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Nuts and Bolts: No As-Is Usage of 3rd Party Content

July 22, 2016
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Nuts & Bolts – No As-Is Usage of 3rd Party Content

GCU looks for unique and creative submissions, not creative that can be found on many other sites. As such, 3rd party content cannot be used ‘as is’.

 

‘As is’ usage would be considered; just adding text, changing color, adding a border, etc.

 

If you wish to use 3rd party images on GCU, you must create something new and different by using them as an element in a new design where the original image is no longer recognizable in it’s original form.

 

Despite the original artist’s permission to use their images ‘as is’, GCU will not accept them if not transformed into a new design.  Using the original work ‘as is’ with no or only nominal or subtle changes to create a card is merely ‘copying’ and is not permitted on Greeting Card Universe.
This encourages artists to raise the bar for themselves resulting in unique and creative cards that shine and differentiate GCU’s offerings from other sites.

 

Here is a great example of the same PD image used by two GCU artists resulting in two very different designs by Alda Monteschio and Doreen Erhardt respectively.

 

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Alda1426570-1_3d

Doreen1327086_3d

 

TIPS: Include in your Notes to Reviewer links to the 3rd party elements you’ve incorporated into your design and indicate what you’ve done to create a new transformed design.  Additionally consider giving credit to the original artist(s) in your Artist Notes.

 

You may say GCU’s Stock Card Creations allows just that – “as is” usage of BigStock images with the only value add being text.  You’d would be exactly right!  However GCU’s Stock Card Creations differs in a few important ways and is not subject to the “no as-is usage” guideline.  GCU has established a relationship and licensing with BigStock for this express usage, artist earnings from Stock Card Creation cards do not count towards quarterly thresholds and lastly the review process is very picky with cards being declined for just about any reason.  The service is to spawn quick and clever cards for categories in need and afford artists who are good with words and not images to contribute.

 

Be sure to read this related blog posting with helpful examples:
https://gcucommunity.com/2015/11/23/dash-of-inspiration-dont-be-a-copy-cat-2/

 

The difference is made in the details!

 

Mindy
GCU Community Manager
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Wanted New Cards: Invitation Rib Cook-off Party

July 21, 2016
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We have a new category that needs your attention.
Invitations >> Party by Theme >> Rib Cook-off Party
It's Time for a BBQ Barbecue Grill Outdoor Invitation card (735202) 2016-07-21 09-39-47

At the moment there are 0 cards in this category.

 

We’d like you to create at least one card for these categories using the Stock Cards function (Bigstock) or your own graphic designs.

Remember, when you’re submitting your new card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers. Be inventive,  be clever, be creative. Go for it!

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Font Frenzy: The Five for $5 Bundle

July 20, 2016
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The Hungry Jpeg has a lovely offer for you this month.
Five Fonts for $5 by TheHungryJPEG - TheHungryJPEG.com 2016-07-20 11-38-43
Five Fonts for $5 by TheHungryJPEG - TheHungryJPEG.com 2016-07-20 11-40-08

 

The Hungry Jpeg has partened up with Area Type Studio to offer you a collection of five beautiful 100% accessible Script Fonts for just $5!!

Normally priced at $54, this amazing pack is available for purchase for just one month only!! Grab your copy today.

This amazing pack comes complete with a full commercial license, allowing you to use these beautiful fonts across a wide range of commercial activities.

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Rainbow Connection: Animal Hues

July 19, 2016
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Here are some Animal color inspirations I found on Pinterest this week:

 

ColorPastureH

CreatureTones1_150

CreatureHues_150

CreatureColor_150-3

CreatureTones1_150-1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dash of Inspiration: Prepare for the Holidays!

July 18, 2016
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DashInspirationBanner_2015

Thinking that I had updated all my Christmas 2015 and New Year 2016 cards back in February, I realized this morning that I must not have ‘finished’ the updating. So, today I pass on the reminder that for me anyway holiday card sales have already begun and I urge you all to be ready for them. Here are some tips:

…………………………………………………………

  • Be sure to update card fronts with 2015 and for New Year 2016.
  • Don’t forget to follow through with each card’s updating by fixing and improving your Card Title, Keywords and Artist Notes.
  • If you offer photo cards and/or custom front text on these cards, consider taking the time to update the year in the custom tool. Remember customers shop visually first and not all realize they may change the year themselves.
  • Don’t forget other holidays which occur during the festive season. If you have cards for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa for example – be sure to update those too.

