Ah, the very word unofficial. Commonly defined as not officially confirmed or authorized, you tend to see this word tossed around in Graphic Design. Now, the reason for this is mainly copyright. More specifically, seeing something infringe copyright in some way or form. Now, this doesn't happen a lot in mainstream media.... Kind of. There are slips in the cracks every now and then. However, in underground commercials, other countries, or even just shirts from a van!
Now, I'm not going to go into how this copyright stuff works. I am not a lawyer, and I can't give any information on this without fear of misleading. However, I will say that breaking copyright has given us great gems, like this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jvvDEzfalCk
This:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o3UgRO8VvBI&list=PL3kn8xdY4Q-N818VTwYT87u5ysfmocNvP&index=2&t=0s
And this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6-NKExQIaho
Now, I know what you're thinking. 'Shouldn't this get the people who did this in trouble?' Answering your question, it does... Sometimes. A good chunk of unofficial stuff is either out of the jurisdiction of the origin countries. Either that, or it's just really underground. However, there are times when these rip-off artists do get in trouble. Again, don't take my word as fact, not a lawyer. However, why do it anyways?
It all boils down to two things. Get attention, and so it lazily. Bootlegers, rip-off artists, they all don't want to do too much for money. However, they can lure people in easier with a recognisable face. At that point, once let's say, they have to cease and desist, the viewer still had an impact. Therefore, the product did it's job in a way.
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Video-Game Marketing
So, earlier today while I was doing my online class, my teacher said a videogame doesn't market anything. Now, I'm not hating on him, but that line did get me thinking. Can videogames be used for marketing? To the casual observer, probably not, but if you look closer... They just might. For one thing, they market themselves in advertisements, which is so obvious it probably doesn't count
Let's go deeper though, since I believe a videogame can market something bigger. The studio and companies that make them. Think about it, good games could land a team more work. Consistent work output will help keep them afloat. A company that publishes great pieces will in turn expand.
Going further, I've seen games that can be tied with toys, clothes, comics, all sorts of touchpoints. So with that being said, I think it's safe to say they do have marketing potential. Especially when you have a mascot or engine you want to put out.
!
Let's go deeper though, since I believe a videogame can market something bigger. The studio and companies that make them. Think about it, good games could land a team more work. Consistent work output will help keep them afloat. A company that publishes great pieces will in turn expand.
Going further, I've seen games that can be tied with toys, clothes, comics, all sorts of touchpoints. So with that being said, I think it's safe to say they do have marketing potential. Especially when you have a mascot or engine you want to put out.
!
Monday, April 6, 2020
The First of Anything
So today, I would like to talk about firsts. Not drafts, but more editions. The early days of a brand or style of you will. I went into a similar with my blog, Evolution of Style.
http://www.kugraphics.org/zachary/2019/12/08/style/
Except here, the topic of discussion will be based around the early works. Namely, all the other media around it. For example, in Japan there exists a movie called 'Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach!' Released in 1986, so early a year after the first game, it followed the basic story of plumber saves princess. However, looking back on the film from the perspective of today, there's a lot that doesn't match up. Elements that were made up, different characters and character traits, it certainly is bizarre. Thing is, you can't really say they did anything wrong when making it.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia
http://www.kugraphics.org/zachary/2019/12/08/style/
Except here, the topic of discussion will be based around the early works. Namely, all the other media around it. For example, in Japan there exists a movie called 'Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach!' Released in 1986, so early a year after the first game, it followed the basic story of plumber saves princess. However, looking back on the film from the perspective of today, there's a lot that doesn't match up. Elements that were made up, different characters and character traits, it certainly is bizarre. Thing is, you can't really say they did anything wrong when making it.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia
There was little control over the brand identity at the time. And not just here, but with other forms of media. In fact look at old advertisements for movies that turned into series, long-running shows, etc., and tell me that they say outdated statements. It's bound to happen as the team behind on the first days most likely didn't foresee the success, or hadn't planned it all out yet. They were also more relaxed with their product, not creating the more defined template other designers would need to follow. Whatever the case maybe, I hope this shows that your early designs, stories, or whatever, might become a bit more loose to interpretation. Even by you, things may change.
With that said, thank you again for reading. Hope you enjoyed, comment below, and stay tuned!
Wrestling Follow-Up
Never thought I would make a follow-up to Design In Wrestling. Yet, surprising as it is, here we are. For those that need to refresh, there's a link to my words on this subject at the bottom.
Ah, professional wresting, a… complicated situation. So, remember everything I said about design? Deadlines, drafts, finding the right audience? Toss it right out the window! Nothing can stay the same, and anything can change! That isn’t an exaggeration either, as a fan of wrestling, I notice things become different around two or three weeks. Of course, that does come with some complications.
You see, this is a form of entertainment you see live. It’s also one with several shows, and many actors. Now, say it’s fake all you want, there are real stunts they perform that can get them injured. While a ladder jump maybe scripted, they are still jumping off a ladder. Now, let’s say they were injured in that jump for a month, and that person was supposed to be the next title holder. Now you have to change plans, any potential merchandise, matches, it just throws things off. It’s not just injuries either. Real life events, the audience reaction, or backstage shenanigans can just have everything go bonkers.
So….. you can’t make plans to ahead of time with wrestling. You also can’t give up either, because the plans could really pay off. In the end, all you can do is adapt. Just adapt, maybe change someone’s personality, but make sure things are controlled. Things will change, but you’ll be surprised by results. What could have been a good toy would be a better toy. Maybe a video game will be better f they delay it. Either way, the design side of this business requires you to adapt. Like it or not, things won’t stay the same. However, you can succeed from something new.
http://www.kugraphics.org/zachary/2020/03/10/wrestling/
Ah, professional wresting, a… complicated situation. So, remember everything I said about design? Deadlines, drafts, finding the right audience? Toss it right out the window! Nothing can stay the same, and anything can change! That isn’t an exaggeration either, as a fan of wrestling, I notice things become different around two or three weeks. Of course, that does come with some complications.
You see, this is a form of entertainment you see live. It’s also one with several shows, and many actors. Now, say it’s fake all you want, there are real stunts they perform that can get them injured. While a ladder jump maybe scripted, they are still jumping off a ladder. Now, let’s say they were injured in that jump for a month, and that person was supposed to be the next title holder. Now you have to change plans, any potential merchandise, matches, it just throws things off. It’s not just injuries either. Real life events, the audience reaction, or backstage shenanigans can just have everything go bonkers.
So….. you can’t make plans to ahead of time with wrestling. You also can’t give up either, because the plans could really pay off. In the end, all you can do is adapt. Just adapt, maybe change someone’s personality, but make sure things are controlled. Things will change, but you’ll be surprised by results. What could have been a good toy would be a better toy. Maybe a video game will be better f they delay it. Either way, the design side of this business requires you to adapt. Like it or not, things won’t stay the same. However, you can succeed from something new.
http://www.kugraphics.org/zachary/2020/03/10/wrestling/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)