Offering "scary" designs

[Sherry]

I've started second guessing myself lately when it comes to the designs I offer.  Do you find yourself censoring your offerings?  I always try to offer an equal amount of what I would consider boy or girl designs.  I feel like many times boys prefer the scarier ones.  Sure they like the Spiderman, Batman and Transformer, but I find many love the flaming skull, Joker, Fire Face, Tire Track, etc.  Some girls like these as well and including Goth Princess... vampire.  Even my red dragon face I worry about.  Some people think it looks like the Devil.

I did several events for a Harley dealer and thought it'd be the perfect venue for more of these type of designs.  I was right, many of the boys picked the flaming skull, Joker and one girl got the Joker face as well.  While booking my next event, the lady that hired me asked that I not bring any of the scary designs next time.   

After that I've noticed I'm more self conscious and second guessing the designs I put on the board.  I'm wondering how you all decide the choices you offer?  Do you find yourself censoring the designs a bit?

[AMAZINGface]

Wowzers, Sherry.  I'm so sorry - that must have been so uncomfortable for you.

I am a very conservative person and on my literature I have stated that I don't do 'gore or dark themes.'  This puts parents of younger kids at ease; they can be sure their little ones won't come out emo or goth!  I do GLIMMER tatoos but I don't call them tatoos.  I call them body art and I have a policy that I will only apply them closer to the collar bone than farther away (keeps me out of goin' where I don't want to go!)  Won't do the waist though I know this is wildly popular.  I just don't want to be asked to go higher or lower than I am comfortable.  Having this as a policy eliminates negotiations for placement!  Also, middle of the thigh and down.
Keep in mind, too, Sherry, that the Harley venue begs for goth princesses and dragons, etc.  If your customers were satisfied then you have done your job.  It was her opinion only, unless she said she received complaints.  If your customers picked what they got them forget her comment and either don't do the Harley thing in the future or adjust your offerings.

I think her comment was based on her own feelings.  You can't please everyone!

Keep on, Sherry!

Daina
AMAZINGface

[Alison]

Aw, you can please some people some of the time,
but you can't please all of the people all of the time.

When you display tuff-designs, you will attract the people who want the tuff-designs,
and not the people who want to tame-designs.

When you display tame-designs, you will attract the people who want the tame-designs,
and not the people who want the tuff-designs.

Me - I haven't 'cleaned it up' yet.  I have a mishmosh of both types on the same sample signs.
The only one I 'cover' by taping a piece of blank paper over it when I don't want to show it
is the 'bullet-hole'.  It looks really real, it does shock/attract some kids whose parents dont' want it, and
I don't always have the supplies along for it.  Also, depending on weather and all sorts of things, sometimes it's too hard to do, and it takes longer.......

But in general, I'm glad to do a more complicated Skull or Dinosaur (etc) after doing Spiderman and Butterflies for an hour.  I don't think I would be happy if I had to limit myself.

[Sherry]

I feel the same, that I don't want to limit myself either.  I like the cutesy and the not so cutesy designs as well.  I usually offer both.  I think what I like about the designs that are more on the "scary" or untame side is the reaction you get from the crowd.  It's part of the fun!

It looks like we all have our different feelings and personal limits on this.  I do the tire track, run over design, yet I know I wouldn't feel comfortable offering a bullet hole design or anything too bloody or gory looking.

[Wildcatfin]

TBH I only display designs if I'm working in a country where I can't speak the language.
And then I used to have frames with laminated photos in, that had velcro backs so i could swap. update designs or change them to suit the event.

That way you aren't limited.

I do always state in booking forms that I will not paint anything I consider offensive which covers it all, really!

Cat x