty vibe? Wake up your inner athlete with a graphic sweatshirt that shouts team spirit or motivational mantras. Get in some joggers, and you are ready to conquer the day, grocery run included, with a dose of sporty swagger.

The beauty of the blank sweatshirt? It's a layering pro. Need a little extra warmth over that cute dress or that crisp button-down? A sweatshirt swoops in to save the day, adding a touch of cozy style. It's like fashion magic!

Speaking of magic, have you heard of ShirtsBargain? We are not just sweatshirt enthusiastic store, we are borderline cultish about them (but in the coolest way possible). We boast an amazing selection of wholesale sweatshirts. Every shape, size, and color imaginable? We got it. Are you feeling the creative urge? Unleash it! Customize your sweatshirt with your company logo, a clipart, or an inside joke that will have your friends giggling, or any piece of art that speaks to your soul. The possibilities are endless, truly.

And here's the best part: Our Sweatshirts are cheap yet of top quality. There are no flimsy fabrics here, these are sweatshirts that will endure wash after wash, remaining your cozy companion for years to come. Need a bunch for your team, your business, a club, or that legendary family reunion? We do bulk orders with discounts, so everyone can join the sweatshirt revolution!

So ditch the fashion frustration and embrace the cozy yet cool. Head over to ShirtsBargain and find the perfect sweatshirt to express your unique style. Because let's be honest, comfort and coolness can be best friends. After all, who says looking effortlessly stylish can't involve a hug from your favorite sweatshirt?

[bluepoodle7]

#Househuntedgame #ThisCheapAnthroCartoonyHouseCostume #TryingToMakeACheapCostumeCreative#MyThoughts

I wonder at a furry convention is there weird object character furry costumes similar to this house?

Maybe wear a dress or a suit underneath to reference being a REALTORs lure body once you take off the cheap house costume.

Maybe have a pink or red belt connected to this cheap house costume so you won't lose it to carry the house part around then put it back on if you don't want to hold it.

And have some laminated business cards on hand to hand out to people in both costume and without to count how many people take the business cards.

Also smile a lot while saying a speech.

If I ever went to a Halloween party this would be my costume.

Maybe have a weird stuffed animal sit on top of the house costume as a reference to being a Infected Realtor with the color of the plush match the dress or suit on the costume.

Like wearing a black dress or suit but have some rainbow in the outfits like the Fungmammals colors.

Like a reference to this idea I had for a Fungmammal form of a Real Estate Agent/Broker which is a kind of like a bootleg REALTORs that don't eat people but eat plastic/materials to make free custom houses for folks that want them.

The Real Estate Agent/Broker outfit will be their old outfit mixed with a few fungmammal colors that blend in with the outfit.

A example a all black suit with a few bits of yellow, orange, and blue on a part of the suit.

Image not mine but link is there.

Homey the House mascot - YouTube

Standing man in black suit illustration, Suit Tuxedo Jacket Male, Men Suit transparent background PNG clipart | HiClipart

Paint Splash Necktie

[lunarsilkscreen]

Applications of AI

The biggest drawback of AI is that it's more or less random what pops out. How do you know the information you give is factual if the data scrapped is from *literally every 4-Chan Green-text* and Infowars?

If all it can do is replicate what is saved with slight modifications or by combining several elements together; what difference is *that* from simply reproducing copyrighted material?

So this technology that we call AI--that is about as intelligent as your average Redditor; What can it be used for?

Well, this is simple enough. We can use it to streamline things that we already use databases and data search for. In-fact aside from formatting and compilation, that's pretty much all A.I. does.

Producing required information in a way that sounds more human and casual. As opposed to formal and "Robotic".

So if we curate the data inserted into an A.I., for example; only using input data from a curated source--like wikipedia; then we can be reasonably certain that the information is likely factual. And, references will be included to manually verify if it sounds *off*.

How can this be used for creative solutions like graphics, authoring, and music?

Auto-complete is basically the one thing that everybody uses *All the time*. Common passages and phrase, as well as packages that can "translate" your dialect into one that is more familiar to readers, viewers, or listeners would be incredibly useful.

Yea, I'm talking about *translation of what you're saying* into something that is more understandable despite being the same language.

Like an extended auto-correct.

Generating tweak able templates, and filling coloring styles, and generating music passages would be super helpful.

Especially if you have packages that Include things in public domain. Classic music like Mozart and Beethoven, could be used to complete your music passages if you find yourself stuck.

I mean, you'd still have to work at it so it doesn't sound completely trope-y.

So what do I mean when I say "Packages"?

"Package" is the term often used in game and visual development applications that include resources that a user can use for their games or other artwork or websites, or samples, sounds, and noises.

or clipart.

Creating a package seems to be straight forward; you throw your input data in, and feed it to the A.I. and it generates based on the contents of that package.

So, if you have a package of old Disney or Hanna-Barbera cartoons, you could generate look-alike content.

And this could be extended to modern conventions as well.

Hiring several artists and developers to create these packages could help studios maintain an art-style for cheaper than normal, because of the need to create the first package, and then continually generate from that package.

If A.I. gets a speed up, these packages could then be used to generate content based on the input data that the creators feed in; Generic N.P.C.s, repeating backgrounds, generic audio, bird calls, animal sounds. whatever.

They would be able to help the environment feel more *alive*. However, it wouldn't be a cure-all. Despite a multitude of behaviors and samples being able to be used in packages; eventually it would start to feel repetitive to the human mind.

All generated content will have some familiar quirk to it that will be perceived by the audience.

Because of this however, studios of all kinds, will have to seek out new [something] to remain ahead of the curve. Access to this tech will make it incredibly easy for artists to develop their own content for *very very cheap*.

With the exception of that [package] design.

Even generating content using public-domain packages will be as engaging as "Professionally Produced Modern Content".

And creating a unique package will become something students will do as a capstone.