As I’ve been mentioning (incessantly. And this is only the beginning.), 2009 marks the big TEN YEARS of blogging for me (not on this site, obviously. This one only goes as far back at 2006, with a few entries from 2005.).
So, I decided that a contest may be sort of fun. But, what kind of contest? It needed to be something easy, that anyone could do, that symbolized my 10th year, somehow.
So, here it is: The Dreamling.ca MS Paint Design Challenge!
When I first started out, I designed with, *sigh*, MS Paint.
I KNOW. Okay? Leave me alone, I use Photoshop now. 
Then, when I was a member of a forum for the first time (Toxic Passion Boards, holla!!), we played a game! The objective: design a layout using only MS Paint. And that is your new objective now. Here are the rules/requirements:
- Your layout’s content area SHOULD NOT EXCEED 800 pixels in width. (That’s how things were done in 2001 )
- Layouts should be designed to incorporate IFrames. (I really loved these when I was starting out.)
- All graphics must be made in MS Paint, except for ONE IMAGE which can be selected from this website. You may use this ONE IMAGE more than once, however.
- You can choose to either design the layout for your own site, or dreamling.ca (although I do not guarantee that it will be used,
). - You only need to provide a graphical mock-up of the design, although coded designs will also be accepted (and super appreciated!).
- Design will be judged based on how nice it is. I.E. If 800px-widths and Iframes were still standard, you’d want to put it on YOUR website.
- In the event that the winner not wish to claim their prize, it would be transferred to the second-place winner.
- You may not use super awesome programs such as GIMP, even though it is free. (No Photoshop or PSP either, please!)
Don’t have MS Paint? Try one of the following: Canvas Paint, Canvas Painter, KolourPaint, or another program that comes standard with your computer.
Deadline for designs is February 1st 2009.
On February 2nd 2009, all entries will be posted, with a poll. You will then have until February 8th to vote.
So, wanna know what you can win?
The Prize is one (1) free .com/.org/.net domain name of your choice (first year registration, only )!
Please email your submissions to me at aislingbrock [a] gmail.com (replace [a] with @ ) ASAP! (Please include your name and URL, if you have one!)
This is a genius idea(: I’m going to try this!
So you want it to look like it was made in 2001 or 2009?
Reply: Make it look PRETTY. I will add that.
Ahahaha, this is too awesome to pass up. I don’t really need a domain though.
If I won (which I won’t, but HYPOTHETICALLY), could I donate the prize to someone else? Or would the second place person get it?
Reply: In the event that the winner not wish to claim their prize, it would be transferred to the second-place winner, yes.
AWESOME! If I have time for this, I’ll do it for laughs.
Oooh, I am so doing this! Why work on a layout for my own site when I can play around with MS Paint?
SOMEONE SLAP ME, I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING A TRICKED-OUT MSPAINT DESIGN.
I wasn’t going to use iframes, but I guess I will now
Ooh, that means I can use Gimp!
So you would actually use iFrames?!
^ You wish you could use GIMP for this. ;P
Done & emailed!
Reply: Received! Thank you so much!
Vasili: It came with my OS!
Reply: haha, no, GIMP is too close to being a “professional” program. Sorry.
Okay, I’m just sending you one now. I tried to keep with the spirit of 2001 but still make it nice for today. Let me know if it went through (or didn’t).
Also, MS Paint is HARD. I have been spoiled by simple things such as adjustable zoom, and LAYERS. Also masks.
Reply: Thank you! I have received your submission.
And, I KNOW. I tried to do my own challenge today, and it was pretty intense. 
if I was a creative person I would so do this… but alas, I am not.
but you never know! inspiration hits at random times.
but anyway, this is a totally awesome idea! I can’t wait to see the winners.
LOL, if I had more patience I’d probably do it… but I’ll just sit by and watch the others. Plus i-frames *shudders* I can’t I really can’t. XP
Reply: *pets* It’s okay, Vera, you don’t have to make a REAL IFrame. Just a box that looks like an IFrame could go IN it.
I think this is an interesting concept for a contest! I would join if I’ve the time although I’ve never really tried MS Paint before. Would you be posting the entries online or only after the end of the contest? I’m so excited to check out the entries.
Reply: I will be posting the entries on February 2nd, so everyone can vote on them in a poll!!
I did it for the lulz. I PM’ed you my entry through Snark because I’m too lazy to open my email
Hehehe… Cool. I might join this.
Oooh, I may just have to enter this. My design skills aren’t very good even using Photoshop, though, so I doubt I’ll win. It’ll be fun to try, though!
Oooh, can we use colored scroll bars, too?
Reply: I wouldn’t be able to see them because I use Firefox, though! D:
I’m kidding, by the way.
Reply: So was I.
Ahhh.