New Icon and Journals!

This is something I've been wanting to do for some time now, and today I finally sat down and did it.

Huge massive unbelievably greatful thanks go out to Elandria, who created a code template for me so I could design this new system. You are a star!

Thanks also go out to pica-ae who put up with me and helped troubleshoot, and similarly alexandrasalas.

Without further delay, here's the scoop:

What on earth is going on?

Today we've launched 3D-Artists's new Journal system. This is something Cymae's been cooking up for a while, a way to categorise and easily find any 3D-Artists journal, and be able to browse the content you want to see from us.

This includes:

• A shiny new group Icon, which has taken into account the various feedback we've been getting
• Three consise categories of journals that are easy to navigate and browse
• Three matching journal skins for the icon
• And best of all, a new "Recent Articles" blurb on the bottom of each journal so you can browse our previous 2 entries in the current set!

Why the change?

The journal system is not the easiest to navigate. We want to be able to make it as easy as possible for everyone to find what they're looking for.

In addition to being incredibly functional, these skins are also quite snazzy if I do say so myself

So what are the types of journal and what do they mean?

We have 3 new journal types. Each article from now on will be a part of one of these journal groups, here they are:

Group Gossip
The journals in this category are red-themed (including this one!). They are all about our group, 3D-Artists. Articles here will include contests, gallery notices, admin updates, calls for applications and other stuff related to the running of the group.

Outsider Info
These green-themed journals will have news that isn't from us. Cymae will submit the global gallery news here, we'll have info from the industry, and stuff from around DA. This includes giveaways, contests, changes, all sorts of great stuff that isn't just to do with 3D-Artists.

Tips and Tricks
You guys all wanted it, so here it is. Our blue-themed Tips & Tricks journals will feature all sorts of tips, tutorials and resources that come from our members and group admin. You can send Cymae or 3D-Artists a note if you'd like to submit anything for us to write a journal about in this section (Or one of the other sections if you like ).

So what now?

Now several things will happen. The first is the process of migrating all our old journals over so that you can access everything using this new system. Bear with us, this will take a wee while so please be patient.

Edit: I think I've managed to migrate everything over. Let me know if you find any mistakes, it's past midnight here so I'm going to bed. Goodnight all!

If you have anything you wish to contribute to a blog in any of our above journal categories, send  Cymae or 3D-Artists a note! We love it when you guys get involved. This also goes for anyone that would like to join our admin team as a blogger, coming up with and publishing new articles.

Finally, let us know if you have any feedback, ideas or suggestions, and enjoy the new features!