My advice is to spend more time on these things, as opposed to putting them out so fast. Quality over quantity, and if it takes 4 hours to make a single good design, then that's an accomplishment. Honestly, you've got a lot of work here, and while none of it is bad, nothing here really hit me as spectacular. If you can't figure out how to do something, ask somebody or research it, and keep working on everything you make until it's perfect. If something doesn't look too good, fix it, even if it takes a while and is complex.
Instead of slapping text on some cheap looking background, I would of taken time to create something. and then centred the text correctly.
Ok. You've done your rant of the day. This is insulting and insulting my work is like insulting me. Stop it please. And @samw40: Yes, it's two gradients but the second one is a Xor layer.
If you don't want any criticism then stop updating the thread with your stuff. I agree with sam and manic about your designs, the background of your latest one looks fine, but it doesn't match the rest of the photo. The background implies a rigid look while the box/text implies a smooth retro look. Try aiming for only one style for each piece.
Agreed. The main problem though, imo, is that while the green layer looks like a three-dimensional layer due to the shape, shine and shadow (no alliteration intended), the flat background makes it look... off. And also, you can't just assume that all of your work is perfect. You can't post a showcase thread and then reject all of the critique. Here's what you need to do: find a tutorial for something that looks really nice and complex. Make it, but time yourself. I'll bet you that you'll spend a lot more time on it than you have on many other of your pieces. But, it'll look much better.
