Visual Company Identity?

[JoeGKushner]

One of the things I was noticing about Gaming Frontiers 3 is that a lot of companies tend to use the same artists. The bad thing is that I wasn't really paying attention to who the authors were or what the setting was and I couldn't tell the difference between the two.

Is this something publishers are going to have to look out for? Using the same artists that other companies are using?

Don't get me wrong. A setting can have plenty of detail on its own. Dark Sun, Planescape and Ravenloft have their own identities regardless of whose doing the illustrations but I fear that ouside maybe Arcanis and perhaps the Scarred Lands, most of settings don't have quite that individualized feel yet, and for companies without a setting, or without a strong setting, this problem may be more pronounced.

Any opinions on this?

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

You're not alone in that observation, Joe. I was thinking the same thing myself. However, my concerns run more towards publisher identity than setting identity.

I have a lot of artists looking for work and I am a bit hesitant to draw from the same pool as other publishers. However, one approach I am happy with is to use the same artist throughout an entire book. I know this has its pros and cons with the buying public; it's just where I settled on the issue. That helps define a cohesive look at least within each product.

Our covers have a very distinctive look to them despite the "rendered" similarities to the core rulebooks. Despite that rendered look there is not an immediate connection between our covers and the PHB or, for that matter, with FFG's Core Rulebook look-- one they pull off very successfully. (On that note I was surprised to see Mongoose taking this approach with their Ultimate Prestige Classes cover-- this is not at all the Mongoose look).

One example I think you failed to note is the close relationship (in my mind, at least) between Fiery Dragon and Claudio Pozas. In just a very short time they have established a brand in my mind-- when I see Claudio's art, I think FDP, and I think Quality.

Wulf

 

[jmucchiello]

But Wulf, wouldn't want your LINE to have a similar look?

I'm admitted not artistically oriented. I can read page after page of dense text. But the only serious complaint about my first foray into the d20 market was lack of artwork and as I look around the net for someone to catch my eye. I get depressed by the same thing Joe pointed out. Everyone uses the good artists. But then I remember I can't hire anyone full time so I have to take what I can get. I at least don't have any "setting" to worry about though.

Joe

 

[Wolvorine]

Everyone uses the good artists.

But, really now, would you rather they used the bad artists?

 

[jmucchiello]

But, really now, would you rather they used the bad artists?

Should I have been more explicitly sarcastic about the using the good artists?

Joe

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

But Wulf, wouldn't want your LINE to have a similar look?

A bit of both. I think that our Heroes of High Favor line-- admittedly, currently our only line in publication-- has a very strong, cohesive look. In fact the cohesion of that line goes far deeper than simply the cover: it includes the size, the format, the presentation, and the content of each book.

The covers are designed now based on the race-- some iconic symbol of each race emblazoned onto an iconic material/texture associated with the race. There's no reason to try to carry that concept over to adventures or campaign settings in pursuit of one single, unifying look. I don't think that every Bad Axe product that will ever be should follow that format. When we move on from our HOHF line, we'll define another line look that nevertheless meshes with our established publisher look.

But then I remember I can't hire anyone full time so I have to take what I can get. I at least don't have any "setting" to worry about though.

I doubt that there are very many "full time" artists employed by 3rd party publishers. I would guess that 75-90% of all artwork is handled on a freelance basis. Even WOTC seems to be moving to this model.

There are always artists looking to break into the RPG business-- some of them may even be your own friends and colleagues. Untapped talent is out there.

Wulf

 

[Wolvorine]

Should I have been more explicitly sarcastic about the using the good artists?

Joe

Well, I did throw the in there on purpose.. but I will admit I didn't get the sarcasm, per se.

I can see what you mean, I think. Not all books from all publishers should have exactly a unified look. But I do think that all d20 books having a similar look is interesting, it gives the d20 brand as a whole a kind of PI. I think a nice middleground would be ideal.

Then again, being one of the freelancers around, I'm game for all the work I can get.