There was a post in the HPFF Requests section today that stated:

Member Artists are not permitted to PM requestors, asking to "take a crack" at a request. It is no different from filling the request when it's in the wrong section, ergo, it is against the rules. In some ways, it's actually worse than filling the request outright because you're doing it behind the backs of the moderators, hiding your name so that you cannot be caught in the act.

While it is clearly understandable that many Member Artists are enthusiastic to take requests, getting practice and getting their work out there. There are more Member Artists than there are requests to fill them, so why not let you all fill all the requests you want?

Answer: quality of TDA work. The most important aspect of promoting an artist from Member to Junior is "whether they are capable of filling requests" - this means capable of making technically solid and aesthetically pleasing graphics. Member Artists are those who may be close to this point, but are not there yet. To allow all artists equal capability of filling requests would lower the standard of quality as well as the overall reputation of this site's artists.

Never PM requestors asking to take their requests. If you do, you will be given a 10% warning. Do it again, you will lose your artist title and not be put on the promotion list for two months.

The request referred to in the quote above will not be moved, even though it means frustrating the requestor. Please do not put me in this position again.

Not to insult anyone by this comment, but i think TDA is making a LITTLE bit too big of a deal out of this. Graphic designing is supposed to be about having fun and using your creativity, and i gotta say, you guys make this a lot more competative and less fun than it should be. Also, the requester didn't seem too upset by a member wanting to take her request...so why should you guys care? just because it "breaks" one of your rules? I say we just take a chill pill, and try and loosen up the reins on all the artists a bit. Why would we come to a site if not to have fun? and having a million rules makes it not as fun as it could be.

I see your side, slitherinlove. However, I'm going to say that while some people are here to make graphics for fun and have a good time, they don't have to fill requests. Some artists, myself included, are members here because we want to pursue graphic designing as a career, and in the world past TDA, it's very competitive. While it may not necessarily be TDA's prime objective to prepare us for the competition we could face, it certainly does help.
I think that before saying TDA should "take a chill pill", you should have considered other reasons for all the rules and restrictions on certain artists.

slitherinlove, this really is not a matter open for dicussion. If it were, it would be posted in the feedback area. It would be appreciated if you'd perhaps read a little more into things before making comments like this. This matter been been discussed and thoroughly outlined a number of times. I do not mean to demean you, honestly, but the admins are much more experienced than any of us can really understand. They take opinions into considerations because they are fair, just people, but they will not bend the rules that make TDA the high-quality site that it is because certain members do not like them.

Anyone else feeling this way should really read Susan's post a bit more thoroughly, and maybe then you can understand. Even if you do not understand, please respect her decisions. She's not an idiot.

Please do not spam this topic any further. It is information, not dicussion. Thank you.

I agree with Keisha, that while I do see your side of the story, Susan obviously has a point. TDA is run the way Kay, Susan and the other admins want it to be, which doesn't mean it has to be all about "fun" as you say. They run it the way they feel fair and necessary. I think TDA is a greatly fair (and for that matter fun) site and regular requests are an advantage to being promoted. Member artists should be glad to even have the member request area to begin with, and if the reins were loosened on certain artists it would defeat the purpose of promotions and getting the rewards that come with it.

There really isn't a million rules when it comes to filling requests. Just the one: don't fill regular requests if you're not above Junior.

EDIT: Sorry Bex, you posted before me and now this will be considered spam.

(Gah sorry I really hope this doesnt count as spam, but) TDA's primary function is to make story graphics for fan fiction.

To quote Susan

I do understand the Member Artist point of view. All of us have been member artists at one point, so it'd be impossible not to understand. However, all the games in the world have "rules" do them that have to be followed; even though they're just fun, the purpose of the game is defeated when everyone breaks the rules.

I will only take a chill pill when people are all considerate, kind, understanding, and don't run about trying to break the rules behind the staff's back.

Bumping this out of dire need.

If you are a member artist, you are welcome to fill Member Requests and Specific Requests that name you. When you do so, please remember to keep everything in the thread - requests for changes, new edits, etc.

This is no rule of my own, but rather one that we use so that HPFF can't get mad that we give them graphics that violate their rules. For instance, the size has to be correct, as does the content (so that it remains at a 12+ level).

You can discuss things over PM with your requestor, but in the end, the final product must be posted in the thread. I hope that you can understand the need for this and are able to comply with this request.