My first Draft of Cabinet Side Art

[LASmith132]

Hey Guys,

Here is my first draft of what I want as my side art on my mame cab. The background will be glossy black, the letters and lines will be a glossy white, the design from the "A" down will be inlaid with a light blue led lights at a 45 degree angle so that it casts more of a shadow then bright light. The font is the same from Tron Legacy and the design is loosely based off of Encom's tower in the movie.  (Can you tell I'm a big fan)

Any critiques? questions? ideas?

Also I am making the cab out of MDF, I looked on the forums already but never got a straight answer, what is the best way to achieve a Glossy finish on MDF?

Thanks guys, your all BA's in my book!

[codefenix]

Like it a lot.  Looks excellently retro.

[Well Fed Games]

Like it a lot.  Looks excellently retro.

+1, this is really great. I had a couple of ideas for the lines at the front, attached, was thinking you might be able to do something different with the front right-angle that follows the cab line under the CP.

[Savannan]

I like the last one the best..but not that 3 prong style one

[LASmith132]

Holy Crap!

That's awesome thanks for taking the time to do that!!! I really like the 3rd one as well but please feel free to keep changing and trying new things.

You guys are awesome!

[jasonbar]

Love the font & the connecting lines.  Relatively fancy, but not so fancy that it's hard to read.  Run with it!

-Jason

[Well Fed Games]

Holy Crap!

That's awesome thanks for taking the time to do that!!! I really like the 3rd one as well but please feel free to keep changing and trying new things.

You guys are awesome!

No prob... I cheated with the photoshop line tool... a design like that by hand is way beyond me! Those examples are just my 2 cents, it is a great design as-is.

As far as painting, I am the last one who should give advice, but I can direct you to this thread http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=112871.0 that had a few people chime in on the same subject.

I am curious how the inlaid lights will work. Cool idea.

[mgb]

very nice artwork concept.

[ButterGuns]

critique: niiice start man, good job.  my first impressions of what of this first drawing...

1.the angled line at the top initially follows the cab then, strays and goes straight down while the cab angles forward. -in the line drawing this is visually disturbing to me (imo) BUT, maybe that could be hidden with the colors you choose (like when painting odd shaped cars).

2. the line at the bottom sticks out and down for what seems no reason -i instantly think of a chair.  

3. i really like where this going, i totally get the "ARCADE" text, good job.  i KNOW what i'm looking at, and it's stylish.


as a former graphic artist, here's a nugget...

1. the brain is a PATTERN MAKING MACHINE.  it finds patterns in EVERYTHING you look at ***even when you're unaware of it***. so when something "looks cool" and you cant put your finger on why -it's because it makes sense some how.  in good design, everything has a reason, even if for no reason.

2. axiom #7: if something doesn't "quite fit", doesn't align, or just doesn't look quite right... FLAUNT THE DIFFERENCE.  a designer will run into the problem of an object that just won't align. at that point, instead of producing something that's disturbing to look at, it's better to take the flaw and over exagerate it, to make it bigger, turn it side ways -then it's a feature, not a flaw.


let me know if i can help with anything

[LASmith132]

If you were to keep the initial concept with the vertical arcade with the line connecting around it, what would you do next? how would you redesign it?

by the way i really appreciate the critique, i honestly looked at the concept in a brand new light and there are things i want to change.

Thank you

[ButterGuns]

im cleaning up the text and cab in illustrator now -but i have to go to work.  we'll have something up here this after noon.

[Savannan]

My adivice on your sketch if you ever do send it for printing is ...  On the corners of the "ARCADE" where they meet the egde of the cabinet..I would make "ARCADE" a little bit smaller..not much.......currently it looks a little too close to the edges...so that way you have a little more le-way/foregiving on installing the side-art.  But other than than that..it looks great!!!

Sav

Ps.  BTW..is that a midway cab?...sure does look like it.

[LASmith132]

im cleaning up the text and cab in illustrator now -but i have to go to work.  we'll have something up here this after noon.

Honestly, you guys are amazing, I really appreciate all the comments and help, thanks again.

My adivice on your sketch if you ever do send it for printing is ...  On the corners of the "ARCADE" where they meet the egde of the cabinet..I would make "ARCADE" a little bit smaller..not much.......currently it looks a little too close to the edges...so that way you have a little more le-way/foregiving on installing the side-art.  But other than than that..it looks great!!!

Sav

Ps.  BTW..is that a midway cab?...sure does look like it.

I plan on painting the design on the cab, first getting a glossy white surface on mdf then taping the design out and painting over with glossy black, then removing the tape. (need help on how to achieve this!)

not sure what kind of cab it is I took the dimensions from a users website (i was looking for a good 4 player cab).

Thanks again all!

[dextercf]

this is relevant to my internets
+1 bump! 

Also, looking forward to seeing pictures of the result!

[ButterGuns]

i think it's perfectly legit to paint it all with taped effects.

here's what i got in this short amount of time.
i cleaned up the text
AND all the deminsions where done with a 2" or 3/4" grid to facilitate using masking tape.

the little curved bits on the R and D bug me still -but they also add a distinked style and therefore works for me.

[LASmith132]

i think it's perfectly legit to paint it all with taped effects.

here's what i got in this short amount of time.
i cleaned up the text
AND all the deminsions where done with a 2" or 3/4" grid to facilitate using masking tape.

the little curved bits on the R and D bug me still -but they also add a distinked style and therefore works for me.

Dude, your a bad@ss. You seriously have real talent that first one you made especially. i'm honestly speechless thank you so much. If you want to keep messing around with it please feel free, your helping make my dream cab come true. Thank you again.

- did you happen to find a good way of connecting the first or last letter? i kept trying but I am hitting a wall.

ONCE again Thank you man !

[LASmith132]

*Bump* for my more ideas! anyone please feel free to change/give ideas/ anything thank you !

[Nephasth]

Here's a good list of fonts.

"Mars Police" and "Perfect Dark" are pretty similiar to what you've got already. You might find some others you like as well.