Please tell me I'm not the only one

[switch842]

I've found recently, that I judge whether or not fanworks (vids, fanfic, graphics, etc) are worth me taking the time to look at based on what the users icon looks like. Like, if the icon is a disproportionate, blurred, blob of crap, it doesn't really inspire confidence that the creator knows what "good" is and therefore, their work, is probably also crap. Is that really superficial and bad of me? Does anyone else do that?

Comments

[djfavorite.livejournal.com]

I don't know. Do you not watch my vids because of my icons? I know my icons are lame, but I take a lot of time on my vids. :-D

[switch842.livejournal.com]

No, your icons are fine. I'm talking about the ones where you can't even tell who or what the subject is it's got so many textures on it and it's stretched beyond all recognition. You know 'em when you see 'em.... :-D

[wraith816.livejournal.com]

I think it's understandable, to an extent, when taken into consideration with the rest of post, I guess.

The thing I hate though is when someone posts a couple of decent looking icons as previews, is using a REALLY NICE icon for the post, then you click on the link to find that the nice icon wasn't theirs and the previews were the only non-fugly ones of the batch.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

YES. That is also just as annoying. So misleading....

[no-apologies-86.livejournal.com]

Yep, I do that too.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Yay! LOL

[fangirljen.livejournal.com]

Not really. However, I do expect posts to fanfic comms, and other fandom-centered comms, to have that fandom specific icon. Such as, for instance, I just saw someone post to a comm using a PotC icon and the fandom isn't PotC. o.O

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's always a bit weird, too. Especially if someone is posting icons in a comm. Like, huh?

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

Yes, I do. It's all in the presentation. I work in marketing and print, so how something is presented is key to me. IMO, if someone can't tell their icon looks like crap, then they are likely to apply the same level of quality control to things they produce. It's a generalization, but when you've got limited time and bandwith, it's natural that someone will go for something nicely presented over something that's not.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Exactly. It's all in the packaging. You hit it all right on the head there.

[littleheaven70.livejournal.com]

Totally all in the packaging. I'm such a consumer. It makes it worse that everything I order for my company, I have to inspect with a fine tooth comb for quality issues, and I find it seeps over into my normal life. I got a South Park boxed set DVD the other Christmas, and all I could say was, "ooh, excellent spot UV overgloss on the embossed section." *eyeroll*