Marquee artwork opinion

[monkeymagic]

Hi All,

Reading quite a few things and started building my own bartop. Anyway, I'm no photoshop editor, just a copy and paste hack, I've started using GIMP to edit this.
I've made this image 5614 x 1540 pixels which by my calculations for a 450mm x 105mm marquee would give me 300dpi.
The black bars won't be there in the final, the image extends past it but it just gives me a better idea what it would look like.
It's a Hyperspin machine mainly for my kids (I tell my wife)

I'd like some feedback on the image, I'm reasonably happy but it is a bit copy and pastey which is what I did.

Any suggestions?

[Slippyblade]

Overall, not to shabby.  I'd lose Sub-Zero in the center though.  If you really want him in there, may be shrink him a little off to the side and balance him with a Scorpion on the opposing side.

[Le Chuck]

You've got four different styles pasted on there, it looks amateur.  That's okay, not everything needs to look perfect by any means, but what are you wanting to get out of your marquee?  Do you want it to tell people a list of the the types of games they can expect to play on it?  If so - yeah, that's doing the job.  I look at that and know I can probably play platformers, fighters, and some classics.  If you are wanting it to look like a professional machine, then you need to rework it, comes up with a theme, make the font bigger, take out some of the characters, and doctor the plain background a bit. 

[PL1]

There are a few notable exceptons to this, but IMHO if you think you have to use "arcade", "-cade", or "-kade" to label your build you may have not spent enough time developing the theme.   

When is the last time you saw the word "STOVE" boldly emblazoned on a kitchen appliance or "AUTOMOBILE" on a car?

Obvious label is obvious, so most designers use model names, logos, and styling to make their product stand out and avoid the possible appearance of insult to the consumer's intelligence.


Scott

[monkeymagic]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Slippyblade: I'll have a look at options with subzero and scorpion, see what i like.

Le Chuck: Thanks, I'm below amateur so amateur is a good start. I don't really have a theme, the bartop is going to be all white with chrome T molding at the moment. It's mostly for the kids (boys and girls) and I've just put stuff on there that I like. I'll try making larger font and the background. It plays most things hence the variety of characters too.

Scott: I'm not sure what else to call it  other than Arcade, not a fan of 'Josh's Arcade' Multicade etc....

Thanks Josh

[JDFan]

Scott: I'm not sure what else to call it  other than Arcade, not a fan of 'Josh's Arcade' Multicade etc....

Could be wrong but I think he might be suggesting leaving it off altogether -- figure any one that looks at the pics and the rest of the marquee will know it is an "Arcade" so putting the wording there doesn't really add anything useful.

[PL1]

Scott: I'm not sure what else to call it  other than Arcade, not a fan of 'Josh's Arcade' Multicade etc....

There's an old saying in politics, "If you're explaining, you're losing."

Minus a few exceptions (like Le Chuck's Darkade), almost any title with "arcade", "-cade", or "-kade" is explaining to the viewer's brain instead of capturing their imagination.

Take a look at these build names from Project Announcements:
(apologies in advance to the many deserving builders whose projects are not included in this list)
* Echo Base
* Mario Pedestal
* Game of Thrones
* Mago Nostromo
* Street Fighter History
* Jungle Fever
* Dark Neon
* R-Pod MkII Racing Simulator

Even if you haven't read the related build threads, the titles evoke vivid images.

Take your time and find a worthy theme and art that you really like to tie the build together -- it's worth the effort.   


Scott

[stigzler]

I like the blue/yellow balance.

If you're sticking with that, then I'd loose the manga-type illustrations and stick with the more cartooney illustrations. Feels the styles don't match

I like the blockiness of the font, but I would say - the more you get into this and look at cabs over the years - you'll see that that font/modification was being used years ago - may start to feel a little passe over time. I'd go for a similar font, with applied effects (like stroke, something to make it stand off the bg and any illustrations behind it).

Like the blue background, but needs some texture. Some abstract, subtle texturing might be good.

