In our continuous quest to improve the deviantART experience, we have made some changes to the Journal categories that have resulted in a much more condensed and simplified group of selections. The simplification of categories will make the Journal submission process even easier, and make it easier to browse and find Journals you love.
The old category tree was trying to be too specific, which in turn made it tough to find the right category to submit to. The new categories are meant to be clearer, broader, and more inclusive. Starting today, all existing Journals will be migrated to the new category tree.
Background
by techgnotic founder of depthRADIUS
What lead to this decision, you may ask? Like the torrid fate of many categories, in trying to be all-inclusive and find an appropriate lid for every pot, all that’s really been achieved is a scattering of too much really great stuff across too broad a cognitive landscape. Too much material that would have been of interest to a particular deviant is getting lost and never seen because it was posted in a similar but different category and never interfaced by the browsing deviant in question. A tragedy.
We are currently trying to encourage a much more dynamic – simpler but hopefully more efficient and effective – communication between deviants by reviving an ancient arcane system of "less is more" that still may be the most productive and ultimately informative information distribution tool ever devised by humankind.
It’s important here at deviantART in our efforts to remain the worldwide leader in arts advocacy, education and entertainment that the contributions of our members and visitors really count for something in the great burning forge of human evolution. To be a real news, information and opinion hub for everything arts requires our never being satisfied with being no more than the biggest static bulletin board or counter of clicks. Deviants should be aware that we are always looking for suggestions on how to better facilitate their thoughts and concerns making it through to the artists and others they’re trying to reach. Ideas matter. We will continue to honor them with our best efforts in their best presentation.
The New Journal Tree
Journals
- DeviantART Announcements - Official deviantART news, updates and information. Submission to this category is limited to deviantART staff only.
- Official deviantART Contests - Officially sponsored contests run by deviantART. Submission to this category is limited to deviantART Staff only.
- Art Features - Journals related to the topic of art, features based on a specific theme, how-to articles, collections of deviations and interviews with artists.
- Literature Features - Journals related to the topic of literature, features based on a specific theme, collections of written deviations and interviews with writers.
- Software Reviews - Reviews of new and existing software.
- Deviant Events - Journals promoting community events or news, such as, community run contests, projects, deviantMEETS and chat events.
- Personal - Personal updates about yourself and your life.
1. What happens to the old categories?
During the transition period, the old journal categories will be closed to new submissions but will be available to browse. Your journals will not be lost.
2. Do I need to move my old journals to the new categories?
Not at all, this is a minimal effort change for you. Through the magic of Devious Technology, we will work to move your existing journals into the new categories. In an effort to not spam you all, these moves will be done silently, meaning that you won't end up with a message center full of 'Your journal has been moved' notes. Also, if you feel that your journal was not put into a correct category, please feel free to move it to a more appropriate one.
3. How long will it take to move the old journals into the new categories?
To put it into perspective, there are approximately 41 million journal submissions. However! We aren't changing the "Personal" category, which accounts for 40 million of those entries 
. To move the remaining 1 million, it can take Devious Technology up to a month to complete.
4. What happens when the old journals have been moved?
Once all of the old categories have been cleared out, they will be removed from browse and deleted and the transition process will be completed!
If there are any other questions you may have that have not been addressed, please leave them in the comments below.
Thank you!
