Logo
After expanding on the ideas from previous logos mentioned in my previous blog, I came up with this design. A simple circuitry shield design with grey gradient meshes to give it that 'machine/metal' feel, thus complementing the name 'Machina' (pronounced machine-a).
Letterhead
I researched a few ideas for the letterhead. I found that the bigger flashier designs, the more annoying and distracting from its actual purpose and letter it self. My idea was to go with something simple, bold, polished, that would serve its purpose well.
Business Card
The business card also followed the same principles as the letterhead. I guess the old saying K.I.S.S. comes into play, Keep.It.Simple.Stupid! The more prestigious companies are found to follow this. Their designs actually look quite obnoxious as to how simple they are. Bold and simple, they don't need to prove anything, they've already made a name for themselves.
Packaging
Front
Back
It took me a while to think of some kind of packaging to design. Most packaging for strings that I've seen are quite bland, and are very straight to the point. I decided to take a different approach, customers almost always like to chose the product that looks the best, so why not for a packet of strings? With the effort put into the packaging they it might make them think its made better, thus more sales.
I went with a bass guitar idea as I was finding a lot nicer stock and resources that suited.
Poster
Personally when it comes to advertising I love it when they play on words, that and I also really wanted to manipulate a robotic hand, and not to mention it took me a hell of a lot of time too. The phrase 'Built like a machine' is supposed to play on a few things: that it is made well, it contains latest electronic enhancements and features, suited for electronic/metal music as well as playing on the company name and company identity of 'Machina'.
I recently bought a new midi controller and the interface through my computer to my keyboard is amazing, you dont see that sort of thing when it comes to guitars though. When creating an electronic futuristic guitar I thought it might be cool to hint that some of these features maybe be included, with 'the world's first intelligent bass guitar'.
I decided to go with a dark grungy look with silvers and greys so that the features would 'pop out' at the viewer and compliment themselves. And again only giving hints about the actually product to seem obnoxious as to how good the product is, encouraging the viewer to dig deeper. I also found looking through guitar magazines that quotes from professional musicians were used in almost every ad to help sell their product.
Overall I am quite happy with the designs. I feel as though my packaging and poster turned out a lot better, I guess I might need a bit more practice with letterheads and business cards. I really liked the assignment, it was challenging. Especially because of how free it was, and with freedom came more challenges, creativity and brainstorming: more fun!
All stock came from www.sxc.hu/ or www.deviantart.com/ resources or are my own images.
