How important is the description?

[0_o-kori]

I lurk in this forum a lot and I have noticed that ya'll aren't just good at making great avatars, but you are also good at giving them stories and poems. So I was wondering how important do you think the arena description is? do you rate lower when someone has no description? would you rate higher if someone has a great description? even if their avatar is lacking?

[Pilotslover]

To me the description can tie together a good avatar.

I will down vote a mediocre avatar because it lacks a description because it helps me understand a persons motivations.

[Nomme de Pocky]

A great story can go along with an avatar and make it jump off the screen. I take descriptions into consideration more so in the original arena than the cosplay.

[OHS-Fujioka_Haruhi-]

The descriptions are important to me in cosplay arenas. That is my domain. I stay away from originals.
I'm not that educated on animes/games/movies/etc., but I am educated on the items on Gaia and I am very picky about detail.
If the person is cosplaying from a book, the description becomes very important because I don't know what that character is supposed to look like.
If the person used a certain item, I like when they explain why in their description.

[Naramaru]

Descriptions can definitely play a huge role in how your avatar is received.
On the cosplay side you can give information about the character and/or scene you're trying to do, just so people understand why you did what you did and used the items you used.
The original side it can help make the avatar come alive. When someone can see the avatar and the story working together, they're more likely to give you a better score. I hate it when I see an avatar that says "just something I threw together" or something like that, just because it doesn't seen like they actually care or took pride in their creation. Even a small description about how you came up with the avatar can help.
I definitely take the description in consideration, only if the avatar somewhat interests me. There are just some that shouldn't be in the arena at all, when I see them there is no saving it with a good description. Any regulars know which ones I'm talking about.

[Lady Aeducan]

I don't see why people find descriptions to be so important. The avatar arena is to showcase your avatar-making skills, after all, not your writing.
I usually don't even look at it until after I've made my voting decision.

[Bee`]

In cosplays, I think it's sorta important.
Though for original, in ways I don't care too much, but maybe it's because I myself just suck at making up some nice little story or poem to go with my avatars. sweatdrop
Though it is fun to read when you are looking through the arena.

[Mirastella Crowley]

Lady Aeducan

I don't see why people find descriptions to be so important. The avatar arena is to showcase your avatar-making skills, after all, not your writing.
I usually don't even look at it until after I've made my voting decision.

I know what you mean. Even if I had to quickly finish scanning the entries in the Arenas, I can just go back to a few of them to read the rest of the description if I have time... It usually takes a few seconds.

[Rya Dracosin]

This may sound lazy, but i don't do descriptions. I just basically say let the avatar speak for itself, most times. besides, most of the descriptions are too bubbly and beggy, or whatever. some are really good, but if the avatar is not good, i can't give it a decent vote... I vote 98% on appearance...

[0_o-kori]

Bee`

In cosplays, I think it's sorta important.
Though for original, in ways I don't care too much, but maybe it's because I myself just suck at making up some nice little story or poem to go with my avatars. sweatdrop
Though it is fun to read when you are looking through the arena.

That's how I am. I'm awful at giving a story to my avatars!

[Naramaru]

It's not so much that we want a story or a poem and more of an explanation of what you were trying to do. Like why did you put the items on the way you did and how you came up with the idea. We just like to see some passion.

[Deazy]

Lady Aeducan

I don't see why people find descriptions to be so important. The avatar arena is to showcase your avatar-making skills, after all, not your writing.
I usually don't even look at it until after I've made my voting decision.

Same.

Crap avatars are still crap, even if they have a good story.

People need to stop giving bad avatars a good rate because they have a 'hohoho' funny description.

[Anardana]

If I have a good story or piece to go with an avatar, I'll add it. However sometimes I just made an avatar and think "oh I'm really pleased with this" and it is an end in itself, not a means to transmit a poem or story.

[non-objective destiny]

Descriptions can both aid or hurt your entry depending upon how you do it. Poems or short stories for Original entries generally aid entries as long as they are relevant to the themes. I mean the avatar is much more important but the description gives it a little boost for this section of the arenas.

Cosplays deserve descriptions of the characters you are cosplaying even if they are well known characters. And also a good reference pick is important to the "description" of your avi.

A no-no is putting posts like "I wuz bored. Lol" or "Just my current Avi! What do you think?" and other similar descriptions are certainly not good, especially for to voters who are arena regulars.

However again this is an avi showcase and not a writing competition. It's not 100% necessary but most people, especially regular Arena contestants, usually do.