Group Policies

Sat Jan 3, 2015, 12:24 PM by 01309:icon01309:

Content


Clicking on any of these links below will take you directly to that section.

Submission Guidelines


Submission Limit
Once per week; one submission every 7 days

Quality Control
We will only accept works that are display intermediate skill or higher.

Incorrect Gallery Submissions
Any submissions sent to the incorrect gallery risks being declined.  Please always double check which gallery you are submitting to!
Not sure where or how to submit?
Gallery Directory
Submission Guides

Expired Submissions
These rarely occur.  If your submission does expire please feel free to resubmit it.  Sometimes the group system simply does not display all open submissions.

Resubmissions
If your submission is declined please do not submit it to the group again.

Exploitations
Do not remove your accepted deviation from the group and resubmit it in order to have it reappear in our watcher's inboxes.

If you did not draw it do NOT submit it!
We will only accept submissions from the original artist that created the illustration.

Submissions must be attached to the original artist's account!
This means that we will not accept; submissions from shop accounts, submissions from anyone other than the original artist, submissions from those who have commissioned the artwork, or submissions from the concept/creator of an illustration.

Reproductions
We will not accept any submissions believed to be a reproduction of an already existing original work.

Art Theft
We will never, ever accept any submission believed to have been stolen from another artist.

Unacceptable Submissions


WIP/Works In Progress/Incomplete Works
WIPs are illustrations that are currently in progress or incomplete.

Sketch Dumps
Sketch dumps are multiple sketches of usually incomplete works contained in a single deviation.

Memes
Artwork memes are difficult to define.  Some are art surveys others are types of parodies of an existing work.  It's simply something that has been taken, used, and spread by multiple users.

Reproductions
A reproduction is when a person intentionally tries to mimic or reproduce an already existing original work.  We suggest you review these deviantART policies:


Art Theft
Art theft is when a person plagiarizes another artist's work.  We suggest you review these deviantART policies:


Uncredited Resources
Uncredited resources occur when a person uses a (valid) stock or resource and not not properly credit the owner/creator.  We suggest you review these deviantART policies:


Colored Manga Scans
Colored manga scans are when a person takes a scanned page from a copyrighted manga and colors it.  This is a copyright violation.

Non-Collaborative Colored Line Art
Non-Collaborative Colored Line Art is when a person uses free line art that has been provided for others to color.

Bases/Dolls
A base is usually a premade drawing where a person can color and draw over.  There are many varieties in base types that can be used for many different types of projects (one of which is called a Doll).  Unfortunately many bases are traced from existing artwork which is something we do not accept.

Image Splicing/Photomanipulations
Image Splicing/Photomanipulation is when a person takes images from multiple resources and patches them together.

Photographs
A photograph is a picture that has been taken with a camera.  Photographed illustrations - that are good quality - that meet the group's quality control are an exemption as of Sept, 14, 2016.

Cosplay
Cosplay is when a person dresses as a character from a film, series, book, or comic.

Non-Drawn Works
Non-drawn works cover everything that basically has been created through any process other than creating an illustration through traditional or digital means.  Crafts, photographs, image splicing, and photomanipulations fall under this category.

100% Realism
Realism styled works attempt to represent things as they appear.  This means there are no obvious anime or manga styles within the illustration.

Sexually Explicit Artwork
Any artwork that is viewed as sexually themed or sexually explicit will not be accepted.  Tasteful artistic nudity is acceptable (with the mature tag)!

Excessive Gore
Excessive gore is anything that goes beyond tasteful and makes others uncomfortable.

Illustrations that are not Anime/Manga
Any artwork that does not show any anime or manga styles will not be accepted as this is an anime/manga group.

Violations of deviantART Policies
Any submissions found to violate deviantART policies will not be accepted.

Reproductions Policy


This group will not accept any type of reproduction of original works.

We use the term reproduction as a broad term to cover copies and traces.  A reproduction is basically to make a copy or duplicate an already existing work.  This does not apply to fan art.  Fan art is creating original illustrations based on an already existing character or universe (sometimes in the same style as the original) but does not attempt to replicate or duplicate an already existing illustration.

The reason we do not accept any reproductions is that there in an unfortunate association with plagiarism with most reproductions.

Terminology


Our group strives to combat copyright violations, plagiarism, and theft through education.  One of the most common issues we encounter is a lack of understanding the true definition of art related terminology.  Defining these terms also helps our communication between our staff and members.

Reproduction
A reproduction is an illustration that attempts to copy, replicate, or duplicate an already existing original work.  Reproductions can be produced by tracing over an original illustration, eye-ball copying, or using vectors.  Reproductions may have the colors changed from the original but still keep to the original as close as possible.

