RedBubble

RedBubble Post Card - Everyone's an artist

Hello fellow bubblers,

I thought it might be useful if we tried to give you an insight into the ‘mind of RedBubble’ – every now and then. To give you an understanding of what makes us tick.

One of the key ideas underpinning RedBubble is that ‘everyone’s an artist’. Let me restate part of our very first journal post

“People are inherently creative. Deep down, most of us love to come up with new ideas, express who we are, or take a different perspective on the world around us.

This is particularly true of children. Remember chalk on the footpath, crayon on the walls, or a painting stuck proudly to the fridge with a magnet. Kids love stories, they love learning about new things, they ask obvious yet somehow overlooked questions.

So why don’t many of us focus on our creative interests as adults? Is there something about the process of growing up that changes us, that convinces us to be serious and sensible? Do we lose the ability to be creative? Or does it just get buried amidst the responsibilities, worries and priorities of adult life?

Look closer, though, and you’ll see sparks of creativity in adults everywhere. Since starting our RedBubble journey, we’ve been amazed at how many of our close friends have “confessed” to a secret creative hobby, a little spark of creativity that few else know about.

Look at the statistics and the picture is clearer still. Over 2.5 million Australians regularly take part in some sort of creative or cultural activity. Almost 90% do this entirely for free, for the simple enjoyment of it. A fortunate few earn a living from it, but most keep their creative spark alive in their own time and without sharing it with the world.

RedBubble was founded with a burning desire to improve this situation. And there are some major social and technological trends helping us out.“

We openly want to embrace a wide variety of material on RedBubble, from a wide variety of people – from professional artists to emerging artists to people just discovering their artistic side. We don’t want to place more limits or barriers in the way of people – life has enough barriers – so we’ve tried to keep RedBubble as open as possible.

This is why we haven’t placed any upload limits on the site and why we don’t vet content before it’s published. We’ve recently received feedback from the community that such an open approach has meant people might be encouraged to post ‘anything’ to RedBubble. Our thinking is that RedBubble should be the place for your best work and over the next short while we’re looking to update the site to further encourage this behaviour. But we don’t want RedBubble to become an elite only site – we don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

- Peter

Faizan Qureshi, 10 months ago

Very well said. Thank you.
kathleen, 10 months ago

fantastic to see this again… I think some of us need to see more of this as a mental check… You guys still Rock! :-)
botanicfanatic, 10 months ago

Yes, thanks for posting this again. You’ll never please everyone, but those who are aligned with your vision will stay. :) Long live creativity!
Melinda Kerr, 10 months ago

Brilliant response to all the crap angst out there guys. It’s a great site. Some people will manipulate it some won’t. The point is it provides opportunity for all and that’s a noble sentiment. Stick to your guns RB.
freebornman, 10 months ago

G.K. Chesterton said” A man must love a thing very much if he not only pracitces it without any hope of fame or money, but even practices it without any hope of doing it well.”.......... I’m here because I love it….... and thanks RB for the hospitality….
gypsygirl, 10 months ago

Well put Redbubble, I’ve loved that I’ve been able to get creative on this site and upload it. This is a great site!
David Librach, 10 months ago

This should be on a t-shirt. :)

Very well said. Nice little reminder for all of us. Like Kathleen said…you guys still rock!
Kristy Lee, 10 months ago

Thank you for that. It’s good to have a reminder of what the RB culture is really about :)
Mel Brackstone, 10 months ago

Wonderful to read this again!
Andrew Brown, 10 months ago

Thankyou. I hadn’t seen the original post. It was the feel of this site, the culture, that was the reason I had the confidence to join up and upload my work and I am very glad to be part of this place.
Darren Stones, 10 months ago

A while ago I wrote an RB News Story about one of our fellow RedBubble members who is dealing with a life-threatening condition. The gentleman kindly provided me the opportunity to tell his story to our community and I was honoured when it was recognised by RedBubble.

The opportunity which RedBubble has provided is a positive one.

To those who take time to look and comment – I say thank you.

