Bummer
Jamming to the beat
I felt it was time for a general discussion thread regarding the state of Smeargle's Studio and what all of our lovely users can suggest to improve our corner of the forums. If something's been on your mind as of late but didn't really know how to approach it, then this is definitely the time. If not, then I have a list of topics I figured I'd bring up, since while Smeargle's Studio fulfills the same function it always has, sometimes it's good to reinvent yourself.
Another Art Leader wanted
This is more of a personal matter rather than one directly affecting Smeargle's Studio, but ever since Zracknel stepped down from his art co-leader position with me, that same position has always been open and ready to be filled by someone suitable for the role. Now, even my own activity has started to wane, and I'm realising that our studio will soon be in an urgent need for someone else to keep track of stuff and just overall implement beneficial changes to the place. Not planning to leave Smogon completely any time soon, but I'm definitely more distracted than before and this place deserves someone better than that.
There has been moments when I've been tempted to approach someone with an invitation to this co-leadership, but due to artists generally having fluctuating activity or having other duties elsewhere, I've played it safe for the most part. If you're reading this and feel that you would be suitable for this role, then shoot me a PM here on the forums or start a private chat on Discord or PS and I'd be glad to give you a rundown of the position. Being an artist yourself is not an requirement, but you do need to be able to give constructive critique and just generally know your way around art in order to help all of our local artists improve. Being level-headed and relatively known in the artist community certainly helps too.
But yeah, hit me up if you feel capable and aren't planning on leaving Smogon within the closest year. I don't bite.
Discord activity
The honeymoon phase for this new hangout is most likely over by now, and I'd like everyone to start consider what they'd like to see in that channel. Should we try to host certain weekly/monthly events? Try to have certain topics rotating? Do we even have enough activity to attempt that yet and should just let things develop as it comes? Certainly something I'd like to hear some input about.
Arterview
This used to be a thing back when, but things pretty much ran out in the sand since I had difficulties finding artists who weren't so humble to the point they'd decline an interview. Is this something you'd like to see return, with or without being hosted on any of our media outlets? Also can't guarantee I'd still be hosting it, would like to stop adding more tasks to my workpile as is.
Monthly Art Contest
This used to be kind of neat, but like always, artists generally have a lot on their tables and so it's not always easy to participate despite getting a month to do it. Have enough time passed to revive this? Or should we keep it buried until something else sprouts?
The Studio hub
We already have a separate discussion thread for this, but I figured it deserves a mention in here as well, both as a reminder but also because I like what we've done to the place thus far! Just need to illustrate a few pages and scrap the History department entirely and I'd say we're golden. That is, unless any of you have further suggestions on what to put in there. Fire away!
Anything else
The floor is yours. If there's something you'd like to see adressed or talked about, be it our forums, activities, my role/duties as art leader, then now's as good time as any to voice it. You don't need to respond to the topics above if you don't feel like it, those are just some things off the top of my head that we could begin talking about.