^{back to first post}
how i design things (design help in a form, i guess)

i figured that some players might like help to up their chances of getting picked for festivals, or just designing in general. so, i will make a post on how i design. in this post, i will include the steps i take when i come up with a random design, a project design, or a theme design. i usually use the same steps for each, but they vary depending on which i'm doing. this is also the only post that will have normal-sized text xD. please note: i don't think anyone else uses my terminology for things, and if they do, it's likely to be in a wholly different way. just keep this in mind as you read.


what differences are there between general, project, and theme designs?

to me, general designing is a way to test myself and what i can do, or just a random spark of inspiration ((or, more commonly, i do it out of sheer boredom)). these are the designs i have public. if i like a color scheme, i save it for later, and do not post it as public. i also try not to save color schemes that i consider decent as public, because then people use them without permission, and i really don't like that :').

i put a little more thought into project designing. project designing is when i come up with a dye scheme for a pet ((typically pairs, legendary tamed pets*, or pets that i just think need to get changed up*)) that i will either keep to show off or turn into a project to sell. these are usually based off of my personal interests, or something that i think would look nice in general.

and last we come to theme designs. i devote a lot of time and thought to these, because they are a way to push myself and improve. personally, i view them as a culmination of all my efforts to learn what looks good and catches peoples' eye. i don't care so much for the reward of being picked as i do for the delight of knowing that people like them. theme designs are my way of trying to make others happy.

^{* - i have a small line of legendary/max stat dye schemes on my profile, if you want an example}

so, how do i do my theme designs? what steps do i take?

first, i take into consideration on when i want to design for a theme contest. i typically have some prepared ahead of time. but anyways, i don't like to be stressed when i do a theme design. i like to be relaxed, because the ideas and inspiration come easier. keep in mind that your feelings, as well as the time, may play a big role in how you design.

second, i think about what season it's for. what are some things that relate to it, whether it be plants, animals, foods and drinks, phrases, weather phenomena, and even feelings? let me tell you right now: i get absolutely nowhere if i'm not inspired. you also need to think about the species you're designing. what colors can go where to best show what i mean? would a different species suit this theme better?

and third. the actual designing itself. this is where everything you know comes into play. be prepared, and you will succeed :).

^{back to first post}
designing a themed pet

this post shows how i generally design for theme contests. for this demonstration, i will use a pet that i find easy, and one that i find challenging. the one that i find easy is the ferrikki. the one that challenges me is the morkko. but first, i will give a little essay on colors.

colors are the foundation of a design. if you don't have good colors, you won't have good results. consult a color wheel if you want help to know what colors look good with each other; colors opposite each other ((i.e. red and green, violet and yellow, blue and orange, etc.)) will contrast with each other the most. if you put a dark blue, use paler shades of orange. a lighter violet should have light yellows and golds with maybe a bright dandelion yellow, depending on how you go about it. keep this is mind as you design, because just one color can make or break a great design.

now, let's get started. for the ferrikki, we will take the route of a watermelon. for the morkko, we will do a morpho butterfly.

for the ferrikki, i will go with a dull green base. the morkko will have a dusty brown base. i find it easier to choose a color (on the inspiration) that will show the other colors the most.


^{~ once you choose a gene or mutation color, be sure it works with the rest of the colors, as well as all of the traits in that one slot, along with others. this is very important. ~}

in the honor of watermelon, i am choosing stripes. for the butterfly... i don't know what traits i'm using. just thought it looked nice. sometimes you need to go with your gut; this is what i did here. for colors, it's easier to make either genes or mutations look the closest to some of the actual colors. if you do this for one, it leaves you with more wiggle room in the other color slots. so in my watermelon designs, i will stick with lighter greens, and a red for the orb. The morkko will have dusty and dull-looking colors for its genes to stick to the browns (apart from the runes, because then they'll pop on the brown).


^{~ the mutations you choose to use will also play a decently sized role in how it looks. ~}

now we're cooking! because i stuck close to watermelon colors on the genes, i am able to vary a bit more in the mutation colors. because the morkko has browns, blues and blue-greens are the easiest (and obvious) choice for the mutations.


some things to remember:
- trust your gut
- relax, and if you get stressed, take a break
- have fun
- you won't always get picked. but have faith, and you will eventually :)
- contrasting colors aren't always across from each other on the color wheel (i.e. violet and green)