Enjoy bubbling.
Ruth Palmer, 10 months ago

As far as I’m concerned, RB is the best art site on the web and I love being a part of it! Keep up the great work!
Julie Langford, 10 months ago

Well said, a site for everyone.
Tanya B. Schro..., 10 months ago

What a wonderful mission statement! It reminds me of what Julia Cameron does with ‘The Artist’s Way’, to which I credit my forays into the art world. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to dig deeper into the reasons why we don’t create as adults – and why it’s imperative we do. Thanks for the inspiration, RedBubble!
Deborah Bowness, 10 months ago

Well said Red Bubble! This is a truely great site and very addictive too, it totally Rocks!
Anita Donohoe, 10 months ago

Heartfelt applause for RedBubble!
I found you by accident and feel very welcome here among such a supportive, highly creative and productive community. It has even come to feel like a family with occasional spats and sibling rivalry.
Do you know what I like best about RedBubble?
It’s Fun!
hillsrain, 10 months ago

Our thinking is that RedBubble should be the place for your best work and over the next short while we’re looking to update the site to further encourage this behaviour.
I think this hits the nail solidly on the head.
This too is relevent
But we don’t want RedBubble to become an elite only site
When these 2 comments are taken on board together, the result should be what we are looking for. Red bubble is an excellent community and is to be applauded for its unique approach and offerings. I for one am honoured to be a part of this and try my best not to take the service offered free of charge to myself for granted.
Also like any community there are those who promote themselves extraordinarily well, and are amazingly active which raises their public profile and hence exposure to their art well beyond that of others.
Not to knock the obvious talent of some of these active and gifted self promoters, but don’t forget that hidden deep inside redbubbles quieter members is some awesome talent. People who quietly do their thing with no fuss and no shouting “here I am, look at me!”
Please look deeper than the community and whats hot tab people. Its pretty easy to get solidly lost in awe deep in the bowels of red bubble.
My 10 cents.
Charlene Aycock, 10 months ago

Very well said RB one question how will we know what you think is our best and what will be allowed on the site?
gemynd, 10 months ago

I have been really impressed with the high quality of the content I’m glad redbubble is setting the bar as aspirational and inspirational
Randy Monteith, 10 months ago

My work has only gotten better since I joined here a short while ago. Its because of the quality of the artwork and the friendlyness of the people on here. I belong to other sites and groups on the net, but they seldom see me anymore.

RedBubble is my new home

RedBubble is my new Family

Long Live RedBubble
theurbannexus, 10 months ago

One thing that I wonder is whether upload limits are really the only way to encourage people to upload their best work anyway. I imagine that if someone uploads a lot of low quality work, they will get minimal attention and some frustration as a result, and likely will either learn to put up higher quality work, or leave.

This in itself is not bad.

They may return when they have more focus and drive.
Hiroko, 10 months ago

Very nicely put…
Helene Kippert, 10 months ago

I’m so glad you’ve put this statement up – I didn’t see it the first time round, and I’ve found all the recent whinging disturbing. The thing I love most about redbubble is it’s egalitarianism and inclusiveness, so stick to your guns guys – and I still think redbubble rocks!
Deb Gillett, 10 months ago

Perhaps a system could be put in place where images that don’t get attention drop off the system. If no-one much bothers to see the larger image, having flicked past the thumbnail, and no-one comments on it for a period of time, then that image could fall off the end, leaving a clearer field for all the newer exciting stuff. We could call it the “Attention span of a gnat” management system. I LOVE Redbubble- an exhibition without all the angst!!
lisaraejohnston, 10 months ago

Thanks for hearing us & thank you for looking out for us “babies in the bathwater” – I really enjoy having a place to post my work for view – I often go back and remove work I have posted…..sometimes what I thought was my best @ 3am after a long day, doesn’t seem so great after a good night’s sleep & a cup of coffee. I am thankful right now that we are allowed to edit ourselves as it is actually more of a learning experience to have to admit to yourself that what you worked so hard on is not as great as you hoped.
Mark German, 10 months ago

I am greatly indebited to RB for providing this platform. I have expanded my views, and sharpened my skills. I love the community, and have made many friends through here that share a similar passion. I love RB as it was, and would love it to remain the same.

Of course, voloume and popularity will change things – but not neccessarily in a bad way. We just need to be concious of the welfare for the community as a whole, and remain true to the original ideaology.

Little spikes and troughs will hopefully be minor glitches in the long-term scheme of things. I don’t believe in ignoring change and hiding heads in sand – but knee-jerk reaction is even worse. I think you guys are doing a fine job, and performing an incredible balancing act.

