$50 Character Design + Blog Header Design!

[midwestbonsai]

Hello all you creative designers!

Please read the following information very carefully:

Overview:
I require an individual to create various cartoon/mascots/caricatures/characters.
The ideal person must possess:

* A flair for creativity
* Ability to create high quality, unique vector illustrations
* Follow given instructions

The person who is selected as the winner of this contest will be elgible (and recommended) to create additional characters.

Contest
This contest is in regards to creating a 100% vector cartoon/mascot/caricature/character or whatever you wish to call them and a header for a blog. I have basic instructions as to what the character must look like, and you can find these details below.

Design
Character:
You will be created a cartoon/mascot/caricature/character of a bonsai tree, but not just any bonsai tree. This tree must have a personality and face.
See the following site for inspirations:
http://www.artofbonsai.org/galleries/index.php
(one of my favorite is the tree on their home page)
Please use vibrant colors.

Header:
The URl of the site is madcitybonsai.com. This is also the "nickname" for the town I live in. So I would like some sort of city background or something along those lines, and incorporate the character and be creative! NO CODING NEEDED!

Payment
The contest winner will be paid $50 USD via PayPal.
This competition closes in 5 days. The closing date is Saturday, 25th October, Central Standard time which is GMT-5.

Questions
Please ask

Disclaimer
The image must be delivered with full, editable files and within the timeframe. By accepting the payment, you give full image rights to myself, and understand that I am the new copyright owner of the image.

[l3fty]

here's a sketch:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/jimmyjaspers/ntm/bonsai.gif

[midwestbonsai]

l3fty: This is good, but I do not like the face, too cute

[a4hire]

Hi , I will be entering your contest. Just to make sure, the contest is for a mascot design and a header design incorporating the new mascot on it. And also using the madcitybonsai.com right ?
Also are you going to stick with the current word press theme? Keeping the same color scheme? Is there a set size for the header ? 900x100 ? or maybe shorter I see you have a banner advertisement space there too.

[midwestbonsai]

Hi , I will be entering your contest. Just to make sure, the contest is for a mascot design and a header design incorporating the new mascot on it. And also using the madcitybonsai.com right ?
Yes and a Yes and also MadCity Bonsai would be fine but not required.

Also are you going to stick with the current word press theme? No I will be making a new one based on the header design.

Keeping the same color scheme?
No I will be making a new one based on the header design.

Is there a set size for the header ? 900x100 ? or maybe shorter I see you have a banner advertisement space there too.Use your best judgment, the entire site will change after this new header and mascot.

[a4hire]

Here is my first attempt at it. I will wait for your feedback.
http://artist4hire.net/temp/madcitybonsai.png

[midwestbonsai]

@everyone
I like the ways you all are approaching the project.

@a4hire
I am not sure that I like that tree. I like the font and you can drop the .com

[allofall]

hello there, here is mine:

http://www.elkopry.com/images/madbonsai.jpg

thanks

[midwestbonsai]

@allofall
I like this. If selected would you be able to add some texture to the trunk and foliage? You can lose the site URI no need to have that as a part of the char.

[l3fty]

is this closer to what you had in mind?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/jimmyjaspers/ntm/bonsai2.gif

[allofall]

Thanks for feedback here it is with more details:

http://www.elkopry.com/images/bonsai2.jpg

[midwestbonsai]

@l3fty - looking good

@allofall - not going to work

[watari]

my entry ...

http://fenixupload.com/files/20o48in3s86m2rjqp2y9.png (http://fenixupload.com/)

[allofall]

ok here it is with less details

http://www.elkopry.com/images/bonsai3.jpg

thanks

[a4hire]

@everyone
I like the ways you all are approaching the project.

@a4hire
I am not sure that I like that tree. I like the font and you can drop the .com


Hi I can make changes to the tree, can you tell me what you don't like ? Just the overall look ? or the face ? Well, I will make some changes and post up a new entry for you.

[l3fty]

thought i'd show you the finished inks before i start coloring:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/jimmyjaspers/ntm/bonsai2-1.gif

[midwestbonsai]

Hi I can make changes to the tree, can you tell me what you don't like ? Just the overall look ? or the face ? Well, I will make some changes and post up a new entry for you.
@a4hire - I would have to say the overall tree is what I do not like the most.

@allofall - I like the way that the rootbase is spread out (where the trunk meets the soil). But something is just not right about it, I think it is the way foliage is made.

@watari - This is nice I like your colors, I think it could be improved by incorporating a root base like allofall's on each foot. And take away the foliage around the knees.

@l3fty - This last one you have posted is my favorite of your two.

-------------

What I have envisioned for the header part of this is some sort of rectangle - rounded corners on the top - with buildings in the background with some coming out of the rectangle some in front and some behind its edge.

[midwestbonsai]

thought i'd show you the finished inks before i start coloring:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/jimmyjaspers/ntm/bonsai2-1.gif
That is great!

[a4hire]

I made a few changes on mine. Let me know if you like it any better.
http://artist4hire.net/temp/madcitybonsai1.png

[allofall]

thanks for feedback again,
here it is with another foliage

http://elkopry.com/images/bonsai4.jpg

[l3fty]

colored version:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/jimmyjaspers/ntm/bonsai3.jpg

[watari]

colored version:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/jimmyjaspers/ntm/bonsai3.jpg
nice bonsai :D

[Creations4You]

colored version:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/jimmyjaspers/ntm/bonsai3.jpg


Excellent work l3fty!

[l3fty]

thanks guys :D

[priyank_unbeatable]

do u require any text in it...

[midwestbonsai]

do u require any text in it...
It is not required in the header, but you could add "MadCityBonsai" in it.

[midwestbonsai]

l3fty
That is awesome, we'll see what others come up with; still a couple of days of others to enter.
Now how would you incorporate that into the header?

