Art [HB!] sakurasuka vs. r2vq

[Delta]

[COLOR=#35425E][CENTER][b][u]ROUND 2[/u][/b][/CENTER]

[b]Participants:[/b] sakurasuka, r2vq

[b]Date Due:[/b] June 1, 2006

[b]Handicap Set:[/b][list][*][COLOR=#808CA0]Dimensions: 500px by 500 px [*]Limited palette[/COLOR][*][COLOR=#ED1C24][NEW!][/COLOR] 125 px (width) by 500px (length) [*][COLOR=#ED1C24][NEW!][/COLOR] Limited font set: [COLOR=#ED1C24]Century Gothic[/COLOR] and [COLOR=#ED1C24]Arial Narrow[/COLOR].[*][COLOR=#ED1C24][NEW!][/COLOR] Limited palette: white, black, 50% gray (#888888). Colors in between are not allowed. [*][COLOR=#ED1C24][NEW!][/COLOR] Ban on transparent pixels
[/list]

[b]Reminders:[/b][list][*]The participants will be given [COLOR=#ED1C24]three full days[/COLOR] to create, edit and submit their pieces. [*]A 5-day voting period will begin immediately after the deadline. All members can vote, except for the two participants of the match. [*]Voters must post a paragraph of at least [COLOR=#ED1C24]three sentences[/color] about the entry they?re going to vote for, and [COLOR=#ED1C24]one sentence[/color] of constructive criticism for the other entry. [*]Good luck![/list]

PS: There will be a pre-round match after this round. Try to rack up as many votes as you can, yeah?[/COLOR]

[sakurasuka]

[size=1]I'll have it done in no time [:

I do have two questions, though.

1- We can only use those two fonts -- But what if we wrote our own into the design? Or just scribbled in words? Like so-
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/friend.gif[/img]
Is that against the rules, or do we just have to use Arial Narrow/Century Gothic as a guidline?

2- No colors in between those three... Gotcha. But let's say you have a plain black background, and choose to put a font on top that is the 50% gray. There will be a few pixels around the outside that are a mixed grays and blacks, due to Anti-Aliasing. Do we have to turn that feature off, or does it not matter if it's something that small?

And I look foreward to seeing r2vq's piece! This is going to be a difficult round with all the handicaps ;P[/size]

[Delta]

[COLOR=#35425E][QUOTE=sakurasuka][size=1]1- We can only use those two fonts -- But what if we wrote our own into the design? Or just scribbled in words? Like so-
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/friend.gif[/img]
Is that against the rules, or do we just have to use Arial Narrow/Century Gothic as a guidline?[/SIZE][/QUOTE]Good question. I intended to have all text in said fonts, just to make the match a bit tougher, so writing into your piece isn't an option. There's also no use to vectoring fonts because the outcome will look pretty much the same to the typeface, as if you typed the text in.

[quote name='sakurasuka][size=1']2- No colors in between those three... Gotcha. But let's say you have a plain black background, and choose to put a font on top that is the 50% gray. There will be a few pixels around the outside that are a mixed grays and blacks, due to Anti-Aliasing. Do we have to turn that feature off, or does it not matter if it's something that small?[/size][/quote]Nah, I wouldn't dare nitpick on something of that scale. Sure, no prob. You can leave the anti-aliasing feature on. ^_^[/COLOR]

[sakurasuka]

[size=1]Yays. It's done.

And yays for vectors.



[center][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/unmei_shinpai/JayCeeHBimg_01.png[/IMG][/center]



I called the piece 'Colorless World' because it frustrated me so much that I couldn't use anything but #000000, #FFFFFF, and #888888

I [i]did[/i] re-vector the girl. I did [i]not[/i] vector her myself from scratch, I traced. Just so you know.

Other than the tracing, I did the entire image myself with only the pen tool and the text tool. Well, mainly.

Just a note, this was not the original image I intended to post. Due to computer failure and all, I am stuck on my little brother's computer. That's why I was forced to do a vectored-piece. I do not have any of my brushes, presets, templates, or anything on this computer.

This was insanely difficult, by the way. And this is only the [i]second[/i] round. The finals are going to be [i]excrutiating[/i].

Awesome job, Delta, for putting this together. It really does put our graphic-ing abilities to the ultimate test.