I'm a newb too, monkey, so don't get disheartened by feedback! I must be on my 5th revision of my artwork + this stuff takes time!

@ lol @ PL1's post. My cab started out as "Arcade Cabinet 1" or something like that. It evolved its own name over time! Last iteration was "20.13a" < exciting, huh?

Good luck, chap.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Also, keep in mind the your marquee trim/retainer may cover the edges of your artwork. So you need to move them in to account for that.

[Malenko]

I whipped up 2 real quick examples. first one shows you dont really need any clip art to make a marquee. second one shows the impact a little art can have.

[monkeymagic]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I've had a chat to the daughter to see what she likes. I really appreciate the feedback and I can see what you mean as well Malenko.

I think the name is going to stay, I've changed it to 'The Arcade' because that is what we've been calling it all along so it seems right.
I've removed Zangief as that didn't really fit the most and tried to do some background options.

I think the background stuff is what's best, haven't decided what or how, but I'll keep trying a few things.

Here are some rough ones so far. The black bars will go, the images go past them but it gives me a rough idea what I'm looking at.

I'll keep playing around.

[yotsuya]

You know what would look cool if you used that title? A bunch of machines in the background, just fuzzy enough so they're not specific, with the words "The Arcade" in focus. THAT would be a good use of the name.

[stigzler]

Love the top, blue background. Also, like the way you've re-arranged the characters. Couple more things would make it blinding:

1) Put the Galaxian (?) ships behind the "The Arcade" text - they're obscuring it.

2) I really would try and put an outline around that text. You need to use a "Stroke" function - Think you can do this by highlighing/selecting all the bits of the text (magic select tool?) and then choosing Edit>Stroke. Easier way, if you have that text on a separate layer is to use "Script-Fu." Think you may to install that though... I did it some time ago - wasn't too hard. Then just select the Layer > Script-Fu > Stroke.

I'm even gonna risk a total faux-pas and suggest a...wait for it.... Drop Shadow!! I know it's totally 90s, but may be in keeping with that text.

Great work - looking chipper!

[wol-nz]

Hi.. are you planning on putting graphics on the control panel? Me personally i like to see marquees with bear minimum but with impact. So the title for me is most important. Then color scheme, then choice of characters.
But hey the good news is if your kids like it like that then do it  my daughter wanted hers pink and purple with unicorns and rainbows 

[stigzler]

P.S. If you're wanting to see what could be done - why not attach your gimp file? Then people could collaborate

[ChanceKJ]

(apologies in advance to the many deserving builders whose projects are not included in this list)

yeah, you better be sorry, you missed "Turtle Box"!   ...pbj's gonna be pis-  actually, I don't think he'll care...


How about this: Call it "The Arcade", but have a small "The"' and below it spell "Arcade" using a different iconic letter from other classic logos. The A from Asteroids, R from R-Type, C from Centipede, and so on... Put that on a simple star field, or warp space style background that's faded out or a little darker and you have a simple homage. 

[heyyouguys]

How about this: Call it "The Arcade", but have a small "The"' and below it spell "Arcade" using a different iconic letter from other classic logos. The A from Asteroids, R from R-Type, C from Centipede, and so on... Put that on a simple star field, or warp space style background that's faded out or a little darker and you have a simple homage.

Interesting idea!

[monkeymagic]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

A couple of good suggestions, I like the idea of spelling the ARCADE text with classic logos and the bunch of machines idea.
They are probably more man-cave arcade units, this is going in the kids play rooms so I'm pretty sure they want pictures.
The girls did want unicorns and rainbows and a pick cabinet but we're about to have a boy so have to go the middle ground!

Stroke function looks good too I think.
I think the smaller rings are brighter but probably too busy.

