Another first time builder seeking feedback on marquee

[Akuma]

Hello folks.

I am nearing completion of my cab and now it's time to create myself a fine, nice marquee.

Stupid thing though is my lack of pre-planing an overall art. All I knew was what I wanted, not really how it should look like. In detail:

- I want the cab to be something universal, undedicated without any Mame or company logos aswell as no specific game art (that's why I decided to simply call it 'Arcade - Game Exhibition', since I like the thought of it showing something and Artifact already took the term 'game museum' )

- since I try to blend elements of japanese candy cabs and oldschool cabs, I thought about making the art a bit like the astro city cabinet art from Sega, but that's only an idea

- since the shape of the speakershelf which will contain the marquee is somewhat uncommon, I have no real references to see what marquees of that shape might look like

- I really love that pixel font (fixedsys) which reminds of old school text. No need to be afraid of pixels, no need for vectorized fonts ; ) I also like pixelart because it's stylish and you can scale it any size you like - maybe I should incorporate some pixel art (which would be a new challenge for me since I got no experience in that yet).

I now created a marquee which has a bit of the Astro City style and made a little photoshop pic, what my cab would look like when the missing parts would be finished (bezel, light blue t-molding, board over keyboard drawer).

So, what do you say about the marquee? Please no unneccessary kindness since I'm really looking for professional criticism!

Since I think that a marquee and a cpo should always be linked by a theme, I also post my current cpo. Since I am not overwhelmingly happy with it, I just might change it aswell.


And now: Let your opinions roll! : )

[waveryder]

Dont like the idea of using pixel art. I think you might be in danger of loosing the "candy feel" of the cabinet. How about something resembling the colour sweeping of the superneo 69 cabs. The marquee shape, although square, is quite similar to my cab and many over candys. The problem with marquees that size/shape is that there isnt a lot of room to make a real statement with that much space. I love the cab akuma been watching the project very closely. Although you have combined old school and candy elements I think the cab is clearly CANDY. Old school artwork just wont fit. Of course old school character and design work could look great if they were brought right up to date. Just my $0.02.

[Akuma]

Thanks, I was up all night, hoping for comments - damn insomia ; )

That idea with the colour sweep is pretty cool. I gotta think about something with this element! Hmmm - I am just affraid, that the pixel font won't match then... Maybe some handwriting font...

OT: Shouldn't it be £ 0.02 ?

[waveryder]

lol, absolutely right...god bless the queen and all that.
Had a play around with the idea of pixel fonts, have to say i might have been a bit quick to dissmiss the idea. Anyway I quickly ran up an idea for you in PShop to better explain what I meant about a colour sweep, whilst doing it I played around with your logo and I came up with the idea of this. Might give you a fresh perspective or just some ideas. Now time for tea and crumpets.

[Akuma]

HEY! COOL! Now THAT'S really something and it infact gave me a fresh perspective! And already an idea. I somehow remembered the Neogeo 29 candy sideart incorectly. By coloured sweeping I thought of some sort of... well, how to explain... Something different. But that also gave me a cool new idea. Now I'll get a coke and start photoshopping : )) Thanks!