Who the hell said your wallpapers suck!? I swear once I get enough money, I'm flying over there to beat the crap out of them!

Sure, friends are supposed to be honest with each other and tell you when something doesn't look good. But real friends won't tell you to give up. True friends will find a way to help you get better.

And don't think I'm overreacting, cuz I've been through this. My high school "best friend" used to tell me to give up everything I thought I was doing well. If I told you about the things she said to me... Ugh! You and your double standards. You'd be pissed off if anyone said these things to me. But people say it to you and you roll over.

You are good. You're better than good.

Sure some of your works are the same, but it's a good same. Nothing wrong with repeating things. That's how the world is. People repeat what works over and over again, while people who try new things are called "crazy".

And what high horse!? You've got a freaking pony!

Anyway... I'm still upset at your "friends", but I'm glad you want to try different things. But do it for the right reasons, ok? Do it for yourself. Not for other people. Not for your pride.

You want to become a chiropractor anyway, so why be so serious about graphics? Have fun. =3

And other people are right, theO has much more than anime. There's manga too. *shot*

*hugs tight*

And the next time something happens to your computer, try fixing it for half an hour. And then tell your mother to call her friend. >.>

You moron, I was always wondering why it was just a hobby.. I thought it'd actually be something nice for you to pursue in the future lol I always thought you could go to college for graphic design and perhaps make it a career >A> lol Maybe even merging web design and graphic design together so you could be a graphic web/site designer which would be really good as a career.. since you were learning HTML/java/etc. and all. <A<

If you really, REALLY like it, keep it as a back-up option next to the Chiropractor choice.. |3 lol Of course, talent-wise, even if you "started" late in graphic designing, you could always get better in the future if you just keep practicing foof. *whacks you on the head*

As for your stuff always looking the same... I still liked that Mukuro wallie you were doing for me >A> Didn't know why you didn't like it yourself.. and there wasn't any black in it that time *shot* Yeah, there are times when even I don't like my own commissions and requests that I've done for people but at least, when they say they like how it looks, it satisfies me in the end working my butt off for them. >_> lol I take it as a challenge when people ask me to do things for them... so even if I fail in that challenge against my own tastes and yet when people say they like the end result, I know at least I've tried and they're satisfied with it.

So I don't think you should think that about your own work or you're going to end up like me lol As an artist, they have to face criticism or they will break down. Of course, you don't have to worry about graphic designing if it's not your career choice for the future-- it's just a hobby--right?

:O I don't think it sucks. In fact, I look forward to your submissions! I always have to check it out~ You don't always have to make anime wallpapers. You can switch back & forth. Also, your works are amazing so whoever told you you sucked, please don't let it influence your confidence is graphic designing. >__<

Keep working hard!

Who the frick said your stuff sucked anyway? Huh? Someone who you know really well, or just some random person? :/ I'd really like to know. Because you do NOT suck. Your walls are really good. They're your own style, and they definitely aren't bad at all. *shakes head* So don't listen to them! If it's something you like to do, which I know you do (it's easy to tell), then you shouldn't give up. That person shouldn't have told you that...if they had something wrong with it, then they should learn the manners of critiques. You don't just say something sucks.

As for what happened with your mom, that really does suck though. But don't give up on the new style either. Sure, that was a lot of time lost, but you can make it up again. I hope your computer gets fixed then. I just had to have mine totally redone today as well so I know the pain of computer problems.

Of course it would hurt, but again, it depends on who said it. you said friends. But what kind of friends would just say that? Or did they maybe critique it another way but you took it as if they said it sucked?

I always get like that, and I'm told by people that I'm so great at walls. But the more you get into an art, no matter what it is, the more you see other people that do the same as you...and they do it better. It's the way of life. You can't let other people get you down though. I get down when I see amazing walls and I feel like I could never do the same; it depresses me, makes me want to quit, but that's only temporary. I get right back an do my thing. I know I'll never be as "good" as some people, but that's because our styles are totally different. You're really good, Joe, so don't think otherwise. You can't just quit because of this.

And as for theO, this place isn't a strict art site anyway. It isn't like AP or dA. It's for fun. So I say,as long as you're having fun, then go with it. When you want to go professional, then you're going to be forced to hear harsh critiques and then be forced to improve. But as a hobby, it doesn't mean you should quit. And there's nothing wrong with just sticking with anime graphics either. :/ Anyhoo, I think my comment is as long or longer than your post...but you know what I'm saying here lol. DON'T GIVE UP!!!

Take care.

p.s. Listen to the other guys that commented, too. Especially, yeah, theO has plenty of other categories besides anime stuff! You don't have to limit yourself, but again, it's all up to what you want to do. Don't let someone else dictate your life or skills.

What the heck is wrong with you Joe? Why would you say that about your graphics? You certainly do not suck and whoever told you that is obviously a moron. You have really improved with your wallpapers and I can honestly say that. I can tell your trying new things with your walls, and I do not think your walls look the same. You do have variety. Quit being so hard on yourself or comparing your work to others. Each person has their own unique design and that is what makes that creation they make special. It would be boring to see the same kind of design or look over and over gain. That's why I really love TheOtaku, because of the variety. There are anime, videogames, actors, etc. creations on here. Also as for the quality, I think TheOtaku quality in wallpapers has gone up a lot. But like Indi said, this is not a strict site. It's a very casual place and we accept all kinds of works. Creating graphics is something fun to do for the people on here.

Also when your working on a wallpaper, you need to be more relaxed and not so hard on yourself. Your making the wallpaper for fun, are you not? I think it's great your really striving for the best with your graphics, but take a break once in awhile and try something more simple for a change. And who cares what others think. If your happy with your work, then their opinion does not matter. Just be proud and happy about what you can do right now.

And looking in magazines at photoshop stuff? Joe they're professionals who make that stuff in those magazines. Worked years on their graphic design, went to college for it and studied hard. It's their job. So quit comparing your work to theirs because there is a big difference in years of experience.

Instead of doing an anime wallpaper, do something else. You don't have to leave this site to do something like that. Also looking through your portfolio, you haven't done just anime wallpapers, so whoever told you this place is "holding you back" needs to get their head screwed back on, no offense. Take a break from wallpapers too if you feel the need, start making cards or doing fanart more instead. Make a quiz. But don't be so hard on yourself Joe cause it's not worth it.

Take care my friend~

Hiko.

There is more than just anime on this website. We have categories for American series, and musicians. And movies.

I don't only make anime wallpapers.

If you're looking to go into graphic design then by all means be critical of your works. Otherwise you're worrying over it too much.

The one thing I never understood was the comments about quality here at theOtaku. I've been a member for nearly five years now and it's always been very casual in terms of allowed skill level.

So all the "the quality here sucks" rants never made much sense to me. This place was never supposed to be like sites that are stricter. :p

~Crystia

Why would this website hold you back with just anime when there's more than anime on here? I mean there's no rule about it, anyways. Whoever told you that's being an idiot, I'm sorry. Work outside of anime is submitted all the time and anyone who thinks otherwise clearly doesn't realize we have the non-anime categories for something other than show.

If you need help trying to get in some variety, try writing down a bunch of different descriptive words, or get random words from other people, put them all in a bag or something and draw three at a time and try to incorporate all three. Just try to experiment and stop being so damn critical of yourself. You'll only get better by doing, not by running away from perceived failure. I know you've got it in you, Hiko.