Do's and don'ts for flawless interaction

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Deviation Actions

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Not much to say about this.
Just some basic tips and tricks for flawless interaction on DeviantArt Nod 


Watching

Do
:bulletyellow: Watch people when you honestly find them interesting.
:bulletyellow: Watch your friends, even if they don't have amazing art. It helps you stay updated with their progress.
:bulletyellow: Watch groups. They'll offer you a fine selection of art you're interested in, and will help you discover new (interesting) artists.
:bulletyellow: Check the faves of people you watch. As you like their work, you might have similar tastes in art. Checking their faves might help you find cool art.
:bulletyellow: Recommend art from people that you watch for a Daily Deviation (if good art, of course).

Don't
:bulletyellow: Uncheck all boxes when watching. There's nothing more disappointing than an empty watch.
:bulletyellow: Just watch people for points. It's lame.
:bulletyellow: Watch people for a watch-back. Many people don't do those. You'll only end up disappointed.


Commenting on profiles

Do
:bulletorange: Thank people for watching/faving you. It's not obliged, but it helps you to meet new people and stay in touch with your fans.
:bulletorange: Comment on the page of someone you watch. People love to hear what you like about their work.
:bulletorange: Post a few kind words on the page of a random stranger whose work you like. You might make a new friend.
:bulletorange: Comment either in English or the user's native language (if he displays his location). There's a big chance he doesn't know other languages.
:bulletorange: Spell check your messages before sending them. A readable message is one that people are more likely to reply to.

Don't
:bulletorange: Ask people to watch you. It's annoying. Many people don't do this anyway.
:bulletorange: Ask people for points. It's the DA equivalent of being a beggar. You don't want to be one. 
:bulletorange: Spam people with your contest/group/facebook page or whatever. If you have something to promote, do it in your signature. 
:bulletorange: Send messages that include "send this to a x-number of your friends". It's annoying.


Commenting on artwork

Do
:bulletred: Read the description underneath the artwork. So you can understand what the artist meant with this work
:bulletred: Encourage the artist
:bulletred: Tell them what you like about the artwork
:bulletred: Balance your critiques. Even if you don't like a work, make sure to highlight the positive aspects as well as the negative ones.
:bulletred: Shut up if you haven't got anything nice to say. 

Don't 
:bulletred: Tell people "this reminds me of character-X from show-Y". It comes across as if the artist stole the idea from a certain show. Not very nice.
:bulletred: Tell people "this looks like character-X" and insist on it. Character designs have only so much variation. It's possible that characters with similar haircolor/haircuts look alike. That doesn't mean the artist stole the idea.
:bulletred: Tell people "you've copied this from artist-X". It's an accusation. It's impolite. Especially when you have no solid proof (as in; the original work or an exact photoshop overlay)
:bulletred: Post a comment that's all negative. It feels like you attack the artist. 


Private messages

Do
:bulletpink: Send a private message if your message is either too long or too personal to post on someone's profile

Don't
:bulletpink: Randomly spam strangers with your artwork/group/whatever via private message. It's spam and it's annoying
:bulletpink: Gossip about other people


Journals

Do
:bulletpurple: Post encouraging words towards fellow artists
:bulletpurple: Share art tutorials / art books / art related websites
:bulletpurple: Feature work you like
:bulletpurple: Feature work from friends that need more exposure

Don't
:bulletpurple: Post things that are too personal. DeviantArt is an open website. Everyone can read your journals, including your boss or your parents.
:bulletpurple: Complain about another DeviantArt user. Other people have nothing to do with your problems.
:bulletpurple: Be too strong in your opinions. Stating you 'hate' a certain fandom is never a wise idea, unless you want angry mobs harassing your comment section.
:bulletpurple: Be a chronic complainer. People hate them.


Forum

Do
:bulletblue: Ask questions. Be elaborate. The better you describe the problem, the better the answers will be.
:bulletblue: Use the search function to check if there's already a topic about your problem/question.

Don't 
:bulletblue: Complain outside the complaints-forum. People will mock you.
:bulletblue: Post links in the thumbshare forum. It's for THUMBNAILS. Not for links.
:bulletblue: Spam your work everywhere. There's a thumbshare forum where you can show your work.
:bulletblue: Feed the trolls. Some people's only purpose is to get other people angry. Don't let them get you.


Artwork

Do
:bulletgreen: Add a description. People want to know what it's about.
:bulletgreen: Add the material used/time spend in the descriptions. This will prevent people from asking.
:bulletgreen: Credit the people whose stock material you used (stock rules differ per person. Make sure to read the stock artist's policy)
:bulletgreen: Submit your works to groups. It'll lead to more exposure.
:bulletgreen: If you make art for someone, tag this person. By doing so this person will automatically receive your artwork in his inbox.
:bulletgreen: Add a mature content tag if it includes strong violence or nudity

Don't
:bulletgreen: Post every random doodle. Quality over quantity will make your watchers stay.
:bulletgreen: Make hate art. If you hate a person/fandom, just let it be.


Replying to people

Do
:bulletblack: Reply if someone took the effort to write you a message (unless it's a simple "Thank you" -- those are impossible to reply to)
:bulletblack: Block people and report them to the staff if they're repeatedly mean to you. It's better than fighting back.

Don't
:bulletblack: Fuss about grammar. Not everybody has English as a native language here. It takes some of us a whole lot of effort to write a message in it.
:bulletblack: Gossip about other people. People will be notified when you tag them. They will read it. Public comments will be spread fast. There's nothing as fast as the internet.
:bulletblack: Be an ass
© 2014 - 2024 DamaiMikaz
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TooShyToDraw's avatar

Thanks this'll help me as I'm still new