Love and hugs.[/size]

[r2vq]

Woo Delta, you do know that we will have our revenge on you for this round. :)

[center][b]--=+BOOKMARK+=--[/b]
[img]http://r2vq.yamifarao.net/pics/chapter5.gif[/img][/center]

[b]The Programs+=--[/b]
Microsoft Notepad 5.1
Adobe Photoshop 7.0

[B]The Jist+=--[/B]
This took me considerably less time than the previous entry, but it took the same amount of effort and creative energies. I ended up using a GIF with only three colours, so [b]no alias-ing[/b] is in the image at all.

[b]The Steps+=--[/B]
Find appropriate text.
Copy text line for line. -Notepad
Moifiy text colour and font face to match handicap. -Photoshop
Position text. -Photoshop
Add/Position chapter title. -Photoshop
Add "Ribbon Hole" at top. -Photoshop
Tweak
Tweak
Tweak
Tweak
Dinner
Tweak

[b]Final Word+=--[/b]
[strike]A chocolate Internet cookie to the first person who states which book this is from. ^^[/strike] ~[i]hands SunfallE a chocolate Internet cookie[/i]~

-r2

[sakurasuka]

[quote name='r2vq']Woo Delta, you do know that we will have our revenge on you for this round. :)[/quote]

[size=1]Hah. We most certainly will have to.

I just wanted to tell r2 good luck, because your piece is just so darn pretty. I love how you even got creative and put the ribbon-hole at the top [;

[quote name='Dagger']I admire sakurasuka's vectoring, but I don't think the font suits the final creation.[/quote]

*Giggles like a maniac*

I didn't mention this above, but for some reason, I didn't have Century Gothic on my computer. Wierd, huh? I don't know what the problem was, but it wasn't anywhere. So I go to downlaod it... And my laptop crashes. I get it working again, and try to downlaod it from a different source... Crash. Finally my laptop just gives up, and now it makes this extremely loud whirring noise.

It was bad before, but now I think I made it worse.

So I was stuck using my brother's computer... And now have an extreme hatred for the Century Gothic font. I shall never again use it. Ever. EVER.

So... It's hard to get the font to fit the picture with only one font chioce [;[/size]

[r2vq]

[quote name='Dagger]It's only one of my favorite books [i]ever[/i']. :catgirl:[/quote]Yay! I art not the only one~ (Well.. and SunfallE XP)

[quote name='sakurasuka][size=1']I just wanted to tell r2 good luck, because your piece is just so darn pretty. I love how you even got creative and put the ribbon-hole at the top [;[/size][/quote]Aww~ thanks ^^. Good luck to you too. I'm sweating bullets right now because I really like that vector girl you have. And I'm sorry about your computer. Technology, the blessing, and bane of humanity.

-r2

[Delta]

[COLOR=#35425E]Alright, it's been a good five hours since the deadline.

[CENTER][SIZE=2][COLOR=#ED1C24][b]Poll's open![/b][/COLOR][/SIZE][/CENTER]

[quote name='r2vq']Woo Delta, you do know that we will have our revenge on you for this round.[/quote]Ah, how will they react to the next handicap set? You'd better stock up on some good curses 'cause I imagine you all are gonna need it in the final round. :3[/COLOR]

[DeGHead]

[B]Sakurasuka:[/B] I really really like this piece, so far my favorite of this round.
I [B]love[/B] the retro feel, and the vectoring worked really well. Though the "Sad" inside the circle looks a little off center (though this could be because the S is capitolized). The circles are just... awesome, they totally make the piece. I envy your creativeness.

[B]r2vq:[/B] I like the idea of the bookmark, very creative. and I'm to be reading Ender's Game soon, but it just seems kind of... boring? No offense of course, but the plain old text just doesn't draw my attention.

[B]Sakurasuka[/B] gets my vote.

[bluemarble]

My vote goes to [b]R2vq[/b]

Good typography is certainly difficutl to accomplish. There are alot of factors in the design that are really well executed. The clashing text is really cool. It works well enough.

The vector piece is nice, but it's not as creative. Since you traced the image and didn't draw it your self I can't really give you much credit, it's too simple as well. I don't believe that much work went into it, it's just a matter of using the shape tool in Illustrator and when you're tracing an image with the pen tool, it's not that hard.

Although I do appreciate the work you claim you put into it, typography is on another level of design than vector tracing. If you'd have drawn the girl your self, then vectored it, that would have been alot more of a challenge. (Btw I apologize for the initial reply, I wasn't aware of the voting rules.)

