AmateurIllustrator Takes on DeviantArt

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UK-based AmateurIllustrator, which launched yesterday, is a new alternative to DeviantArt. Just like its established rival, the site is based around forums and galleries - that's in contrast to the recent flurry of MySpace-inspired networks. However, users do have basic profile pages that list their contact details and recent activity. Additionally, the galleries provide YouTube-style filters like "Most Viewed", "Top-Rated" and "Latest Uploads", and users can leave comments or add images to their favorites.

The "Articles" section is a professionally-written Wordpress blog, while the forums are running on PunBB and the galleries are on Coppermine Photo Gallery - in many ways, they've just assembled some freely available components and tied them together with a new design. What's more, AmateurIllustrator lags behind DeviantArt on most fronts: it lacks easy-to-embed links for webpages, mobile support and the ability to print artwork professionally.

Building a DeviantArt rival is like building a MySpace clone - you're unlikely to get traction because DeviantArt already has all the users and traffic. A well-funded, custom-built social network might gain some usage, but AmateurIllustrator is seemingly unfunded and assembled from component parts. It's a nice effort, but I don't see it taking off in any big way.

See also ImageKind, a new site for buying framed artwork.

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