This week: Dress It Up: Page Design Possibilities Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Contests & Activities Newsletter by Dawn
Contests and Activities get to have lots of fun and colorful devices used to bring information to the writer that comes upon the item. Whether it's a raffle to raise funds, a contest for short stories or even a long activity promoting other contests, there are many options that work even better for these types of items. |
May and June here in Southern California often come with even more color than the rest of the year, though honestly there are rainbows year around in Long Beach, due in part of Pride events. There are flags everywhere and while I wasn't able to watch the parade this year, when I was taking care of other people's cats, I did get to see some of the colorfulness, which gave me the topic this month. I did a newsletter dedicated to font not long ago, so this will include some of that but also bring in other elements because one thing that the contest and activity item has over the stories or poems being entered is more leeway to colorful and a little more over the top.
Image/Picture
An image is probably one of the most common things you can use for a contest or activity. In fact, most do have an image used that has the contest or activity name on it or something about the activity is presented in an image. Since we don't have stores or anything, the image also is used in the cover feature the site uses for any item to indicate the connection for things in your portfolio attached to the contest/activity. Whether you can make the image, or buy one from someone else on the site, either way will work. I'm not tech savvy. My images for contests and activities have almost always come from someone else. If you do this, I do suggest also having a note that gives them credit because they certainly have earned it. If you made the item, that is great. At the top of an item is the number one spot but don't be afraid to use images in other locations too. I have one for the contest that I manage that is my signature when I'm doing reviews. It's good to have that connection when the review is connected to a contest, for example.
Font
Now, this is what I've talked about before but deserves mentioning here for this month's topic. While I'm not the biggest fan as a judge for colorful font in contest entries, it is very different when talking about a contest forum or an activity. Here is where you can go all out and use the different colors to make sections stand out. Just make sure to consider how the font reads on the page because there are a couple colors that don't work well because it makes the words difficult for most people to read online.
Another thing you can do with fonts in an activity or the detail section for a contest forum is to use different font sizes. Headlines and titles do well at the biggest font sizes and minor details that aren't as important could be done with the smaller font. Well, maybe not the smallest though you could try it out. Still, having a variety of sizes will help as the reader/writer moves down the page to check out the activity or contest that you are holding. Big font can be an accept but might look strange if it is done at random. Find a way to use the fonts that make sense for what you are creating.
Emoticons
One thing that works well in activities that might not work as well in a static item is the use of emoticons. Granted, you can add them to poems and stories but often times it comes off a tad on the gimmick side. However, with an activity there are ways to make them work for you. I've used them to keep track of progress in writing challenges, as have many others. You can also you different ones or the typical bullet points when making lists, such as the list of rules for a contest.
These are a few examples of ways to jazz up an activity page. Finding what works best will depend on what you are creating as it might help to combine what you find fun, things that look appealing but also consider the person looking at the page. Bedazzle a page too much can be overwhelming but add nothing and there may be less appeal. Think about what you want to see and don't be afraid to ask for feedback.
What do you like to see on a contest or activity page?
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What do you like to see on a contest or activity page when it comes to decorations and font?
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Contests & Activities: May 21, 2025 Issue [#13138]
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