Adobe Illustrator Vector Brief

https://planetluke.com/portfolio-category/logo/#hypekillers

Planet Luke

As studied on his poster design in brief one, Planet Luke is run by Lucas Lozano. As well as posters he designs vector logos for record labels and artists. These designs are often 2 tone, almost as if they could be used as a stamp. This way, Lucas creates a bold yet simplistic logo that is recognisable and clear.

When recreating Lucas' style I believe it is important to follow 3 main characteristics of his work:

Colour scheme: Don't use more than 3 colours per individual vector, that way the logo will be bold and striking.
Font: It is clear Lucas incorporates the font into his vectors rather than the vectors around the font, essentially focusing on the actual design before the text.
Depth: It will be difficult to show depth in a logo with a minimal colour scheme therefore it is key to focus on shadows and highlights.

My Logos:

My client:

What excited me most about the vector project was how well it integrated with a personal interest of vintage record label logos, leading me to explore numerous archives of rap and jazz labels who showcased some of the earliest vector artwork available. Therefore it made perfect sense that my client be record labels commissioning me to create a new logo to work as both a signature on records but also something that stands out alone to be used as merchandise. For this reason, my main focus of the brief was maintaining a simplistic yet equally unique design that could be scaled up or down to any size and remain versatile.

Last Riot, Logo No.1

For my first logo I felt it was crucial to experiment with as many useful tools as possible as it was my first time using illustrator, so had lots to learn.

When choosing on what to create as my first piece on illustrator I decided to create a record label logo. I didn't know where to begin therefore I felt it was best to create my own logo from my imagination.

I came up with the name "LAST RIOT", drawing inspiration from music I listen to. However I now needed to choose what I was going to actually base my logo off of. Eventually using the name itself for my inspiration, I felt a nuclear mushroom cloud would be fitting and striking .

I began by slowly design the first half of the cloud, whilt using an image of a real mushroom cloud as a guidance. It was here where I learned how to use the pen tool properly with a combination of straight and curved lines.

I was happy with what I had created so far however I felt it look unnatural and too sharp. To change this I used the width tool, varying the width of my lines, making the middle of each curve was the thickest part. I also used it to taper out the blunt edges.

To complete the outline, I duplicated the layer and flipped it around vertically. I line both layers up and merged them to finish.

Next I felt it was necessary to add further lines, echoing the outline, to create more depth and interest in the vector. I did the using the pen and width tool skills I had previously learnt.

Continuing with the line work, I added lines between each clour and a line along the bottom to finish. the mushroom cloud.

Finally I used the cooper font to add my text, placing each word in individual clouds.

Def Jam, Logo No.2

For my second logo I wanted to do something more complex like Lonzano's use of depth, as I felt more confident on my skills. This time I wanted to recreating an existing logo, more specifically a record label. After doing some research I decided the "Def Jam" was the company I wanted to redesign for as I felt that their logo, albeit iconic, was boring and too simple.

When choosing where to begin I felt it was best to base my logo around music as it best portrays what the company is, therefore I decided to use a speaker for the premise of the logo.

I began with a photshoot of a speaker that I owned, experimenting with different angles. After a few photos I landed on one I was happy with and opened up Illustrator ...

Firstly, I outlined the speaker,(this was relatively easy), however I felt it was lacking dimension. Therfore I added a shadow coming off to the left. This took me a very long time as there wasn't a shadow in my photo and I wanted it to look as natural as possible.

I contined by adding a white facade to the speaker, once again to establish dimension to the vector.

Continuing on the facade of the speaker, I added the rings of the speaker by lowering the opacity of my other layers and outlining my photo. I alternated the colours of the rings yet remained keeping it two tone overall.

Finally I added the text to the logo. I began by choosing the font, making sure it was soft yet visible. Once I wrote out my text, I used the perspective warp tool to change the angles of the text. Once again this took me a while and a lot of experimenting in order to achieve the desired look.

Complex piece:

Loyle Carner vector

After creating my first two vectors, my confidence in using illustrator had grown tremendously, not only now aware of how to use the tools but also aware of my own artistic technique that had to visualise 3d images into two tone form, as well as adapting past wanting to use line.

As I had already created two logos, I was intrigued to where else vector art could take me , therefore choosing to create a poster, not only to develop my client but more importantly my skills as I decided to take on a march larger and intricate subject of musician Loyle Carner.

As previously used, my first hand images formed the basis of the vector, serving as a guide for each layer. That however is not to suggest the process was simplistic, especially in regards to his hoodie, forced to appreciate tone and shading in a way I had yet encountered in art, seeking to communicate the artists successfully but also artistically.

Firstly, I outlined the hoodie. This was the simplest part of the whole vector, however is was crucial to get right as the rest of the vector oriented around this layer.

To add dimension to the hoodie I added shadow where the creases of hoodie was. It was a very slow and complex process, altogether amounting to 25 layers on the hoodie alone.

Once the hoodie was complete I moved onto the body, once again this was quite complex as the image my vector was based off was blury and therfore hard to follow.

Similar to the hoodie, I used a second colour to add shadow and as a result depth to Loyle Carner's face and body. This was difficult to get right, especially on the face as I couldn't follow my photo because I was only using one colour for the shadow. Additonally I used another colour for the mic. In total my completed vector was 39 layers.

Loyle Carner vector

Once my vector was complete I decided that alone it did not serve a true meaning, to complex to be a logo in itself. Therefore I continued on illustrator and photoshop to incorporate my vector into a poster. This way it became possible to see the opportunity of what could be created with my vectors, a lesson that I believe will inspire throughout the project.

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