Time to get fancy!

There's no question as to the amazing artwork produced daily on deviantART -- but, sometimes, you just want to go big and take your art to the next level.  Don't worry, we're here to help!  We've implemented an awesome new feature that allows you to upload images into deviantART muro, providing the ability to customize and fancify your work to new heights!

  Start here!

Your new and improved work is only a few steps away!  See how easy it is:

1.  Open deviantART muro and switch into "Pro" mode.

2.  Select the "Import Image as Layer" option from the File menu and choose an image from your hard-drive.



3.  Set the size, shape, and orientation of your image with the configurations on the right hand menu.  When you've got your image just right, press OK!



4.  Your work will now be in a brand new layer.  Now's your chance to fancy-time your work!



When you've completed your piece, you can upload it to your Gallery or export it directly to your computer.  This not only works for adding classy mustaches and luxurious top hats, but also fiery meteors, a gigantic tidal wave, or sad storm clouds.  Add some text with hilarious captions, or use this as a new way to create tutorials.  This feature also makes it easy to collaborate on works with your fellow deviants.  Customize to your heart's delight, since the only limit is your imagination!  The sky's the limit!

  Things to keep in mind!

  Our copyright and etiquette policy applies to images made with deviantART muro, and violations should be reported using the same tools used for every other deviation on the site.  
  If you plan to use deviantART muro with stock images, be sure to check what license the artist has applied to the image before using it.  Please see this link for stock images.

Time to draw!

Now's your chance to try it out!  Open deviantART muro, import an image as a layer, and make it shine brighter than it did before.  We can't wait to see what kind of fanciful work you'd make!  

-$Ayame-Kenoshi

  Birthday Notification Update!

A recent site-wide poll asked for your thoughts about birthday notifications in the Message Center.  Your votes and comments have been heard loud and clear, and we'd like to update you on what we've done based on your feedback.

To recap:  "What are your thoughts about the birthday notifications in the Message Center?"

• They're useful for alerting me to the upcoming birthdays of my fellow deviants = 24%
• Meh, I don't mind them = 22%
• They'd be fine, if they didn't increase the count of my Message Center = 14%
• I wish I had the option to turn them off = 27%
• They're not useful at all and you should kill the feature = 8%
• What are birthday notifications? = 4%

1.  Birthday notifications were launched in conjunction with Cake badges -- to help alert deviants when their friends are celebrating their actual birthdays and their deviantART birthdays.  While 8% voted that these notifications should DIAF and 27% wished to turn them off, the remaining deviants indicated that they were useful or don't really mind them, but would like them to be less invasive.  In considering all of the above, our proposed solution aims to be as beneficial to everyone's preferences as possible.

Birthday notifications will no longer appear in the Feedback area your Message Center.  In other words, your Feedback messages will no longer be inflated with birthday notifications.  However, you're still be able to know when the deviants you watch are having their birthday by viewing the left-hand Birthday sidebar of your Message Center.



2.  Birthday notifications in the left-hand navigation allow you to know when your friends are having a "real life" birthday, but this does not show deviantART birthday notifications (the birth date of your account).  We realize that some deviants really like having this information readily available, so we're still looking for a way to display this properly.  The best way for us to know is to ask you!  So, where do you think these notifications should appear?

3.  When we launch features like these, we do it because we want your deviantART experience to be enhanced.  We always aim for these features to be great, but sometimes we miss the mark and have to revisit their implementation.  When this happens, there are several ways we can react, but do strive to make choices in the best interest of the community.  What better way to gauge what deviants want than to ask the community directly?  

In that respect, we thank everyone for their feedback and want you to sincerely know that we're listening.  We take your suggestions and ideas seriously, even if it's not always apparent.  Think nothing is being done about search?  I wrote a journal about it, addressing the issue as a difficult problem to solve, and +spyed spoke about it in his featured chat, saying that search is being worked on as we speak.  Wonder why art thieves are allowed to "run wild?"  Take another look at our policy, #communityops blogs, or journals by $realitysquared to see if your report really is against policy.  We know these problems exist and are working hard to find the right answers.

We do listen and are always striving towards improvement, but we can't do it without your thoughts and suggestions.  So keep them coming.  

~$Heidi

P.S. - One of the main issues we're currently working on is the network architecture of how "official" deviantART information is distributed.  There's no one central repository to learn about X, Y, or Z and it's hard to find information we've released in the past.  This is a huge issue and one that leads to recurring questions throughout the community.  I don't like having to ask deviants to go here to read about search, go here to read about policy, and so on.  Even if everything came through #hq, we'd still only be hitting a fraction of all deviants.  With that said, please know this is a high priority and one that we hope to remedy soon.  

Update #2! Congratulations to the winners of the Trollface Storytiem Contest!