[sakurasuka]

[QUOTE=bluemarble]My vote goes to [b]R2vq[/b]

Typography always gets me, it's so much harder to do and takes alot of skill.

The vector piece is nice, but it's not as creative.

Oh and woot for Enders Game.[/QUOTE]

[size=1]Just to spare Delta the annoyance of reminding the voters.

[quote]Voters must post a paragraph of at least three sentences about the entry they?re going to vote for, and one sentence of constructive criticism for the other entry.[/quote]

Also... 'Not' as creative' isn't even close to constructive criticism.

Sorry if I sound mean, but I really would like to know why you think that. I do believe I worked just as hard as r2 on my piece. So maybe help me out a litte? Tell me what I could improve upon?

That's why we enter these, not to win, but to improve. And the voters are supposed to at least give us a little to work with.

I mean, all you give me is 'Not creative'... I think that taking a pen tool and working every little circle and piece on the girl is just as creative as the work it takes to type out, re-position, etc. r2's piece.

Sorry I'm in a bad mood. You can call me un-creative if you wish, but at least give some points to back it up.

Thank you.

Edit- Not creative? You really think that? Why?
Saying my piece isn't creative is like saying r2's doesn't have enough text.

[/size]

[Riku]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma]Awesome pieces, r2 and sakurasuka. They really are loverly. =D

[B]Sakurasuka[/B]- You say that you traced the girl from somewhere else? It's very good, considering you just traced it... although I have NO CLUE on how you did that. XD I really, really adore what you did with the circles and the way you placed the font. The only bad thing that just really bothers me is where you put Colorless World on the girl. It's just that I can't really see the rest of the S in the word and it just gets to me... argh! XD Lovely piece, though.. truely.

[B]r2vq[/B]- Wow... your piece is absolutely amazingeh! It looks like something that took you forever to do and that I would be way too fustrated to even try!! XD I give you points on that and how you rotated the text AND the ribbon hole!!! I loved that!! Only thing is... all I see is text, text... and more text... not to be mean, but it seemed kind of plain. Maybe add a picture or something in there next time? But really, kudos to you my friend... you recieve a heart from me!! *gives you a heart* <3

Anywho, nonetheless you both were awesome... [B]Sakurasuka[/B] gets my ballet. =D[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[jigglyness]

For this round, I'd have to go with [b]sakurasuka[/b].

sakurasuka - I really think the fact that you did everything without brushes is really great. It shows the hard work you put into it.Maybe try to add a border to the text so the 'S' doesn't fall into the image itself. I also really like the circles and the typography even if the font was restricted to 2. Very creative. I wouldn't be abel to survive this round at all. ^^'

r2vq - You must've had ALOT of patience to be able to do all that. But I just can't something that would catch my eye with your piece. I don't see much a distinguished style in yours. The ribbon hole and the bookmark idea is very creative. Maybe just try to make it more appealing to the eye. but nonetheless great job.

Good luck both of you. :)

[Dagger]

Ender's Game! It's only one of my favorite books [i]ever[/i]. :catgirl:

EDIT: Aaaaand I should've typed this up faster. :p

I had a hard time deciding which piece to vote for, as I liked both of them quite a bit. But in the end I think I'm going to vote for [b]r2vq[/b], because the unconventionality of the image made me actually take a moment to look at it from several angles and try reading the text. The bookmark concept is nice, as is the hole effect (although I think it should have been more defined along its upper edge). The placement & angling of the text is also good in how it unobtrusively draws the viewer's attention to the upper part of the image.

I admire sakurasuka's vectoring, but I don't think the font suits the final creation. Bonus points for taking full advantage of the limited palette, though.

~Dagger~

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][B]sakurasuka: [/B]What I like best about your piece is the overall feel to it. I love the circles and the placement of the word sad. The border is nicely done and I like the way her hair is black and stands out. What I don?t care for is that part of the line of her hair on the top of her head looks jagged and the s at the end of colorless fades into the white.

[B]r2vq:[/B] What I like best about your piece is how you made it into a bookmark. The placement of the text is fun and I like how you created a hole in the text at the top as if it was a real bookmark. What I don?t care for is the border. I don?t know if you were trying to give in some depth by having the left and bottom a bit thicker (at least that?s how it looks on my screen) but I think a solid border would have been a little nicer.

