Comments on: Updated Stamps Concept

By: Fraser Ferguson

Fraser Ferguson — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:26:10 +0000

Really like the colours. And the Silhouettes make a bold contrast against the background.

Just a thought. Maybe focus in on one part of each image. Like you have with the waves and solar panels. Making the images larger and coming onto the stamp from the side (again like you’ve done with the waves and solar panels) may make a more striking impact.

Wonder what it’ll be like changing the images from black, to a darker tone of the stamps background.

By: Russell

Russell — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:50:52 +0000

i like what you’ve done in terms of illustration but perhaps making the objects much larger and bolder? Possibily to the point the graphics are exceeding the stamps width/height. Strong white stroke on the graphics or subtle backgrounds would give it more depth. Me thinks I’m not really a fan of the stroke round the queen though.

By: Tom Harrison

Tom Harrison — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:27:51 +0000

Good point. I often do that when I’m drawing in Photoshop, but for some reason didn’t with these. I think you might be right though, especially with those damn waves. I haven’t been able to get those to look right at all.

By: Robert Andre

Robert Andre — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:25:40 +0000

I usually sketch my images in pencil, select the ones I want to use and then trace them in Illustrator. With sketches you can push the idea really far and it doesn’t matter how ‘dirty’ they look because the message, the most important part of the design, should stand out.

By: Tom Harrison

Tom Harrison — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:05:06 +0000

I’ve made them all in illustrator, largely using the pen tool (with the exception of the trees which are stock). The idea is to have them stylized, the problem is that some of them are harder to stylize than others whilst still getting clearly showing what the object is.

By: Robert Andre

Robert Andre — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:25:52 +0000

The main thing to remember is that graphics is about communicating an idea. I really like the solar panel (because it looks like a skyscraper basking in the sun) and the 56p stamp (I don’t know what it is put it looks like a palm tree). I would say think more about the message than the actual execution at this point.

You will need to make a decision on how you want your images. They either have to be ‘perfect’ representations or stylised. If they are perfect be wary of curves, line weight, proportion and perspective. Use the pen tool in Illustrator but use as few points as possible to get smooth arcs.

If you go for the stylised look then it doesn’t matter how smooth lines are as long as it’s consistent.

By: Craig Dennis

Craig Dennis — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 02:14:29 +0000

They’re much better than the ones you showed on Tuesday. Not sure about the stroke around the queens head and the numbers though. The symbols are much more recognisable now.

Nice choice of colours too!