posted
Wow, talk about an attention getter. Eric, I hope we all can see more of your killer work in the near future.
There was a lot to learn here after 39 responses. Now my brain and my eyes hurt. Lol.
Joel
-------------------- Joel H. Peters Peter Pan Sign Graphics Cary,Il. "Doin' it Good since 1974" Posts: 114 | From: Cary,IL,USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
I think one thing you gotta look at too, is there are many different people on the board. We all dont own the same car, nor do we all like the same foods. We are gonna disagree at times on what looks "right" to us. In this instance, I understand what my friends have pointed out, but... when I first looked at it, I read it out loud,and it really jumped out at me. Thats probably what the customer wanted, doing the kind of work that he does, airbrushing. There are always little things we can do to tweak a design here or there, and I do alot of tweaking on mine. Tips that have been pointed out on this post might pop in your head on some other job, and help you out in some way. On this design though, I really do like it. I love the chrome effect, and use it myself from time to time. The coloring is vibrant and the art (girl) adds a nice touch. Really nice job.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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-------------------- Terry Baird Baird Signs 3484 West Lake Rd. Canandaigua, NY 14424 Posts: 790 | From: Canandaigua, New York | Registered: Dec 2002
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You're showing your age, dude! Besides, Cheryl is much prettier...
Have a great one!
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6453 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
Eric, you outdid yourself here. The chrome is unusual, as I was looking to see how it appears bent, how unique, just that I haven't seen any like that. It took me a second to capture the wording but that didn't bother me, as the other qualities satisfied my thirst.
The colors contrasts and textures are really rich and are very well chosen as you already know that. Another treat from the portfolio page, inspiring me again today, thanks. btw, what do you produce in an hour?????(
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
Effects are always cool....but they can be easily overdone, and quickly contribute to difficulty in legibility where text is concerned.
I'd have to agree with Mark on this one....nice effects if you were isolating the various elements and judging them as individual components...but as shown? Very difficult to read and distinguish the message.
If we're going to get picky;
* The chick needs a dropshadow cast upon the "Drummond" and "Custom"....much like you see her arm casting a dropshadow on her abdommen.
* Drummond - uses a good font to showcase the chrome...however, the letter spacing needs to be opened up and I would have placed a thin, bright white border after the chrome...followed by a somewhat thicker black border, finally followed by a medium perimeter gradient glow of a slightly creamy color. This would make the individual letters "pop" and be more distinguishable both from the background and the neighboring letters.
* Custom - a little lighter on the dark shading on the shadow side of the letters....a little harsh. And definately a different color than red...it is engulfed by the strong red background testure.
* Airbrush is fine.
What chrome filter did you use? Eye Candy or AutoFX? Looks like Eye Candy to me.
Artists have huge ego's in regards to their work...and I'm no exception....but it's good to take your licks and give other's advice a try. Often times, it serves to improve the current design as well as enhance skills.
I like the portfollio section here...but I'd agree that in many cases people don't want constructive criticism, but rather are looking to be showered with compliments - which is natural - don't get me wrong....we all like to be complimented.
It's especially hard to be critical to people you've met or have come to know through conversation here.
I always understood "portfollios" to be open to critical/constructive judgement. If you've ever taken a portfollio to an interview - this is what you can expect; questions on why a design was treated this way or that, or on occassion negative comments.
Not all criticisms are worthy. Some criticisms can come from people who's work you may not admire at all. I think the key is being open to ideas and knowing which ones are valid, which ones aren't, laying ego aside and being willing to implement ideas that can enhance your design and make a person a better designer.
Even widely acknowledged "design - masters" make mistakes here. Nobody is perfect, especially in a somewhat subjective field like this.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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posted
Brent - yes it is....and if you use Photoshop you'd really appreciate the several filters Eye Candy 4000, Eye Candy 5 Impact, EyeCandy Textures and a few of their other plugins can give you that would make you scratch your head trying to figure out how to create it from scratch.
It's made by a company called Alien Skin
Another great Photoshop Plugin is AutoFX....they have a magnificent set of filters too....for Chrome and all kinds of stuff.
And then there's KPT plugin which I use frequently too....
posted
Thanks for the links Todd. Glad this thread stayed open for so long! The chrome lettering really intrigued me. I thought about trying to make something like it in photoshop the hard way. I've been making a lot of brushed aluminum letters lately using noise filters and motion blurs. Excellent critique by the way...
posted
Hot red flames, cool chrome and a cute artsy fartsy, sexy vargas chick in the middle sizzling! I like the artwork, and agree that taking it a few steps further to separate the lettering from the backgrounds, just a bit (maybe a highlight not to disturb the soft effects) would take it from artwork to a lettering design a bit more legible. (a critique of how "I see it"!) and also an inspiration for me as "you see it!).
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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posted
Eric, let the people of Letterville help you lower your prices to make less money so you learn how it is to be humble. No one should know more then their heros who have criticized your work while still borrowing ideas from their neighbors
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
posted
If this guy is an airbrush artist why in heck would he want a sign designed by someone else and not airbrushed!!!! Faults advertising!!!!!card looks great, wonder if he could paint that himself?????
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
posted
Graphics with an Attitude - there's your warning Mark, not somebody who wants to hear criticism. Eric, if you'd ever seen Mark's work, you might realize he's trying to give you some actual help. Maybe you got a grand, but I hope they don't compare it to Mark's work, or that'll be the last grand you see from them. I hate to see so many amazingly talented folks waste their time trying to help people who don't appreciate it. If you post on the portfolio table, check your ego at the door.
-------------------- Jerry Steward Sign&Print Bethlehem, PA Posts: 126 | From: Bethlehem, PA | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
So, we are jumping on this guy three years after the fact?
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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![[Cool]](cool.gif)
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adds a nice touch. Really nice job.
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