Am i crazy? Creating Custom Side Art - Questions

fizgig

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Hey guys, i'm looking at creating some custom high end side art for some of my games that having boring cabs (like Atari sys 1 and Taito) for example. It would be photoshop (pixel based) not vector, although some things might be made in vector (logos, text, etc) and then overlayed in the design. Oh and i've been a graphic artist for about 15 years so i know my way around that arena a bit :)

Anyone do this before? Advice or past restoration experiences/examples would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Dan
 

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Hey guys, i'm looking at creating some custom high end side art for some of my games that having boring cabs (like Atari sys 1 and Taito) for example. It would be photoshop (pixel based) not vector, although some things might be made in vector (logos, text, etc) and then overlayed in the design. Oh and i've been a graphic artist for about 15 years so i know my way around that arena a bit :)

Anyone do this before? Advice or past restoration experiences/examples would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Dan

For custom stuff you might look over at the arcadecontrols.com forums for some more info.
 
I've definitely designed some fun custom artwork. After getting into the arcade hobby, I've found that I don't quite fit into the norm. The idea for custom artowrk came alongside building custom cabinets.

I just enjoy the amazing freedom of being able to design (or redesign) a cabinet from scratch. 30 years ago this would have been impossible. Now you can build what ever you want and print your own graphics with the tools and software available to us for amazing prices.

I will say that I think simple artwork is better. Drawing inspiration from classic cabs like those from Taito and Stern has been helpful. Those cabs are painted one color with a stencil of another color, usually just black. I like them because it is a simple geometric design and the company name. They are classic, and making artwork or stencils like this is very do-able.

The same thing goes with Williams cabinets. The artwork on Defender and Moon Patrol is a little bit more complicated, but it is still just one background color and two stenciled colors over the top.

What I DON'T like is the hodgepodge multicade artwork. For example, I don't like the artwork with characters from 50 games stuck on a modified Galaga or Donkey Kong side-art design. I think that looks busy and unoriginal. To each their own, but that I think that is worse than just using original artwork.

I certainly don't need to tell you what software to use. It looks like you've got that under control. :) For stencils, I just cut them out on my CNC router from thin sheets of plastic or even hardboard.I also rout a 45 degree beveled edge on the openings for better results. And of course you can always have them cut out of vinyl at a sign shop.

For printing, I have a good friend who used to work at a printing shop, and they handle it for me. Just about any place can print on vinyl.

I originally looked into silk-screening as well. For me, it just didn't make sense with these kind of quantities. And since the artwork is original I am the one determining what the original media will be! :D

What kind of artwork are you doing?
 
First cabinet i want to do is Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. I have 3 versions.. these are quick mockups that have evolved to the red version. Then an original SYS 1 for comparison.
 

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I like it. Cool idea. Some games just came with way to plain jane sideart.

I am piecing back together a Slither and considering doing something custom. It's original sideart is not awe inspiring:
1181242169158.jpg


Have you seen this Tron cabaret that was recently done:
http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=179825

How about the custom Gunsmoke stencil job:
http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=175924
 
I'm partial to the first one. That's one of the movie posters and much more in line with the overall feel of the game. A big flaming Mola Ram doesn't work for me. You could always do one on one side and use the other for the other? I'd seriously consider doing this to mine if you get it done. Mine just has black vinyl on the sides. I've thought about going with the System 1 side art, but have held off. Maybe I'm just getting lazy in my old age?
 
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Looks cool! I'm sure Rich at TOG could print that solvent inkjet for you, but you'd have to trim it yourself.
Yes I could and could also plotter cut it to that shape
acutallly this was a project I was working on for myself to
was using the poster art of just Indy on the sides but both are extremly cool.
PM sent

when the designer of IJTOD was on COSP chat he did mention they he had some dedicated sideart concepts
but was later scraped when it became a S1 conversion :(
 
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Thanks! Yeah it needed the front i think to tie in the red CP. I appreciate Atari trying to cut costs with the kits, but they really were so generic. I'm gathering up ideas for other SYS1/generic games now, next will be Marble Madness i think. After that? not sure.


would be cool to see pics of the other system 1 games as well :)

so far, i like what it see. i also think that the red front looks kickass!
 
Paperboy had horrible side art (System ? type of cab - maybe APB cab too). I had one painted all white and that looked better than the factory 'rainbow fluff' on the sides. There was a post on here in the past about someone considering doing custom sideart, and a bunch of forum members went nutz for it.

Taito could of used side art on em - but the logo / designs on those classic cabs actually end up being really sexy the more you look at it. It was a good design.

Cant think of any other side art designs that were so drastically bad that even a re design would help - thats a good topic right there. Would love to see more poor side art styles and possible makeovers

(by the way - Indy #2 gets printed and you will have me chasing a temple of doom, so please stop!)
 
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