Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Artwork => Topic started by: Isometric Bacon on October 07, 2003, 06:24:55 am

Title: Need some more criticism...|Marquee Complete!
Post by: Isometric Bacon on October 07, 2003, 06:24:55 am
Hey guys. I actually had this idea for a logo for awhile, but didn't know how to put it together. I basically reused the lightning effect backgrounds from devianart that I did before, but I added my new logo style.

(http://members.lycos.co.uk/kyalwebspace/marquee/Marqeesmalltemplateblue.jpg)

(http://members.lycos.co.uk/kyalwebspace/marquee/Marqeesmalltemplatebrown.jpg)

(http://members.lycos.co.uk/kyalwebspace/marquee/Marqeesmalltemplategreen.jpg)

I discovered if I made the logo black instead of yellow that I can get a much cooler effect, however some of the "pacman" retro style is lost.

(http://members.lycos.co.uk/kyalwebspace/marquee/marqueecooleffectblue.jpg)

(http://members.lycos.co.uk/kyalwebspace/marquee/marqueecooleffectyellow.jpg)

The blue with the black text is probably my favourite.

What i'm looking for from you guys, is some helpful critique, and perhaps suggestions for other backgrounds etc I can use to improve this marquee. It's still in planning stages so far, so i'd like some creative input. Thanks.
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: DAmnb on October 07, 2003, 11:55:41 am
I really like the first, forth and fifth one.
Perhaps try with a background thats abit Tron-ish, what I dont think you should do is to add any characters, its very nice and clean the way it is!
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: 3dmacman on October 07, 2003, 01:01:05 pm
I like the idea but the background really doen't match up with the logo. I would use something more similiar to pac-man
 ;D
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: TalkingOctopus on October 07, 2003, 04:24:11 pm
I really like the Arcade text, however, I think that it may look better on a different background.  

Out of the ones you presented, I like the third the best because the of the background color.
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: Isometric Bacon on October 07, 2003, 10:46:14 pm
(http://members.lycos.co.uk/kyalwebspace/marquee/simplecolourtemplateblue.jpg)

(http://members.lycos.co.uk/kyalwebspace/marquee/simplecolourtemplateblue2.jpg)

I tried removing the backgrounds and fiddling with basic colours, but it gave it a rather borish look as you can see here. They aren't bad, but they wouldn't look good with a light behind them I don't think.

I then tried adding the grid that someone else (sorry, forgot the name) created from here behind the logo, and the results seemed okay.

(http://members.lycos.co.uk/kyalwebspace/marquee/cooleffecttemplatelargegrid.jpg)

(http://members.lycos.co.uk/kyalwebspace/marquee/cooleffecttemplatesmallgrid.jpg)

(http://members.lycos.co.uk/kyalwebspace/marquee/cooleffecttemplatesmallgridreverse.jpg)

(http://members.lycos.co.uk/kyalwebspace/marquee/cooleffecttemplatesmallgridyellowcolours.jpg)

They turned out okay. What do you guys think?

Also, I have a request. Does any one know of any suitable background images I can use? something Tron-esque maybe? or more pacman style?

Perhaps i even could do a collage of faded screenshots and game characters?
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: Jelly2003 on October 07, 2003, 11:27:33 pm
I like them, the grid is ok, but i prefer design no 1.
I still think it needs to look more retro, after all MAME is about retro games.

Why not have some Pacman pellets going from left to right in the middle of the image?
(See below, forgive the quality of the images but i didnt have much time to do that in)
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: walls83 on October 08, 2003, 02:21:07 am
the pellet one is sweet..
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: nighthawk2099 on October 08, 2003, 09:42:59 am
How about a combo of the 2.
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: ntjedi on October 08, 2003, 10:28:03 am
If you going with a pacman theme why not make the background look like the pacman board?

Other then that I think your on the right track.  Looks a hello alot better then mine... for now!  ;D
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: Isometric Bacon on October 08, 2003, 12:16:22 pm
Based on your guys responses, (thanks for that!) I made these.

(http://members.lycos.co.uk/kyalwebspace/marquee/Marqeesmallpelletsflat.jpg)

(http://members.lycos.co.uk/kyalwebspace/marquee/Marqeesmallpelletsgrid.jpg)

(http://members.lycos.co.uk/kyalwebspace/marquee/Marqeesmallpelletsgradient.jpg)

I'm surprised how well the gradient one with the pellets turned out! I apologize Jelly, you were right about that one all along ;)

I'm still looking for more constructive criticism or other ideas for backgrounds or how to generally shape the design. Keep em' coming boys and thanks for the great help so far :D
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: Smittydc on October 09, 2003, 11:34:39 am
I'd widen the letters and space them a little more.

The edges of the letters look odd.  Maybe do a 3d bevel or drop shadow instead?

Try some different fonts.  You should be able to find something more 80s retro.

Pacman doesn't have eyes.
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: Isometric Bacon on October 09, 2003, 01:43:25 pm
I'd widen the letters and space them a little more.

Ok will try it out tomorrow, it's a pity the marquee space on my cabinet is so long and short, (my cabinet is alot wider than most) it really makes it hard when designing a marquee heh.

