So i herd u liek interviews?? - SparklyDest

Dec 1, 200913 min read

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By Synfull

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Intro

Welcome to the latest edition of So i herd u liek interviews??. This is the 21st volume in a series of interviews aimed at finding out about emoticonists from the deviantART community.

This series links with the weekly volumes of 'so i herd u liek emotes??' which have now been running since October 2008

The emoticonist

This volume’s featured emoticonist is SparklyDest. She has been a member of the community for quite a few years now and although not the most widely known of emoticonist, she never fails to produce a selection of great emoticons which now line her gallery. I was lucky enough to grab an interview with her

The interview

How and when did you get into making emoticons?

I got into making emoticons three long years ago, my first being a bouncing avatar for myself. I had seen them popping up in DDs and was really impressed with them. When I realized I had an animation program hidden away on my computer, I just had to give them a go.

When you first started making emotes, did you use any tutorials?

I didn't actually. I got the basic 15 x 15 size by looking at other emotes, then just started playing with my programs to see how it worked and looked. Fiddling with buttons was my friend.

Are there any particular tutorials you have found/created since that you would like to suggest?

Some that I have referenced are CookiemagiK's Walking and sereneworx's Explosions....but there are so many good ones out there. If only there were a place to find them all....EUREKA!

Where do you get your inspiration / ideas from?

Sometimes from projects or contests, but mainly I will get the random, good ideas while staring at my ceiling when I try to go to sleep....or while waiting for the bus....or driving, but I don't recommend getting too spaced out then.

So basically, whenever/where ever I have nothing to entertain me, emotes will do the trick.

Do you try to stick to one particular style and technique, or do you prefer to experiment?

I like to try experimenting, it just fails horribly most of the time.

I try to push myself so I don't fall into a rut.

Are there any particular qualities that you feel can make an emote stand out from any other?

Blood. Violence.

These catch my eye every time. I probably shouldn't enjoy harm to the emotes so much, but it amuses me greatly.

Also, a clever idea can make me drool every time.

Which programs have you used to create your emoticons? Are there any you can suggest?

I use Corel PSP X2 and a very out-dated version of Jacs Animation Shop, #3 (sneaky program I started with years ago). I wouldn't recommend that animation program, though, unless you are very poor. It is nice, but it does weird things when you save your file. I am sure there is a list of awesome programs around here some where....(see Tutorial question for link

)

Roughly how long does it take you to go from concept to finished emoticon?

Usually, 6-8 hours for my more complex ones. And I haven't learned how to stop working on one and coming back to it later.

If I start an emote, I want to keep working on it until it is finished. Talk about making me useless for the rest of the day.

My static ones can be popped out in much less time, depending on the detail and how long it takes me to get inspired.

What methods have you used for shading? Do you have a preference?

When I first started, I tool shaded. I haven't heard of anyone else doing this, which would explain why I stopped. After that, I worked hard on hand shading, laying out each pixel to have my own unique style. I definitely prefer it over the tool shading. Those never looked quite right.

Are there any particular effects you've found difficult, or have been unable to create?

Fire.

I will tame that beast one day, but it alludes me for now. And blood. I just can't get it to look realistic enough. That's probably why I love seeing others do it, it can look amazing on such a small canvas.

Which are 3 of your favourite emotes from your personal gallery?

I love this one and was so happy with out it turned out.

I am still shocked at how fluid this turned out.

I worked so hard on this, I don't even care if the background looks flat as I am not a master pixel-er. I still smile whenever I look at it.

Is there a particular emote in your gallery you would you like to see get more attention. If so, why?

I have been lucky enough to have most of my emotes get more attention then I ever thought they would.

But, if I must pick

this guy still makes me giggle like a fool.

Are there any particular emoticonists you would like to see get more exposure?

Tons! Just to name a few, in no particular order except alphabetically: barleypie, flashfrog, Mirz123, Momma--G, Mr-Jaunty, ROBlNHOOD, stevanov, and TheRockster

All these amazing artists have less than 20k pageviews!

How did you come up with your emoticon characters?

Well, I joined this group called VampyreArmy. It called for you to come up with a character and cool name. I used some generator and got a lame title. When I thought about making a piece of artwork around this character, I realized an emote would be my best version of a vampire me. Of course, if I were going to have a vampire me, it would need a name that suited it. Hence, SparklyDeath was born! I soon realized that to be a legit bad arse, she needed a henchman. Soon, iGor was brought into existence. And there is a reason why the i is lower case and the G is upper....

iGor is kinda like a evil, non-musical iPod. Although he would probably enjoy a good dance.

Do you feel like the emoticon gallery has progressed during your time as an emoticonist?

Holy crap, yes. Pixelled background, amazing effects, dabbling into different perspective....I obviously have not been able to keep up.

Where would you like to see emotes go in the future?

The sky is the limit! But....vintage can be cool too.

Static emotes would be nice, especially paired with all the amazing pixelling that is starting to filter in.

Are there any trends or styles you'd like to see less of in the gallery?

There certainly are a lot of projects popping up.  I can't keep up with them and that makes me sad.  Also, lack of bloody emotes.  There should be less "blood-lacking" emotes.  That is, I need more emote violence.

Is there any advice you would like to give to new emoticonists?

Don't be afraid to try anything.  Even if it looks like crap, upload it.  With so many amazing emoticonists around here, someone will be able to give you some pointers to fix it.

Also, kill more emotes. Or at least maim them.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

L-lamas. Sadly, none of you can hear me say that. But it is really amusing. You try. Pronounce the L sound, then say lama. It's good times.

If and went to sea in a lovely pea green boat ..... what would happen and what would they take?

Well, the boat would belong to

because it would be his color. He would take paddles and use them to propel them all over, his

finally having real purpose in the world. His life would be complete.

would be puking over the side, because he gets sea sick. He would take medicine to fight his urge to vomit, but in an attempt to be funny, would throw them over board, crying "Wilson!" in an attempt to parody "Cast Away". He shouldn't have mocked the volley ball. The end.