Graphics, gone to hell? Options

[radhikaeatsraman]

^But that's exactly the attitude some cB design mods have. Maybe if we eliminate the process of house cleaning altogether and find some way to make the design mods step it up, then we won't have to go through it (house cleaning, that is).
A sample consequence system could go as follows:

-If a mod is found to have accepted five or more graphics that don't meet or exceed each standard, a warning goes out to them via PM to remove those items from their queue. If they do not remove the items, the next level of action is taken.
-Ten or more items, their accept/reject privileges are revoked for a period of time. (One week?)
-If the offenses repeat after this, they are demodded and do not get to re-apply during the next hiring session.

Members or other mods could report these offenses via PM to Head Staff or Admin or post in the Feedback section, but they must cite the posted graphics standards in order for the graphic to be considered for removal. "This looks soooo bad" should not be a good reason for removal.

Also, if a mod wants to challenge the warnings/suspensions, they may do so by citing the graphics standards and showing how each substandard graphic is, in fact, not so. If they cannot prove that the said graphics are at or above cB standards, the consequences will stand.

[Mulder]

I think thats unnecessary.

We were modded because the admins/heads trust our judgement when choosing graphics. While we all have different standards, we deserve respect when it comes to the skills we were modded for. If a mod is found to be accepting graphics that are substandard, another mod can confront them on the issue. This has happened before, and they began accepting good graphics. I don't see why this needs to be an issue with the community...

[radhikaeatsraman]

I think thats unnecessary.

We were modded because the admins/heads trust our judgement when choosing graphics. While we all have different standards, we deserve respect when it comes to the skills we were modded for. If a mod is found to be accepting graphics that are substandard, another mod can confront them on the issue. This has happened before, and they began accepting good graphics. I don't see why this needs to be an issue with the community...

I agree with you to an extent. But what happens when the trust is violated? Moderators who do so must be held accountable for their actions. Plus, what one person thinks is great might be what another person thinks is horrible, and that's why we have set out the graphics standards.

Also, if a moderator is confronted the first time, I trust that they will step it up. But if it continues to happen, (and it has for quite a while now) then we must have consequences for that.

And this is very much the community's business, for we are the ones who use these graphics. We deserve graphics at or above the standards set out.

[Mulder]

while I agree that moderators should be... punished if they dont "step it up" I dont think there should be set "warnings" or levels. Trust the other mods and heads/admins to decide what's best, not turn it to the community, or automatically follow some pre-planned rule. besides, if some mod keeps accepting substandard graphics, they probably would stop going into the queue at all.

And I meant that confronting the mods in question should be done backstage.

[radhikaeatsraman]

^Hm. Well, maybe instead of making a topic saying, "OH this mod is doing this and that," members could simply stick to PMs.
And I personally like the idea of having a rule to keep mods in line.

[*mzkandi*]

while I agree that moderators should be... punished if they dont "step it up" I dont think there should be set "warnings" or levels. Trust the other mods and heads/admins to decide what's best, not turn it to the community, or automatically follow some pre-planned rule. besides, if some mod keeps accepting substandard graphics, they probably would stop going into the queue at all.

And I meant that confronting the mods in question should be done backstage.

The thing is, those in question shouldn't have to simply stop going into the queue because they accept sub-standard work. That isn't what you're hired for. The queue, as you know, builds up fast and everyone should be doing their part to clear it. I support there being more communication for such violations as continuing to accept substandard work. Right now, demotion sounds harsh to me. I believe more communication would help solve this. As I stated before, yes, our tastes are different, but one can train their eye for good design by being objective with each submitted work.

[*Duchess of Dork*]

Demotion does seem harsh, at first glance. However, if a moderator continues to accept substandard work, then it could very well be a last resort. It's important that all of us are held accountable. However, like Kiera said, those in a position to review/accept/reject in the queue should communicate when they have a question about a specific graphic. It never hurts to ask for another eye if you think that for some reason your eye is off, or because the subject matter which the graphic or layout is based on is something you particularly appreciate or enjoy that would affect objectivity.

We very much care about what the Community and visitors utilizing resources here think. This isn't AT ALL meant to replace the feedback here, but Dee posted a thread in the Designers' Cafe regarding specific standards you (collective "you" in the Community) have. I'm really interested in what people say there.

[Gypsy Eyes]

I think a demotion might be harsh, maybe suspended powers for like a week or something? Before any of that happens though, a detailed set of standards should be written.

When I was still a mod there were a few people I openly questioned and by the looks of it nothing changed

[*digital.fragrance*]

^ We've began disuccsing specific standards, and soon, a getter set of guidelines will come together.

[radhikaeatsraman]

^How soon? In a week? In a month? A year? Never? Also, where will you post those standards? Will you allow members to help out?

And....*breathes in and out*

Please, please, please read my post about consequences. Demotion is a last resort, and in no way do I advocate demoting a design mod for accepting one bad graphic into the queue because they weren't looking hard enough for one second.

[*digital.fragrance*]

^ They won't be posted generally - they will probably be added to the Moderator's Guide For Critiquing Graphics, or the Graphics Requirements. Basically, we are establishing standards among the moderating group.

[*Duchess of Dork*]

^How soon? In a week? In a month? A year? Never? Also, where will you post those standards? Will you allow members to help out?