Good job, both of you. ^_^ I think both pieces outdo the other in different ways. In the end I choose [B]r2vq[/B].
[/COLOR]

[jigglyness]

[QUOTE=Aaryanna][COLOR=SeaGreen] What I don?t care for is the border. I don?t know if you were trying to give in some depth by having the left and bottom a bit thicker (at least that?s how it looks on my screen) but I think a solid border would have been a little nicer.
[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

I think it was meant as a shadow since there seems to also be a corresponding shadow in the ribbon hole too.

[Pumpkin]

[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][COLOR=#333333][SIZE=2][b]SakuraSuka[/b]: I loved the image especially the circles enabled "Sad" gave it a really modern and attractive look. I can't believe you tracing the woman, since she is so perfectly well proportioned and looks absolutely spectacular. I simply love it and can't put it into words. The only drawback that I may find, is that it's pretty simple and doesn't have that much detail.

[b]R2vq[/b]: I especially liked how you placed the wording at different angles that it makes you want to read all the sides. The hole at the top is also a nice touch that makes it appear like a real bookmark. Unfortunately, I didn't find that this piece touched me as much as Sakurasuka's did, as it seems really bland and not enough to draw one's attention too much. I still think it was a nicely done bookmark though.

So my vote goes for....[b]Sakurasuka[/b].[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Horendithas]

[COLOR=Sienna][B]sakurasuka:[/B] First of all what I like the most is the simple clean look. Everything is nicely put together, the circles and the placement of the word sad all fits together nicely. It?s also got a nice retro feel to it. What I don?t care for is that the s in colorless overlaps a white section and disappears.

[B]r2vq:[/B] What I like the best about your piece is the use of text to create a bookmark. The first thing I did was attempt to read what was there. It just made it fun to look at. The addition of a hole at the top just like a real bookmark is a nice touch. The only thing I don?t like is the placement of the main words Chapter 5 Games. I don?t care for the C being cut off on the left side.

For this round I vote for [B]sakurasuka[/B].
[/COLOR]

[eleanor]

[color=dimgray]
[b]sakurasuka[/b]: First off, great job with the vectoring and taking advantage of the handicap settings. Your base image of the girl is great. I love your vectoring, and I also like how clean and simple it is. :]

I do not think the circular patterns in the background match well with the girl. I also think your text placement is very unattractive... I want to say you shouldn't have used text at all. The random 'sad's are akwardly placed and don't mesh well.

[b]r2vq[/b]: Great original concept. It's something new and something I didn't expect, which is a good thing. Execution wise, I don't think it's amazing. You meant this to be a bookmark, but truthfully, I would not want to use this as a bookmark. The diagonal contast between the lower half and the bit in the right hand corner is sort of akward, and I don't know why you put a ribbon hole at the top.

Very, [b]very[/b] close.

My vote goes to [b]r2vq[/b].[/color]

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][quote name='jigglyness']I think it was meant as a shadow since there seems to also be a corresponding shadow in the ribbon hole too.[/quote]Now that you mention it I see the shadow in the ribbon hole. Opps! I missed that. Now I have to take it back since it makes more sense. ^_^
[/COLOR]

[YellowBarchetta]

I vote for [B]sakurasuka[/B] because it's way better.

[Delta]

[COLOR=#35425E][SIZE=1]^ Noted.

[SIZE=8][b][COLOR=#ED1C24]LOOK HERE[/COLOR][/b][/SIZE]
To reiterate the voting rules for [i]Handicap Battles![/i]:
[list][*][b]Three(3) sentences about the piece you're voting for:[/b] Please tell us what particular part(s)/aspect(s) do you like about the piece you're voting for. You can start with how it made you feel and what caught your attention, that kind of stuff. For example:
[indent][i][COLOR=#656446][SIZE=1]The color scheme you built up on is really appealing and the quality of the anime screencap is good. The metallic 3D effect you placed on "Operation 6" is most excellent. I also like the shade of yellow you used 'cause it reminds me of those "Caution" tapes people place around car crash sites. [/SIZE][/COLOR][/i][/indent]
It may sound cheesy but it does help the artist, yeah? Remember: [u]at least three sentences of that.[/u]


