3 Forgotten Gems From The Old Deviantart Submit Page

Whether you're a digital artist, writer, photographer, or any form of creator, DeviantArt has been a cornerstone for sharing your work online. For many, the experience of navigating through DeviantArt's submit page has changed over the years. In the nostalgia of its old design, there are several features and functionalities that might not be as prominent or have been completely overlooked in today's streamlined interface. Here, we revisit 3 Forgotten Gems From The Old DeviantArt Submit Page that not only added to the charm of the platform but also served a unique purpose.

1. The Browse & Share Feature

One of the most notable features from the old submit page was the Browse & Share section. This allowed users to delve into the vast galleries of DeviantArt and find inspiration or related works to connect with before or while submitting their own.

How it worked:

• Search Functionality: Users could search through different categories or type keywords directly to find relevant art or pieces of inspiration.
• Submit to Groups: Directly from the submit page, you could locate and add your work to specific groups on DeviantArt, increasing your artwork’s visibility.
• Share Immediately: There was an option to share your work with the DeviantArt community directly from the submission process.

Examples:

• You could find a group dedicated to your art form, like watercolor paintings, and directly submit your latest piece to them.
• This feature also made it easy to follow current trends or themes, enhancing the relevance of your work.

Tips & Techniques:

• Make Use of Tags: Use DeviantArt's tag system when searching. Specific tags like "watercolor landscape" or "digital art fantasy" help narrow down your search.
• Collaborate and Grow: Use the shared inspiration to collaborate or follow an artist whose style or theme resonates with you.

<p class="pro-note">💡 Pro Tip: Before submitting, find art similar to yours and drop a comment or a note to the artist. This could lead to support or collaboration opportunities.</p>

2. Personalized Galleries

On the old submit page, DeviantArt allowed users to create Personalized Galleries for their submissions. This wasn't just about categorization but about curating your own mini-art exhibition, where every piece was perfectly placed to tell a story or showcase different facets of your work.

Features:

• Custom Gallery Creation: Artists could name their galleries, choose cover images, and provide descriptions.
• Featured Content: This allowed artists to highlight their best or most representative pieces.
• Organisation: Gallery creation helped in organizing work by themes, series, or different styles, providing a professional portfolio-like feel.

Scenarios:

• Artist Showcase: Artists could showcase different art styles or series in separate galleries, giving viewers a comprehensive look at their artistic range.
• Project Exhibition: For projects or collaborations, this feature could display each phase or component of the work, helping viewers follow the creative process.

Common Mistakes:

• Over-complicating: Creating too many galleries can confuse visitors. A minimalist approach often works better.
• Neglecting Descriptions: A well-written gallery description not only informs but also engages the viewer.

<p class="pro-note">🎨 Pro Tip: When naming galleries, keep it simple yet descriptive, like "Sketches" or "Surreal Masterpieces", to guide viewers through your portfolio.</p>

3. Critique Request Feature

Perhaps one of the most beloved gems from the old DeviantArt, the Critique Request feature allowed users to ask for feedback directly upon submitting their work. This fostered a community of growth, where constructive criticism was readily available.

How It Worked:

• Direct Request: Upon submission, artists could tick a box to request critique from viewers.
• Detailed Critique: This could lead to in-depth analysis of your work, from composition to technique.
• Selective Response: Artists could choose to receive critiques only from those they trusted or preferred.

Examples:

• An artist new to digital painting could request feedback on their color choices or brushwork.
• Writers could seek critique on narrative structure or character development.

Troubleshooting Tips:

• Overwhelm Prevention: Limit the number of pieces you submit for critique at once to avoid burnout from too many responses.
• Quality Control: Select specific individuals or types of feedback you value to ensure you receive critiques that benefit your development.

<p class="pro-note">📝 Pro Tip: Use the critique feature to grow, but remember that not all feedback is equal. Learn to sift through for the nuggets of wisdom that resonate with your artistic vision.</p>

Over the years, DeviantArt has evolved its platform to keep up with user demands and technology advancements. While these changes have brought new features and a modern interface, there's an undeniable nostalgia for these old gems. They not only enriched the user experience but also built a community spirit centered around growth, sharing, and interaction.

In summary, these forgotten features from DeviantArt's old submit page were essential in shaping the community we know today. They encouraged not just the sharing of art but the sharing of knowledge, collaboration, and the joy of creating together. These tools, though no longer prominent, remind us of the core values that can still be integrated into today's digital art platforms:

• Community Engagement: Features like the Browse & Share, Critique Request, and personalized galleries were all about engaging with others.
• Personalization: The ability to tailor your art page to reflect your personality and artistic style.
• Growth: Through direct critique requests, artists could gauge their progress and adapt their techniques.

As we look back, let's not forget these gems and perhaps find ways to implement their essence in the modern DeviantArt experience.

Explore more related tutorials and discover new features that could enhance your DeviantArt experience.

<p class="pro-note">🧐 Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for community-driven events or themes on DeviantArt. They can often mimic the spirit of the old features and foster similar community interaction.</p>

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What happened to the Browse & Share feature on DeviantArt?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The Browse & Share feature, which allowed users to find inspiration or add work to groups directly from the submit page, has been streamlined into other parts of the platform for efficiency and user experience improvements.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I still create Personalized Galleries on DeviantArt?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, although the interface might have changed, you can still create personalized galleries to organize your work into different themes or series, giving viewers a curated experience of your art.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How can I get feedback on my work if the Critique Request feature is no longer available?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>You can still get feedback by engaging with communities, participating in critique events, or simply reaching out to other artists directly via comments or notes.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>