And....*breathes in and out*

Please, please, please read my post about consequences. Demotion is a last resort, and in no way do I advocate demoting a design mod for accepting one bad graphic into the queue because they weren't looking hard enough for one second.

Regarding the last comment, I didn't interpret that you were suggesting demotion at all. It just came up as a discussion, so no worries. :]

The thread I linked above (in the Designers' Cafe) is asking for member input. I just came back from there and some of the things people are pointing are really great. I know that you have a good sense for these things as well as genuinely caring about what's happening in the queue. I would love to see some input from you there (in that thread) as well.

I so wish I could give you an exact timeline and you are absolutely right. Everyone (in Design related positions) worked really hard last house cleaning and it's a shame that instead of maintaining a quality queue, there has to be another cleaning.

I imagine that the standards will be posted in all of the main Resource Center SubForums but I'm wondering if a finalized and definitive submission guideline thread should be posted (perhaps pinned) in the Announcement Forum as well.

[Gypsy Eyes]

There has been a major improvement in quality

But still be careful with things like this. They aren't supposed to be approved.

wait a few more:

http://www.createblog.com/graphics/download.php?id=29324 - not even remotely crisp
http://www.createblog.com/graphics/download.php?id=29328 - a fairly common picture
http://www.createblog.com/graphics/download.php?id=29331 - poor quality

[*Intercourse.*]

Well I don't know if anyone ever noticed but graphics have a pretty big part in layouts and if the graphics aren't good then the layout won't be good considering that divs are more common now. I think that staff should use the graphic rules just as equally as they use the layout rules when accepting/rejecting rules.

I'm sure people have noticed this one:
http://www.createblog.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=175886
The word is mis-spelled and I remember there being a fuss over that a while back and that the spelling in graphics need to correct. Its something pretty simple to be fixed if they still have a psd file so I think it just needs to be rejected and ask them to simply fix and resubmit it.


Anyway a simple mistake though, but I think the staff need to watch out for little things like this

[*StanleyThePanda*]

^ I was a little iffy about rejecting it (I'm not the one who accepted it, but I just wasnt sure, dont ask why).
Anyways, its been removed.

I also added "Correct spelling/incorrect spelling" to the Graphics requirement and "Submit a Myspace skin!"

[*Intercourse.*]

Thanks Kara.

This user -
http://www.createblog.com/graphics/index.p...uthor_id=480407

Recent 3 submissions need to be resized. Its a bit weird that all their other photos are resized but the recent ones aren't.
They just need to be resized to a decent size

-Decent size. Not too big (over 1024x768) and not too small (under 350x350).

[kimmytree]

Yeah, the photography section has really declined.

I mean, no offense to the people who submit these, but why are photo's like this even being accepted?

http://www.createblog.com/graphics/download.php?id=29172
http://www.createblog.com/graphics/download.php?id=29169
http://www.createblog.com/graphics/download.php?id=29136
http://www.createblog.com/graphics/download.php?id=28577
http://www.createblog.com/graphics/download.php?id=28524
http://www.createblog.com/graphics/download.php?id=29108

It's just a shame to see such beautiful photos mixed in with stuff that doesnt even belong.

[*Intercourse.*]

^Yea, I've noticed it as well. Also theres a backgrounds being submitted that the members didn't even make which I really have never though should be allowed.

[Spirited Away]

No punishment needed.

How about a panel of judges. Maybe an automated system of anonymous staff "yay's/nay's" of a graphic. If two out of three says it's bad, then it's bad and should be rejected.

[*Intercourse.*]

^thats kind of like the idea Jusun had a while back but it just seemed to much trouble to do. It was something like you had these points and you could see all the stuff that needed to be rejected or accepted and everyone that had these points could vote of the thing. Once the item had 10 votes for being accepted it would automatically be accepted. Although with one negative it would be automatically rejected. Also the staff still had all the power to accept and reject graphics as well.

And of course I don't think any punishment should be due. A lot of people just don't look over the rules but of course the staff should look over the rules and perhaps leave a tab open of the rules so they can look back and see if it is up to the rules standards and requirements.

[Spirited Away]

That sounds complicated. I think only staff should have voting power since there were put into that position, and three should be the maximum. Also, if two staff (out of three) think the graphic is good, then it should be good. Right? 10 is... wow.

You know, many companies train their employees into the position that they were hired for. So, if a staff isn't doing well in judging which is a good graphic... Counsel... whatever. If that doesn't work... the hiring process should be adjusted to look for those who can recognize good/poor graphics.

[*Intercourse.*]

Yea it was really complicated thats why it was kind of 'thrown out' per say.

Yea I think for the design position they should do something like that and it almost seems like they do somewhat. Although they don't give them graphics and tell them which ones should be rejected or accepted and write a rejection letter for the ones that need to be rejected. That would be something good to do. At least not in the actual application but in the interview.

[iDecay]

^ I thought they do write letters explaining the reason why it was rejected? I've only had one rejection and got a PM, so I wouldn't really know, though. It can get tiring having to send them out. But of course, would be really helpful. It is part of their job anyways.

[*Intercourse.*]

^nah I think they just ask you if you had to write a rejection letter say for this one thing what would you say?

I think it would be better to just give them about 5 graphics and ask them which ones need to be accepted or rejected and then ones that need to be rejected write a letter for. It would show what their standards were.

[iDecay]

Were you referring to the interviews or the current mods? Because I'm a bit confused..