The number of visitors to The Iconfactory has increased dramatically this past week, no doubt in anticipation of seeing the first Pixelapalooza contest entries. Well, we’re here to tell you that an initial batch has now been posted on the three category pages – Mac OS X, Candybar and Classic. More are coming in each day, so keep tuning back in to see and download the latest creations from icon artists the world over. We’re just getting started folks!
The Breakroom
First Contest Entries Posted
February 9, 2004
A Slave To Smoothicons
February 3, 2004
Corey keeps making them, and you keep asking for more, so we’re proud to present Smoothicons Volume 8. Without a doubt, one of the factory’s most popular offerings, Smoothicons 8 expands on Corey’s last release of application icons with even more popular apps. Volume 8 offers smooth versions of Apple’s Keynote and Garageband apps as well as Microsoft Office, Panic apps and even The Iconfactory’s own suite of application icons. And before you ask, Corey has already started on Smoothicons 9, so have no fear, Smoothicons are here! Enjoy!!
Pixelpalooza 2004 Officially Begins Today
February 2, 2004
The Iconfactory is pleased to announce the commencement of the 8th installment of Pixelpalooza, our annual icon design contest. Every year we invite the Macintosh icon design community to pull out all the stops and send us their pixelated creations. Last year’s event drew 137 entries from around the globe and was another huge success.
And while our submission pages are now active and waiting to accept your entries, we encourage you to first read and understand the contest rules prior to entering. For the moment there is plenty of time to enter, so if you have questions about anything contest related to write us and ask. It is much better to take your time and get your entry assembled correctly, than to rush it in to simply get it posted. Remember when submitting your entry, be sure to double check your email address. If your address is wrong, you won’t receive an entry confirmation and we won’t be able to get in touch with you to correct it.
You can expect to download the first contest entries when we have assembled enough to post, but in the meantime you can get a feel for what this year’s icon artists will be competing for on the newly updated Pixelpalooza prize page. Sponsors for this year’s event include Aladdin Systems, Ambrosia Software, Font Diner, Fonthead Design, Gee Three, Matterform Media, Panic, and Vizspring. Please show your support for our sponsors by clicking on their links or their badges on the prize page. If you are a webmaster and want to support our contest efforts, be sure to visit the Pixelpalooza homepage and grab one of this year’s cool linking badges!
So folks, visit often to see the best and brightest in icon design for the Mac. There are always surprises each year, and we’re sure this year’s contest will be no different. Ladies and gentlemen, start your pixel-clicking!
Icons From The Heart
January 28, 2004
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, resident icon artist, Talos Tsui, has created a set of unique icons perfect for the upcoming holiday. Using clever play on words, Talos has whipped up a set of freeware icons that are both cute and fun and make a perfect valentine’s day present any icon loving sweetheart. Hearts is available today as either Macintosh or Windows based icons and also comes available as a nifty Pixadex iContainer. Head on over and grab them and if you enjoy them, be sure to drop us a line and let Talos know!
Frozen Solid In North Carolina
January 27, 2004
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the weather lately then you probably know about the nasty storm that swept through the southeast and is now dumping snow in the north. To make a long story short, the factory workers are snowed in today which means our normal Tuesday icon release will be delayed a bit so we have time to thaw it out. In the meantime, we want to say “Happy anniversary!” to the Macintosh which turned 20 this past Saturday. Our Chief Typist’s workstation is a testament to the staying power of the Mac (like the rest of the worker’s desks). We’ll be back in full action soon!
xScope For Designers Updated
January 22, 2004
ARTIS Software and The Iconfactory are pleased to announce an update to xScope, our popular set of tools for designers released last November. xScope assists designers in measuring, aligning and inspecting on-screen graphics and layouts. The software consists of six tools in one including Rulers, Screens, Loupe, Guides, Frames and Crosshair. xScope 1.0.1 includes several user interface enhancements as well as bug fixes and tweaks and is a free upgrade to registered users. We invite you to swing over to the xScope homepage and find out what’s new as well as download a trial version today. xScope is available for Mac OS X users for $14.95
Clipper Has Docked Once Again!
January 20, 2004
That’s right folks, this week’s freeware release is volume 2 of Ged’s popular Clipper System collection. Inspired by Corey’s recent release of Smoothicon application icons (and swarms of emails from rabid Clipper fans), Clipper System 2 contains 40 cool, application icons ready for your desktop and/or dock. Clipper System offers bold colors, and simple lines which adds up to a set of icons fun for both kids and adults alike. The Foreman invites you to preview and download Clipper System 2 for either the Mac or PC, or as a nifty Pixadex iContainer. Enjoy!
Pixelpalooza ’04 Starts Feb. 2nd
January 19, 2004
That’s right folks, there is very little time left before we start accepting entries to this year’s Pixelpalooza contest. This year’s icon design contest officially begins at Noon est on Monday, Feb. 2nd (US Groundhog day) and runs through March 31st. The entry categories are the same as last year – Mac OS X, CandyBar and Classic, so if you have thought about entering, hop on over to the official contest rules page and check it out. Watch for linking badges, official sponsors and prizes to be announced soon.
Protecting Your Creations
January 12, 2004
We don’t usually comment on what happens at 3rd party websites, but we’ve received so many emails in the past few days about Hein Mevissen’s decision to close down his popular site – MixThePix, we thought we should respond.
One of the sad truths about the Internet is that although it allows unrivaled levels of communication, its very nature makes it very easy to steal other’ people’s work. From miss-appropriation of HTML source code, to stolen Perl scripts to icons, piracy of this nature happens on an epic scale. The Iconfactory has had more instances of this than we care to admit, and one of the ways we keep abreast of the situation is by the watchful eye of all of our fans out there (thank you!).
Artists like Hein are perfectly within their rights to demand that their work is not used commercially unless they specifically say so on their website or in their documentation. Just because we’re talking about icons (or freeware), doesn’t mean copyright and intellectual property rights don’t apply. The danger is that when you put something “out there” for the masses, there will always be those who will appropriate and misuse it.
It is an impossible situation, and unless artists are ready to shell out big bucks for lawyers and cease and desist notices, there is very little that can be done to make someone stop using your work. The Iconfactory fully supports the efforts of individuals to distribute and control their creations, but like yourselves, we are always searching for the best methods to do just that. Pixadex iContainers were intended to at least slow down icon hungry pirates, but as we’ve seen from Hein’s case, if someone is intent on stealing your work, they will find a way. In the end we’re all in this together, and maybe that’s the best defense we have, each other.