1st Place (winning a Trollface T-shirt, 12-month Premium Membership*)
The Boy Who Cried Trollface by =Classicisme
The Boy Who Cried TrollfaceCome, come dear children!
Please sit and listen,
While I tell you a story
Of upmost sadness and glory!
Children—please settle down
And don't make a sound!
Hear the tale of a boy who couldn't be found
Because he cried, "Trollface!"
All around his house, in the countryside, and up into space!

Ever since the day Billy was born,
His face had been long and forlorn.
Everyone, he told himself, was out to get him.
Everyone put themselves out on a whim
With a big, nasty grin.
They all wanted to test his ignorance and make his face dim,
Make him less glad
And ask, "You mad?"

Yes, this was Billy's mindset,
And nothing could ch
2nd Place (winning a Trollface lanyard, 6-month Premium Membership*)
The Troll in the Computer by *TheFinalHikari
The Troll in the Computer~The Troll in the Computer~

They say that trolls belong under bridges, since their intentions are generally regarded to be quite conniving. The face of the troll we know (and for some of us, love) is quite infamous around the internet as a harbinger of trouble, entertainment, and many other things. But before this sounds like too much like the opening of an essay that will just put us both to sleep atop our keyboards, let's venture into this tale of the little trolls jumping around like an Easter Bunny on this fine April Fools' Day.

It was a seemingly ordinary morning on April 1st, 2011. When I opened Google Chrome, the genesis of many sh
3rd Place (winning a Trollface keychain, 3-month Premium Membership*)
A Trolls Life by *lufflii
A Trolls LifeA Troll's Life

Troll face cautiously climbed over the text bubbles on the deviantART message center belonging to an un-suspecting deviant. His grin expanded when he saw the surprise in the lonely computer nerds face, mouth wide and eyes bugged out. Before the poor soul could even press the "print screen" button, Troll Face playfully disappeared behind the comment box and flashed to another page.
He recognized his creators page in a flash. Taking a moment to rest, Troll Face took a little stroll in Whynne's gallery, gazing at himself in his first ever appearance on DeviantART; "Comic-Trolls".
Wiping a tear from his deformed eye, Troll Face
(*all subject to availability)

In between these contests, we had events and activities through #devART, and we’d like to list the winners here!

dA muro speed drawing contest winners:
:thumb203169201:


Scavenger hunt winners:
~pokemoneg, =moria330

What a great day! You all have been awesome with your Trollface submissions, and thank you for participating in our Troll-lo-lo-lo-lo Extravaganza!  You can relive the memories by checking out the entries below.

----


Congratulations to the winners of the Troll the Mask Contest!

1st Place (winning a Trollface T-shirt, 12-month Premium Membership*)
.mud.who? by =candymax

2nd Place (winning a Trollface lanyard, 6-month Premium Membership*)
Troll Face by =faeorain

3rd Place (winning a Trollface keychain, 3-month Premium Membership*)
U MAD by =PizzaFisch

(*all subject to availability)

Thank you to all of the wonderful participants!


Introducing the...
Trollface Storytiem Contest (CLOSED)

We challenge you to reflect on the day and tell your best Trollface themed story.  Tell us of Trollface's grim past, his scandalous relationship with Cereal Guy, or your personal experience with Trollface from the day's events.  Whatever your story may be, make sure Trollface is involved!

This is a literature contest and entries can be no more than 500 words to be a considered as a valid entry.  Once you've got your story, submit it to the Trollface April Fools contest category. Alternatively, you can post a link to your entry as a comment to this blog.

Judging will be based on creativity, cleverness, accuracy to the prompt, storytelling ability, and trollfulness.  Judges will include the NEW AND IMPROVED trollpanel: $aunjuli, $Heidi, and $Ayame-Kenoshi.

Prizes:
1st - Trollface T-shirt, 12-month Premium Membership*
2nd - Trollface lanyard, 6-month Premium Membership*
3rd - Trollface keychain, 3-month Premium Membership*
*(all subject to availability)

Submissions should be uploaded to the Trollface April Fools contest category.  The contest closes at 5:00 PM PDT, and is open to ALL deviantART members.  Enter as many times as you’d like!  deviantART volunteers and administrators are able to participate, but cannot win.

Winners will be announced at 6:00 PM PDT! You won't want to miss it!  And if you don't know what this is about, check out the original blog entry below!

---

Welcome to A Trollface April Fools’ Day, where we put the troll in and have you take it and turn it into something fantastic! For this year’s event, we have an extravaganza of trolling goodness for all to partake in!

Why Trollface, you ask? If you haven’t yet seen, check out this news article, which gives insight into the humble origins of this grinning enigma, including an interview with the creator of Trollface, the one and only ~Whynne.  PROBLEM?

We’re celebrating this holiest of devaintART holidays with a tribute to the King of April Fools’, hosting a day full of contests and activities in his honor!  So, get out your calendar and write "U MAD?" over all your plans for the day, because you won't want to miss any of our scheduled events!

