Couldn't find the suggestion thread, so here we go.

I've noticed a level of annoyance/disheartening with regards to members who join, post a few things, ignore advice and then disappear.
I'm always trying to think of ways to automatically manage this kind of thing (and am generally interested in designing systems), and one came to me last night as I was trying to fall asleep (of course).

The idea sparked while I was thinking about pokemon (what else) and it initially revolved around the use of gym badges. Using gym badges isn't necessarily the best idea, it works as a decent example.
I have two versions of the idea that are closely linked, but separate enough for me to feel they deserve to be split, so here we go. The first is more concerned with people who've been around for a little while, and the second with newcomers to older members.


Idea one: a more literal take on the gym badge idea.

Pixel art has many styles, techniques and key points. We'll begin with the idea that each gym leader's type corresponds to a particular facet of pixel art (but not that there are 8 of them or anything like that).

We have clusters, which is something I see more and more of on here, but we have a lot of artists who do not really focus on clusters (and of course those who do). We have those who stick to low colour palettes and other restrictions. We have those who post artistic pieces as opposed to your general mockup.
Potentially, we could classify these different approaches into different categories (loosely of course, we don't want anyone just learning one facet and ignoring the rest) and have rewards for once members have managed to fully understand the concepts of a specific school.
The example would be that a member has never done animation. Only stills. This means he does not own the "animation badge". If he wanted to get the badge (gameification of him just improving his skills as a pixel artist) he would need to start doing animations and follow the advice of the animation experts ("gym leaders"). Once he has attained the necessary skills and delivers consistently good animated pieces he can be awarded the animation badge, and it will go on his profile for all to know that he is the true poke master.

I feel this adds that extra means of inspiration to a task that could spark the resolve to learn new things. It could also show new comers immediately that this member is well versed with animation and that their advice should be considered thoroughly. And of course it's pretty shiny thing to aim for.


Idea two: Well done you are progressing through the stages of being a useful, contributing member.

This is a lot simpler as a concept. You just reward members for doing certain things.

Posting in the introduce yourself thread (and reading the rules) would fetch you a badge that shows everyone that you know how to post on a forum in the introduction thread. Further badges might indicate a hard worker (who will post art, accept critiques and applies the changes and concepts learned consistently). A helper badge for someone who often helps other members with critique. That kind of thing.

May require a hierarchical system to allow regular members to nominate new members for badges, and only veterans to nominate for the more specialised badges.


And yeah, I think these things (after being discussed, planned and adapted correctly and more thoroughly) could help with encouraging new comers to get involved and stick to their work, and convince the more regular members to help out more and/or learn more. It may even make managing the forums a little bit easier.

Also I'd love to see some of the guys here pixelling some awesome gym badges.


Even if this idea doesn't sound good, or is impractical, a discussion should definitely be started to find a way to transition newcomers into valued, contributing members.