Lettering/design activity (July '07) - Masthead design

[F!]

This is the third in a series of activities focusing on lettering and graphic design for comics. These activities remain open-ended, so there are no deadlines, and you can contribute as many times as you like.

Here is the brief:


As their first big release, Major Comics Co. (http://www.penciljack.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76452) are launching a line of mature readers titles with an ongoing series, Craven:

…

The client requires a masthead design to be used on the covers of this book. This must be versatile enough to change color each issue to fit the palette of the cover art.

Feel free to ask any questions below.

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Activity archive:
April '07 - Publisher's logo (http://www.penciljack.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76452)
June '07 - Comic book legends (http://www.penciljack.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78116)

[Crimson Spider]

I've neglected this forum since its inception even more than I have the other laboratory forums, and I now regret this. I've looked at the two previous activities and I'm amazed by the results. I will most likely not participate as I've never tried my hand at something like this, but I'll be paying closer attention from here on out.

[F!]

Good to hear. The activities are as much about raising awareness of the importance of design when putting a book together as much as they are about raising the profile of the Lab.

Hopefully you'll be confident enough to join in at some point.

[Darren Schwindaman]

Crimson Spider, check out the previous activity, 'Comic Book Legends,' if you want an opportunity to play and experiment and warm up.

I'm gonna be in on this as soon as I get a chance; I just got back from vacation and have to catch up on work.

[F!]

Something quick to kick this one off…

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/8250/cravenmasthead1qh9.jpg

[Mr.Hades]

Here's mine...Will keep playing with this one.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c385/mrhades652/Craven.jpg

[Darren Schwindaman]

Been playing with this one off and on. I like it, but I'm still struggling with adding effects to it to pop it off artwork as opposed to a flat background.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1413/940611143_d2530926b6_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/24098884@N00/940611143)

[F!]

Interesting. A low opacity drop-shadow is usually what I go for first to pop logos. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[darth_geek]

Nice Darren....is that a real font or something you tweaked?

[Darren Schwindaman]

Thanks, F!NCH; I'll try that. I'm really digging the symmetry between the C and N in yours.

Mr. Hades: One of the things I find so cool about design is how in control of the feeling you are. Yours and F!NCH's and my logos are totally different, yet all speak to the premise. Yours seems very much like an almost Doctor Who version of the story. Very bright. As far as artwork goes, the shadow coming forward might be a bit much, but I've still got work to do in that arena too.

darth_geek: The serif is Mrs. Eaves Petite Caps. I pulled out all the serifs to sharpen them and extended some, as in the "N.' The swirlies are form one of Eduardo Recife's Misprinted Type scripts. Then I deleted some of the vector swirls in order to clear up the space inside the counters of the letters.

[darth_geek]

here's mine. I tried playing with some graphics (angel wings, demon tail, etc) but in the end went with simple lines.

http://home.comcast.net/~jopa70/cravenflat.jpg


and for kicks here is a mock-up cover:

http://home.comcast.net/~jopa70/cravenmockcover.jpg

[GIGAFATTYMON]

Yeah it was a liitle too floaty for the subject matter

Anyway tried again...

http://gigafattymon.bulldoghome.com/photos/BDRES/gigafattymon_bulldoghome_com/craven2.gif

[Darren Schwindaman]

darth_geek: I think that's looking really great. All of the text elements combine to really give it this arcane ecclectic, arcane feel. Very cool. I'm not 100% sold on the element in the center, though, only for the reason that it's not clear that it's not a second V, ("Cravven"). It looks great though and really helps to balance the whole thing out, so maybe it's a necessary evil.

GIGAFATTYMON: I think those are beautiful letterforms. Are they hand-done? They have a very Arabic quality to them. I don't know if they're exactly right for this project but they're definitely right for something. If this were a real project, this might become one of those looks you stick in your pocket and save for something that it'd be a better fit for.

[caanan02]

... so, here ya go.

be blessed

(the update is in my second reply)

[darth_geek]

I dig how these pop up in my email months after I forget about the activity. =)
That is really good Caanan. Lettering, colors, everything spot on with F!nches description. Excellent.

(what type face is that?)

[F!]

Nice. I think the V could be a little better defined, but I'm liking the feel of it.

[caanan02]

...2 different color backgrounds

Thanx for the words Darth.

be blessed

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/7139/cravenlogosdh1.jpg