Kudos to you.
wanda lechene, 10 months ago

very good i am very happy :-)
Danny, 10 months ago

My admiration grows every day for the whole RB team
They have to look at all sides simultaneously and appear impartial.
They are tested on all fronts daily and the site still retains it dignity
For such a young site
these guys haven’t build walls
They have climbed Mountains
Salute
Gregoryno6, 10 months ago

The RedBubble Manifesto – amen!
Dave Sandersfeld, 10 months ago

Thanks RB team for posting your original goals; as a relative newcomer, I’d say you hit a bull’s eye. I do boring engineering work and i have been searching for a creative outlet. i am not an android!

Since exploring Red Bubble, and the incredible examples of creative talent herein, I am hooked! I apologize for new comers like me that could not figure out how to get bigger photos for market; but it motivated & challenged me to figure out how!

I figure i’‘ll stick at a 100 photos to leave room for new people. I’ll gradually remove & upgrade these ‘best photos” the market seems to likes to view. It is a learning curve & exercise for me – one who works in the woods?

Thank you RB Team for Red Bubble, I can interact with promising artists around the world. I might even become one some day. We are all here to help you!

What can we do more of?
joolz, 10 months ago

Thanks RB.
After a lot of the recent crisitism, your comment makes an amateur like myself still feel as though I have a place.
Lelia Thomas, 10 months ago

Sounds promising! I think if a “best work policy” can be encouraged more often and more visibly, it may help curb the desire of some to upload random snapshots. Finger crossed, at least. Don’t ever want RB to become another deviantART.
Gregoryno6, 10 months ago

And what’s wrong with deviant tarts?
Panteli Pyroma..., 10 months ago

Well done RB. We appreciate your efforts in providing this forum for us and the world.
Dave Pearson, 10 months ago

By way of backing up what hillsrain said above: I’m amazed and slightly appalled that, apparently, a very small group of people appear to be able to dominate the agenda regarding what RedBubble should be and what it shouldn’t be. Hopefully the people behind RedBubble, and the mass of the users, recognise that there’s a whole load of us out there who are just getting on and using it. Using this site as a way to develop their work, get a feel for what others think about it and what others consider to be your “best”. And, perhaps, even use the site to sell an item or two (and, personally, to this end I’ve been promoting the site via other websites I run).

I couldn’t care less who is or isn’t on some “popularity” page. I couldn’t care if I’m there or not. I’m not in the least bit bothered that some other people might be, and might be there a lot. I’m not at all bothered that there might be a hardcore of people who write comments on other people’s work, who help, encourage, etc…

This is how any networked site with a social component works. There’s always a small percentage who are highly visible, that’s how it always works. Of course, there’s also the small percentage who aspire to be there but can’t or won’t do the work so just complain. I’ve seen it many times before.

RedBubble is fine as it is as far as I’m concerned. I’ve not been here long, just a couple of weeks or so. I can see the flaws, I can see where it needs more work, and all of these things have everything to do with technical improvements or adding facilities that make social networking easier. To my mind none of them are features that are needed to prop up my ego.

I also agree with the thing about looking deeper than the “What’s Hot” page. I do, I doubt I’m alone in that. Don’t lots of people go skipping around the art pages, or playing a “chase the watchlists” and seeing where you end up? Hell, don’t people knock up tools like this or at the very least do a hand-crafted version of that to go find fun or interesting work?
HOOK ON BUBBLE, 10 months ago

One day as a society we will run our lives and country via consensus. = Each input counting toward the whole. Red Bubble is a great concept, it places power in the hands of the people while maintaing a strong design bend and offering a great commercial service. A winner for all involved. With Each Change it gets better I think!
Bobbie, 10 months ago

What Dave said.
rebecca zachariah, 10 months ago

I am glad that you have responded on all the recent complaints with this original writing. I have just about enough of it. I joined RB because of the opportunity it has given me and I am sure many others feel the same. So thank you.
lightsmith, 10 months ago

redbubble is one of my all time great discoveries. Google, a tiny number of forums, dark chocolate and digital photography. If i take good enough pics with my digital camera and sell enough cards I can tell everyone on the rb forum about the chocolate I can now afford to buy! So RB is the icing on the cake!
marieancolie, 10 months ago

When joining this group of bubblers some months ago, I was giving a try.

Now.. I’m quite an addict.. and also I have discover a lot os kinf people.
And I have some “real” friends.. Living in France, most of you in Australia (a country I have never been to, but I so love) it’s a new birth.

And also, I try to comment of most of the photos that catch my eyes, and bring some feelings in my heart.
I’m learning while watching other’s work. What a gift !

