CAS - There's no list of "rules"....

[Miss Boo]

... that will fit everyone's personal definition. I posted the following in the discussion threads and the CAS faves thread for discussion. Why? Because I get too many PMs on the issue.

This is not meant to be a LIST of rules. Sooooo.... I revised it to include OR in between them.

************************************************

I have been receiving PMs about the definition of CAS for the CAS challenges. How does this sound???

What is CAS?
CAS is an acronym for Clean and Simple.

There has been some discussion in the last week on threads in the general stamping forum about the definition of clean and simple. Here is what I have learned from it… there are different ways people view CAS.

1. simple in design regardless of how long it takes to color, stitch or use of a special technique

OR
2. can be copied and mass produced fairly quickly… usually without a lot of coloring, layers, and embellishments

OR
3. uses only the traditional tools instead of all the newest and/or expensive fads, for example: Nesties, Cuttlebug, Copics, designer paper

OR
4. any combination of the above

********************************************

Any positive feedback is appreciated. I don't want to stir up trouble in the CAS challenge tomorrow.

[LaLatty]

I just wanted to say that I love the CAS challenges and I think you do a fantastic job hosting them! A special thank you for all of your hard work; I look forward to your challenge every Monday!

[krystie lee]

Here's my opinion:

Clean refers to the design, uncluttered, lots of white space.

Simple is more subjective. I personally think of a simple layout, again, uncluttered. I don't necessarily think "easy", but just having minimal design elements. Having a clear focal point without a lot going on to detract from it.

[rj77]

I for one am really enjoying the CAS challenges! And I think it's fun to see what everyone does each week. Also, as far as the guidelines, I think what you have listed here is pretty good. And some people who like to add more "stuff" may have tried to cut way back for a CAS card, and it's still more than what some CAS creators would do. That's part of the fun of this hobby is sharing and learning from each other (imo).

[Miss Boo]

Originally Posted by krystie lee

Here's my opinion:

Clean refers to the design, uncluttered, lots of white space.

Simple is more subjective. I personally think of a simple layout, again, uncluttered. I don't necessarily think "easy", but just having minimal design elements. Having a clear focal point without a lot going on to detract from it.

Could I add, " a design that is uncluttered with lots of white space. It has a clear focal point."

I do think this is a separate definition. Some people think white is white. Some people think "white space" can be open room of any color.

[JenniB04]

I'm confused. I LOVE CAS and truly feel like most of the stuff in my gallery is CAS. I'm linking this card as an example... http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...980&perpage=96 ...this one uses mostly kraft a bit of dsp and an image I colored with copics. I consider this card very CAS.

Are there specific rules at SCS for what is CAS? I just want to make sure I am not adding a keyword to my work that is putting something in the wrong gallery. Trying to not create confusion.

[willosmama]

Originally Posted by krystie lee

Here's my opinion:

Clean refers to the design, uncluttered, lots of white space.

Simple is more subjective. I personally think of a simple layout, again, uncluttered. I don't necessarily think "easy", but just having minimal design elements. Having a clear focal point without a lot going on to detract from it.

I agree-white space being "open"-
I am not sure that you can define CAS, it does seem to be quite subjective.

I hope people don't feel like they can't play in the CAS challenge because they don't follow these rules-

[rj77]

Originally Posted by JenniB04

I'm confused. I LOVE CAS and truly feel like most of the stuff in my gallery is CAS. I'm linking this card as an example... http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...980&perpage=96 ...this one uses mostly kraft a bit of dsp and an image I colored with copics. I consider this card very CAS.

Are there specific rules at SCS for what is CAS? I just want to make sure I am not adding a keyword to my work that is putting something in the wrong gallery. Trying to not create confusion.

I think if you think it's CAS you should add it as a keyword. If someone is specifically searching for that, anything that comes up that they don't consider CAS, they can just skip over. That's my outlook on it, anyway.

[Miss Boo]

Originally Posted by JenniB04

I'm confused. I LOVE CAS and truly feel like most of the stuff in my gallery is CAS. I'm linking this card as an example... http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...980&perpage=96 ...this one uses mostly kraft a bit of dsp and an image I colored with copics. I consider this card very CAS.

Are there specific rules at SCS for what is CAS? I just want to make sure I am not adding a keyword to my work that is putting something in the wrong gallery. Trying to not create confusion.

I think everyone is confused... including me.

When I posted my first challenge, a moderator asked me to post a definition. I did my best. It wasn't until the challenge was listed in the main part of the challenge forum and gained momentum that I started receiving PMs. Neither of the previous threads were started by me. I started this one because I'm trying to please all people.

[StampGroover]

I approach it with the minimalistic view...heres an abbreviation...
Minimalism describes movements in various forms of art and design, especially visual art and music, where the work is stripped down to its most fundamental features...

[krystie lee]

Originally Posted by JenniB04

I'm confused. I LOVE CAS and truly feel like most of the stuff in my gallery is CAS. I'm linking this card as an example... http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...980&perpage=96 ...this one uses mostly kraft a bit of dsp and an image I colored with copics. I consider this card very CAS.

