New to SL, but not Photoshop

Greetings folks! After reading about SL for many months, I've decided to see if my talents in Photoshop can make people happy in SL. And maybe, if I am VERY lucky, make a little money.

I have accessed and read the forums here today, downloaded a ton of templates, textures, etc from both Linden Labs and other users. I went through a nice simple t-shirt and tatoo tutorial on a users site (thank you, Nicola!). I had to waste 45 minutes doing the tatoo tutorial because my version of Photoshop didn't have the right version of the TGA file format plugin. Finally, after much searching on Google, I found the solution to that.

Now, I suppose I'm ready to do well..just about anything. But I've only been in SL for a few hours, and really don't know what to do first.

Should I start by just making a few things for my charecter?

Should I go someplace and try to get an idea of whats hot and popular?

Should I have a conversation with another designer?

Help appreciated, THANKS!

-Pandora

I would suggest that this isn't quite the right place for my answer... although it is for your question as phrased.

Before diving in to designing stuff have a cruise around SL and get a feel for the place and the people. Have fun. Explore. None of that will cost you a penny (there may be places you can't get to without paying... but the vast bulk of SL is free to access).

As part of that most people end up cruising shops, whether for window shopping or for actual shopping. If you do that, you'll find there's not a "hot style" in SL. There are dozens. Some are sort of location specific. Some are sub-culture specifc. There are classic looks, sci-fi looks, fantasy looks of different types and so on.

At the end of the day... SL shoppers shop on quality and word of mouth. If you've got particularly outre tastes you *might* not find a market, but I'd be surprised. If you're making stuff that is quality it will likely sell.

But settle into the fun that is SL for a few days first would be my advice. Doing that will let you get a taste for what's out there, and maybe decide what you're going to do first with your designs.

I could not agree more with the last post. Take your time and explore around. You will see so many things available. I am unsure by your original post if it is only clothing and tattoos that interestyou. But if you perhaps have an interest in art, you could always visit FD Artistry Gallery. I offer space there free to the artists to display thier works. This could be a start for you as we are one of the most visited art galleries in SL, therefore it may grant you some exposure and some interaction with the residents.

I hope this may help you. Even if art itself is not the road you wish to take, this could help you meet many people in game and perhaps give you some ideas

Felowen Dodge

The gallery can be found by just doing a search for Felowen. I am the only one thus far

Every designer seems to start out by making something that they wish they had to wear. So, start there and play around--show it to your SL friends, see what they think. Hand out some copies. Look at what others are wearing and see what you like and dislike.

Starting a biz in SL is not that much different than staring a biz in RL. There is no get rich quick scheme. And there are no magic formulas. (Anyone who tells you differently is trying to sell you something.) Your next step is really up to you. There's a great opportunity out there for anyone to give it a go. But you need quality and good marketing to get anywhere. Study your market and go for it. All of us stumble here and there. Just keep going. In the end, perseverance (or lack thereof) may be the main factor. But never lose sight of your market. Like those above have said, you have to be a part of SL, or you just may not 'get it'.

Hello,

All I can add to the wonderful advice is to do what you LOVE. I started because (as already stated) there were things that I wanted and could not find. Then friends asked where I had gotten the item...and it just went from there.

I found it helpful to get opinions from (honest) friends and to talk to people who tend towards the style(s) you are interested in to get a feel for what others would like to see available.

It is tempting to create what we see people already wearing...to know that there is a market for that product, but if you do not enjoy making that item or style, then will your heart be in it long enough for you to build a client base?

There are so many different things in SL...so much diversity, no doubt you'll find your niche.

Best,

~Ari

I really appreciate the time you folks spent replying to my post. I just feel a bit overwhelmed, and wasn't really sure what to do next.

I decided on cloths first, simply because I think I'm up to that, and I hate the clothes my charecter is currently wearing, heh.

I'll probably experiment with PIM's and other things later on.

I'm not much of an artist. Created a few nice scenes in Bryce years ago, but found it took too long to do a final render.

Well, I'm off to walk around the world, and ah..see what there is to see

-Pandora

Definately explore around and see what's going on in SL. Check out the high traffic shopping areas and check out the lesser popular ones. I would stay away from SL malls, as most don't house the best of SLs designers. There are exceptions to this of course, but until I started hitting up actual clothing stores, I had no idea of what kind of quality in clothing was out there. I think it's important to observe the best of the best and to see what makes it that way.

I had just a small ammount of trouble getting my textures to wrap right on the SL avatar, but then I found Chip Midnight's templates, and it's all been simple since then. If you don't have his, I highly reccommend these over SL's templates.

One thing I want to mention, if you are trying to create clothing right now and are having problems getting the textures to stick after initially making them, it's not something you are doing wrong, this is happening to everyone I think. Just a small tip as I know how confusing it is to be new to the game.

I think I may gotten the concept I had to buy items to learn how its made cuz I am noob too.
I am more of artist though I have created content in past.
Personally I am just going to explore and have fun myself if I make things, I will make things but the art gallary thing is cool I may contact you Felowen to ask you about it.