DeviantArt

[helenic]

Should I join DeviantArt? I never have because I remember a big kerfuffle awhile ago about the Terms and Conditions giving DA commercial rights to any images you post there, which obviously I wouldn't want. On the other hand, it seems to be a really good way of getting attention and traffic, plus you can sell prints through it, so I'm wondering if any of you have any further advice about whether it's a good place for professionals to be? I'll check through the ToC this evening after work, but in the meantime I thought I'd see if anyone else had any useful info.

Comments

[lupie-stardust.livejournal.com]

DA is full of twats, posers and wankers. However, these are easy to avoid, and if you do, you have a friend for life. It's easy to use, easy to get feedback, and the community's friendly.

It's a mixed bag for some, but I like it there.

I would not, however, recommend their prints service. Very, VERY hard so it is to get sales. I've had my prints out and advertised for years, and only two have sold. It is very difficult to get the money back on the money you spend getting the print account in the first place...

[load-of-flannel.livejournal.com]

Couple of my mates who are artists (though more graphic than your stuff which falls more into the 'fine art' camp for me) reckon its not worth it.

Theres no problem really over rights apparently but.

1) You can sell stuff over it. Sucess is subject specific. What actually seems to sell most is Yif.
2) Being on it can get you a rep for being a weird freak artist who draws semi porno work and not much else. Which can be counterproductive dependent on your audience.

These arent definite outcomes but they consider them drawbacks.

One of them removed his stuff and shut it down cos he was fed up of being associated with fur-pron.

On the other hand it may work for you and as the other pointed out.

"Im an artist and cash is cash...."

[funnytimeofyear.livejournal.com]

DA has an overwhelming power to make me feel like the most inferior artist in the world. it has some amazingly talented people on there, as well as some retards. but i guess maybe that's just me and my inferiority complex.

[taimatsu]

I use it simply as a convenient gallery, and to keep track of my girlfriend's stuff (and her son's). For that, I like it.

[taimatsu]

That said, I haven't put anything up in ages. Maybe I should change that.