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Sketchpad Lion

by Matt Bainton | June 10, 2010 | 400 × 300 | 382 views

Shot_1276224924

23 responses

  1. Matt-avatar-medium Matt Bainton

    Finally feel I've found a direction for a lion logo. Working with an animal that's been iconized to death, its hard to find an original spin.

    Reverse raindrop gave an iconic, modern look, yet stands out because the shape is hardly ever presented in this orientation (except Google map markers).

    This is the original notebook paper pen/pencil version, quickly brought into PS. Hopefully the final will retain some of the authentic sketchiness as well as some of the character of the face.

    Thoughts?

    3 months ago

  2. Morgan Morgan Allan Kn...

    It's cool! very nice simplicity. Love the expression :)

    3 months ago

  3. Silhouette_avatar Tyler Galpin

    SIMBAAAAAAAA!

    3 months ago

  4. Bricon Brian Carroll

    Welcome! Great icon!

    3 months ago

  5. No_more_muttons Chandler Van De...

    I think this is a great direction and pretty unique, Matt. Nice job!
    Just a thought: maybe instead of a pure raindrop shape, at the bottom, give it a few whisps of mane. That might add to the uniqueness.

    3 months ago

  6. Dribatar Russell Bishop

    This looks great, can't wait to see the finished thing!

    3 months ago

  7. Matt-avatar-medium Matt Bainton

    Thanks for the welcome and kind words.

    @Chantheman I've been going back and forth on putting in some mane shape, but not sure I want to introduce breaks in the shape.

    Any other critiques?

    I started a very crisp vector version in IL last night, but it was losing much of its character. It will be interesting to try to find a balance.

    3 months ago

  8. Bricon Brian Carroll

    Oh digital. How you make clean things with one hand and tear out their soul with the other.

    I actually disagree with Chandler about the mane. The fact that the mane has been reduced to a simple shape is what sets it apart from other lion logos- the charm should then come from the assymetry of the face.

    Have you tried simply tracing the sketch? There are a lot of very subtle dents and details that you might miss in a clean vector build

    3 months ago

  9. Matt-avatar-medium Matt Bainton

    Brian echo's my thoughts exactly regarding the shape. The success of the mark is behind reducing it to such a basic shape.

    I haven't had a chance to trace yet, but I imagine I'll use my wacom and try to stay true to as much of the outlining. I do wonder if the wood-cut crosshatching would be better cleaned up as straight vectors?

    3 months ago

  10. No_more_muttons Chandler Van De...

    @BrianandMatt, I guess I could go either way. It's really hard to say without seeing it. I see where your opinions are valid points, though. Rebound!

    3 months ago

  11. Avatar_main_copy_square Gedy Rivera

    I like this a lot! Welcome to Dribbble!

    3 months ago

  12. Matt-avatar-medium Matt Bainton

    Thanks Gedy.

    Any ideas on type treatment for "In Like A Lion"?

    3 months ago

  13. Silhouette_avatar Tyler Galpin

    @Matt: Because of the simple shapes in the logomark, I was thinking you should do a nice sans-serif. Perhaps Knockout (a condensed weight)? Futura? Gotham?

    3 months ago

  14. Matt-avatar-medium Matt Bainton

    @Tyler - Thanks for the suggestions. I'll give that a try and hopefully have a rebound to post soon.

    3 months ago

  15. Silhouette_avatar Tyler Galpin

    Shot_1276319166_teaser Easier Shown than Typed... 400 × 300 (120,000 pixels) June 12, 2010

    Rebound

    Easier Shown than Typed...

    June 12, 2010

    Wanted to show you what I had in mind - Gotham Light is very geometric similar to the lion's head. I like how prominent the lion is which is the first thing to draw a users eye, and then the natural movement along the teardrop shape brings you to the text.

    Just my two cents!

    3 months ago

  16. Veodesign1 Miro Keller

    I like this a lot! Very original :)

    3 months ago

  17. Samurai3_256 Dylan W.

    <3 :D

    3 months ago

  18. No_more_muttons Chandler Van De...

    @Tyler I don't think Gotham is "homegrown" enough for this icon. @Matt, I'd consider creating your own hand-drawn font based on Gotham's smooth geometry.

    3 months ago

  19. Picture_43_bigger Kyle Jones

    Really like that lion.

    3 months ago

  20. Avatar_buzzed Stephen Olmstead

    Love this boiled down concept- the simplicity allows this to stand. I'd fight the urge to overcomplicate this- its sleek as is. Can't wait to see a refined digital version. Congrats on a great start to a killer mark!

    3 months ago

  21. Matt-avatar-medium Matt Bainton

    @Stephen - It's a great example of design being about editing and fighting the urge to add. Thanks for the enthusiasm about what I've got going so far.

    @Kyle @Miro @Dylan and @PeopleWhoVeLikeThisShot - I appreciate the encouragement. It's been great confirmation on this direction.

    @Tyler - Already responded on your rebound, but wanted to thank you here for the thoughts.

    @Chandler - Thanks for the opinion on Tyler's type ideas. I'll end up doing some of both and seeing what sticks.

    3 months ago

  22. Silhouette_avatar Tyler Galpin

    @Chandler - I would agree with that for sure. The trick is making sure the letter-forms don't look weird.

    @Matt - Dribbble is for contributing ideas and I am always happy to take 2 minutes of my time to rebound an idea!

    3 months ago

  23. Matt-avatar-medium Matt Bainton

    Shot_1276896846_teaser Lion Logo Progress 400 × 300 (120,000 pixels) June 18, 2010

    Rebound

    Lion Logo Progress

    June 18, 2010

    Progress on my lion logo. Working to keep some of the irregularity while making the mark stronger and digitized.

    I'm playing around with the expression - this version is more regal or somber. The original had a more playful expression, with almost a wink happening. Is the new direction good?

    3 months ago