This project to recreate the iconic Genesis emblem in the highest possible detail and quality consisted of tracing the original shape, creating a custom brushed metal texture, and then creating custom bump maps that were used to generate lighting effects for the shadows and highlights. Looking up as many images as possible of the emblem while working on this made me realize just how diverse Sega's various ways of portraying it were. Not only did they use different colorations (with the earlier game boxes often using a version with an icy blue hue and the early console packaging often using a slightly purple hue), but there are actually two distinct styles of the emblem as well. The first style has a raised frame-like structure only around "GENESIS", but the second style has it around the entire emblem.
First Style (used during the pre-Sonic era)
Second Style (used from mid year 2 until year 5)
Featuring the font I spent $45 on to make sure it matched Sega's ads! :P
(clicking the section headers or the images will take you to the Google Photos folder full of all the relevant wallpapers)
A simple grey grid over a black background, based on the iconic Sega decorative style of the mid-80's to early 90's.
Sixteen different wallpapers to choose from.
Eight color variations for each of the two styles (neutral, light, dark, cool, warm, purple, green, and maroon).
Two different slogans from Sega ad campaigns to coincide with the two different emblem styles ("YOUR WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME" and "LEADER OF THE 16-BIT REVOLUTION").
I've always thought that subtle smoke images over a black background make for great wallpaper, so naturally that was something I needed integrate into the emblem wallpapers.
Sixteen different wallpapers to choose from.
Eight color variations for each of the two styles (neutral, light, dark, cool, warm, purple, green, and maroon).
A different coloration of smoke for each different emblem.
Two different slogans from Sega ad campaigns to coincide with the two different emblem styles ("YOUR WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME" and "LEADER OF THE 16-BIT REVOLUTION").
Something a little different, attempting to combine the modern with an early 90's flair.
Sixteen different wallpapers to choose from.
Eight color variations for each of the two styles (neutral, light, dark, cool, warm, purple, green, and maroon).
Two different slogans from Sega ad campaigns to coincide with the two different emblem styles ("YOUR WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME" and "LEADER OF THE 16-BIT REVOLUTION").
Featuring a row of eight classic games as follows...
The first emblem style features Altered Beast, Alex Kidd, Golden Axe, Super Hang-On, Space Harrier II, Thunder Force II, Revenge of Shinobi, and Phantasy Star II.
The second emblem style comes in two varieties. One features Sword of Vermilion, After Burner II, Columns, E-SWAT, Michael Jackson's Moonwalker, Shadow Dancer, Super Monaco GP, and Sonic the Hedgehog. The other features Sonic the Hedgehog, Shining in the Darkness, OutRun, Phantasy Star III, Alien Storm, Shining Force, Kid Chameleon, and Streets of Rage.
Twenty-four different wallpapers to choose from.
Eight color variations for each of the two styles (neutral, light, dark, cool, warm, purple, green, and maroon).
Two different slogans from Sega ad campaigns to coincide with the two different emblem styles ("YOUR WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME" and "LEADER OF THE 16-BIT REVOLUTION").
(clicking the section headers or the images will take you to the Google Photos folder full of all the relevant wallpapers)
These are 7800x2445 - about 2 feet wide if printed at 300 PPI
Eight color variations for each of the two styles (neutral, light, dark, cool, warm, purple, green, and maroon).
(because you better believe Sega didn't stop at just the two styles above)
This is based on the emblem used on the packaging for all of the Genesis launch titles and a few other games that were released within the first few months of the release of the Genesis, as well as a few of the very first magazine ads for the system.
This is based on the emblem used on the packaging for most of the games released from 1990 to 1993.