Trace
Tracing is when a person uses layers (digital medium), tracing paper (traditional medium), or a light table (traditional medium) to reproduce an existing illustration as exact as possible.

Copy
Copying is when a person attempts to make a similar or identical version of an original illustration.  This is usually achieved with "eye-balling" the original.

Eye-balling
Eye-balling is when a person freehand copies an original illustration by viewing the original and attempts to make a similar or identical copy.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is when a person tries to claim another person's work or idea as their own.  This is connected with reproductions and art theft.  Art theft takes the original illustration and simply claims it as their own whereas reproductions create a copy of an original work where the person then claims it as their own.

Art Theft
Art theft occurs when a person takes an original illustration and tries to pass it off as their own original work when they had no involvement in the production of the illustration.

Reference
A reference is not a reproduction.  In art a reference is when an artist uses resources to help them in creating an original illustration such (i.e. a pose reference).

Resource
A resource is something available for artists to use to enhance their originals works such as; stock images, brushes, patterns, music, etc.  Resources should always be properly credited and should be defined as a resource that is available for use.  An example of something that is not a resource is taking and using an image found through Google Images.

Fan Art
Fan Art are original illustrations that use existing characters from existing universes (from films, series', comics, books) that may attempt to emulate an art style but do not reproduce any official artwork or other fan arts from that same fandom.

Against Rudeness Policy


We will not tolerate any form of disrespect towards our staff members or group members.

This group will not tolerate any form of harassment, flaming, trolling, threats, violence, intimidation, or internet stalking.  Any user found in violation of this policy will be blocked without warning.  Continual harassment and block evading will be reported to the deviantART staff.  This also includes going to the group staff member's personal profile pages after being blocked from the group to attempt to continue harassment.

Blocking Policies and System


Any submission that violate our group policies or deviantART policies will not be accepted.

If a submission is found to be in violation of these policies it will be declined and the user will be given a warning.  Each violation has its severity ranked with a specific point amount.  Members are only permitted a specific maximum amount of points before they are blocked from the group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sat Jan 3, 2015, 12:04 PM by 01309:icon01309:
Before sending in any inquiries please review all questions that have been answered here.  You may find that your question has already been answered.  The questions have been sorted into categories to help you better navigate through all the listed information.

This informational post needs to be updated.

Join Requests


Why was my join request declined?
○ The possible reasons for this are the following; your join request didn't contain the required phrase, you failed the verification test, or you did not take the verification test.

Why do you require those who wish to join to take a test over the group's policies?
○ One of the most common issues we have with submissions are that they violate our group policies or deviantART policies.  It is for the benefit of our members and our staff that we require all potential members to read, understand, and agree to abide by the group's policies.  By reading this important information the risk of having a deviation declined is reduced greatly.

If I have taken the test but forgotten the phrase do I have to take the test again?
○ If you take the test and we find that you've been scored with 100% we will generally overlook this error and provide the phrase for you to copy and paste into your request.  If you score anything less than 100% you will need to retake the test again anyway.

Why do I have to score 100% on this test?
○ There is no reason to fail this test (unless English isn't your native language).  Users are able to take the test and reference the rule information which basically makes it an "open book test."

If I don't agree with the group policies am I able to still join the group?
○ No.  All members must agree to abide by the group policies.

Submissions


Why was my submission declined?
○ There are many possibly reasons a submission is declined.  Some possibilities are; it was submitted to the incorrect gallery, it violated the group's policies, it violated deviantART policies, or it did not meet the group's standards of quality control.

Why does this group not accept reproductions?
○ An unfortunate occurrence with many reproductions is that they have been plagiarized.  Plagiarism is terrible!  In order to not support or promote any potentially plagiarized works we have decided to reject all reproductions.

Why does this group enforce quality control?
○ We have quality control in place because we want to provide and promote quality artwork.

Why do you require at least intermediate level works?
○ It isn't as though we don't appreciate beginner quality works but that there are so many groups that already cover this skill level that there was an obvious lack of medium quality control groups.

Why can't I submit to the main galleries?
○ The main galleries (Original Art, Fan Art, Manga, Contests, and Group Guides) are not open for any submissions from members.  You can only submit under the sub-galleries.

Why can only the illustrator and not the concept/creator or commissioner submit to the group?
○ While we appreciate those who create characters, concepts, and stories they are not the illustrator of the artwork.  We are a group that focuses on illustration and wish to promote the artists.  One of the main arguments against our group enforcing this is that without the concept creator's idea the illustration would never exist.  We are not denying your involvement.  We are not rejecting your ideas.  Our goal as a group is to promote the artist (illustrator), which with them illustrating your ideas is promoting you as their concept creator.

