Bulletin Board Revamp

[Toddoss]

Hey Everyone

I'm a fairly frequent poster on the forums and I am starting to get work (paying gigs) and have work for other PJer's. I'd like to give work to my fellow penciljack users but it is so exhausting to find out what each artist does and thier info such as: if they're currently taking projects, thier rates, skill level etc. It's been so detering that I recently just went to Deviantart and paid someone from there to do some work for me. A job I would'be loved to give to someone on Penciljack.

Let me say quickly that the admins and others who police and run the Bulletin Board forum do a great job. I do, however, think it is time for the forum itself to evolve into a tool that better serves the artists of Penciljack.

In my opinion there would be two sections (Casting Calls and Artist Showcase)
Casting Calls is when a person posts a thread and members "apply" for the job by sending the poster thier respective portfolio or samples (much like what Bulletin Board is currently) Whereas, Artist Showcase would have sections for each major area of comic positions (writer, penciler, inker, colorist) and in the appropriate sections members can choose to post a thread showcasing thier samples and info for easy viewing of employers looking for artists. Members can update thier thread with new samples or thier availability as they deem necessary.

My recent forray into the bulletin board I think is an excellent example of how this could be superbly effective. I was looking for a colorist for a 36 pg comic, paying gig, it would've been Fantastic to be able to go to a Colorists section in the Bulletin Board and surf through threads of artists info and samples and been able to approach only the artists that I knew I was interested in and were available to take on a project.

This site is great for getting feedback, for learning and for growing in skill but severly ineffectual in my opinion for actually engendering work for each other.

I know this is a long message and its from out of the blue, but I wanted to share my thoughts and concerns and see if anyone else had any opinions on the matter.

[amadarwin]

Not a bad suggestion. I've put it into play with the other mods and PJ for discussion.

How would you propose to deal with congestion? I'd imagine 'employers' wouldn't be inclined to surf past the first few pages of the thread to find someone unless they're a)desperate or b)bored.

[Beastie]

This site is great for getting feedback, for learning and for growing in skill but severly ineffectual in my opinion for actually engendering work for each other.

I'd never really thought about this before. I presumed that work 'amongst Penciljackers' was arranged via PM and request etc.

[Beastie]

I'd imagine 'employers' wouldn't be inclined to surf past the first few pages of the thread to find someone unless they're a)desperate or b)bored.

I agree that this would be an issue. On an illustration agents site, the main page will feature a gallery of thumbnails showing a small example of each artist's work. This means that potential commissioners can make informed decisions as to which artists they take a look at.

If a 'forum full of examples and contacts' existed on PJ - potential commissioners would have to click-in blind to each, individual thread - and that would be a pain in the ass for them.

Am I understanding the suggestion correctly here?

[Toddoss]

Not a bad suggestion. I've put it into play with the other mods and PJ for discussion.

How would you propose to deal with congestion? I'd imagine 'employers' wouldn't be inclined to surf past the first few pages of the thread to find someone unless they're a)desperate or b)bored.

Thanks for being willing to talk with the mods about this.

I think that most people "myself included" Are desperate and or bored because looking for artists isnt easy. Generally people who want art done are willing to go to such lengths to find someone, and if they arent than there is still the Casting call area where they could be as lazy as they want and just toss out a gig and see who catches it. Also by the time someone has looked through a couple pages of threads that means that just under 100 PJers got thier art looked at by a potential employer. This is an opportunity that isnt happening as much as it could.

I think that what work that is shared amongst PJers is done mainly by PM and requests but mainly among tight knit groups of friends or those who have worked together.

[Toddoss]

If a 'forum full of examples and contacts' existed on PJ - potential commissioners would have to click-in blind to each, individual thread - and that would be a pain in the ass for them.

Am I understanding the suggestion correctly here?

They would have to click in blind to each particular thread however even on most illustrator agent sites they dont have them broken into such tight categories of penciller, inker, colorist. Knowing that even though you click blindly each one is specifically relevant to your search still makes it worth while. Also while a thumbnail is at least something to start from I can say from experience that you are still clicking into each practically blind.

[amadarwin]

The way I've understood it, people have surfed the lab forums for talent that catches their eye and then PM's them for their availability. The lab forums have already been acting as somewhat of a talent pool, and as people post, it keeps that pool refreshed. It's not a perfect system by any means, but keeping a 'profile' thread will become stagnated as people drop off with no notification. Keeping up with that would be a bear.

[Symson]

It would seem to me the Member Art blogs already serve as a showcase. It would be nice if there was a search engine within the blogs if I wanted to find a colorist for example.

[weirdozhead]

Not a bad suggestion. I've put it into play with the other mods and PJ for discussion.

How would you propose to deal with congestion? I'd imagine 'employers' wouldn't be inclined to surf past the first few pages of the thread to find someone unless they're a)desperate or b)bored.

Personally I'd suggest keeping the threads in that section limited to new artwork updates only. This way the more active artists would constantly be closer to the top and would more likely be the dudes that would have the drive to get jobs done.

[Fallenangel]

Hey Everyone
In my opinion there would be two sections (Casting Calls and Artist Showcase)
Casting Calls is when a person posts a thread and members "apply" for the job by sending the poster thier respective portfolio or samples (much like what Bulletin Board is currently) Whereas, Artist Showcase would have sections for each major area of comic positions (writer, penciler, inker, colorist) and in the appropriate sections members can choose to post a thread showcasing thier samples and info for easy viewing of employers looking for artists. Members can update thier thread with new samples or thier availability as they deem necessary.

It is a great suggestion, that I really support.
Although we have our sketchbook threads, no one would go to them in search of finished pieces of art or samples, anyways it's not what those threads supposed to be imo, they are just our sketchbooks where we can have some space to post studies, doodles, and etc.

The new threads will act like a Portfolio, where one would post only finished pics, or samples, rates, availability and such....
so again great idea, hope it will see the light.

[malachimanson]

If these a new threads may I suggest that each person is a moderator of their own thread. This would allow for them and them only to post their work into that thread. This would allow for less clutter and just let the pieces speak for themselves.

[amadarwin]

well everyone is already a 'mod' for their own posts, if that's what you're getting at. Plus the logistics of granting that many accesses is something I'm sure PJ (who would have to constantly be updating people's 'mod powers') would not want to do. The more automated we can make it, the better it will be.

I'm beginning to think the status quo is simpler. You want a talent? Request it in the BB. Those that respond are obviously available and interested. Easier than having to "treasure hunt" your talent...

Every member has a blog on the board now. Perhaps we can figure a way to utilize that instead?
[edit] Just did a quick check of the blogs, and it'd be a simple matter of making categories, i.e. Penciller for hire, colorist for hire, etc... Then one can make blog posts about their availability, and it's sortable by newest, or best...[/edit]

[Guru_George]

I'm thinking something similar to “Member Art blogs”. The difference is you have to start the post with a resume, then post 10 of ether your most recent, or 10 of your best works of art, or both.

You can update or swap images anytime you like, but the thread should be light on “load time”, so employers can easily find there target.

[malachimanson]

Also you can have a link to a blog dedicated to your work beyond just those 10 pieces.

[Symson]

Also the profiles have space for portfolios to be created. I creaated two for my profile. Maybe that can be used somehow attached to keywords or tags?