What attracts you in a server banner?

[Sildan]

I have a dislike of animated banners, because they are basically an eye sore. I have noticed that some make me feel as if I am going to have a seizure, or some of my vision is slowly being lost. The kind of banners that attracted me are short, simple, and to the point. That would probably include the server's name, the rates, and maybe a catchy motto.

[night1218]

I would say Legacy RO~~

the combination kinda attracts me a lot~

[Gabrielle]

With me, at least is basically on the following information

-Compositional Detail: Centered items often detract me from a banner, wether text, or images
-Following the points of emphasis: There's 4 areas where, if something visualy has appeal in the areas, then it becomes more interesting- Example being my Icon. Face, Fatted part of wing, Lower hand, Shoulde, the most highly emphasized parts sit around the middle on Diagonals. You want people to be able to look around the piece and find themselves always looking back
- Animation can't be choppy if it is present. I know that choppyness is all because of size limitations, but it looks bad. I'd almost just like to see cuts instead of fades or transitions.
- Words: Information is nice, but when it makes up too much of the image, it becomes detractive, that's where good animation could help.

I'd agree though, legacy's was the one with the best out of the choices. Nothing is truely centered really in it, that is, directly in the center spot, everything emphasized towards a corner.

[kinzoku]

Most people seem to like small text. O.o

I prefer a kind of text between small and medium. Most small text is just ugly... and sometimes misinformative depending on the font.

I can read pretty small but I don't want to have to lean forward just to read the rates on a banner.

[Shaelyn]

With me, at least is basically on the following information

-Compositional Detail: Centered items often detract me from a banner, wether text, or images
-Following the points of emphasis: There's 4 areas where, if something visualy has appeal in the areas, then it becomes more interesting- Example being my Icon. Face, Fatted part of wing, Lower hand, Shoulde, the most highly emphasized parts sit around the middle on Diagonals. You want people to be able to look around the piece and find themselves always looking back

you're at least somewhat talking about the rule of thirds, right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds

like, when watching TV, a person will always be to one side of the screen - never in the middle.  a horizon will cut across the top third or the bottom third of a painting or photograph - never the middle.  etc.

to apply this to your avatar, the wing cuts across the top third of the image.  her body - especially the lines of her body that your eyes follow - is on the right third of the image.  it is important to consider this in art.
your avatar is awesome btw.

[Hellioning]

If a banner advertises "balanced custom items" or "friendly GMs," I will ignore it. Likewise if it has lots of information flashing by really quickly.
All I need are the rates, and maybe a few other, defining features. Too much will just detract from that.

[Hanyuu]

I like banners with either cute monsters featured in it or a cute character along with info about rates, max levels, which WoE it is, and customs or not. I don't want to know if they have an "Experienced and Professional, Uncorruptable" gm staff. That's up for me to decide. A little animation won't hurt either, especially if it adds to the images on the banner already.

[Scars]

Anything but 06 in my opinion.

No offense intended, just my taste.

Too plain for me, background/font wise.

[Xarale]

A banner doesn't really attract me to a server, I'm more interested in the description/community.. etc.

The majority of those banners on the first page are fine.  The only ones I slightly disliked was #8 (it just doesn't look nice overall) & #9 (the blinking is annoying).  Still, I wouldn't reject a good server over a bad banner design, I'm sure others feel the same way.