Clarifying submission guidelines

[crosshair]

Given the ongoing issue of posters turning up here which are basically fan art...I wonder if maybe some clarification of the posted submission guidelines is in order. I can see how the distinction between official posters and fan art, though obvious to anyone who is on here regularly, could be less than clear to newbies, students, casual users, etc.

It seems that much of the time when fan art is submitted, it's an innocent mistake. Someone could read the submission guidelines and come away with the impression that their "unofficial" poster, be it fan art, student work, etc, is eligible. I know it's loads of fun to berate hapless noobs in the vomment threads but maybe the requirement that only real, functional, official posters belong here, could be stated more explicitly, and save trouble all around.

[Zach Hobbs]

wondered this earlier today too.

[JustinHelton]

Yeah this is a great point...the guidelines seem to be clear on what a gigposter is...but doesnt really state that it has to be an actual poster that was produced to be submitted.

[27designco]

In an effort to reduce current fan art, would a thread containing links of known "offenders" be advantageous to administrators? I know a lot of us browse the bands we do work for and it's pretty obvious when something is fan art. Maybe this is outing the unknowing submitter too much, or maybe the number of unofficial posters on here is too overwhelming for a solution like this to be effective.

[mikeage]

How are you going to detect fan art from posters hired by a venue?

[27designco]

How are you going to detect fan art from posters hired by a venue?

Good point. I was only thinking about band commissioned work.

[Clay]

Well, it states that a gig poster is an advertisement for a live music event. If a poster, flyer or handbill was printed and used to advertise an event, I think it belongs up here, regardless of who wanted it made (band, venue, promoter, sponsor etc). The term "commissioned" implies payment for a job, and that does not really matter here. Many posters are made for shows at no cost .. purely to help bring people to the show.

Example - a small all-ages show generally has no money or budget to put it on. From time to time, a 'fan' will create a poster to help bring people to the show. Perhaps they are friends with one of the bands, or even just fans. If that poster was printed and posted around town to bring people to the show - it belongs here .. even if it wasn't 'commissioned' by anyone.

On the other hand, "fan-art" or designs that were made for fun or never used do not belong up here, and they do not meet the main qualification - "an advertisement for a live music event".

It seems pretty common-sense to me .. but as mentioned, it is very difficult to police. I do need the help from the community here and much appreciate it! Feel free to email me links to posters that do not meet the qualifications any time at help@gigposters.com and I will remove them.

[stinkbait]

pretty sure this guy isn't a real artist:

GigPosters.com - Brian Phillips

[lil_tuffy]

Sandwich artist, maybe.

[ImJustRickG]

I wonder if he bought that guitar.