Trollday Timeline: (all times are in Los Angeles PDT time, find your local time here)

12 AM - 8 AM: Troll the Mask Contest
7:00 AM:  Trollface Trivia chat event ( participate in #devART )
9 AM - 5 PM: Trollface Storytiem Contest
11:00 AM: dA Muro speed drawing chat event ( participate in #devART )
4:00 PM: U MAD? Scavenger hunt chat event ( participate in #devART )


Remember, you can follow @deviantART on Twitter and like us on Facebook for up-to-the-minute updates throughout the day!

Troll the Mask Contest! (NOW ENDED)

Your task is to use this Trollface template to create your delightful version of Trollface!  YOU have the creative freedom to Trollface anything in your immediate surrounding.  Print it out, color it, decorate it, scan it, upload it, and submit it! OR print it out and wear it! Snap a picture of your dog wearing the face, Trollface-ize your desk lamp, or make a mural of Trollface printouts on your bedroom wall.  It's up to you!

All you need to do to participate is:
View the template here: [link]
Then, right click the image and save it to your computer.  From there, the world is your oyster!

When you've created your work, upload it to the Trollface April Fools contest category.

Need inspiration? Check out how the dA staff pimped the mask!




Judging:

Judging will be based on visual impact, creativity, excitement, inclusion of the Trollface template, and general trollfulness. Judges will include the trollpanel: $fourteenthstar, `Tachy-on, and $Moonbeam13.

Prizes:
1st - Trollface T-shirt, 12-month Premium Membership*
2nd - Trollface lanyard, 6-month Premium Membership*
3rd - Trollface keychain, 3-month Premium Membership*
*(all subject to availability)

Submissions should be uploaded to the Trollface April Fools contest category.  The contest closes at 8:00 AM PDT, and is open to ALL deviantART members.  Enter as many times as you’d like!  deviantART volunteers and administrators are able to participate, but cannot win.

Winners will be announced at 9:00 AM PDT, as well as the details about the next contest!

Until then, enjoy a day of playful trolling and be ever alert!  You never know when a Troll may appear.

What up dA! This is my first post to HQ. Be gentle.   Just an update on what’s happening here as far events, activities and general shenanigans go. We’ve collected a few videos along the way and there’s lots more to come during and after #SXSW.

We’re working on ways to be more involved in events. We’d love to hear about big regional and country events that are important to you, no matter where you are.

In the meantime, here’s what we’ve been up to…

Art Basel/ Wynwood - Miami, FL

In December `heatherwetzler and I made our way to sunny Miami for the much ballyhooed Art Basel but, frankly, we spent our time in the Wynwood district where it really popped off.

Every alley led to a rogue warehouse showing. There was indie art everywhere and it was awesome. U-haul trucks would pull up on the side of the road, throw up their back ends and reveal mobile galleries. When the cop siren flashed to “get a move on”, they shut it down and drove around the block. Art is my hustle, they say.

While cruising Wynwood, we had the opportunity to chat it up with two fantabulous deviantART members. First up is ~kazilla who curated Multiversal, a massive independent showing and she has mad love for deviantART. Watch the video to see what’s going down in Miami.

:thumb195934141:

Then we caught up with ~MarcosARivera and his crew, part of the Anime Gaming Experience gallery, housed within the Multiversal Group Show, and advocates of the gaming-themed art trend. Check out his interview below.

:thumb195942079:

Amazing Arizona Comic Con - Mesa, AZ

In January, `megturney, `heatherwetzler, and I traveled to the Phoenix-area for Amazing Arizona Comic-con. It was the first annual convention and it a total success! We witnessed it first-hand.

We appreciated the opportunity to participate in the programming and show support for on-site deviantART members: `DanLuVisiArt and *HalHefnerART, who organized a panel about how artists can use deviantART to build a career in  the comic book industry. Check out the official video report below!



SacAnime - Sacramento, CA

DeviantART also donated prizes for the digital art contest at SacAnime in early January and we're excited to announce the three winners: ~Chibi-Kiwi93, ~Geminas0wng, =slifertheskydragon! Congrats!

:thumb199261341:

South by Southwest (#SXSW) - Austin, Tx

If you haven't heard the news yet, we're packing up and heading east to take over Austin for #SXSW Interactive. You can find all the details about our lounge, "The deviantART Sandbox", and the Tucson and Austin devMEET's at the official #SXSW group.

Even if you can’t be with us in person at #SXSW you can still join us on our Ustream channel and dA chat room from March 11th at 1pm thru March 15th at 5pm.

San Diego Comic-Con - San Diego, CA
We’ve definitely got our eye on San Diego Comic-Con this July. If you’re planning on being there, either attending or presenting, please give us a shout-out.  We're working on some goodies to be revealed in coming months. Get excited!

That's all for now, but if there are events you think should be on our radar, no matter where you are in the world, put 'em in the comments!


!nicolejordan