If you have seen the news post, you will know that we are hosting a very special contest for this year's MSAs, but if you skipped the front page, here's the idea:

This year, we have a special request for those of you who feel artistically inclined. You will recall that every year we have a banner to head up the Awards page. We would like one of you to design the banner for the 2021 Metal Storm Awards. Before you get too excited, the only prize for winning is being featured on the Awards page (that's right, we're paying you in exposure); Metal Storm is now nonprofit, currently consisting on staff donations, and part of the reason we went this route is because we wanted to build a stronger, more inclusive sense of community. That's why we thought it would be fun to open this up to our users and see what kind of cool things you all come up with. If you win, you'll see your banner adorn the 2021 MSAs page for all eternity, and we'll thank you in the opening and closing text. The alternative is that our editor-in-chief draws up some stick figures on a white background in MS Paint.

This thread is where you may post your submissions directly. It will remain open until January 7, at which time we will lock it and make a decision. Everyone is free to use the thumbs-up function to indicate their approval of the various entries - but keep in mind that this is not entirely a popularity contest. The ultimate decision will be made by the staff based on our own preferences, so having the most thumbs up does not guarantee victory; it just looks nice.

There are some rules:

- Obviously, this should be your very own work. Please refrain from using copyrighted images; only original works and works in the public domain are acceptable.

- Metal Storm's normal content standards apply. We will not accept images that are graphically violent, explicitly sexual, or discriminatory, and we will delete outright submissions that violate these standards.

- In addition to the banner, we also need a button, so make sure you can easily convert or crop your banner into something appropriate.

- Dimensions for the banner: 300 x >2000; cropped version: 728x90; button: 300x300

- The banner should contain the words "Metal Storm Awards 2021" in some roughly central position. You can find the font used in our logo here.

Beyond these stipulations, we don't really have any requirements as far as the theme or content of the banner go; let your imaginations run wild. Use the images from previous editions of the MSAs as reference, and feel free to contact a member of staff if you have any questions.

Written by ScreamingSteelUS on 07.12.2021 at 20:48

The alternative is that our editor-in-chief draws up some stick figures on a white background in MS Paint.

Ok... Nobody does anything. We have a winner already

Written by conscientiousnes on 08.12.2021 at 10:53

Written by ScreamingSteelUS on 07.12.2021 at 20:48

?

Where can i upload them?

I'd say an image hosting website like https://postimages.org/ would work nicely. Then you can use img tags on the url of the uploaded image.

Written by conscientiousnes on 08.12.2021 at 13:14

Sample 01: https://postimg.cc/njvYn1rj
Sample 02: https://postimg.cc/N9jBtQQW

Try to change those url tags with img tags

I like example 2 better as 1

4 and 10, I say

The 2nd one is my favorite.

Sample 6 definitely is my favorite so far

↑ ↑ ↑

Close the contest, we have a winner!

Written by nikarg on 09.12.2021 at 21:44

This is winner to me

Nice work, Con, like 7 and 10 most, but great work around.

Sample 7 is so atmospheric black metal.

Written by nikarg on 09.12.2021 at 21:44

Awesome drawing by your 3-year-old nephew

The saddest thing is that even this goes way beyond my drawing abilities...

8 for me. The astronaut could be Matt Pike... maybe changing the acoustic guitar with the electric one.

2 and 8 are probably my favourites from conscientiousnes

Written by conscientiousnes on 09.12.2021 at 08:29

Sample 08:

This is my favourite, I absolutely love it. Can you do it with an electric guitar?

ps. Well done, awesome work in general

Written by nikarg on 10.12.2021 at 16:06

Written by conscientiousnes on 09.12.2021 at 08:29

Sample 08:

This is my favourite, I absolutely love it. Can you do it with an electric guitar?

ps. Well done, awesome work in general

I rather like this one personally as well, would fit a more stoner-centric awards/my cup of tea. Leaned towards other options for the MSA's just based on our broader genre coverage.

Written by Abattoir on 10.12.2021 at 10:35

8 for me. The astronaut could be Matt Pike... maybe changing the acoustic guitar with the electric one.

No, defo not. AstroPike would somehow have a shirtless space suit.

I feel like the astronaut/crow/headbanging dude would appeal more to certain niches of the community but would be considered out of place by others. That's why I'd go for more neutral banners like 4 and 10.

Written by lemme on 09.12.2021 at 18:32

https://postimg.cc/gallery/CzLv6WT

use [img] tags so we can see them directly

Written by nikarg on 10.12.2021 at 16:06

Written by conscientiousnes on 09.12.2021 at 08:29

Sample 08:

This is my favourite, I absolutely love it. Can you do it with an electric guitar?

ps. Well done, awesome work in general

Yes, the electric guitar sounds good. Can You create it, and we will compare both of them

Written by lemme on 12.12.2021 at 08:51

Yes, the electric guitar sounds good. Can You create it, and we will compare both of them

I have no idea how... The one I have posted is really the best I can do

Creative at its fucking best.

Alright, partner, Keep on rollin', baby...

Written by corrupt on 21.12.2021 at 19:46

Wow, this is best so far to me. Few were good, but this wins to my eyes

Written by corrupt on 21.12.2021 at 19:46

That's my favorite one. Simple, classy and has something to do with music.

Apparently i am too dumb to post an image.

https://imgur.com/a/B7Lk1YC