[Drnick]

The only characters that now stick out are pacman and the 3 ghosts.  I think you need something more cartoony,  The issue is mixing pixel art with hand drawn cartoonish works. Try it with something like this.

http://flygirlgamers.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/pacman-ghosts.jpg

[wol-nz]

I don't know if this will help or just throw a spanner - way back when... i had a collage of charaters on a theme (i can't find it now - long gone)
But.. I've mocked up an idea that shows you how to incorporate a few characters with out going down the montage line.
I've used Truxton ships (all i had handy) but you could do anything.
I even did the dreaded drop shadow - lovely perspective 
If you think it might be something worth giving a go let me know and i'll get you the photoshop file

[Malenko]

The girls did want unicorns and rainbows and a pick cabinet but we're about to have a boy so have to go the middle ground!

There is your theme. Pink VS Blue.

[monkeymagic]

Thanks for the pac man images, I think this is going to be the final, although I may play around with it more later.  I'll try and find a way to share the original (not that anyone might really want to but) that will allow people to use mine if they want.



Thanks Josh

[thomas_surles]

Thanks for the pac man images, I think this is going to be the final, although I may play around with it more later.  I'll try and find a way to share the original (not that anyone might really want to but) that will allow people to use mine if they want.



Thanks Josh

Sharing is caring. Its hard to find pr made print ready stuff so im sure someone will find it useful.

[thatpurplestuff]

This may just be the anal designer in me, but I would get familiar with the pen tool and do some more work on this before you print this out.  The white artifacts around the edges of each element would drive me crazy, and most of them could be removed pretty easily with just some time tracing them out with the pen tool (assuming you're using Photoshop).  It would also be fairly easy to recreate elements like the Pac Man ghosts or the Galaga ships, which have significant jpeg artifacts and look blurry.  It should be fairly easy to learn to if you just looked up some vector mask / vector shape layer tutorials.

... or just go ahead and print it if you don't think the blurriness or white artifacts around the edges would bug you haha.

[stigzler]

Seconded. And it'll bug you in time...

If you have them on separate layer or select them separately, you can also use inner-shadow to knock out the white. Also give a nice 'cartoon' outline. Should be in the standard filters somewhere, or I use Script-fu.

It's looking great.

Can I not tempt you once more to put those Galaga ships behind your logo? Maybe stretch it a little so you get the ship and bullet just below the logo and the 'swarm' of ships at the top?

[monkeymagic]

Okay, been a bit of a while, weekends are cab building with the daughter.
I've got rid of as much white as possible.
Here are the two just for you stigzler.

Personally I like the ships on top 

Josh

[Malenko]

you missed a bunch in Goro's hair

[monkeymagic]

It was getting difficult. I couldn't cut it out without removing hair. Let's just say he's greying, he is getting on anyway.
I'll play around with it later to see what I can do.

Here is the link to the original anyway if anyone is interested in using any of it, though there are heaps of better ones out there.....

Josh

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-pzqhaGaUI5SGJUV1FLNDBadlE/edit?usp=sharing

[stigzler]

Looking great cleaned up. Go brutal on gorro's hair. Magic select>Feather>(Select)Shrink(-1/2 pixels)

Should do it.

Fairynuff on the ships - comes down to personal taste - just feels unbalanced to me - all other graphics under Logo, apart form the ships.

It's goann be what you're happy with, and then what you'll be happy with in 6mo's time without it nagging at you.... 

btw.. did you try the logo outline in a darker colour - eg. black or navy/dark blue?

[yotsuya]

Just for fun, this is what your title made me think of, if I were to use it.

[Malenko]

that rocks yots

[yotsuya]

Thanks - again, this is what the OPs theme made me think of. Just an alternative!

[monkeymagic]

All of the suggestions here have been good.

Yotsuya's looks nice too. If this was for adults then definitely but realistically this is going to end up covered in stickers.

Josh

[Drnick]

Ryu has a transparency issue    Ghosts need cleaning up a little, I would probably just do a clean fill of the eyes the body colour and clean up the outline a bit.  Goro's hair is pretty good I could live with him going a bit grey 

[thomas_surles]

Looking at goros hair up close it is not bad. Just looks like the lighting in his lair maybe.