Red Bubble is totally different for the forums where I’m a member.
I found here more friendship, or more understanding.

I would like to thank the community and the staff for doing with this addictive forum,
something as a new home.

I dare to express my feelings on my photos and share them with you., because I find here sort of new breath and freedom .

I wish I could buy more of the great artwork I see here .. I’m only a millionaire in dreams and feelings.. not in my bank account.. :)

Vive Red Bubble !
Samantha Van S..., 10 months ago

niiice. very generous of your RB. I appreciate it.

I’ve been spending a LOT fo my time here, and loving the opportunity. It’s been a LOT of fun!
dendoo, 10 months ago

my experience has been both good and kinda meh….

i’m trying to stay in the community, hopefully make some new friends, and introduce people to my delirious visions. i meant that’s what a place like this is for!

i just want members to put their best work on here. you wouldn’t put just anything in your physical portfolio so why throw crap in your virtual one? if we do that then who knows who we can influence? i’m not influenced by crap…

i have faith that the rb team will work hard to fix the bumps that have surfaced in the system.
Tiffany Dryburgh, 10 months ago

“We openly want to embrace a wide variety of material on RedBubble, from a wide variety of people – from professional artists to emerging artists to people just discovering their artistic side. We don’t want to place more limits or barriers in the way of people – life has enough barriers – so we’ve tried to keep RedBubble as open as possible.”

This is EXACTLY what I love about this site. And thank you for posting this reminder of the RB ethos. Keep the faith, guys!
schizoren, 10 months ago

art is what you can get away with….andy warhol
Cathie Tranent, 10 months ago

Thanks RB – I missed that post when I first joined – but it has reiterated the message that you have sent with your actions in the time that I’ve been here.

People – if you have an issue with the What’s Hot or the homepage, do what I do – click on the “recent” tab and not the popular and make up your own minds!!

I have sold one whole card in the time that I’ve been here – I’ve made $1.00, but what I’ve learnt and been inspired to since I’ve been here is absolutely priceless!!
Bruce Halliburton, 10 months ago

Hey RB – I’ve been here about a month now and am completely addicted. The site is bursting with peoples creativity and this has given me loads of inspiration.

It’s a little frustrating though, that I only seem to get “nice” comments or no comments from people, rather than constructive criticism, which would help me to improve my work and see things through others eyes. I think the problem is that people are generally so nice here, they don’t want to offend? Perhaps there should be some anonymous way to rate pictures and give feedback?

Also, I don’t like the way pictures seem to be promoted to the “What’s hot” page merely by the number of comments they get in a certain time frame.

I’m interested to see what the next development is! Keep up the Good Work!
Durotriges, 10 months ago

Despite being one of the individuals who has been fairly vocal in his support for posting limits (and I promise not to open yet another debate on that here!) believe it or not, I do actually agree 100% with your aims for this site RB! It’s proving a terrific outlet for a lot of creativity and a wonderfully friendly place. I really do hope your future improvements create a site which is both a fun community and a place to showcase your best works.

@ Bruce – might I suggest that you post an image or two to the “For Critique” forum? There are lots of people there willing to ~~rip your photo to shreds~~ to give you lots of constructive criticism! : – )
lightsmith, 10 months ago

I also do what CathieT does ….. go immediately to RECENT and see what’s new. I’d set it up as my default if I could. I also love checking out those who comment or favourite me. And those who just post (e.g. on this thread) – every person I go to seems to have something to delight me. So anything that get’s me there is fantastic.
DarrellMoseley, 10 months ago

Dear RB, I can not thank you enough for your site! It has inspired some of my thinking. I have enjoyed learning, sharing, and connecting with others who share some of my passions. The talent here is amazing, and inspires what all creative can be. Art comes in many different forms, as does the beauty of expressing yourself. It is great to connect with the world outside, and share in the RB community! Thanks for giving us all a place to connect.
Beatriz R. Ald..., 10 months ago

I think this is a great place. I am so happy for the opportunity. Thank you so much.
Dave Sandersfeld, 10 months ago

Is anyone else confused about RB’s vastness. I feel like I am entering at least a three ring service with no announcer. You have incredible graphic artists somewhere here, You have wonderful photoshop friends that blend photos somewhere else and you seem to have amazing array of photographers that run the gamut from parental kid photos to nudes.