Are there specific rules at SCS for what is CAS? I just want to make sure I am not adding a keyword to my work that is putting something in the wrong gallery. Trying to not create confusion.

There are no rules. Jen is getting a lot of questions about what CAS means, so we're just discussing our opinions about it and helping Jen come up with something to respond to those questions.

I don't think any of us on this thread so far would be in favor of rules.

[Miss Boo]

Originally Posted by willosmama

I agree-white space being "open"-
I am not sure that you can define CAS, it does seem to be quite subjective.

I hope people don't feel like they can't play in the CAS challenge because they don't follow these rules-

how about "white space" or "open space"?

I'm not trying to create one defintion anymore. Because I don't want people being afraid of playing. I'm trying to gather a few short definitions to fit everyone's idea of CAS.

Did that make sense?

[Miss Boo]

Originally Posted by krystie lee

There are no rules. Jen is getting a lot of questions about what CAS means, so we're just discussing our opinions about it and helping Jen come up with something to respond to those questions.

I don't think any of us on this thread so far would be in favor of rules.

We posted at the same time

Thanks for explaining it... way better than I did.

[krystie lee]

Jen - I love the way you're approaching it by saying "This is what it means to some people...." I think that's perfect.

[Miss Boo]

Originally Posted by StampGroover

I approach it with the minimalistic view...heres an abbreviation...
Minimalism describes movements in various forms of art and design, especially visual art and music, where the work is stripped down to its most fundamental features...

Wow! Were you an Art major in college?

[Miss Boo]

Originally Posted by krystie lee

Jen - I love the way you're approaching it by saying "This is what it means to some people...." I think that's perfect.

Thanks!

Phew! I feel better.

[StampGroover]

Originally Posted by Miss Boo

Wow! Were you an Art major in college?

LOL! No but I LOVE interior designing and Minimalism is one form of home design that is very clean and simple

[StampGroover]

Jen I think its wonderful to have a thread about this since the challenge will be coming up....Thanks to everyone involved with the challenges! I LOVE THEM!

[Jeanne S]

Originally Posted by Miss Boo

how about "white space" or "open space"?

I'm not trying to create one defintion anymore. Because I don't want people being afraid of playing. I'm trying to gather a few short definitions to fit everyone's idea of CAS.

Did that make sense?

I like open space. Many times I use colored cardstock instead of white.

[willosmama]

Originally Posted by Miss Boo

how about "white space" or "open space"?

I'm not trying to create one defintion anymore. Because I don't want people being afraid of playing. I'm trying to gather a few short definitions to fit everyone's idea of CAS.

Did that make sense?

yes, that was my only concern was scaring people off because of "rules"

I for one use copics and nesties on a lot of my cards that I consider CAS.

and I agree with rj77- it might seem clean to the person uploading, and if someone else doesn't find it to be, that's ok!

[Jeanne S]

Originally Posted by willosmama

yes, that was my only concern was scaring people off because of "rules"

I for one use copics and nesties on a lot of my cards that I consider CAS.

and I agree with rj77- it might seem clean to the person uploading, and if someone else doesn't find it to be, that's ok!

Yep!

[JenniB04]

Ah...got it. I for one am not in favor of rules. My fear with rules is that some would be driven away from participating...I know that I would, as I would be concerned that my idea of CAS wouldn't necessarily fit with the majority.

I am familiar with the questions. I host a CAS scrapbook challenge and get them all the time. For me there are no rules. The topic that comes up the most is 'simple'...what is 'simple'. Many have taken that to mean 'easy'. I do think that it means simple in design and not necessarily easy as I don't think the two are synonomous.

I do think this is subjective. I'm not sure that it's really possible to create a set of rules...other than 'have fun'.

[momis mama]

Originally Posted by Jeanne S

I like open space. Many times I use colored cardstock instead of white.

ditto...

[Joan B]

thank you for taking on this task.

[willosmama]

Originally Posted by JenniB04

Ah...got it. I for one am not in favor of rules. My fear with rules is that some would be driven away from participating...I know that I would, as I would be concerned that my idea of CAS wouldn't necessarily fit with the majority.

I am familiar with the questions. I host a CAS scrapbook challenge and get them all the time. For me there are no rules. The topic that comes up the most is 'simple'...what is 'simple'. Many have taken that to mean 'easy'. I do think that it means simple in design and not necessarily easy as I don't think the two are synonomous.

I do think this is subjective. I'm not sure that it's really possible to create a set of rules...other than 'have fun'.

I agree- i think that is a misnomer as well- clean does not equal easy in design.
it's all subjective!

[JulieHRR]

Originally Posted by Miss Boo

... that will fit everyone's personal definition. I posted the following in the discussion threads and the CAS faves thread for discussion. Why? Because I get too many PMs on the issue.

This is not meant to be a LIST of rules. Sooooo.... I revised it to include OR in between them.

************************************************

I have been receiving PMs about the definition of CAS for the CAS challenges. How does this sound???

What is CAS?
CAS is an acronym for Clean and Simple.

