#c-haven

[empyrisan]

A mascot character design for Homeless OC Project's contest! The Homeless OC Project's aim to make C-Haven the leading character database on the web. So if this is something that interests you, maybe you ought to check it out and support it!

No name yet! I went for a sky-themed cat character for this design and, at one point, he was a lankier fellow until I decided to go against my habit of drawing tall characters and stick with the smaller, stocky look I started off with and the contest asked for cute designs! And because everything is better when it's kawaii-sized, right? 

I also gave him a floating top hat because why not?

Whether or not he gets accepted, I might make a nicer reference sheet or something for him. I really like him!

[homelessocp-blog]

Hey guys, remember us?

It's been some time since we last made any sort of announcement, and this is due to various reasons. First of all, we've been waiting on the mascot contest to give us a face for our campaign, but as of yet we haven't received any entries and that's really discouraging! The whole mission of C-Haven is to create a website built by users around the needs of users, but it seems the initial steam around this project has deflated, and we aren't sure how to get that back!

Secondly, there isn't much we can do until we launch the campaign for funding, since this will be an entirely donations-based project. The problem with that is, as said above, we need things like a logo, a mascot, and an official design before we can create merchandise as fundraising incentives. So its a bit of a rock and a hard place.

For that reason, we may end up cancelling the mascot contest and going another route. Inevitably, we'll be pulling money out of our own pockets, but here's where there is a problem with that. We don't want to invest in something people aren't interested in, because if we put money into this and then we can't raise the funds to actually do it, it'll just have been a waste, you know?

So if you guys are still interested in seeing us create a character database with unlimited characters, a huge character image gallery, an intuitive UI and user-based community, and countless new and exciting features that have never been seen before, please spread the word and let us know you want this! Our initial post got over 200 reblogs, but we want to see more than that. Help us keep this project going, it only takes a click!

Thank you all for your support thus far! :)

[homelessocp-blog]

Some links for you guys!

Most importantly...

C-HAVEN.COM The only link that works is an example of the Profile page, all others are broken for now.

Others:

The B-Day List C-Haven Twitter B-Day List Twitter

From now on, immediate updates will be on our twitter page, which can also be seen on the C-Haven.com sample website. Tumblr will be reserved for major updates and feedback purposes.

[homelessocp-blog]

C-Haven.com is ours! Also, who likes presents?

I went ahead and bought the rights to C-Haven.com today, since it was only $10.99, so why not? So it is ours, we're on our way! Expect a sample page up very soon!

Also, I did a little side project today. Nothing nearly as idealistic as this, but something I thought you guys might like nonetheless. Its called B-Day List, and its a place to put your birth date, your amazon wishlist, and (if applicable) a link to your original characters. Then people have the option of giving you random gifts on your birthday, stranger or not!

I hope it kicks off a little bit at least, as I think it'll be a nice way for people to spread some love and cheer <3

[homelessocp-blog]

Good news! Moving forward!

We've found ourselves a coder! Over Boiled Tea has offered to build us a sample website, so we've got one coming! Go shower her with gratitude and encouragement! We're still searching for coders, though, those capable of coding the features we hope to offer on the site once we launch. THIS IS A PAID POSITION!

Anyone who would like to contribute as a coder would be accepted on a contract basis. The contract would be for work on the development of the site, and you will receive payment upon launch of the site and success of a kickstarter campaign. If you so choose, there are going to be options of permanent employment as a part-time freelance coder as well.

In the event that the kickstarter campaign does not succeed, do not fret. We will not give up on this goal, and funds will be raised either by a smaller campaign, other means of fundraising, etc. Despite this being a tumblr-based project, do not think we are not taking this seriously! It will happen, one way or another. Hopefully this clarification about payment will encourage some talented coders to head our way! Even just an advanced coder willing to discuss our features with me to see what is or isn't possible, how to accomplish these features, etc.

Any help we can get is greatly appreciated!

[homelessocp-blog]

C-Haven Mascot Design Contest!

