“I will not leave this spot until I find an end to suffering.” - Siddhartha Gautama



This design has been through so many alterations off and on for several months, but the theme of enlightenment has always remained. I wanted to portray this concept because last year was incredibly tough for me (and many, many others), but now I feel this new sense of direction and awakening in my life. Corny sounding I know but I don’t care.



To emphasize the act of being enlightened, I made the bottom portion of the design rigid, choppy, and somewhat chaotic. Then as your eye moves upwards things become more clear, crisp, and powerful even.



There’s a few aspects though that I’m not completely certain if they work or not. The outside “petals” are the color of the Buddha’s skin. I’m wondering if I should change them to the yellow color of the “blast”. I‘m also wondering if I should keep the “Satori” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satori) kanji which means “understanding” or “enlightenment”. I like what it brings to the overall design and placement, but kanji seems a bit played out, so I’m not sure. Maybe with some critiquing I’ll figure it out.



“All composite things pass away. Strive for your own liberation with diligence.” - Buddha’s final words

this is awesome!



The only thing I dont 100% like is the yellow "burst" in the back. The color just seems to powerful, it takes away from the rest of the design. What is it supposed to be? A blast? the sun? Maybe you could do a gradient or halftone glow?



Also it took me a second to recognize what you talking about with the petals, perhaps you could make them more "petal" shaped? You also missed coloring a few (if I am seing the design correctly). Are they a certain kind of flower petal? perhaps you could make them that color (for example, cherry blossoms are pink)

very nice .. but i agree i think the colors are bright...maybe distress the design a bit and it will make it look more earthy like the buddah is one with the earth



Check Out my critiques I'm Late
Monster Friend

thanks, guys.



cscottdraw: yeah, i gave it some thought to dim that yellow burst back there too. i also thought about halftone but i dont know if that's the look i'm really wanting. it's actually, simply put, a "burst of enlightenment" to symbolize as if he is coming to a realization. like when a person gets a light bulb over their head.



I quote the term "petals" because in the very early stages of this design, they were. They were to be cherry blossom petals, but in this stage i intend them to be like sparks emitting from the burst. i kept them because they add a sense of movement to the piece. i just continue to refer to them as "petals". I didn't forget to color the ones within the burst. in the new version that I will post right after this comment, I colored all the "petals" the same color as the burst to hopefully avoid any more confusion. I don't think a seventh color just for them will be a good idea.



bhitz29: I'm in the process of checking out my design on different computers just to see how the colors vary. Of course on mine, it's how I want it. The colors look dim and less saturated. I think the only solution to making sure my colors are correct are if I get a Pantone swatchbook which I very well might do.

I made the yellow burst darker and matched the "petals" to it.



I take it that the kanji isn't an eyesore?



I know that petal on the left is right along the sleeve's seam. I plan on moving that more right.



I appreciate any and all feedback! Thanks!

everyone vote to submit! This design is well balanced and gorgeous:)

Heya Adam,

i think it actually just looked way better without the Kanji. Looks better in the centre and not pushed to the side. I really like what you've done with the roots at the bottom though.



Ninz.

Great design ... but I think I'd prefer it to be more colorful.



Care to shed some light on mine and rate me?



http://www.threadless.com/critique/61205/PROSPERITY_amp_THE_ART_OF_CHINESE_FENG_SHUI#v2



http://www.threadless.com/critique/61265/KICK_IT_OUT_OF_YOUR_LIFE

With this version, I removed the kanji and enlarged the design.



Let me know which of the 3 versions you like best so far, please!

With this version, I removed the kanji and enlarged the design.



Let me know which of the 3 versions you like best so far, please!

sigh. version 3 and 4 are exactly the same. disregard this version (v4)...

double sigh. i guess you cant comment on v3. just comment here...........

I love it! Maybe soften the lines in the lighter background shape at the top.



If you've got a moment, could you rate my design?

I like the kanji-less design better, too

love this! good luck! now check out : http://www.threadless.com/submission/253380/I_m_full_of_sign_s/showmore,designs

and dont forget to comment-thank you so much!

thanks, guys. this might be the one I end up submitting, but first I'm going to submit a new, somewhat-dramatic version right now.

Great work my friend. It improved a lot since the first version. I wish you the best luck! =)



If you have time, please score my design

I think this one is the the one. I like the progression from the first version. Good luck....





Please check mine out if you have some time...



http://threadless.com/critique/61509/New_Jersey_Smells

Okie dokie.



In this version, I removed the yellow burst (and color) and replaced it with a moon and clouds that I had in a earlier version of this design. I kept the bottom design and the buddha. I moved and removed a few of the "petals" and changed their color.



I used to like the kanji more than no kanji, but now I think the opposite.



Let me know what you think of this version compared to the previous one :D

I like this version the most, very very nice. Great work!



If you've got a moment, could you rate my design?

I'm so torn between v5 and v4. I like them both equally.



Whichever one gets the most praise is most likely what I'll go with I think.

Bump in the night

I like v5. Very cool. Reminds me of monkey magic!



critique mine

i would wear it :)

i finally got around to submitting it. i decided on using Version 5 and I moved one petal heh. here's the link: http://www.threadless.com/submission/295859/The_Enlightened

its not yet up for scoring but if you guys could "like" it or tweet it or promote it in any shape or form, i would really appreciate it! thanks!!!

BUddha looks pissed!!! lol...

Fly Me to the Moon is up and i wasn't even told!!!! Do pop over to tell me what you think and score this. Thanks!!!