There has been some discussion in the last week on threads in the general stamping forum about the definition of clean and simple. Here is what I have learned from it… there are different ways people view CAS.

1. simple in design regardless of how long it takes to color, stitch or use of a special technique

OR
2. can be copied and mass produced fairly quickly… usually without a lot of coloring, layers, and embellishments

OR
3. uses only the traditional tools instead of all the newest and/or expensive fads, for example: Nesties, Cuttlebug, Copics, designer paper

OR
4. any combination of the above

********************************************

Any positive feedback is appreciated. I don't want to stir up trouble in the CAS challenge tomorrow.

Girl, you are so generous in your attempt to accommodate the masses! I tip my hat!

[JulieHRR]

Originally Posted by krystie lee

Here's my opinion:

Clean refers to the design, uncluttered, lots of white space.

Simple is more subjective. I personally think of a simple layout, again, uncluttered. I don't necessarily think "easy", but just having minimal design elements. Having a clear focal point without a lot going on to detract from it.

I tend to think of it much like Krystie does:

Striking, with a simultaneously minimalist approach.

I finally was able to put my finger on it in words. LOL!

[JulieHRR]

Originally Posted by Miss Boo

I think everyone is confused... including me.

When I posted my first challenge, a moderator asked me to post a definition. I did my best. It wasn't until the challenge was listed in the main part of the challenge forum and gained momentum that I started receiving PMs. Neither of the previous threads were started by me. I started this one because I'm trying to please all people.

ROTFLMBO!

Mission impossible, my friend!

[JulieHRR]

Originally Posted by Miss Boo

Could I add, " a design that is uncluttered with lots of white space. It has a clear focal point."

I do think this is a separate definition. Some people think white is white. Some people think "white space" can be open room of any color.

I believe "white space" in terms of art is not necessarily considered "white" (as in color), but as in wide expanses of solid area that do not contain any graphical, patterned, or typographical elements.


http://www.thefreedictionary.com/white+space

[Angelnorth]

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

I believe "white space" in terms of art is not necessarily considered "white" (as in color), but as in wide expanses of solid area that do not contain any graphical, patterned, or typographical elements.

Yes - I'm a proofreader to pay the bills and "white space" is as much a concept in page design as in art. It just means an area, whatever colour it might be, that doesn't have any tonal variety.

Thanks for trying to get something together that's easy for everyone to grasp Jen!

[StampGroover]

While on the subject would this card be considered CAS because I didnt have it in mind when making it and I felt like it may have a bit more going on than a CAS normally would...Although it does remind me a bit of CAS when in doubt I just dont put it in the keywords....
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...0&ppuser=68848

[kstamper]

I think the definition of CAS is so subjective. We all don't have the same eyes, so see things so very differently. I think I look at CAS as being minimalistic too. Minimal layers (but Nesties ok to use here), minimal embellishments, simple in design, and lots of white space (any color can be 'white').

I agree there aren't any hard and fast 'rules' for CAS. Maybe we could call them 'guidelines', and that would leave them open for interpretation!

[kstamper]

Originally Posted by StampGroover

While on the subject would this card be considered CAS because I didnt have it in mind when making it and I felt like it may have a bit more going on than a CAS normally would...Although it does remind me a bit of CAS when in doubt I just dont put it in the keywords....
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...0&ppuser=68848

That is CAS in my eyes. Cute card, too!!

[rj77]

Originally Posted by StampGroover

While on the subject would this card be considered CAS because I didnt have it in mind when making it and I felt like it may have a bit more going on than a CAS normally would...Although it does remind me a bit of CAS when in doubt I just dont put it in the keywords....
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...0&ppuser=68848

I would definitely consider it to be.

[willosmama]

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

I believe "white space" in terms of art is not necessarily considered "white" (as in color), but as in wide expanses of solid area that do not contain any graphical, patterned, or typographical elements.



http://www.thefreedictionary.com/white+space

exactly-
I could just see someone misinterpreting white meaning the color white, and not understanding it to mean open.
again, just my interpretation of CAS though!

[willosmama]

Originally Posted by StampGroover

While on the subject would this card be considered CAS because I didnt have it in mind when making it and I felt like it may have a bit more going on than a CAS normally would...Although it does remind me a bit of CAS when in doubt I just dont put it in the keywords....
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...0&ppuser=68848

I think it is CAS!
and it's ADORABLE!

[StampGroover]

Thanks everyone I will put it in the keywords...Its one I thought might be but needed a bit of input....Thanks

[mtgchic]

I like what someone else said in the other thread about "I know it when I see it!" Such a hard definition to develop.

Originally Posted by kstamper

I agree there aren't any hard and fast 'rules' for CAS. Maybe we could call them 'guidelines', and that would leave them open for interpretation!

Yes! Great line from Pirates of the Caribbean:

The code is more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules.

[rj77]

Originally Posted by mtgchic

Yes! Great line from Pirates of the Caribbean:

The code is more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules.

Perfect for this situation!

[Miss Boo]

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

ROTFLMBO!

Mission impossible, my friend!

LOL! I laughed at myself when I typed it.