Comments on: Now, the Twist: How to Make a Good Turnover

By: Steven

Steven — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:35:48 +0000

Re: Colin and Ray, I’m trademarking “Awesome Dawizard” for my new role-playing game. Send me a nickel each for using said TM, please.

Good post, Colin; very good column with important info (that too easily leaks from my brain too, the longer I get away from being the editor of said turnovers).

By: Daigle

Daigle — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 23:24:27 +0000

Great stuff again, Colin!

For my current project, I had to have all the art briefs in right after the detailed outline and before serious work on text began. I was a bit stressed at first, just knowing that I’d kick myself later when something cooler came up, but the experience was excellent for solidifying the project in my head.

By: C. Goss

C. Goss — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 19:44:08 +0000

I’d like to take a second to plug a great website for map-making. Check out the Cartographer’s Guild (www.cartographersguild.com/). It’s a great forum with a lot of helpful people, and some great mapmaking tutorials.

By: Marc Radle

Marc Radle — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:54:22 +0000

I know this wasn’t directed at me, but as a fellow illustrator, I have an opinion

I like a “medium” amount of detail in an art order. By that, I mean enough detail to get my mind thinking along the same lines as the author / designer BUT not so much that it is overwhelming or stifles my creativity.

In short, I like to know I illustrating what the designer wants but I still want the freedom to do create something I am happy with.

By: Ray Vallese

Ray Vallese — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:25:17 +0000

I’d be afraid that kind of search and replace might do too much dawizard to the text.

By: Colin McComb

Colin McComb — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:49:03 +0000

@Marc – Thanks again! A lot of the time when I’m writing these, I think, “But is this common knowledge or is this something that more people should know?” It’s only when I think back to when I was first working in the industry that I realize, “No, I didn’t know this,” and I’m glad it’s helpful.

@Wolf – Perhaps I should have appended on the front: “As usual, this is something I have learned the hard way.*
*and still work to put into practice”
—but I’m glad to know that it’s not just me. Maybe next column should just be a checklist.

@Jeff – As an illustrator, what do you like to see in an art order? Do you prefer reams of detail, or do you prefer leeway in your art?

@Ray – You ought to replace “great” with “awesome” and send it back.

By: Ray Vallese

Ray Vallese — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:51:25 +0000

Repetition is a big one in a lot of the stuff I’ve been editing lately. Overuse of the word “great” to mean “big” has moved to the top of my pet peeve list. Great doors, great pit, great hall, great everything. I’ve started searching files for that word and replacing it when it shows up more than once every few paragraphs.

By: Jeff Preston

Jeff Preston — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:28:06 +0000

This is good stuff. With a little massaging it applies just as well to illustrators: make sure you do everything to spec, be prepared to make different formats an option, be on time, be ready for last minute adjustments.

A good, well written art order is priceless.