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1. Anubis Lost Child
Assignment - Ahken-atten Studies

I must be a few journals behind the times, I can't identify all the sources* in this essay. I get the feeling its only citing one author, though. If it isn't, well good on you, and if it is well, I know better than to belabor those kinds of details.

The character is very thin, the outcome of the culmination of slender boots, a slimming cape and very tall horns. Amicable in and of itself, but when the sword is added to the mix it creates a very hefty source of weight at an oblique angle to the avatar, that is both visually distracting and uncharacteristic. Utilizing a sword with a sword position that runs parallel to the avatar would have been highly preferrable, such as the levitating fremere swords - or a lithe sort of weapon, like a rapier.

The dark gray and beaming oranges complement eachother very nicely, but it is not necessarily mind blowing. Some of the accent choices are surprisingly effective, like the star tattoo, while others are an unbearable adherence to obvious matching selections, like the bracelets. The snowy whisp of the hair seems lost in the see of charcoal, destined to melt away.

The assignment is likable but amateur at best.

*items.

Verdict 4/10.
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2. Companion Play Date
Assignment - Childhood Development

While the assignment does exude a character beyond just the aesthetically pleasing qualities of the companions themselves, there are a few details that mar the suspension of disbelief. The culmination of items at the hip region are lovely, but the taper of the ghost's tail is too readily apparent. It leaves you wondering. It's likely a lovely day, suddenly interrupted by the loss of sight in your left eye for a few seconds. As minute as it is, a micro-stroke is, well, still a stroke. Might wanna get that checked, kiddo.

There are other interruptions. Il'machiato lacks any solid ground on which too stand. While it is true he has wings, it is less acceptable because he's in an upright walking position. Further, I'm hard pressed to say that every bubble and whisp item is benefiting the avatar as a whole. The background effects could likely be trimmed some.

But ultimately, it effectively creates something larger than the sum of its parts. While not without flaw, it is not just a pair of companions.

Verdict: 7/10.
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3. Scarecrow
Assignment - Farm Practicum

This feels like Lincoln logs. We've taken a handful of identical sticks and created a box.

This assignment is just not relevant. It's the announcement avatar, a quiet repeat of the initial pixel artist's work. This assignment is essentially hollow.

While there are details which suggest growth beyond the full set. I like the addition of orange; I like the skirt. But at large, the non-scarecrow set items, are just another set. This is not enough to even breach my standards of acceptable set usage - and standards don't get more lenient.

Take what lead you to pair the colors of the scarecrow with the colors of the jack set, and then try to remove the set repetition. With enough practice you'll begin to see the underlying rules which make a "set" of items work, and be able to produce avatars without the crutch of repetitious item selection.

Verdict: 3/10.
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4. Lumiere Noire Outfit
Assignment - Cosmetology

I apologize, but I do hate repeating myself.


Verdict: 1/10.
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5. Temporary Fame
Assignment - Introduction to Theater

The peripherals of this assignment are attempting to compensate for the lackluster qualities of the core. If we brush away the scattered masses, we'll notice the core consists solely of four flashy monochrome items and a few trite accessories. The lack of shoes will forever be a poor choice, as the avatar's foot is peculiarly, almost unreasonably flat when compared to the dynamic stances even the most boring shoe will provide.

Verdict: 2/10
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6. Lady Enyo, the Merciless
Assignment - A Brief History of War

There are isolated details about this avatar that I quite enjoy. The helm and horns complement each other very nicely and the use of the skirt provides some visual interest to the legs, which have quickly exhausted their novelty. The hands are interesting, and it takes a moment to diagnose their make-up.

But beyond that, there is very little. The make-up and eye usage is playing catch-up. The fore-runners of personality-oriented avatars cornered that market ages ago, and at this point, its at the tail end of interesting facial expressions. At large the avatar appears to rely on the bravado of a selection few items, with a few unique aspects tacked on in hopes of shrouding the hollow truth.

Verdict: 4/10
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7. For Rebecca
Assignment - Graduate Clinicals

It is most important to not forego criticism solely on the grounds there is a heartfelt message underneath. It is, in fact, only an affirmation that criticism must be produced in its purest form: where it is objective, productive and altruistic, so that it may be a celebration of life just the same.

The cocoon sash negatively impacts the symmetry of the avatar, blotting out the pink portion of the skirt on the left side. This is not terribly inappropriate but is compounded by the fact there are two large blots of white on the left side (the head layering and sash) and no solid concentrations of white on the right side whatsoever. Its removal would offer the avatar more solid symmetry without negatively impacting its complexity. The waist region is slightly muddled and indistinct, but this isn't necessarily a flaw, just peculiar and requires some suspension of disbelief to let it sink in.

And in comparing the head to the skirt, we will notice the bottom achieves a very port sort of lattice pattern of detail while the head is basically a large concentration of differing items, some of which exhibit uncharacteristic colors, such as the creamy color of the dionaesil flower and the tropical colors of... that item that has the kiwi on it. While suitable to the character those eyes will always suffer the fate of being visually unappealing and there are many selections which would have fit the character and color palette of the avatar better.

But these minute deductions are but the unavoidable ripples of entropy, not even beginning mar the essential beauty of the avatar. It is captivating, and inspiring, and a privelege to critique.

Verdict: 9/10.
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8. Free Style #1
Assignment - Meteorology

Need I say more that these equippable legs are a sad placeholder for actual construction...

The collar stabs through the mane as if the laws of matter were a trite fantasy. It's simply an overhashed mess. I feel as if I should become somewhat... uncivilized towards this avatar. Hmm.

The essential downfall is that the assignment itself is nebulous. The granduer of the assignment exists primarily in the background and the essential sense of bravado it provides. At some point an avatar maker must be able to relinquish these crutches and produce intricate visuals and personalities. This is far from that standard, it would seem.

Verdict: 2/10.
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9. I AINT SAYIN' SHE'S A...
Assignment - Macroeconomics

Something could have been done with this avatar, and that's the ultimate shame. It's not impossible to style a dress-centric assignment, nor is it possible to do so with a backwards assignment. However, with so many opportunities the assignment was keen to settle with the lowest common denominator. It is simply wasted possibilities.

Verdict: 3/10.
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10. zOMG Uniform
Assignment - Uniformity 101

Growth in avatar making is a commendable pursuit. With each avatar, with each trite alteration we're afforded the chance to learn something new. This assignment has met some of the most basic principles of avatar making. We as veteran of that pursuit often lose sight of the sheer difficulty of taking the first step.

Now, obviously, this avatar is of an amateur quality. It produces a very simple color palette utilizing body wide items (ergo, intricate detailing is accomplished in one fell sweep), and relies heavily on the bravado of its focus item. While nothing impress, such things are not a sinister and filthy vices and should not be treated as such.

Verdict: 3/10