Contests



Why are contest entries submitted to the favorites section?
○ In order to maintain the integrity of our gallery quality control while also giving everyone of every skill level a chance to participate it was decided to use the favorites section instead of the gallery.

If I submit my entry to the contest favorites folder can I still submit it to the group gallery?
○ Yes.  However please keep in mind that all submissions to the gallery are under quality control.

How many contests does this group host each year?
○ On average we generally host three contests a year.  However this amount will fluctuate.

Art Features



Can we suggest art features?
○ Currently, only staff members may suggest features.  We previously permitted our group members, but there wren't very many suggestions and many of them didn't meet the requirements.

Blocks



Why have I been blocked from the group?
○ There is no way to answer why you have been blocked (if you are currently blocked and reading this) as there are too many possible reasons to list.  The most common reason a person is blocked is because they've violated the group's policies in some way.

Are the group blocks temporary (like a suspension) or permanent (like a ban)?
○ Our group blocks are permanent.  This means that there is no temporary block.  However, you do have the option to petition to be unblocked (as stated in the previous answer).

Do you warn members before you block them?
○ In most cases yes, members are warned when they have broken a rule.  The only cases when a member is not warned is when they are caught stealing another artist's artwork or if they are being intolerably disrespectful.

How many warnings do you give before you block a user?
○ Our blocking system is based around points.  Each policy violation is worth a specific amount of points (depending on severity).  Users are only permitted a specific maximum amount of violation points before the are blocked.

Other



Can I become a group staff member?
○ Anyone is welcome to apply as a group staff member, however we do not accept every user that applies for this position.

What exactly are privileged members?
○ Privileged members are group members who are involved with the group by being able to cast their vote on weekly feature suggestions and are able to suggestion weekly features themselves.

How can I become a privileged member?
○ There is a short application that needs to be filled out in order to become a privileged member.  Because we want to keep this position special we only open the application up every now and then and only accept a small amount of members into this rank.  If you are interested in becoming a privileged member you must keep a watch on our group announcements.


2015 Mascot Contest - Prize Donations Needed!

Journal Entry: Fri Jan 2, 2015, 8:48 AM


The first thing I want to mention about our 2015 Mascot Contest is that was have a goal to make it our biggest contest we've ever hosted.  In order to reach this goal we are going to need your help.

We are reaching out like we always do when we host a contest for contest prizes.  However there are some slight differences this time.  We now have an official group points account for point donations.  Also, we will be trying something new with paypal donations so that we can offer real currency (money) as a prize.

As always all contest donors will be have their icon featured on the group's main page for the duration of the contest.  It's our way of saying 'thank you.'

What can you donate?
  • Points :points: (via AAM-Donations)

  • Money (via paypal)

  • Premium Memberships

  • Art Requests

  • Journal Features
If you decide to donate through the donation widget or paypal PLEASE include your dA username so we can feature you!  Also please note any point donations under 20 will not be featured!

Donation Goals Amount

We have decided to set a visible goal this year for monetary prizes.  This way everyone can see what goal we hope to accomplish for contest prizes.

First Place Prize Goal: $60
Second Place Prize Goal: $30
Third Place Prize Goal: $10
Total: $100 in prize money!

Any points donated for this contest will totaled and thing split with the same ratio between the prize pools.  Any art or journal feature prizes will also be added to the prize pools once donation gathering has been completed.

Hopeful Deadline: Jan. 7, 2015

We hope to reach (or even exceed) our goal by January of next year after the release of our 2015 group revamp.

Thank you!  Let's make this our greatest contest!

Weekly Feature

Journal Entry: Fri Dec 5, 2014, 9:00 PM




Help Us Improve Our Group

Journal Entry: Thu Sep 18, 2014, 8:04 PM


I've already been working on the many planned changes that will come next year but there are always things that could be improved upon.  Here is your chance to send us some suggestions or questions.  Please remember that while we will read all suggestions and take them in to consideration that it does not guarantee that your suggestion will be something we will end up actually implementing.  So, in order to avoid suggestions for matters that 100% will not change here is a small list of things what will remain the same next year:
  • Join Requests Test
  • Quality Control
  • Blocking System
  • Galleries (It would be an insane task to try and reorganize all gallery submissions @_@)

Everything else is up for suggestions!  This would also be the place to ask some questions you believe should be in our FAQ section.

Recent Journal Entries