If you're new to DA or just want to know a little more I've made this page for you. I hope you'll find it useful, I'll try and cover everything I can remember. If I've missed something out of you want to know something I haven't covered, please note me.

USEFUL LINKS TO GET YOU STARTED

-> Welcome Center Forum
-> DeviantART Chat
-> Help & FAQ
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UPLOAD AN AVATAR
To upload your 50x50 avatar..

1. On your home page look at the far right hand side to the menu (you'll know it's the menu if the first thing you see on the list is 'submit deviation'. Here you need to scroll down a little so it opens up more of the list and click 'edit profile'.

2. Here you'll see an uploader for your avatar. If you have a 50x50 icon ready, simply choose it and upload it. If not, proceed to step 3.

3. In an image editor (GIMP, Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Paint etc). Open your photograph/creation and either a.) crop part of the photograph or b.) open a new document at 50x50 and paste your file onto it and place it into the square.



ADD YOUR INFORMATION

One of the essential things to do on the deviantART community is to add information about yourself.
To do this follow these steps..

1. On the far right on your page you'll see the menu list, click on this and click 'edit profile'.

2. Once you're on the profile screen, click the second tab along above the avatar part and click 'user page display'. Here you can enter all the information you want.
Please remember to click 'ok' when you're done to save the information.


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UPLOADING ARTWORK
<sub>One of the first things you'll want to know. This is simple and once you get the hang of it you'll never forget.
1. If you're not already on your home page, go to it by simply clicking on your username where it says 'Deviant ~username' at the top.

2. On the far right hand side you'll see a menu screen, the first option is 'Submit Deviation'. A deviation is a piece of artwork, a snapshot, a creation etc. Click this.

3. You are now on the 'Submit Art' page. First, enter the title of your deviation, if you want to leave it blank that's fine, but please note DeviantART will automatically name it 'Untitled'.

4. Choose a category. This is quite obvious as it's very well laid out. Photography goes under photography, digital art goes under digital art etc. Please remember heavily edited photographs go under the ' Photomanipulation ' category.

5. Once you've chosen the category click 'Add A File'. This will load your file viewer on your PC/Mac. Choose your image and it will upload.

6. -> Options (full view size) If you have uploaded a large file I'd recommend a small view due to copyright.
-> Add Watermark. This is optional and places text over your picture to protect your work from people that save it. I'd recommend it.
-> Allow Download. I'd recommend to not allow downloads as it encourages people to take your work, but if you want to leave this box with a tick.

7. Artists Comments. Here you can write a description. You cannot leave this blank so even you enter one word, that's fine.

8. Keywords. Here type in words that describe your work so that when visitors search for something, your work will come up. It's best to try and describe your work in full and leave a space between each word e.g. "dark, conceptual, photograph, girl, field"

9. Deviation Options.
-> Allow Comments. Here you have the option of allowing people to comment on your work.
-> Discourage criticism. Put this if you don't want to let users know you don't want them to be critical about your work.
-> Encourage Advanced Critique. For those of you that want help and want to learn more, put 'encourage advance criticism'.
-> Disable Comments. This disables comments altogether so no one can comment on that particular deviation.

10. Enable Deviation and mobile access.
Find more information about this here -> [link]
This enables users to use your pictures on their mobiles. Please look into it before ticking the box. If you're unsure leave it blank.

11. Contains Mature Content.
If you're deviation contains mature content e.g. artistic nudes, body modification, inappropriate language then you need to tick this box. This will then only be available for over 18s to view.

12. Choose License.
Please look into licenses if you are interested in finding out more, here -> [link] I'd recommend you leave it as default, this means all rights are reserved and all the rights are in your hands.

13. Tick both the -
I have read and agree to the Submission Policy
I have read and agree to the Terms of Service

14. Submit!</sub>


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THE COMMUNITY

Once you're set up and you've got all your infomation ready, it's time to get the ball rolling. To achieve an audience you need to follow these points -

a.) Comment on other's work.
_{Click on their deviation and scroll to the bottom to add a comment.}
b.) Watch those artists you like and you can follow their new work.
_{When on an artists page, simply click 'Watch this Deviation' on the far right hand side.}
c.) Favourite deviations that interest you.
_{When on an artists deviation, click 'add to favourties' on the left hand side.}


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