Special thanks go to Dzinc for suggesting the idea of a Visual Rejection Guide and providing a helpful template for the summary. Special thanks go to the users who contributed work to the Guide, including NechitaPaulFlavius, kimi1122, agodesa, magnoworks, kozmica, ToivoMedia, and many, many more!

Files we do need:

This list is by no means complete. We need a lot more than what you see here, but these represent categories that have a lot of room to grow. We also need anything unique. If you look through our library and can’t find anything like what you’ve created, we want it!

Presentation Templates (especially Keynote!)

Fonts

InDesign Templates

Customizable Kits

Holiday related files

Files should be editable

The file should contain clearly labeled and organized layers to allow the buyer to edit the file for his or her needs. Depending on the file, this can include: color changes, selection/deletion/modification of elements, re-sizing or moving of elements, and other modifications. Files should use professional techniques such as masking, layer adjustments, and layer styles (for resizeable elements) when necessary. In short: use non-destructive techniques.

Files should be cohesive

If a submission contains multiple elements or is part of a set (buttons, banners, etc), all of the elements should have a cohesive overall design. Cohesive design is achieved by sharing one or more of several elements: color scheme, shape and alignment, use of white space, and other stylistic choices.

Files should demonstrate a professional understanding of design

The file should demonstrate excellent understanding and execution of basic design principles, including but not limited to: contrast, repetition, alignment, proximity, white space, etc. When considering design excellence consider the function and user-friendliness of the item. For instance, design templates should be legible. Text that is too small or ill aligned is un-acceptable. Excellent files don’t necessarily need to follow design rules to a tee–great designers know the rules so well that they know how to break them effectively–but the design standards for GraphicRiver are very high.

Files with text should be scanable

The needs of typography vary somewhat depending on the content, but all submissions with typographic layout should follow design standards for easy readability and use. Fonts should have refined tracking, leading, and font choice. Text should have thoughtfully designed alignment, use of white space, contrast, proximity and repetition in layout. Pay particular attention to the alignment of text in files–centered text is often very hard to read in large bursts and files with multiple alignments on a single page are confusing for the eye and hard to scan. Also, files aligned on a grid are often better in the sense that they are easier to interact with.

Files should have a sophisticated design sense

Design can be minimal or complex, but there should be a level of sophistication and trend awareness in the design of files approved for GraphicRiver.

Files containing common design trends should be exceptional

Styles such as bokeh, glossy buttons, gadget illustrations, grunge effects, etc can all be popular trends in design, resulting in many submissions of this type. Because of the high number of submissions, files of this type need to be exceptionally well done, attractive, or offer something unique to be added to the GraphicRiver library. Files should not copy another file in identical concept, execution, or technique.

How do I follow authors?

To follow a particular author, simply visit their user page and click the Follow button on the right hand side. Once you are following an author, you will begin to see their items for sale on your home page within the grid to the right hand side of the page. Simply click on the thumbnail to view the full item page.

If you no longer wish to follow an author (ie. no longer see their items on your home page), go back to their user page and click Unfollow. Simple as that!

How can I encourage others to follow me?

If you’re an author, having as many people following you as possible is a great way to gain lots of exposure for your files! If you want to request that members follow you, you can use the Follow Link:

http://themeforest.net/user/[usernamehere]/follow

All you need to do is place your username where it says [usernamehere] and any member who clicks on the link will automatically be following you!

Please ensure you make it clear what the Follow Link is for whenever using it.

Follow Me Graphics

When using the Follow Me link, you may wish to use a Follow Me banner! Please feel free to use these on Envato sites or anywhere else you’d like to encourage other members to follow you!