[*][b]One(1) sentence of constructive criticism for the other piece:[/b] Please suggest a way on how to improve the piece. If the piece is to bright, then say that the colors should be toned down. That kind of stuff. Please say it politely too. For example:
[indent][i][COLOR=#656446][SIZE=1][i]Although I do appreciate the multitude of patterns in this one, the colors are not so bright or vivid as those in Gankutsuou. Perhaps you should try using stronger, more colorful patterns (like that in Haydee's hair) as Dagger suggested and fill the individual shapes with a distinct pattern each. [/i][/SIZE][/COLOR][/i][/indent][/list]

Wow, this is fun! Best of luck, sakurasuka and r2vq![/SIZE][/COLOR]

[SunfallE]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][B]sakurasuka: [/B]Your submission has a lovely retro feel to it and a nice crisp clean look as well. The circles and the sad look great together. I love the flower in her hair; it seems to draw you right to that spot. The thing I don?t care for is the placement of the world Colorless, but only because you end up losing part of the last s into the side.

[B]r2vq:[/B] Your submission has a nice simple look with the plain text and lack of obvious graphics. I like how you have the words Chapter 5 Games in the center and how some of the text is at a different angle. The hole for a ribbon at the top is a nice touch. The only thing I don?t care for is the border. The shadow is fine; I just think the piece would be a little nicer with a bigger black border.

My vote goes to [B]r2vq[/B].[/COLOR]

[Delta]

[COLOR=#35425E][SIZE=1][CENTER][COLOR=#ED1C24][SIZE=8][b]FIN[/b][/SIZE][/COLOR]
Thanks for voting!

[SIZE=2][b]sakurasuka[/b] -5
[b]r2vq[/b] - 5[/SIZE][/CENTER]


[COLOR=#ED1C24][b]sakurasuka[/b]:[/COLOR] First up, I think it's really nice that you made full use of the palette. The curves are flawless and I love the way the circles fill up the space. Adding those "Sad" textblocks was a nice addition too. If you had typed them in different sizes though, it would've made the piece look more interesting. Also, it would help if "Colorless" and "World" were of the same font size and were positioned a bit closer to each other.

[COLOR=#ED1C24][b]r2vq[/b]:[/COLOR] For those of you who didn't notice, r2 also made full use of the palette: the border is 50% gray. Good job! You also placed "Chapter 5 Games" smack-dab on (what I perceive to be) the optical center so the piece looks balanced. And the bookmark concept is an interesting (and reaaaally creative) take on the handicap. I think it would look better if the border was of the same thickness on all sides. Judging by the hole you made, the rendered shadow of the bookmark (which I took to be the thick left and bottom borders) should've appeared at the top and right borders. Devil's in the details, chief.

The winner of this match is [spoiler][b]sakurasuka[/b][/spoiler]. Congratulations![/SIZE][/COLOR]

[r2vq]

Wow, that was a close race. >.<

Thanks for letting me a part of this tournament Delta; 'twas great fun. And I really appreciate the comments that came in. ^^

[quote name='DeGHead]it just seems kind of... boring? No offense of course, but the plain old text just doesn't draw my attention.[/QUOTE][QUOTE=Keyblade Wielder][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma]Only thing is... all I see is text, text... and more text... not to be mean, but it seemed kind of plain. Maybe add a picture or something in there next time?[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE][QUOTE=jigglyness]I just can't something that would catch my eye with your piece. I don't see much a distinguished style in yours. The ribbon hole and the bookmark idea is very creative. Maybe just try to make it more appealing to the eye.[/QUOTE][QUOTE=Pumpkin][FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][COLOR=#333333][SIZE=2]I didn't find that this piece touched me as much as Sakurasuka's did, as it seems really bland and not enough to draw one's attention too much.[/FONT][/SIZE'][/COLOR][/quote]Heh~ This was actually my main concern when making the image. I wanted to put something into the bookmark that would represent [b]Ender's Game[/b], but since it's only a novel at the moment, there's not much imagery that would be instantly associated with it.
I was actually going to vector a "Bean" type shadow (from the covers of [b]Ender's Shadow[/b] and [b]Shadow of the Hegemon[/b]) but they didn't work well with the text, and they weren't in any way related to the chapter I chose.
This is where the colour handicap really hit me hard. If I had more colours to choose from, I may have been able to do something a little more dynamic. As Sakurasuka showed, a vectorized character can work with only three colours, but it doesn't work with the style I wanted to push forward.

