i wanted to make a quick image....one of those that took me all night

90% of it was made in Inkscape, but the noise-bg and the dropshadow in Gimp

im not a 100% happy - i wanted it clean and simple, but it looked empty and i tried lots of different things to make it work

so if you have any ideas how to make it better, lets hear it !

Esper - On the whole I like the design, you could try the following though...

1. Either alternate the colouring to go Red,orange, red or on the hands add a third colour halfway between the other two.

2. And talking of colour, because the main image is "black" then the colour to me say "light" but it's on the same side as the drop shadow. So maybe trying the colour on the opposite side to the drop shadow might work better.

Esper , nice work. I always associate reds and dark pinks with madness. Reds are emotional colours whereas Blues are a peaceful colour. Perhaps a different colour scheme might carry your message better.
As well as that perhaps one or two drops of blood in very dark red from the 11 o'clock gun might emphasise madness.
Google colour and moods for more ideas on colour.
Look at some of the communist Russian and Chinese posters and look at their colour schemes for stirring emotion!

Just a thought! Good Luck
Looks like He4rty ninja'd me

I was thinking of something that would strengthen the direction of rotation. The simplest ideas I could find, was trying to use a gradient in the inner arrows.
Not sure if I liked the result ... but at least it's an idea!
Sometimes an idea attracts another.

Demonstrating my idea:

thanks for the input, guys, really appreciate it a lot !!

i dont want to introduce more colors

and the bg has to be blue and the main elements black

swapping the colors is an idea
also interesting what you said about light and the dropshadow, hearty !

wbool, the message is not about violence
but you just showed me the biggest weakness of the piece

i will have to sleep this over

EDIT:
Akros, i wanted this to be minimalistic
in the beginning i wanted to make this all in black with the blue bg

especially no glows/no gaussian blurs
the dropshadow was already a compromise...because...you know, everything looks so much better with a dropshadow

that also means: no gradients
the arrows are really just an extra - that was not part of the original plan

Esper,
Actually ... looking better, the whole thing already gives the idea of rotation. Hands and arrows are sufficient, the gradient spare.
I was meditating on having 6 hands, but only 2 bangs.
I'll wait to see how this image will be the end.
Good Luck!

nah, i like your idea with the gradient !
but the "bang" has to go, spoils the whole idea

EDIT: now its too dark
i call it a day

Esper, I got the idea of violence from the Bang Bang and the threatening hand silhouette. You got rid of the Bang Bang but the shooting gesture of the hands remains. If you need a directional hand signal, the hand silhouette should have the thumb lowered. Look at your own hand when you point, the thumb is in line with the index finger. Is the hand necessary? Can you have decreasing concentric circles with the same cycle of madness over and over again. That way you need no arrows or a central word. If you do , need a word just the word "YOU" will be sufficient If you start the text of each circle 20 degrees clockwise from the last circle , you effectively introduce motion in a clockwise direction. Pity you must stick to a colour theme. Good luck




Edit : Changed the word thumb for hand

yes, and you were right !

again you are right...but

heres the thing
the piece is about fingerpointing and people wo say: you are mad, but dont realize how they help creating the madness

adding: "bang bang", was something i did instinctively, because sometimes saying something is like shooting

you know guns and symbols of violence make everything seem cool and snappy, but i hate idolizing violence or weapons
its overdone anyway

still i dont agree with you 100% about the handgesture
it could be both
and the gesture you suggest - i tried that, it doesnt look good

thanks, you have been a great help, believe me !

i post another of my failed attempts at making the background work, so you guys can see how not to do it, lol

Esper have you thought along these lines for your circle/ cycle poster. Only demonstrating a principle. Perhaps a message/ object or text in the red area.

Esper i think the first one without the "bang bang" would look real good.

yes, wbool, i like the idea
could be down with the Ribbon mode, i think

you really have a thing for concept art - i think you should do something yourself
im sure you'd come up with something interesting !


i see what you mean Rod and i agree
i finally went with the 'Its Yours' version, because it follows my requirement of being minimal
meaning: less colours = better

thanks for the input !

Esper,
The fingerpointing seems to be creating the madness. That would be contrary to what one would wish.
But for some insensitivity it is not perceived .

Considering the concepts: "Contrary to expectations" and "insensitivity" of the agent of the action (finger point).
I thought I would represent this by reversing the direction of the arrows (opposite effect), and try to sensitize the author of the finger point, putting it in place of the target. Pointing a finger at him.

Hmmm ... I know this sounds crazy what I'm talking about ... But do not point your finger at me

So here are some suggestive sketches.

PS: It seems simple enough to be printed on a shirt

Akros, i like your first sketch !

problem is: its not in the same silhouette style as the other hands
and if you'd convert it into a silhouette, im not sure people would recognize what it is

Esper,
Well .. I just pasted a picture that would explain what I tried to say above. Do not bother with finishing or fine adjustments. It was just an example, to give ideas. (brainstorming)
Fine adjustments and artistic harmony are on your own!

cheers mate !