I can completely relate to this. Almost all the time, my laziest icons are a big hit, and I'm left wondering if it's even worth trying out new techniques when they get passed up anyway.

I think it's important to remember that people are only seeing the end result, not the effort that we put in. Also, just because we don't feel 100% about our work doesn't mean that it's necessarily bad. Speaking for myself, I like your POTC icon because it's a refreshingly different approach to the cap. The warm coloring hints at a muggy summer vibe, the sharpness is perfect, and it has a matte-finish kind of look that is mesmerising. Yes, I'm surprised it won Best of the Year, but I don't think it's a bad showing of your technical skill <3

You've made some amazing icons this year, (and years previous) and shown a lot of growth. I think the efforts you pour into the icons that don't get as much attention is just setting yourself up for more growth and better icons down the line. Keep doing what makes you happy, it's absolutely worth it, so long as you're enjoying the journey!

Thank you for your comment and understanding, I'm just a little bit annoyed that sometimes that I have not made good enough icons last year because of personal reasons that still affect me.

Good hear that you like the icon itself, I'm just surprised that one won a competition, that is supposed to be best when I don't think I have improved through out the last year, all though it looks like you say, I'm not impressed with the selection of ones chosen, and the ones that came close to winning I was happier with, I suppose I'm so critical of them

I have produced better in the last few years, lets hope this last year ones are better and I'm happy to have a more complex icon that wins

Edited 2017-03-11 02:22 pm (UTC)