7,527 +loves!  
4,764 devious rejections.  
32,767 comments!  

And many of those comments read, "I hate it!" and "OMG CHANGE IT BACK!!!"  We know – we heard you loud and clear.  And all for one news article.

The launch of v7 was a truly historic event for deviantART, and one that came with a lot of opinions.  The community was not shy about expressing their thoughts, and we appreciate all the feedback, both positive and negative.  Thanks to your comments, we're able to better understand community opinion and can implement v7 enhancements based on community input.

But perhaps you weren’t able to have your questions heard, or maybe you have an opinion now that you’ve been able to test drive the new version.  Well, it's your chance to speak to the masterminds behind v7 in our featured chat!

On Friday, June 4th, the MN@ team will be sponsoring an event with the main contributors behind v7 in the #Auditorium chatroom.

Ever wondered why dA decided to put the title of a deviation below the piece?  Ask $zilla774!

Can't find the search bar/message notifications/everything else in this new version?  $starvingartist would be happy to help.

Why is the layout of v7 ugly and confusing?  `TheRyanFord is here to answer that question, though prepare for an equally sarcastic answer.

You may be wondering why [insert v7 bug here] is happening and when it will go away.  Thankfully, you can rely on the skillful $pachunka to field that question.

Be sure to be at the #Auditorium chatroom on June 4, 2010 at 2:00 PM PDT (click here for this in your local time)  This chat will be “queue-based”, which means you need to ask your question 5-10 minutes before the start of the event.  Start thinking of the questions you want to ask!

For all the details, be sure to check out this news article, and we’ll see you June 4th!

$Ayame-Kenoshi


P.S. I heard from a very legitimate source that you’re supposed to end these #hq blogs with something about Legend of the Seeker.  So yeah...watch it?

  Listen up, friends... as I have important news for you!

DeviantART is in the midst of a contest and promotion extravaganza -- which means you have the opportunity to get your creative juices flowing, participate in good times, and have the chance to win cash-money-bling (and more!) in the process.  What could be greater?  Season three of Legend of the Seeker, sure, but I digress...

  "Picture Yourself In Wonderland" Contest!

Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" is coming to DVD and Blu-Ray, and we're asking you to depict yourself as a character from the movie!  If you were to journey into Wonderland, who would you be?  Alice, Tweedle Dee?  Perhaps you're Mad as a Hatter!  Prizes include a copy of the movie on Blu-Ray/DVD, lots of cash, Points, and Premium Memberships.  Alice-ize yourself and get your entry in by June 4, 2010 -- open to all deviants, age 13 or older!  

  Sony: Take Your Best Panoramic Shot Contest!

We want you to submit your best panoramic shot in celebration of the new Sony® Cyber-shot® DSC-TX7 camera, which features iSweep panoramic technology, allowing for a super simple way to take panoramic shots.  The great part about this contest is that each artist that submits a qualifying entry will receive a one month Premium Membership!  The top three winners will receive Sony® Cyber-shot® DSC-TX7 cameras, as well as a one year Premium Membership.  This contest is open to U.S. residents over the age of 13; entries must be submitted by June 6, 2010.  

  Fantasy Earth Zero Fan Art Contest!

DeviantART has partnered with Square Enix to promote the upcoming MMO, Fantasy Earth Zero.  The action-packed game features various classes of unique characters, gorgeous backgrounds, and an amazing soundtrack.  Drawing inspiration from the game, show us your interpretation of one of the iconic characters and you could win amazing prizes!  Be as creative as you’d like with your character, including customizing their weaponry, clothing, and personality.  Prizes for the contest include Wacom Intuos4 Tablets of various sizes, over $1000 in cash, thousands of Points, and one year Premium Memberships.  This contest ends June 18, 2010 and is open to all deviants, age 13 or older.

  Mentos: The Fresh Goes Better Contest!

Mentos has been a leader in making mouths fresh since 1932, and has saved many a person from embarrassing situations.  The difference between the moment before you enjoy a Mentos and after you pop one in your mouth is truly drastic, and that’s exactly what our Fresh Goes Better contest about.  Depict a before and after scenario where your life is enhanced after enjoying a Mentos.  The prizes for this contest are life-enhancing as well, including hundreds, yes, hundreds of rolls of Mentos, awesome Flip video cameras, cash money, and Premium Memberships!  Ending June 22, 2010, this contest is open to U.S. residents age 13 and older.

  The Sims 3: Ambitions Journal Skin!

DeviantART and EA have teamed up to give all deviants Premium Member access to Journal Skins! With just a few clicks, deviants can easily customize, organize, and maximize their journal experience.  During this special The Sims 3 Ambitions promotion, which runs through June 27, 2010, deviants can install the Journal Skins of their choice in just a few easy steps. Using a Journal Skin is a way for deviants to personalize their Profile Page for the entire community to see. It’s a fancy method for deviants to show off their visual tastes!

