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Reviewed by: goldenblood

First Impression [8.5/10] :: I thought this was actually really good for a 1-month designer. I know that I wasn't this good in one month when I first designed. I really like the way you played with your textures and I like the feel of the graphic. I can tell that there is some cleaning up to do, but trust me, it isn't much.

Mood/Genre [8/10] :: The mood of this graphic was very intricate. I believe that you know what you want in the graphic and what you seek is what makes it good. I thought this was a fantasy-like angst. You did well with the fantasy, but now you need to take the angst to the next level. When choosing a genre for a graphic, you really want to exceed not just someone's expectations, but also your expectations. Take things to the next level and don't keep playing the safe game. If you don't play it safe, I guarentee that you will find your own style like how every one of the designers in the staff has. Each one of us has our own style and now, you need to find yours.

Pictures [7/10] :: The picture of Jaejoong is great for an angst poster. I don't think it takes the fantasy to a great level. It makes the entire graphic feel too soft for the background. When making your next graphic, make sure your background connects with the pictures of your characters or else the entire graphic will turn out not as you like. Ask yourself things like "do they look good together?" or "is the background bolder than the character or the character is bolder than the background?"
Things like that are the perfect questions to ask yourself while you design. Your character photo is being covered up by your background. If your graphic is as simple as this one, then it is really easy to spot mistakes and places to work on. You want a simple graphic to be completely perfect. A newborn designer just needs the right way to be taught.

Coloring [6.5/10] :: Coloring is one of the most important things to me when it comes to graphics. Without the right coloring, the graphic will fall apart. When you do coloring, for starters, look at coloring PSDs and try them out. Without my PSDs, all of the graphics that you've seen me make will be crappy and that is not what you want. You can start off by trying out image adjustments and seeing what they do. Then take it to the "selective coloring" option where you can adjust the colors according to your liking. Coloring is very hard to understand when you first start, then you start to get used to it and begin to really enjoy seeing what colors can be made with your graphic. What looks good and what looks bad. For the graphic you have here, I can see some hints of colors here and there. I would cover them up by using the adjustment "black & white" or using the "gradient map." Gradient maps are super useful and you should try learning how to use them because they help a lot. Try finding some tutorials you can learn from. Don't try to learn from poster tutorials, but try learning from the people who are willing to teach you HOW to use the tools.

Placement [6/10] :: The placement for your graphic is very well done. All I'd note is where you put your stocks and textures. I don't agree with how you covered have of Jaejoong with heavy textures and left to rest of him hanging there with nothing to do. Placement is something everyone should study. Stocks should never overpower the character. Your placement was great, it just needs some adjusting and we're good.

Textures/stocks [6/10] :: Your textures were a bit too heavy. I would try to leave a little bit out for room for more things. Never be afraid to erase anywhere and always loosen yourself up more. It always helps when you expand what you do. Be creative with your textures and stocks. Don't be afraid to use them, but NEVER make them overpower your main thing: your characters. Heather (inspiritkpop) uses a ton of stocks, but she makes her characters somehow pop out more than her stocks. Lessen the stock opacity and the texture opacity. That way, we can see more of the character rather than what's around it. I usually figure out where I want my characters first and then work around. Under, over, side, everything. Don't be afraid to work under, over, or side to side. It really helps when you're working place to place. 

Technique [5.5/10] :: Your texture techniques are very well. Your erasing techniques are practically perfect here. All you need to do is expand your resources. Tools are there for you to use them. Pick up some adjustments, pick up some brushes, etc. It's all there for you to use.

Text [3/10] :: I think this is the part which needs more cleaning up. The drop shadow masks EVERYTHING. It's all you can pay attention to. Opacity is very important when using drop shadows because you really need them. Your drop shadow is too heavy for this graphic and it makes the graphic unbalanced. Not only that, the text color itself is what is distracting. You have the grays and the whites in the background, but then you have the deep black color that saps away everything that you worked on. Using blending options on text is super useful. This graphic would look perfect with one. "Overlay" is one of the blending options that can really impact your graphic is a settled way. Text is one of the bigger things that need looking upon. Newborn designers usually never focus on the text because they think the text is "just to be there." Text is just as impotant as the graphic itself. Typography is what enchants it. Play with your text. Never use more than 3 in one graphic. Filter, adjustments, blending options, everything is there for you to use. All you need to figure out is how it will work with you.

Originality [8/10] :: It is highly original for a one-month designer to get to this point in graphics. I think YOU are the original one, but this graphic needs more. It just needs more. I would love to see more graphics from you in the future. Thank you! :)

Overall :: [58.5/100]

Reviewed by: goldenblood