Here I repeat what Cutman said, hoping more people will give it a crack:
"As you’re probably well aware of, the banner sucks. I want to change it. With hardly any arty skill and NO ideas, I’m calling out to you guys for help. If you think you’ve got what it takes to replace that hunk of junk banner up there, see the guidelines below and enter the competition!
Guidelines * Has to be the same size as the current banner.
* Has to go with the theme of the site with all these moody blue colors. So no bright yellows, pinks and whatever.
* Optionally has to have “Cutstuff” on it somewhere. If it does not I will add it myself to the best of my abilities.
* I don’t really care what’s ON the banner as long as it looks half decent. If you’re stuck, why not one of the Ghoul Cast or my avatar Cutgoth? I’ll let your imagination decide what is best.
If you manage to knock something up, send me an e-mail or contact me in some other method. I don’t care about filetypes, but if it’s a large filesize please zip it.
PrizeHere’s the thing. I don’t really have a prize ready or whatever other than the obvious “banner made by x”. However I will be most grateful and are willing to do a number of things for those who help me out. Maybe you can decide for yourself? As long as it’s fairly reasonable, and I can actually do it, I’ll give whatever it is you want a go. I might change this at some point when I have a good idea for a prize. Actually there’s a good idea, post ideas for prizes below and win… uh… oh crap."
Here is my example, it sucks, I know it, it is a crap 5 minute job:
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/9888/bannerjwq.jpg.
You can also suggest prizes within reason, as stated by Cutman. (Please, if you do feel like joking around, point it out, some people {most people I know} can't take jokes nowadays).
Have fun