How do i or anyone find “my “group-s and how to enter another group-s of specialists OR where to learn more about another group-s?
I have seen Creative talent from ever continent here in my couple months here!
Is there a way we could align by continent? I found one name lived next door! Others from all corners of the world; and I have asked them to display photos of their world as an amazing potential inter-cultural experience?

An endless list of names does n’t help; when you were a small group that probably worked fine. You probably even missed that Aussie closeness? You can still have it!
Just a thought?
artstruggle, 10 months ago

There are numerous online galleries and each has its pros and cons. I’ve discovered that if something I want as an individual is lacking on a particular site it’s easier to join another site as well to cover that discrepancy rather than fight city hall. It doesn’t hurt to have work in a few places even if it is just a repetition as long as all the sites chosen have non-exclusive rights.
RonniLeigh, 10 months ago

The thing is I’m not worried about if someone elses art is good or bad. I’m worried about is my art good enough for Red Bubble. Sure I’m proud of my work but is my work really good enough for what it takes in the end. And really it goes for everyone here. It’s not what we think that counts but it does matter what Red Bubble considers good.
Charlene Aycock, 10 months ago

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, I really did think I was a gonner. RonniLeigh the reason I joined redbubble was because I saw on my first time on that everyone was an artist in his or he own way, and everyone was welcome. Hang in there and learn from each other.
misschristina95, 10 months ago

Great! I am very glad to hear this. I still consider myself a beginning photographer even though I have been working for a year or so. I am learning alot from this site and it is defintely pushing me to strive for more…. SOOO YEAAAA for redbubble for keeping the site open. :)
Leo Head, 10 months ago

As a new baby who will most assuredly hit the pavement with the bath water, if professional quality and talent were truly to come into play I would like to thank the people at Redbubble for what they have created here. As an absolute amature ( three months ) in the field of photography this has been a fantastic opportunity for me to gain some feedback in a vicarious way as to how i’m doing. I’ve reviewed some very talented artists on this site in the past month and I can safely state I have absolutly no hope of actually selling any of my work. Personally speaking a sale would be very nice but that’s not why i’m here. To be assocciated with all the talent displayed here is nice too, but well that’s not why i’m hear either. The larger part of the population has been incredibbly open and kind to me, an amature, i like that too, But well you guessed it ….......that’s not why i’m here either. I love to surf around the differant galleries and look at the images ( from the most awe inspiring to the simplist ) because it an insite into where others live and the beauty around them. True but no that’s not it….......!
I think the reason i’m here is

Because this site accepts me for who and what i am, an amature
There is no predudist as to style, thought or feelings
It is a site where i can upload and say YUP that’s mine, good or bad
Somewhere where i can edit my own work or change for another which “I” feel is more appealing
It is somewhere where I feel safe and secure in knowing I am a small part of something good and growing better
It is because of all the other ” that’s not its” i mentioned before
Bathwater….......it’s still pure spring water, it just has a little grit mixed in. All you need is top of the line filter to make it pure again.
Never throw out the Baby-—-—-- But be a little conservative with the bathwater too.

Other than that…..... What Marieancolie has said is fine by me.

All the best Leo
Larry Davis, 10 months ago

I shall keep this short and sweet…. I thank RB for allowing me this platform. I thank the members of RB for giving me the inspiration to create. But most of all, I am thankfull that I live in a free world, which allows me to be able to create, say what I feel, go where I want, and to be an individual.
Douzy, 9 months ago

I am actually amazed that despite the lack of limit on this site there is virtually no “junk” stuff on it, only serious dedicated artists with great quality art. Do you guys secretly remove profiles or art you don’t find appropriate?...
serenity, 8 months ago

INSPIRATIONAL AND SPOKEN FROM THE HEART…WELLSAID!
Sharon Perrett, 5 months ago

What more can we say, Red Bubble Rocks!!!!!!!!
AnaBanana, 5 months ago

I was disturb for the way some people reacts to anothers work.. I love red bubble bescouse is open and bring freedom .. well done red bubble please keep this work like it is …i have being inspired since day 1 here and i hope will keep for long!!!
Suzanne German, 5 months ago

Peter – I like the philosophy behind the original thinking tank at redbubble. I think it’s a great place to encourage and nurture art in its various formats.
So much room for expression and learning is availble as a shared community on this site.
Creative ideas, innovative thinking, writing, artistic experimentation and expression are the hallmarks of this wonderful website!

RedBubble is fun, fresh, fantastic and futuristic!

Go RedBubble!