Recently, I have received a lot of notes from confused deviants, surprised to know they can, in fact, suggest themselves to get a Daily Deviation (DD), when not so long ago, that was something that was discouraged. I felt some kind of explanation could be useful, and help you to understand why that's something you should not feel afraid to do, and also how to do it. Inspired by $
Moonbeam13's words (after all, she's the Director of deviantART Artist Relations department), because I could not say it better than her, here you have some reasons to encourage you to promote your own art applying to get a DD.
We have millions of people on this site, most of which will never be noticed because it's so easy to fall into the pit. It would be really unfair if you're an unknown artist and you can never suggest yourself for a DD, because the chances are you will never get one unless you know someone that can suggest you. Then, if you're not able to suggest yourself, it would mean the system is not going to give you an opportunity to get your art known or seen at all.
deviantART was created to support the artists, and to spread their art all around the world. We want to give everybody a chance to get exposed and show your talent to the biggest audience possible! If the Daily Deviations were created, it was not to rate your art, but to select some featured pieces and this way encourage the general public to find those artists and enjoy their galleries. With the Daily Deviations, a lot of watches have been able to appreciate pieces they would have never seen browsing the place in a random way, and with the Daily Deviations, many artists have had more chances to be found and known by people from every edge of the world. Bear in mind this applies to the "popular" artist too. We don't rate artists on pageviews or popularity. Daily deviations are selected because of the artwork itself with no bearing on who the artist is.
That means you may see Daily Deviations that showcase unknown artists, staff/voluteers, and even those "popular" artists. This is not the "Unknown Deviant" Daily deviation, and Artist Relations is not "Unknown Artist Relations". We are here to support all artists of all calibers and popularity, we are all-inclusive (sadly without the benefit of free drinks!)
We think it's about time we give the community an even better chance to actually get their work featured. We now encourage you to suggest your own art if you feel it may be worth a Daily Deviation. It's not a call to "just send your local Gallery Director a link to your WHOLE gallery to then cross your fingers and see if some piece gets the feature with a bit of luck", but to let us know if you feel specially proud of a deviation you have uploaded to your deviantART gallery, the kind of piece you have spent a lot of time an effort with, and think you did your best.... The kind of deviation you create once in a while, and you feel honoured to share with the world: If you have something like that, please, check who is your Gallery Director (
FAQ #18: Who selects Daily Deviations and how are they chosen?), send them a note, and give it a try.... you may be on deviantART's main page sooner than you expect!
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skifi
Sta.sh
To all you who don't know how to submit a dd
Here's a tutorial:
[link]
I think it's a wonderful idea
I [most likely] won't submit my art but everything she said is true. AND when it comes down to it daily deviations are accepted and denied, if the art isn't good than it won't be accepted, regardless of who requested it
To all you people who disagree you are obviously misunderstanding the point of a daily deviation, to expose amazing art (amazing art includes great ideas, and concepts)
As regarding myself, i've checked several galleries and watched several Deviants in this "less-than-5-months" i've spent here. And along with people who has self-righteous DDs, i also watched others who has loads of visits, and honestly, i don't consider them to be better than i am (and this is not vanity nor pride, it's just the way i feel).
I think this chance may give many persons who feel in the same way (c'mon, i know there are a lot) to reach more people (in the case they truly deserve it), or just to know that they're still not ready to have a featured DD, and in order to get it, max out their efforts and try to achieve one. I'm sure this is what it really matters, after all: to become a better artist, or, in the case of some particular fellas (including myself), become the best artist in the genre you intend to master.
I think it's a fair opportunity; after all, not many of us has the means to be known by all. And also, getting a DD does not necessarily mean everyone will be pleased... but i'd really like to get some "your art sucks, go kill yourself"; nothing would inspire me more to improve in order to make that guy's mouth shut
And if this would turn into an "elitist" controversy, then just tell the gallery directors to make polls for the people to vote in favor or against this decision, and with the overall standings, let the DA directors to make a choice. Period.
I want my art to be known by most people possible, and of course that i'd feel more honored if anyone other than me suggests one of my pieces for a DD. But that's the way it is.
And of course, this is not to "impress others" or to "ordinarize DA", but to broaden your POV and become a better artist.
Well, that's what i think; i hope that my opinion would be respected, as i respected others.-