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gamershome visual identity

Category: own_wip, whaddeva | Leave a Comment

This is a post that was password protected but now that the gamershome.org forum Identity has been implemented I am opening this up to the public .

Background and Briefing:

Create a visual identity for gamershome.org – an extension of the successful and well frequented vivapinataforum.de user forums. Gamershome will cover a User Driven spectrum of games across all gaming platforms: Desktop PC & Mac, Consoles (XBox 360 and Co.), Handheld (DS, PSP and Mobile), Browser Based and MMO.

The Visual Identity should not be oriented towards any one specific type of Gamer (FPS or RPG for example) but rather approach gaming and gamers in a generic manner, while retaining a strong and individual identity.

Stage 1: The logotype. gamershome in its simplest forms…

  1. Monochromatic – Black and White gh_logo_bw.png
  2. Reversed – or White and Black gh_logo_bw_rev.png
  3. Colors of choice – Orange and Grey gh_logo_2col.png
  4. Colors on Reversal – Readability and Flexibility gh_logo_2col_rev.png

The Arrow element suggests a dynamic of forward movement, a principle that applies not only to the Industry aspect of Electronic Gaming (Next Gen Gaming) but also to the act of playing which is also a linear forwards movement.

Stage 2: The Visual Identity as an Image

  1. As a “Standalone” Image conveying visual references to gaming – while avoiding (too many) cliches and specific commitments to any particular Genre. gh_image_ds.png
  2. Married with the Logotype gamershome becomes a visual entity… gh_logo_image.png
  3. The use of arrow elements rounds out the Visual ID and a Tagline offers the user a reminder of where gamershome is at… gh_logo_image_fwd.png
  4. The use of a repeated background holds everything nicely in place as well as easing readability gh_logo_image_bg.png
  5. A solid background works nicely too… gh_logo_image_bgfull.png
  6. Splitting the Background colors is relevant to Stages 3 and 4 gh_logo_image_bgsplit.png
  7. Finally adding a “Trendy Web 2.0″ lighting effect gives the Visual ID a crisp modern feel gh_logo_image_bg_web2_0.png
  8. The mirrored Logotype can be seen as an Optional extra – to be carefully considered… gh_logo_image_bg_web2_0_ref.png

Technical Note: The use of a soft drop shadow gives the Image a tactile feel and will not present a problem if using PNG24 with Alpha Channel Transparency.

Stage 3: The Visual Identity in the Forum Context. Gamershome will be a complex and widespread forum and it will be essential to use color “Theming and Coding” to help user orientation and navigation. The colors used should convey freshness and at the same time competence. Basic colors will be presented as defaults with a future option of allowing users to theme their own gamershome Entry Points. This could be achieved as follows:

  1. Standard Header Color Defaults with Theme Layers here “Aliens” gh_logo_image_bg_alien.png
  2. or Dots gh_logo_image_bg_dots.png
  3. Curls… gh_logo_image_bg_curly.png
  4. Tech gh_logo_image_bg_tech.png
  5. or good old Splats gh_logo_image_bg_splat.png

These “Themes” would be made available as Sets for the user to decide, Technically achievable using Transparency and HEX color values for “table” and “div” Background Tags.

Stage 4: Color Choices and Theming. Following are 4 different color schemes paired with Theme images. These are suggestions and should assist in reaching a decision for a default color scheme and choices for User-Themed color Schemes.

  1. Cool Calm and Collected… gh_logo_image_bg_col_01.png gh_logo_image_bg_col_01_ext.png gh_logo_image_bg_col_01_theme.png
  2. Warm and Welcoming… gh_logo_image_bg_col_02.png gh_logo_image_bg_col_02_ext.png gh_logo_image_bg_col_02_theme.png
  3. Competently Fresh… gh_logo_image_bg_col_03.png gh_logo_image_bg_col_03_ext.png gh_logo_image_bg_col_03_theme.png
  4. Bright Future… gh_logo_image_bg_col_04.png gh_logo_image_bg_col_04_ext.png gh_logo_image_bg_col_04_theme.png

Stage 5: Lets make decisions… Up to now we have covered the various options and combinations for gamershome, just to put a finishing touch to this first phase in the design work here is my recommendation for the Standard Entry Visual Identity.

  1. gamershome.org Visual Identity gh_logo_image_recommend.png

This is the Version that was chosen and implemented on www.gamershome.org



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