Criteria. That word is used a lot here at #digital-artists, so let's talk about it.
The ever mysterious Criteria in our group. The bane to those of who have tried to submit, yet only left with a decline message signed "Criteria". As mysterious as the Whitechapel note signed "From Hell"
Ever present yet unobtainable, like some secret code written of the Illuminati.
Not quite... but a few have blown this criteria up to mythical urban legend proportions, and we need to deflate it a bit.

We have had a lot of questions about this ever elusive and undefinable "Criteria" and for good reason, we never told anyone what it was. We never gave anyone a proper explanation of it in regards to the group submissions. It is not explained in the guidelines, nor our front page.
So what is it, where is it?

Well as I said before, let's talk about it.
But before we do, let us quickly go over the Group submission process first as that is where it is particularly most relevant.


The Submission Process

#digital-artists is a Premier Art Group here on deviantART for Advanced Artists and Artwork of the Digital Medium. We proudly present High Quality work with exceptional Style, Technique, Skill and Originality.
There is an open door policy in regards to Membership, anyone may join.
Members are welcome to submit their artwork for approval to be displayed in the group gallery.
The submission process is not automatic, there is a screening process performed by the group moderators to make sure that each submission meets the group submission guidelines and Criteria.
This means that not every submission will be accepted.

Submission guidelines are rules set forth to ensure that submissions are of the digital medium, are not violating any copyright laws, have appropriate content, etc.
After a submission meets all of the guidelines, it must then meet the group Criteria.


Criteria

Ok, now that we are all back up to speed, back to Criteria.
Criteria is a standard by which all submissions must meet, as decided by our group moderators.
While we will not give an exact explanation of the said criteria, we can give you a general idea of what we look for and evaluate.

Style, Technique, Skill, Composition and Originality.

These can be broken down further to the very fundamentals of art.
Elements of Art such as Texture, Form, Space, Color, Value, and Lines.
Principles of Art such as Movement, Unity, Harmony, Variety, Balance, Emphasis, Contrast, Proportion, and Pattern.

But now we are running the risk of turning this into an art course, and I digress. So I will stop there.
I'm quite sure you didn't come here for a lecture nor dissertation on the fundamentals of visual arts.
But the point is that should hopefully be enough for you to get a general idea of what this criteria is, the short and the long of it.


Accepted or Declined


Multiple Moderators evaluate each submission on a completely unbiased manner, personal preferences or tastes do not play a factor.
All decisions are based solely on the Group Guidelines and Criteria. It takes multiple votes to either accept or decline, with moderators communicating with each other about any possible issues encountered. Once the evaluation is complete, the submission will either be accepted or declined. If the submission is declined, one of the Moderators of whom processed the submission will provide a reason for decline. This process is for each and every group submission declined.


Reasons for Decline

Sometimes a submission will be declined, and sometimes it will be yours. And that's no fun. No one likes to be declined from anything in life, especially when it is about something that took time to create. Some people can handle rejection better than others, and others... not so much. So before we get all upset and start angry typing all in caps posting fan mail all over the groups front page, or writing angry blogs on your page inciting an angry mob to grab their torches and pitchforks... let's first take a minute and a deep breath.
Feels good, doesn't it?
Now let us look first at some of the reasons that a submission may be declined.

Some examples:

Skill Level
Works in Progress
Rough Work
Unrefined
Undefined
Cluttered
Sketchy
Anatomical Issues
Perspective
Large amounts of Empty space
Messages (Happy Birthday, etc written directly on the artwork)
Stock Cutting Issues

These are just a few examples of why a submission may be declined in regards to Criteria.


Some things to remember

If declined, we will provide a reason to you. This decline message will be somewhat vague. In order to receive a more in-depth analysis and evaluation of your work and why it was decline simply reply to the decline message and ask. For various reasons we do not offer constructive critique on a declined submission unless requested.
Don't shoot the messenger, we are here to help you.
As Group Moderators we are willing volunteers donating our time to help promote you and your work.
We take no satisfaction when declining a submission, nor does it benefit the group.
When a Moderator declines a submission it is not intended as an insult on either you nor your work.
A declined submission simply means the artwork did not meet one or more of the said criteria.
Moderators do not think that they are better than anyone else, nor do we have any delusions of grandeur about our roles here.
We are simply trying to maintain a balance between promoting artists to gain further exposure, with trying to maintain some set standards and quality control for this group.
We are here to help, and always happy to help explain or resolve any issue you may have.
So remember to approach your group moderators in a kind peaceful manner, as we are here to help you and for no other reason.

If you are going to seek a more in depth explanation of decline do not compare your work to others present in the gallery, nor send us links and links of other artwork that you think is inferior to your own.
We will not acknowledge comparisons, nor will we discuss another artists submission with you. This is about you and your artwork. If you don't feel that we are consistent, while that is unfortunate that is also your prerogative. But don't be that person that starts trashing other peoples art in a tantrum just because yours wasn't accepted. We do not have a Psychology Moderator present at the moment, so please check your issues at the door.

For those that may feel slighted, please consider this:
There are many Groups out there that are generalist groups, open to all skill levels.
But we are not one of those groups...

This is a group which challenges you as an artist.
This is for serious artists of whom wish to learn and advance in their craft.
This is an Premier Digital Art Gallery for Digital Artists.

Challenge yourself, advance and persevere.

One final note:
Adversity and critique will help an artist grow.
And this group is definitely looking to raise the bar for artists and their work.
Just remember, in the end it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
What matters is you, the artist.
Be true to yourself, and take no offense to the rest of the world. It's your art after all.


I may edit this a little more later, but I am done writing for now. This is the second time writing this, as the first was erased when our cat jumped up on my keyboard to help me finish a glass of milk. And also opened 78 new homepages, and almost froze my Pc, and lost my work in photoshop. But that is another story...

Note to self: don't leave glass of milk near keyboard, save my work, and don't multitask.

NOTICE:

This Blog is not intended for any debates, disputes or standpoints regarding deviantART Terms of Service, Group Policies, Resource/Stock Artists Terms of Use or Copyright Laws. Any such comments will be hidden. This Blog is intended only to establish and present our Group Criteria. We encourage conversations of the said topic, but debates or arguments are not welcome.

If you have any issues regarding this blog or any information within do not comment here, rather please send a note to the Group.