Stop the madness! Usernames.

2 min read

Deviation Actions

tombancroft's avatar
By
tombancroft
Published:
4K Views
Sometimes I feel like a grumpy old man that starts sentences with "Kids today don't--" (which is usually followed by "Get off my front yard!").   I just read a Journal post by buddy Sean Ellery (pro colorist) that posted about a pet peeve of mine: usernames.  (Read his Journal here: seane.deviantart.com )  We live an a culture where some people are better known by their username than their given name.  I have been bewildered that artists aren't getting their ACTUAL names out there.  The only person I think it seems to work for is "artgerm" since he became SO big early on (in the life of DA) and now not as many people know his real name (Something Lau, I believe, off the top my head).  BUT, that is the exception to the rule- and I wonder if he would go back in time and change his username to his own.  If art directors/ editors can't request you by name, then they don't know how to contact you (usually your website is in your real name, which doesn't match up).  No art director wants to say, "Slap-happy45 would be perfect for this job!"  

Think about it, you damn noisy kids!  And get off my yard!  

BTW: Not to sound too judgmental, here is my signature "mistake":  I sign most of my art (and have for years) "Tom B.", rather than write out Tom Bancroft.  This started when I was just out of high school and it was because I have a twin brother who is an artist also and he signed his art: Tony Bancroft, which is different but close enough to my name that some people didn't look closely and thought his art was mine, at times.  So, I came up with a more unique signature (Tom B.).  BUT I can't tell you how many people think I write that because I love TOMBraider.  (I don't, btw.)  Also, a few people have thought I am a woman artist.  That part, I don't get, but it probably has more to do with my drawing girl characters a bit too much.  :)
© 2013 - 2024 tombancroft
Comments93
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
NakaseArt's avatar
NakaseArt
I've had this username for a long time, and I don't think people ould recognise me with my real name. I used to just go by Nakase, and i really want to be known for my real name. I recently tried to get a website with my name, but found it parked by some hosting company, when 30 days prior it was free. I tried nakaseart, and got it. My husband suggested making it a brand.

If I changed it to my real name, what are the chances of identity theft? are they higher? That's the biggest reason I haven't changed it. so, Now I sign my art with Jennifer "Nakase" B. so I can at least try and get my name in there.
i hope you have time to respond =) thanks for the journal.