…………………………………………………………

It’s also time to be thinking of new designs for the upcoming season, and the perfect time to give those very old holiday cards a new lease on life with some design fine tuning and meta-tag data upgrades.

Whether you like it or not, as a greeting card designer July is the month when you need to be in full holiday mode to be ready for the shoppers!

………………………………………………………….

Remember to check out the July Dash of Inspiration Design Challenge and join in this month’s theme; PEACE.

So until next week … Learn … Create … Inspire!

 

 

 

 

 

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Nuts and Bolts: On the Lookout for New Occasions

July 15, 2016
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Nuts & Bolts – On the Lookout for New Occasions

 

Think outside of the box, find an occasion in your own life or circle of friends that you connect with, or an occasion that you have a different or fresh take on.  If you pay attention there are ideas for new card occasions around you every day!

 

Once you get started it can lead to other ideas.  Kind of like the children’s book “If You Give a Pig a Pancake”.  One thing always leads to another.

 

Get invited to a Rib Cook-off Party?  That’s a good idea for invitations.  Hmm, probably a good idea for Chili Cook-off Party invitations too.  And a Salsa Cook-off.  Three new category ideas all started by one little rib!

 

Go river rafting this summer?  Have the best guide ever who didn’t let you fall in (unless you wanted to)?  Thank You Rafting Guide cards, voila!  Maybe raft guides can be certified.  Do a little online research to find out.  Congratulations on your Raft Guide Certification cards.  Speaking of certification, wonder if those guides have to be CPR certified.  Congratulations on your CPR Certification cards.  Boom!

 

See these standout examples:

 

Customizable Names-Encouragement for Dyslexic-Girl with... (1440548) 2016-07-15 17-11-23
Thank You for the Time at the Lake, A Great Experience card (1127924) 2016-07-15 17-12-57
GCU gets some of their best new category suggestions not only from shoppers requesting cards they cannot find but from artists too!

 

TIP: if you create a card that does not fit into an existing category simply put the card in >>Other subcategory of the closest matching category and include in the Note to Reviewers your intention and the new occasion you feel that may justify a new category.

 

Before you make your card you can also suggest a category here on the forum:

 

This will not only set you apart from other artists but helps round out your offering of cards giving your store depth and breadth.  It also continue to make GCU the source for any card imaginable!

 

The difference is made in the details!
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Wanted New Cards: Gorgious Grandma Day – July 23

July 14, 2016
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We have a new category that needs your attention:

Holidays >> National & International Days >> Gorgeous Grandma Day – July 23

You Know You're Getting Old When......... card (1107872) 2016-07-14 12-28-10

 

We only have 0 cards in this category:

 

We’d like you to create at least one card for these categories using the Stock Cards function (Bigstock) or your own graphic designs.

Remember, when you’re submitting your new card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers. Be inventive,  be clever, be creative. Go for it!

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Rainbow Connection: Edible Colors II

July 12, 2016
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Here are some more Edible color inspirations I found on Pinterest this week:

 

CandiedHues_150

BerryHues1_150

FreshHues1_150

ColorSugar_150

CaffeinatedTones1_150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Nuts and Bolts: Happy Birthday Song in Public Domain

July 8, 2016
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Happy Birthday Song in Public Domain
 
It’s official!  Sing it from the rooftops.  The Happy Birthday song has officially been declared to be in the public domain.

 

What does this mean to GCU artists?

 

Previously GCU did not allow lyrics of the song to be used and tip toed around anything that implied singing, song or music associated with the lyrics.  That restriction no longer applies so sing it loud and proud on your cards!

 

See official ruling here.
Happy Birthday to you - Howling Birthday Card with dog card (1424040) 2016-07-08 15-51-02

 

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Wanted New Cards: Congratulations New Job Barista

July 7, 2016
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We have a category that needs your attention:

Occasions >> Congratulations >> New Job >> Occupation Specific >> Barista
Congratulations on your new Job, Businessman adjusting tie card 2016-07-07 20-36-56
We only have 0 cards in this category:

 

We’d like you to create at least one card for these categories using the Stock Cards function (Bigstock) or your own graphic designs.

Remember, when you’re submitting your new card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers. Be inventive,  be clever, be creative. Go for it!

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