Questions, comments, suggestions, or candies?  Just holler in the comments.

~Heidi  

  OHAI THAR!

Remember that one time when we launched Version 7 and deviants were all... .

Then we released an update to Version 7, addressing community concerns, and deviants were less... .

Now, as promised, we've implemented changes to fix some of those concerns and we hope deviants will be... !!


  SEARCH ON EVERY PAGE!

Have you been searching for search?  If so, your search is over -- we've got what you've been looking for.  To enable a search box on every page, simply click the down arrow to the right of the deviantART logo at the top of the screen and select 'Stick Menu'.  This will enable a stickied customizable menu that you can edit to include your favorite hangouts on deviantART!  

(Full-view the images below.)






To remove the Sticky Menu, click 'Unstick Menu' on the right of the Sticky bar.


  SPLINTER MODE!

We know what you're thinking, and, no, Splinter Mode does not advance your ninja skills through hard work, discipline, and pizza with questionably delicious toppings.  It does, however, break out the various message types in your Message Center providing an easier at-a-glance view.  

Splinter Mode is for hardcore deviants, those who have been around for a while and are advanced in their use of the deviantART network.  For new deviants, those just getting their feet wet in the ways of deviantART, a simplified header (non-Splinter Mode) definitely has its purpose.

(Full-view the images below.)










  DEVIANTART LOVES YOU!

We listen.  We care.  We love.  We're in this together, building the best place on the Internet to exhibit your art... and have fun while doing it.  

~Heidi

_{P.S. - Remember that one time when I met Bridget Regan, aka Kahlan, from Legend of the Seeker?  Yea, that was pretty...}

  Llama Badge accessories have arrived!

This week on "Llama Runway," the spring fashions are out, and they are FANTASTIC. Don't let yours be the only naked llama on the block. Our crack team of dA Fashionistas have come out with this season's top accessories, and they are hot, hot, hot! These accessories will give your llama the flair it needs to leave the farmlands and meadows and strut down Rodeo Drive in style.

  Sunglasses and bow ties keep you cool and lookin' classy!

Are the flashbulbs a little too bright for your llama's eyes? Do you want your llama to ooze the coolness of Jack Nicholson while nonchalantly chewing on a mouthful of grass? Do you really like esoteric references to '80s Corey Hart songs? Well, then, your llama needs the sweet, new sunglasses accessory!  Now 100% more effective against powerful pixelated UV rays!

And whatever will your llama wear to the red carpet gala ball?  You don't want to get caught wearing last year's styles, do you? That might land you right in the middle of "What Not to Wear: Llama Edition," and take it from us -- Llama Clinton and Stacy can be ruthless with the spitting and the sassy commentary. Why not accessorize your llama today with our new bright-red bowtie? It's sure to make you the Most Stylish Llama at any soiree.

  Where to buy!

1.  Llama Badge accessories can be purchased for your own llama, or given to the llama of a fellow deviant.  To get started, simply visit your Badge Page or the Badge Page of any deviant.



2.  Click "Llama Accessories" on the right-hand side.



3.  From this page, you can buy sunglasses for 80 Points or a bow tie for 40 Points.

  

4.  Once purchased, you can apply your sunglasses or bow tie (or both) to any llama badge that you've acquired.  You can also choose to remove accessories or add them again, as many times as you'd like.



5.  You do need Points to purchases accessories.  Click here for more information about Points.

6.  Llamas are amazing, fierce, fantastic, and fabulous.



Work it!

~$Heidi & $LaurenKitsune

  Celebrating Earth Day in style!

This year, we've whipped up a snazzy t-shirt and decided to donate $1.00 from proceeds of every shirt sold on Earth Day to The Nature Conservancy -- a program that aids in protecting the natural habitats so vital to our ecosystem.

To have a little fun, we've also put together this helpful pictorial guide (while wearing our special green schwag) to inspire others with some easy and essential ways to save our planet.  

  Click images for full-view!



  Do:  Chuck your recyclables into that snazzy blue bin!
  Don't:  Stare vacantly into space while dropping trash into a waste container. Orange paper can be recycled, too!




  Do:  Re-use cloth bags when shopping for groceries.
  Don't:  Use landfill-clogging plastic bags. And don't kind of look like a vampire.




  Do:  Show your love for nature. It's okay to hug a tree! They give us oxygen!
  Don't:  Start a forest fire.


And there you have it, deviants! We don't like to brag, but we were green before it was cool -- both in Earth lovin' and snazzy green backgrounds. We know a bunch of you are, too, so grab a shirt of your very own while it's on super-crazy discount, celebrate Earth Day with us, and help out a great cause all at the same time!


Get it now!

<3 Lauren

P.S. - Special thanks to all our fantastic models: +spyed (Water Bottle Guy), `Puglife29 (Trash/Pyro Guy), `margotdent and `Waveswinger (Hippie Girls), and $LaurenKitsune (Heh, me! Green Hair Flower FTW!)