[cottonStella]

colored version:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/jimmyjaspers/ntm/bonsai3.jpg

wow l3fty that is reallly niceeee :)

[l3fty]

thanks stella!

[plugzzzz]

ill pass my entry the next couple of days

[plugzzzz]

here's my entry

http://damnpixels.com/temp/puno.png

[midwestbonsai]

plugzzzz - That is very nice as well!

------------

I just had a great idea for a header.

Have it look like the tree is sitting on a "bonsai bench" in someones back yard, with skyscrapers in the distance.

[l3fty]

alternate face:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/jimmyjaspers/ntm/bonsai4.jpg

[plugzzzz]

I just had a great idea for a header.

Have it look like the tree is sitting on a "bonsai bench" in someones back yard, with skyscrapers in the distance.


so this contest is finish????..

[midwestbonsai]

so this contest is finish????..
No it is not as I posted in the original post

Contest
This contest is in regards to creating a 100% vector cartoon/mascot/caricature/character or whatever you wish to call them and a header for a blog. I have basic instructions as to what the character must look like, and you can find these details below.

Design
Character:
You will be created a cartoon/mascot/caricature/character of a bonsai tree, but not just any bonsai tree. This tree must have a personality and face.
See the following site for inspirations:
http://www.artofbonsai.org/galleries/index.php
(one of my favorite is the tree on their home page)
Please use vibrant colors.

Header:
The URl of the site is madcitybonsai.com. This is also the "nickname" for the town I live in. So I would like some sort of city background or something along those lines, and incorporate the character and be creative! NO CODING NEEDED!

Can't wait to see what you guys come up with for a header with you characters incorporated.

[midwestbonsai]

Maybe I was unclear in my original post?

[midwestbonsai]

l3fty - I really like both of them

[l3fty]

Maybe I was unclear in my original post?

no, the instructions were clear enough. :)

i'll post the header soon.

are you open to using a photo for the background skyscrapers?

thanks,
l3fty

[crowquill]

My Try:

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee181/crowquill_2007/bonsai.jpg

[midwestbonsai]

no, the instructions were clear enough. :)

i'll post the header soon.

are you open to using a photo for the background skyscrapers?

thanks,
l3fty
I am glad that I was clear.

I am open to most anything, I am sure all of you can make it look great.

[a4hire]

Im going to work on another entry today. try to have posted later this afternoon.

[a4hire]

Here are some updates from me. I made a new tree mascot and I made 2 different headers, one is the city at night and the other one is in the day time!

http://artist4hire.net/temp/madcitynight.png

http://artist4hire.net/temp/madcityday.png

[midwestbonsai]

a4hire - I love the face on your tree. However I am not a fan of the buildings or the font. Could you make the font a bit more "out of the box"? I am not sure what should be done about the buildings, they just don't look right to me.

[midwestbonsai]

@crowquill - sorry for the delay, your tree is very nice too. Something about that face that I do not like. I think it look too kid like or something.

[crowquill]

Updated Face:

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee181/crowquill_2007/bonsaifeatures.jpg

[midwestbonsai]

i'll post the header soon.

Looking forward to seeing it.

@crowquill - Much better face

[l3fty]

i used a public-domain photo here...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/jimmyjaspers/ntm/bonsaihdr.jpg

[midwestbonsai]

l3fty,
I don't think that photos will work. I like the font, but the photo just doesn't seem to fit in.

[l3fty]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/jimmyjaspers/ntm/bonsaiheader2.jpg

[midwestbonsai]

l3fty - I think you have it. I will leave it open for others to complete the competition until Monday.

[a4hire]

I will see if I can get a new font and background before you close on Monday. Thanks for the feedback.

[raysting]

i would like to join this kind of contest and im sure that one of my character.
will win.

[a4hire]

Here are a couple of updates from me. I can try more fonts.

http://artist4hire.net/temp/madcitybonsai.png

http://artist4hire.net/temp/madcitybonsai1.png

[midwestbonsai]

i would like to join this kind of contest and im sure that one of my character.
will win.

I will leave it open for you to give it a shot until tonight.

[midwestbonsai]

crowquill did not post his banner here, but it is my favorite of the bunch, but lefty's tree is my favorite.
I will have to make my decision in the morning.

[midwestbonsai]

Sorry, a4hire, yours is very nice just not quite what I am looking for. Almost too "techno". But you do great work!

[a4hire]

Well Thank you for the contest. I still had fun trying. And Congrats to the winner.

[midwestbonsai]

Well here is the result. The winner is crowquill. I liked his banner the best. But I also like l3fty's character.

You all did a great job with this "unique" contest! I will be giving positive rep to all that participated.

Crowquill send me your paypal info.

I will also be purchasing lefty's character for use somewhere on the site.

l3fty please send me your paypal info.

[crowquill]

Well here is the result. The winner is crowquill. I liked his banner the best. But I also like l3fty's character.

You all did a great job with this "unique" contest! I will be giving positive rep to all that participated.

Crowquill send me your paypal info.

I will also be purchasing lefty's character for use somewhere on the site.

l3fty please send me your paypal info.

Thanks for choosing my efforts. True, I love l3fty's every spontaneous creations and he is very instrumental at given illustration/cartoon/caricature themes. Everyone put their best efforts in creating bonsai tree for this contest thread. Sending PM. I beg your pardon for my bad English.

[midwestbonsai]

Payment sent

[crowquill]

Thanks a lot for quick payment. Very well organized contest.
Regards.

[midwestbonsai]

Files received.
A great transaction

[l3fty]

congrats to crowquill, the better header won :)

payment received, file sent. thanks for buying my tree midwestbonsai!

[crowquill]

Congrats l3fty on selling bonsai trees. :D