Research and Ideas

Initial Research:

For my initial research I immediately jumped on to Pinterest, searching reference imagery of cats/portraits and also cats in tattoo styles or styles that prompted other ideas. This was extremely helpful as this then gave me starting points that I could then develop in to my own versions/sketches and then further amend with the client also to custom designs. I found various art styles like darker and slightly scarier, or cheeky and fun, or more realistic which gave me many directions/routes to portray to the client to see which way they wanted the designs to go, how they wanted the look and feel of these products to be. Here are some of the images I had found to kick start ideas generation....

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/366832332146727856/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/366832332146668220/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/366832332146627692/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/366832332146627690/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/433260426641445963/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/366832332146627683/

Other existing university mascot logos/artwork

I then went on to having a browse around other university mascot logos and clothing to see what kind of existing styles are out there and things I want to avoid or develop. Although I feel the more vector looking simplistic logos seem to appear more powerful and memorable, I think the more detailed designs create depth and story to the character or point of interest. Plus the style the client wanted the mascot in was evident at the start...which was also my favourite art style so in this sense it was just observing what else could or wouldn't work.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/493355334162111278/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/208150814007954117/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/291748882108273518/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/516084438547655651/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/260786634656410761/ 

Initial thoughts and Sketches then Feedback

Here are the sketches I then generated from the imagery I had found. I thoroughly enjoyed scamping out these ideas and forming the start up developments because it then allows me to edit and amend the original styles slightly each time, forming my individual unique pieces and being able to see these coming in to their own light. This really excites me and gives me a massive sense of pride that these sketches are becoming my own original pieces, the more I tamper and expand each time. 

This first image was a really rough sketch on the commute back from work, just to try and organise a composition and a visual/drawn interpretation of what I had in mind for the design. 

This second page was a cluster of cat portrait styles that, in some way shape or form, link to the supplied imagery from the client just to get an idea of how exactly they wanted to portray our real mascot. 

The third and fourth page were my final ideas, with the two different styles laid out so the client was able to choose which route they wanted to take. One is slightly more realistic where as the other one is slightly more cartoony, neither
 look like the actual cat that will be represented in this piece in the end, however for the time being it gives everybody visuals into how this could and whether the set up is right  before creating the final piece.

They chose the realistic looking cats, the centre and the top left scamps from the image above, so I went onto sketching out the full composition with these two cats in, alongside the potential characteristics and/or related objects to create a fuller and more intriguing piece. 

I sent these initials off to the client and they said they loved the sketches so I then went on to establish these two ideas further to actual full designs each in Adobe Illustrator, so they could see both styles in their potential compositions.  

Development ideas then feedback
"He was really happy with the drawings, so I'd suggest we just crack on with the illustrator work. I think the more friendly looking cat with the fish, balls of wool etc. I think we should call him 'campus cat' or 'TobyCampus Cat'" 

"Had a bit of feedback from the team, and they’ve suggested that (if possible) it’d be good if the cat’s face could be filled out a little more so it looks a little bit more like our Toby, as the current design has quite a slim, defined face? Maybe add a bit of definition between his black and white patch from his mouth to his chest too?"

"I think this is much more like him. I like the whiskers. Could you add a patch by his nose (haven’t got the pic in front of me but I think he’s got a white patch?). Then I think if you make it all white and put it on a dark background, maybe purple? Then he will look dark with a white patch. I’m sure there is a purple hoodie. Does that make sense?!"

After the feedback and the various amends were made, just to make sure he looked recognisably Toby, once we all felt comfortable with the design it was down to the colours on the hoodie itself and the artwork that would then sit on the background colour too...

 "It does need to be one colour as it's one colour vinyl printing. It doesn't have to be white, although I'm not sure it would work with a different colour? The simpler the better so for example the solid fishbones and the filled in ears will work much better."

"Looking at colours, I think best to stay with white, otherwise it's going to get complicated if there's a range of colours and items. Send me over the ai and I'll run a test."