I think forms are a good place to start for both parties, but some personal communication has always happened for me post-form filling anyway. Forms definitely help to break the ice.

I prefer to contact the artist directly myself.

I don't mind a form to lay the ground work, especially when it's not a first-come-first-served context.

Though I've been commissioning for enough years that I have no issues contacting an artist directly.

I prefer direct communication, unless i have a very specific Clear image what i want

I prefer to contact the artist directly.

I've seen forms used most frequently by artists that get huge volumes of requests when they open, and by those that choose which commissions to take, instead of first come, first served

I prefer direct contact. It's fine if I have to place my order in a form for organisational purposes, but I still want to talk and work with the artist throughout the process.

A lot of my friends were made this way, incidentally xD

Both have their advantages, it depends on how the artist likes to communicate.

Forms can be good, the issue is, for some reason a lot of them are just really poorly laid out and can't quite deal with the specifics of some niche design/artistic choices that can be easily answered with a "Hey how much would [really specific thing] be." I guess split the difference and have a dedicated "is this a complex or incredibly niche commission?" section on the form.

I'd like to talk to the artist first.

There's almost always information left off the form so I always end up talking to my clients about anything they left off, but as I just recently experienced some people need the "Horrible Form of Doom" just to know what they should be telling you.

I prefer forms to start with, then if further clarification or details are needed moving it to messaging apps or email after a commission has been accepted.

Forms reduce friction. It lets the artist sort things out and pick what they want to work on without individually having to contact every person. And it lets the commissioner prepare all the relevant details without missing key stuff.

I've been wondering the same thing!
I wonder if there's a lack of form lovers because they don't like talking directly with artists, like a self-selecting sample.

Deffo prefer reaching out one on one. Forms feel so impersonal!

Forms are okay. I usually prefer notes, but then, I'm a very organized person so I'm not likely to miss any important information that artists may need. From my experience, both artists and clients tend to be very disorganized, so I can see why forms are helpful.

I just HATE it when people force me to fill out forms on a different web site. If I'm on FA, I want to stay here, so it really irks me when I get sent to Google Docs or one of those online office web sites to get pricing info and stuff. To me, that's just lazy, and if artists take the time to write a journal that people can copy/paste, that's much nicer.

I much prefer just talking to the artist, but having a template offered on how to structure the note for the artist is so so nice because then I know exactly what to say where and when, rather than faffing about

Forms are great as a starter to the process. There's a right and wrong way to do them, of course, but they're useful for those who find it harder to make the opening steps in regards to starting a commission conversation. The actual communication between the artist and commissioner can flow more easily when the artist already knows what they're wanting to get.

The artist can be flexible and say that the commissioner is allowed to contact them directly without the form if they want to, as long as they include the important details in their first message that the form would have gathered otherwise.

I'll submit a form if there's no other option, but I don't like the impersonal nature of it. It feels like I'm filling out an application for a job, trying to polish up my CV or something.

Ideally the relationship between artist and commissioner would be a personal (even if only temporary) one, where you're working together to achieve a quality end result that satisfies everyone. If the artist wants me to fill out a form, it kinda makes me feel like they don't want to work with me, that I'm a nuisance and they just want to get it over and done with as soon as possible.

I prefer forms on the initial contact cause it helps you understand exactly what information the artist needs to consider your comm (I've had a few artists before who don't use forms that denied my piece cause I accidentally left out a piece of information they wanted), also it can take a lot of time to build a non-form template just for the possibility of not being selected.
After the initial contact, though, I like direct contact with artists, especially to help provide anything else that they may need or may not have been able to be put in the form. (Direct also helps build a relationship with the artist which is always a huge plus, and lets the artist know they're not just some art machine in your eyes)

I usually prefer to talk to the artist. Forms just seem so impersonal

I prefer to contact directly.

As good as an "everything on the form" thing can be, I know some people, like myself, tend to forget things. I prefer the contact stuff.

I don't like forms because I like to ask the artist if my char/idea works before bothering filling out a whole resume only for them to be like "o I don't actually do x,y,x"

i prefer direct contact personally, so i can specify any additional details that need to be brought up or provide updated information as needed

Personaly I'd never be pleased to fill a form, I have always questions about things, I prefer to ask when the artist is up to discuss than fill a cold form and wait for a response

Contact directly is preferred. I'll usually steer away from artists who have forms.

Kind of both.
I like contact artist directly as it gives more personal approach.

But also forms I think when come to YCHs or Multislots, forms are the easiest way as there no need for many deviations or choices.

On other side I see a form best way to book slot, therefore artist have way to contact me and know what I'm looking for and what characters are, but expect artist contacting me back to discuss payment and details of the commissions.

Direct contact, for sure.

I feel like commissioning art should be a personal thing. It's the commissioner and artist bringing ideas and skills together.

Forms are fine for the initial "hey, I wanna do business", but after that, direct contact makes the whole process feel so much better. And often, I gauge whether or not to continue commissioning artists based on the personal interactions we had during the commission process.

Mixed? I like starting by directly contacting. Then filling out the form. And additional direct communication as needed beyond it.

I like directly talking first to make sure the form went through, chance to ask questions, etc.

But I also like the form for organization sake. And sometimes it has questions that I may not think to talk about.

I know I prefer forms as I know I'm giving the appropriate and complete information and not going to do a painful ping-pong of information fetching. Also less anxiety.

Forms are nice because they are a direct contact and link before you contact the artist. you can make sure youre going to the right place and put everything nice and neat with a bow on top

I like the personal connection, but if they have a form I can fill out, I consider it in their best interest to use it. More specific contact can be made after acceptance.

I prefer contact with the Artist, i can communicate via forms but replies are needed for me to know the information is heard for verification. As for the process I dont require updates constantly but to know there some sort of communication within a day would be nice.

Both.

Ideally, a form to start, then followed by more direct conversation to clarify details.

i just DM people "hello" and wait for them to ask me if i want something. then i panic and send them fanart until they give me something in return.

its not a perfect system but its worked for me so far

I do commissions, and I don't have a form. And those that commission me seem to work fairly well with just contacting me and talk about the details. But I suppose it all depends how busy you are with commissions. and how professional you need to be about it.