“S/He who is brave is free.”

[neke]

Recently this quote has been on my mind, mostly due to work-related things. Coming back to the icon community it also caries a lot of meaning. In the past I've had several accounts and made icons under different names especially when coming out of an hiatus, because there are these expectations that come with being a relatively known maker and

Comments

[afastmachine]

Honestly I feel like the community has had a bit of revival lately. Maybe it's just my perception, but I like it. People are trying to do something about it, at least as far as I can see. There's a lot of new makers, people whose names I've never seen before making some fantastic icons and I don't know where they came from but they're here. I know there are several makers who've switched accounts(lol like me) or are starting over as it were, but the sheer number makes me think there are at least a few new people

[neke]

Then again, maybe there wouldn't be very much of a community if everyone was like that.

I think respect is key here. People have their differences, but as long as we can accept and respect that, it should all work out.

[library_of_sex]

I have no idea how to cater to what anyone would expect from me so even if I wanted to make icons to please others, I wouldn't know how to go about that. I make icons for myself first and consider it a great stroke of luck if others see bits and pieces that they can appreciate or find amusing somehow. It worries me when people say they feel anxious about sharing their icons. They should be proud of their efforts and try not to worry what others think. People will always have differences of opinion, so what one makes may not be to everyone's liking, but a few are sure to enjoy and take pleasure in them.

[poisonfield]

I came back recently from a 4 year hiatus at the start of the year and I do feel a very vast difference in the community between now and then. Not that it's dying per say, but the divide between elite and your average maker has gotten quite vast. Looking for icons in communities there are either mind-blowingly creative icons from your elites or low quality icons produced en masse by the new makers, there are fewer middle-man type of icons which is where my work used to fit in and I've found myself forced to improve a great deal very quickly just so I felt like I had a place in the community

[angelamaria]

the divide between elite and your average maker has gotten quite vast

I agree. Not necessarily with the change from before (as I don't know, I wasn't aware of elite status back when I was iconing pre-2006) but there's this undercurrent that if you're not super elite, you're nobody. Which is sad, honestly. I mean, I can definitely relate to the adoration some super elites get (I've been there, hell, I still adore a lot of makers, I just probably don't feel as intimidated) but the flip side is how it seems you're totally ignored if you're not of that group. I love it when I see people commenting on every post or when I see a praise post with names of people I barely know, it makes me smile and feel glad for them.

[neke]

there's this undercurrent that if you're not super elite, you're nobody

I've noticed that as well. You might get accepted into elite communities, but you're still sort of 'in-between'. Good, but still not quite good enough?

Oh well, it shouldn't really matter, but I guess we all like to get some praise now and then. :)

[angelamaria]

I only came back last year, after stopping in 2006, and even then I wasn't "in" the icon community as a whole--I participated in one or two contests but I was pretty much unplugged. So I can't really compare what it was like "in the old days", but I agree that there is a lot of moaning about the icon community dying but seemingly not a lot of people who want to invest the time to do anything about it

[neke]

I agree that there is a lot of moaning about the icon community dying but seemingly not a lot of people who want to invest the time to do anything about it.

Actually it's been this way for a couple of years now and sometimes I wonder if as a community we're maybe too attached to the 'glory years' and unable to enjoy the present.

I love mods who continually put things out there, at least they are trying to inspire people, and hate how people seem to expect that if you have a challenge/contest comm you need to be on. the. ball. 100%. of. the. time.

This so much. I used to run a couple of communities and besides what you already said, I think a lot of people underestimate how much time and energy it takes to run a community properly. I mean, most mods have a life outside of LJ as well you know...

It's nice knowing people with faces for a change :)

I couldn't agree more. :)

[burntheflaws]

I've been iconning since late 2006 to early 2007 (kind of, I took a few years off and then started again last summer), but back then I was never part of the icon community and it was freeing, albeit a little sad at times, being unknown and just doing whatever I wanted. I got less comments but I also didn't think or worry about anything anyone said. I didn't even know there was an icon community here

[angelamaria]

I got less comments but I also didn't think or worry about anything anyone said.

This. LOL I had no idea there was a community to begin with--though I had a few friends who were also dabbling at making icons the same time I was--so it was really just making icons and to hell with what people think, haha. It was fun, and I had zero expectations of my own work, really.

Now it's different, although not necessarily bad. I do care a bit more about what people think of my icons, but I guess after getting the bloodbath practically as soon as I came back, I got a little numb about it and so kind of look at everything with a bit of a sigh and just move on.

I do love that I have maker friends though, and I can have flail chats with them and all. That was something I didn't have before, and I feel is absolutely wonderful, even if I feel like an old fogey haha.

[burntheflaws]

Exactly, I had some offline friends who were also into making graphics, though maybe not to the extent I was... so I figured everyone who might be doing it was just off on their own doing it. It was a pleasant surprise when I realized makers were actually chatting with each other, finding similar interests and befriending each other.

I watch more shows than even I can remember, and a lot of my offline friends don't know or follow them at all, so it definitely is nice to meet people online who not only know the shows, but some follow them obsessively and know what I'm talking about.

[universaldogma]

I've only been making icons since last year, so I've only had an 'outsiders' view on older icons. XD

I make icons because I like making them? And I can use them! It's fun to think up little 100x100 boxes, or maybe tumblr sized. And once you're in Photoshop enough, you start seeing things differently and everything. And I really don't know participate in the community much either. I feel too intimidated or just too anxious in general. And I keep meaning to join in other comms, but... >.<

Wow, I can't words today. XD

[neke]

Sometimes it's nice to just stay on the fringes of a community. :)

[universaldogma]

Yeah. XD I just need to get past my stupid anxiety and do something though.