[quote name='bluemarble]The clashing text is really cool. It works well enough.[/QUOTE][QUOTE=Dagger]...the unconventionality of the image made me actually take a moment to look at it from several angles and try reading the text.[/QUOTE][QUOTE=Pumpkin][FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][COLOR=#333333][SIZE=2]I especially liked how you placed the wording at different angles that it makes you want to read all the sides.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE][QUOTE=indifference][COLOR=Sienna]The only thing I don?t like is the placement of the main words Chapter 5 Games. I don?t care for the C being cut off on the left side.[/COLOR][/QUOTE][QUOTE=Lunox][color=dimgray']The diagonal contast between the lower half and the bit in the right hand corner is sort of akward[/color][/quote]The text is the bulk of the picture, but I spent the least time on it. After typing up the pages, I decided that the text should be taken as a part of the image, and not something that will actually be read from beginning to end, so I tried to treat the text as a visual graphic, as opposed to typography.
The placement of the paragraphs was the most difficult because I knew that typography alone would be very plain. That's why I cut off paragraphs, and angled the text. Doing this, though, would cause open spaces along edges and I would have to rearrange the text so that I wouldn't have open spaces everywhere.
For example, the top-right hand text had very short lines, so if I moved it any further West/North/North-West, there would be white space on the right side. If I moved it any further East/South/South-East, there would be white space on the left side, or the top. Any futher North-East, and I would have very little text showing. Any further South-West, and "Ender Wiggen" would be cut off.
I know the awkward angles make the text clash a little, but I decided that since it's the only for of "excitement" that I would have, I should keep it as so. ^^

[quote name='Dagger]The bookmark concept is nice, as is the hole effect (although I think it should have been more defined along its upper edge).[/QUOTE][QUOTE=Aaryanna][COLOR=SeaGreen]I like how you created a hole in the text at the top as if it was a real bookmark.[/COLOR][/QUOTE][QUOTE=Lunox][color=dimgray'] I don't know why you put a ribbon hole at the top.[/color][/quote]First, to Lunox... Not all bookmarks, but a lot have ribbon holes at the top of them. [url=http://www.futurechristianhomemakers.com/images/bookmark.jpg]Link[/url]. It's not always there, but bookmarks can be associated with them.
As for the actual hole, I scanned a hole punched paper and grabbed the hole from that. I started with a drawing of one, but it wasn't easily recognizable. The real one, though, had a bit of an issue when it was converted to the handicap colours. The top edge, which was already pretty light, disappeared altogether. If I tried to make it darker, it didn't look as good in %50 grey.
I really wanted the voters to know that, yes it is a bookmark. So I sort of spoonfed the audience here with "BOOKMARK" written above the image and the ribbon hole on the image. Which brings me to...

[quote name='Aaryanna][COLOR=SeaGreen]What I don?t care for is the border. I don?t know if you were trying to give in some depth by having the left and bottom a bit thicker (at least that?s how it looks on my screen) but I think a solid border would have been a little nicer.[/COLOR][/QUOTE][QUOTE=SunfallE][COLOR=RoyalBlue]The only thing I don?t care for is the border. The shadow is fine; I just think the piece would be a little nicer with a bigger black border.[/COLOR][/QUOTE][QUOTE=Delta][COLOR=#35425E][SIZE=1]I think it would look better if the border was of the same thickness on all sides. Judging by the hole you made, the rendered shadow of the bookmark (which I took to be the thick left and bottom borders) should've appeared at the top and right borders. Devil's in the details, chief.[/SIZE'][/COLOR][/quote]Edit: Whoops. Pushed the wrong button...
The original design had a border. Then I went to two borders, one white, one black. I tried going for half and half borders. In fact, most of the variations I created differed only in their border.
I eventually decided that since I'm feeding the audience so much (see above) that the lack of a border wouldn't be too harsh.
The shadow is an honest mistake. I didn't even notice that until you pointed it out Delta. I pretty much saw "shadow South-West" on the hole and decided "shadow South-West" on the border would make it fine. xD Whoops.

Thanks again for voting guys, and all your comments. If I didn't reply to your comment, I apologize and hope I replied to something similar here. >.<
It was great fun, and I'll try to vote in the upcoming rounds!

Good luck sakurasuka, and congratulations!

-r2