Quote
The edges of the letters look odd.  Maybe do a 3d bevel or drop shadow instead?

Do you mean in the fact that they're pixelated? or just the different coloured outlines in general? The pixelation won't be much of a problem, because I am completely recreating these for my final design with more attention to detail. As for the different coloured outlines, I found it looks a bit "plain" without them. I'm not quite sure what to do about the ghost however. I already have a drop shadow on there, but it's barely visible.

Quote
Try some different fonts.  You should be able to find something more 80s retro.

OK, will do. I like this font as is, but doesn't hurt to try others :)
I'm trying to go for a mix between retro and new age, which is why I like the look of that last gradient picture, simple and basic, but with a modern sort of twist to it that isn't overdone like the previous lighting effects.

Quote
Pacman doesn't have eyes.

That depends on which Pacman you're getting your basis from ;)

I might put the little triangular indents in the eyes, or see how they look without eyes completely.

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it and keep em coming guys ;)
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: RetroBorg on October 10, 2003, 07:43:04 am
Need some more criticism...

You got it!

I think you should go with an all black background, replace the red lines with 3D rounded blue lines, make the pellets 3D add a powerpill in the middle on each side and if you can, make the word "arcade" 3D'ish. I have attached a picture I found on the net somewhere so you can get an idea of what I mean. Though you may not like the idea of going 3D because it's not really that retro and that's cool. Just remember at the end of the day it doesn't matter what other people think, your the one who's going to be looking at the cab everyday.
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: papaschtroumpf on October 21, 2003, 04:43:03 pm
Cool, I'd love to use that render for my background. Any idea where the original is from and if there's a lrger version?
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: RetroBorg on October 22, 2003, 05:36:11 am
Cool, I'd love to use that render for my background. Any idea where the original is from and if there's a lrger version?

Send me a private message with your email and I'll send you some larger 3D renders I have, I found these somewhere on the net but no idea where?
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: Isometric Bacon on October 22, 2003, 08:47:09 am
Could you send them here as well? I don't think i'd use them, but they'd be useful for inclusion with my design piece backup :D

Thanks, my email is subwoofer_69@hotmail.com
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...
Post by: papaschtroumpf on October 22, 2003, 01:43:55 pm
Send me a private message with your email and I'll send you some larger 3D renders I have, I found these somewhere on the net but no idea where?

You have PM, thanks
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...|Marquee Complete!
Post by: Isometric Bacon on November 03, 2003, 07:50:20 pm
Hey guys. Just got my marquee printed.

It's printed on normal thin paper, but I got it done for free, so i'm not complaining :)

Only one problem is that there was obviously a printer error, and a red splotch is visible to the left of the "ARCADE" logo. I might take it back in a few weeks time to get it re-printed on some glossy paper with the splotch removed.

It's sandwiched inbetween 3 pieces of plexiglass, one "white" acrylic piece that diffuses the light, and the two clear pieces that hold the paper flat and into position.

I'm pretty pleased with the results. It illuminates very well, (these pictures don't really do it justice at all) and it is suitably retro/modern aged combination styled.

Title: Re:Need some more criticism...|Marquee Complete!
Post by: Isometric Bacon on November 03, 2003, 07:51:40 pm
A picture closer up...
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...|Marquee Complete!
Post by: Isometric Bacon on November 03, 2003, 07:57:15 pm
Like i said before, those pictures really don't do it justice. You can normally see much more variance between the "yellow" and the white "glow." It doesn't look like just the one outside glow.

Here's another night shot that was taken with a "flash" so you can see more of what it is like without the glow effect. (It usually looks better than this, I should get a shot during the daytime)
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...|Marquee Complete!
Post by: TalkingOctopus on November 03, 2003, 09:09:36 pm
Looks great.  What are the dimensions of that marquee?
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...|Marquee Complete!
Post by: Isometric Bacon on November 03, 2003, 09:54:32 pm
approx 70cm by 17.5cm (divide it by 2.54 for inches)

Odd dimensions I know (it's a pretty wide cabinet), but it works.
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...|Marquee Complete!
Post by: RetroBorg on November 04, 2003, 05:51:24 am
Looks great, especially the last photo, when is your project due at school? Let us know what mark you get for it.
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...|Marquee Complete!
Post by: Isometric Bacon on November 04, 2003, 09:24:39 pm
It's actually at school now!

At least having it there stops interfering with my year 12 exam revision ;)

I don't know how well i'll go with it, but hopefully I'll get a decent mark. It's not exactly a "original" design, but I didn't intend it to be, and I hope they will understand that. I wrote up an entire folder of information about ergonmoics and design concepts however, so hopefully the intention becomes clear and i will get a good mark.
Title: Re:Need some more criticism...|Marquee Complete!
Post by: neuromancer on November 05, 2003, 02:55:56 pm
I like the pelletized version, with the blue gradient background.

I think it might look even better with a lighter blue. A pastel version of royal blue at the top, with more saturation at the bottom.

Or it might not ;-)

Generally having the darker at the bottom is more appealing, because dark is associated with weight and structure.

Bob