The Visual Appendix
Samuel Barran U1457215
ABSTRACT
Graphic Design has had a more central role in creating atmosphere and realism through video games in more recent times. The focus of the essay is how that effects the user when playing, does it enhance their experience or can games that are more simplistic in style and detail still achieve the same satisfaction level. To understand this we must look at user experience design and how designers and game developers enhance satisfaction by improving usability, accessibility and pleasure provided in the interaction between user and product (UX design). It’s pivotal to look at modern examples of games which feature intricate, detailed worlds and cities, more specifically Grand Theft Auto 5 and Fallout 4. Alternatively look at early arcade games like Pong and how that captivated the audience. Research into the use and effectiveness of colour in both arcade and platform games and the positive effect it’s had on the advancements of video games.
VISUAL APPENDIX Concept I
Design billboard advertisements for Grand Theft Auto fictional shops and Photoshop them into the game. Here are some examples of billboards featured in Grand Theft Auto 5, the outcome will be similar but I’m looking to advertise for Ammunation.
VISUAL APPENDIX Concept II Produce new logo designs for the fictional businesses in Grand Theft Auto. The examples shown are two fictional radio station logo designs. The idea is to revamp one of the radio stations and give it a whole new look and advertise it on a Grand Theft Auto in game billboard. This celebrates the idea of Graphic Design in video games and gives me an opportunity to do branding work, which I enjoy.
VISUAL APPENDIX Concept III Produce a Pip Boy layout design alternative, that improves practicality and navigation. This is what the Pip Boy already looks like. I like the design and think that for a complicated game it does well to encompass every aspect of the game and what you can do.
VISUAL APPENDIX Concept II Research
3 2 1
World music Reggae Classic/Indie/Alternative rock Electronica Punk Funk/Soul Pop Talk Rap/Hip Hop Latin music 80s After looking at all of the radio stations, I feel that the 80s genre is not represented enough with the current stations. So I will be creating a brand new radio station that celebrates the 80s theme and then advertise it to the Grand Theft Auto players through billboards and bus stop advertisements.
VISUAL APPENDIX Concept II Development- Logo
I really wanted a handwritten paint style font but settled with a marker pen and continuously wrote out “80s� until I was happy I had something to work with. After three pages of A4, I managed to produce one good outcome.
VISUAL APPENDIX Concept II Development- Logo
I liked how the handwriting came out so I started experimenting with various effects including extrude and bevel to give a more 3-D look and give the opportunity to use more colour. I think so of my other tests have more of a 90s feel which was not what I intended.
VISUAL APPENDIX Concept II Development- Logo
After experimenting on illustrator, I wanted to make the writing more relevant so I surrounded it with neon bars that are used to give the logo motion to symbolise the 80s coming to you. I like the white logo but I think the logo works best with a black background.
The colours and font stand out more with the black background which also makes reference to the music at that time especially when it was played at clubs and bars at night.
I decided to make a one colour logo to see the effect is has on the font. I does centralise the font and make it the focal point whereas the multi coloured version takes attention away.
The logo works well without the circle it helps focus more on the movement of the logo and gives it motion. Which helps me make it more pertinent to being an in car radio station.
VISUAL APPENDIX Concept II Final Logo
FINAL LOGO
BLACK & WHITE
VISUAL APPENDIX Concept II Development- Billboards
I looked at some Photoshop tutorials on how to get this 80s background effect. The first one looked a dark and gloomy and after putting in captions & the logo it didn’t work well and didn’t really convey the message so I made the pink brighter to give a more neon effect.
I think the main problem with using this background is that the image is too convoluted, I like the effect and definitely screams 80s but a simpler background would work better with this logo. I enjoyed making the background and impressed with how it looks.
VISUAL APPENDIX Concept II Development- Billboards Cont.
I don’t think the first billboard shown has enough vibrancy and isn’t eye catching enough for someone doing 90mph on a Grand Theft Auto motorway. That’s why I went for a more clear and concise design. I was really intrigued to see what they looked like in the game so I took some photos in the game and started photoshopping my billboards on top.
VISUAL APPENDIX Concept II Development- Mock-Ups
VISUAL APPENDIX Concept II Development- Mock-Ups
This is a mock up of the Grand Theft Auto radio wheel with my logo and track name included. I think my logo flows well with the wheel and looks like it’s been there since the game started. I also decided to come up with a tracklist using the brand’s colours and theme.
Samuel Barran U1457215