🤷♀️ Set Descriptions 🤷♀️ How many of you write them? How many of you READ them?!?
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I just joined a new group, (It’s Your Imagination - https://urstyle.com/groups/it-s-your-imagination), and the first contest is called “Make Us Laugh”. It allows unlimited set entries, both old and new, UrStyle and Polyvore Sets, as long as they are funny. “Funny” is in the eye of the beholder, but that’s not the point.
I have dozens of sets where I use twisted humor, offbeat humor, dark humor, and often a play on words or puns. Almost all of these kind of sets have descriptions giving the viewer more detail about the scene depicted -– yet I note that after posting sets, either on UrStyle itself or within a group, my Notifications go off like rapid-fire indicating that a fellow UrStylist (
Like that? 
) is Liking (hearting) my sets very quickly, which tells me that they are looking at the set from the “outside” and not going onto the actual set page, which means they are missing information about the set; a quick blurb (not a story) about what’s going on there; about it’s meaning.I also collect sets. The sets I collect appeal to me not only for the artistic creativity, but often for the message behind them. I DO go in and look at how a set was constructed and check out the details. And I do read the descriptions. Even if one doesn’t want to read stuff, considering we all take time and thought to create the art that we do, isn’t it worth a moment or two to really look at a set; see the depth of color, the light, the textures, the techniques, the expression of the artist, and get a the feel of it as it was meant to be seen?
If you pop in and look at some of my sets, you’ll find all sorts of hidden treasures within them; little things I place in there to add interest – usually a bit of humor. I’ve learned that when I “open” someone’s set and truly appreciate it, I find things I didn’t see in the “preview” mode. And I often find great descriptions that help me to understand the artist better, which enables me to connect with people here in a deeper, more meaningful way.
I’d love to get thoughts on this. How do we indicate a set is to be examined further without being obnoxious, or having to put PLEASE READ in our titles? I personally feel all sets should be opened and enjoyed, not just clicked on in an assembly line fashion. I’d rather have less Likes and more people enjoying my sets in their entirety than the other way around. How do YOU feel about this, fellow UrStylists?
Thanks!
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Hurrah! Well said!
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@funkyjunkygypsy Well said and appreciated. Opening and looking at the construction of the set is a passion and in doing so I find a little more about the creator when I look at details. I love the details and the creativity behind choosing and assembling them. It's a form of learning. I really enjoy making myself crack up laughing and hope to make you do the same. I like making sets based on a joke, a funny thought or actual incident I personally experienced - visualized. I hope they are appreciated and encourage everyone to Look, See and Enjoy.
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I wish there were more hours in a day to visits sets more too. Do enjoy many of the little stories behind the set. Sets are a reflection of the creator, their thoughts, humor, ideas, their inner soul, or even just having fun, hugs sweetie!
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@FunkyJunkyGypsy I love reading descriptions in sets but in saying that I do not put them in my own sets often?? Why, I don't know. I also appreciate viewing a set, you can see how much work has gone into the set or whether it was just a matter of popping in a few pics .... creations take time and I truly appreciate when someone has put in a lot of work for the end result. Cheers Ollie
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@sjlew Yes, there isn’t near enough time in a day to make sets, collect items for future sets, follow and participate in all contests in all groups I'm in, manage more than one group, look at and 'Like sets', collect favorite sets, update my collections, check collections of others I've Favorited to see if there are new useful items there... It goes on. Of course, we all put our time where we want to and where we can. I don't think there is a right or wrong way. I simply feel a bit frustrated. My concern is only that I write VERY SMALL blurbs about humorous/silly sets, and without taking a very quick moment to click on the set and open it (regardless if I made it or someone else did) you really miss SO MUCH about the creativity gone into a set, and may also miss the “fullness” of a set's intent or effect. So for me, looking at less sets and getting more out of them (my version of 'Quality over Quantity') works. Thanks for sharing your input, Lady!
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@ollie Maybe you’re simply a reader and not a writer?
I have no problem with sets lacking descriptions. I simply feel that people gyp themselves by not opening up a set and really seeing it -- and reading a description if it’s pithy. You keep on creating your original sets, Ollie! You know I love them! -
Hi Sharee!
I read your response before you deleted it. Thank you for your feedback!I should probably revise my original question to explain that any time I place a description in a set of mine, it’s almost always one or two pithy remarks about the scene, further enhancing or completing the humor of it. Rarely do I post long descriptions, or get 'serious' on UrStyle, as this is where I come to laugh.
I do take joy from this site, as there is so much to explore, embrace, and immerse oneself in. It’s a real high for me to make people laugh, so I derive great pleasure when someone notices the details, the pun, the hidden joke, and yeah, the short descriptions of my humorous sets. Yet, this is just my own way of enjoying this wonderful creative arena.
I’ve found your sets extremely thought provoking, filled with passion, and strong in statement -- and I do read your descriptions, as they always give me ‘food for thought”, cause me pause, or remind me of something within myself that I feel I need to give more attention to, such as my love for animals.
And OMG, YES! Real life is busy enough, so again, I should clarify my original post. I do understand that we all use UrStyle for various reasons. We have different lives and limited time, and of course, each of us should devote our time here to what is most meaningful and satisfying to us, something only we can decide for ourselves. If it appeared I was suggesting that people use their time differently, my opinion wasn't conveyed properly. I’m simply wondering if other Users ever get frustrated with an influx of mass Likes, realizing that their sets are simply clicked on, not truly explored. It doesn’t matter if there is a description in it or not.
In my own case, (as I told @sjlew above), because my descriptions are very short (if they exist at all), I feel that those who just “look and Like” from the outside of a set are missing out. Those who do go in for a look may comment. Now, here’s where I’m ‘weak’ and surely frustrating some of my fellow Users. I’m very bad about leaving comments, and even worse at responding to them!
My way of “liking” a set and sending the message that I truly love it is to put it in one of my Collections; to pay tribute to the set AND the artist. Right now, UrStyle does not notify you when someone collects your set, but I expect they will add that feature at some point. 
So there ya go! Each of us have our own approach. There is no right or wrong way to play here. I'm simply of the opinion that both the artist and the audience don’t enjoy the full experience a set can provide (visually and/or with a few words written for the viewer) if they don't open and examine it. I get more out of set by going “in” to them and drinking in the scene, as well as any statement that may be there.
Thanks so much for your take on this!
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@FunkyJunkyGypsy I agree, especially with art sets!