Ready for the 49094th post today? That's right, we're having a mascot contest for C-Haven! Want to help make C-Haven the leading character database on the web? Want to see your creation on an active public website, on merchandise and recognized all around the internet?

We're now accepting entries for the new mascot of C-Haven. Let your imagination soar and conceptualize what you see being the ideal face of this website. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO? THAT'S SIMPLE, MY CHILD:

Send us an image of a potential mascot. Must be fully colored and full-body, no messy sketches or photographs of traditional art (make sure its scanned or looks clear and of quality).

TO SUBMIT: Please send all entries to my email address, [email protected], with the subject title: C-HAVEN MASCOT CONTEST; YOUR NAME (ie. your tumblr/fa/da username). Do not send your entries to us in asks, as these are unreliable.

To qualify you MUST also advertise this project (link to our tumblr page) on at least one website (that site can be tumblr). Send a link of this ad along with your entry.

Base your design pallet on the website template, shown HERE. 

Mascot can be anything: Human, animal, inanimate object personified, etc. Just make sure its cute! No snarling beasts or macho men. Those things are awesome but we want something simple and cute.

Like just stated, design should be simple. It must be easy to reproduce, easy to replicate, and easy to identify. But it should also be unique and recognizable.

Enter as often as you'd like.

Have fun with it!

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES, YOU SAY?

Credit for mascot design on official website and any relating materials. Listed as staff (site artist).

Option to name the mascot (with staff authorization).

Recommend a feature (within reason) to implement as soon as possible upon site launch.

Unlimited account upon launch of site (unlimited images, characters, etc.)

Percentage of revenue on any merchandise produced with the mascot's image in the future (rate based on industry standard).

Portfolio material! I will also act as a professional reference upon request for the winner, in the event of job searches. 

If there are enough entries, we will have 2 runner-up winners with surprise prizes.

This contest will end: MARCH 5TH, 2013 at 11:59PM EST USA TIME. We ask you to advertise for us in order to enter for the simple fact that we need more awareness around this project in order for it to work! It WILL work, but the more people we have backing us, the faster it will happen. And now for some necessary fine print.

By entering this contest you agree that the rights to the design falls completely to us at C-Haven. You forgo any rights to the design or character (while still retaining rights as the creator), if you win, but if you do not, you are free to do what you like with the design you created. The design you create may, in no way, copy the work of another artist, contain adult or obscene material, or resemble a copywritten/famous character in the media.

[homelessocp-blog]

[homelessocp-blog]

What we need to move forward:

I just made a post earlier about needing a coder, but I thought I'd make a list of everything we need to get done before we can go forward with a funding campaign. I'm also a bit worried about that, since, while a lot of people reblogged the original post, there hasn't been much in the way of feedback since. It may just be a matter of contacting every single person that reblogged that original post to keep them updated ;P Is that obnoxious?

Anyway, here is everything we need, in order of priority:

Coders! We need a basic sample website to show potential investors, but we also want to know which of the features we want to do that we will actually be able to accomplish, and for how much time/energy/money.

Kickstarter approval: I've contacted kickstarter.com, asking them if this website qualifies for a campaign, or if it would fall under a social media or business website. If they give us the go ahead, we'll have access to the largest funding community on the internet. If not, we'll have to go with a smaller alternative.

Logo: We need a logo! Now that we've settled on C-Haven as the name, we need a logo. Something simple and memorable. If you're a talented graphic designer, with logo experience/examples, let me know! This is something that can pay!

Mascot!! What's a website without a mascot? We also need someone to design a mascot for C-Haven. It should be easy to replicate/draw, but also unique and recognizable as a 'brand'. I'm thinking a Quagga (why am I so obsessed with Quaggas? No idea!) but obviously, I wanna hear what you guys think. What do you picture when you hear the name C-Haven?

I'm also setting up something to make communication a lot easier, so people can talk to each other and throw ideas back and forth. Will share that shortly!