Quick Draw Round 4
Dec 21st, 2010 | By Nikita | Category: Feature, Quick DrawFor Quick Draw 4, we chose to continue the music theme. These two ambigrammists, Michael Irving & Bjorn Wichmann took the chosen word and ran away with it. For a little twist to this round, neither one of them knew who the other ambigrammist was! Each created an excellent ambigram using a completely different approach, albeit with a great result! Read on to find out about their process, as well as see the developmental sketches and final results! [NOTE: All designs are copyrighted by the respective artists. We have permission to post them here, but you must get permission from the artist for any other use of their design, or to post them elsewhere.]
Bjorn Wichmann
i’m happy to submit you my entry for the DIRE STRAITS Quick Draw. It’s really great fun for me to share my work with you guys. When i saw the mail i was really thrilled. Uuuuuh, what topic would i have to work on. Dire Straits. Dire Straits? Dire Straits! Cooool 
Brings back some old memories. I really like em. Sultans of swing or Walk of Life are classics! So, 5 minutes after the mail (on Saturday) i started sketching for about one hour. On Sunday i came up with the digital stuff (vector building and Photoshop). Today I built “something” (you will see) … and I wrote this mail.
I always start with the typical (what i call) word-war sketch. 1on1. Lowercase and uppercase. The goal is to find clean letter combinations. Not the style is important – the clean solution is. After i found a legible result, I try to look what style fits best on my solutions and the theme.
Serif, Sans Serif, Western-Style, Bold, Thin, or what ever. I don’t have a signature style i would say. The theme is the star. Not me 
Dire Straits never got a real logo or look. So, i couldn’t really decide
in what direction i wanted to go. I tried my hands on two different concepts.
Most of the time i didn’t scan my sketches to redraw ‘em. I use the sketch as a reference. Like an visual idea. This idea later gets transformed into a digital magical ambigram The bold lowercase version of my sketches was my favourite. I loved the strong and dynamic but simple look. I opened my vector-software and created the different letters from scratch with my sketches right in front of me.
When i am finished with the raw version, I optimize some curves and added some details to set the ambigram on fire. A swoosh here, a line there. Nice
Last but not least I added some decorations and shadow-like-shapes to bring some more life into the final ambigram.
The last step is the pixel-pusher remix Photoshop-Magic. I normally don’t use too much of it, cause in the ambigram-world the tattoo-style is more established but after Johns last submission I had to come up with something
While I was working on the lowercase version I always took a second look at my alternative version and I thought that some solutions were pretty amazing – for example the S/R and the RE/AI combinations. I realized that the digital work flow for this piece would be a little bit different. So, I gave me a 1 1/2 hour ultimatum to create a second version with this work flow.
The difference is that I create puzzle pieces. Curves and blocks to build the letters. The result is a clean and consistent look. For me that is one of the most import things on ambigrams. You want a cool ambigram: be consistent in style.
Later the pieces where merged into one big piece.
The last steps are details and effects. I love the result for that amount of time – 32 minutes I do not really like the d, it is too small but I realized that to late. I was always staring at this S/R and RE/AI, lol.
And … some crazy Photoshop-Magic
That’s it. Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to share my work with you. I hope you like it and … leave your comments! Sorry, that i did two versions but I thought that both are interesting and worth to be seen I can’t wait to see what my partner did. I’m sure it is great! Rock on …
Best regards from Germany.
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Michael Irving
These days I prefer to develop my ambigrams entirely on the computer as vector art in Adobe Illustrator. (1) I started off this assignment as usual by writing out the words, inverting them and looking for compatible letterform relationships. I chose to go with upper and lower case in order to separate the two words with initial caps.
(2) Once in development a rough layout emerges and the ambigram’s basic architecture gets established.
(3) After further refinement I wasn’t satisfied with the middle “t” position and decided to marry the “S” with the “t” crossbar.
(4) I then tried out a few calligraphy brushes on the design but they didn’t seem appropriate for this particular ambigram.
(5) I decided instead to redraw the whole thing using the pen tool in Illustrator.
(6) Once redrawn and cleaned up I then applied the Round Corners effect to soften the edges and add a little personality.
(7) Almost done but I felt the “a/i” relationship was a little awkward so I modified the “r” to fit in more snugly.
(8) The final design, which I brought into Adobe Photoshop to try and jazz up with some background color and layer effects.
Finished. Thanks for the opportunity- this was a fun assignment and I really enjoyed participating in the challenge. I look forward to my fellow ambigrammists’ feedback and wish everyone a happy holiday!
Dear Michael and Bjorn, thank you for your hard work and wonderful ambigrams.
Notice to all ambigrammists: After this Quick Draw, we will have one more for 2010, then we will take a break from Quick Draw until the first week of January. Also, the results of the ACAC10 will be posted next week as well!
Happy Holidays from Ambigram.com!!!
Firstly congratulations to two ambigrammists. I liked both projects.
@ Bjorn – I really liked your design, the artwork was excellent.
@ Michael -Very clean and readable, I really like the clean style. Very clever solution to “STR”
@Michael – how do you get the sketch is similar to mine
@Bjorn : the design is really cool..the strokes that you have put for the words are really awesome.. They give the design a different touch.. nice work
@Micheal : You design is awesome.. The curve addition to the letter ‘r’ gives the design a certain amount of depth..nice work
The thought process behind quick draw is to show the difference between the thought process of two designers and the objective is getting achieved.. artists are raising the bar..
Awesome designs
Wow my Goodness! What ambigrams are these! Fantastic, brilliant, excellent job from two ambigrammers that I know and admire. I hope one day I’ll be as good as you guys!
Keep ambigraming!
Bjorn,
Great job as usual! Your solutions are always creative and unique and I really enjoyed understanding your methodology and thought process on this assignment. It was amazing to see how different our designs turned out and fascinating to consider the myriad of solutions that are always possible, particularly with ambigrams. Keep up the good work!
Another week… Another great set of designs. It is clear that we are all learning from one another.
@ Michael, well done with both designs, they are each unique and that is awesome! I am a bigger fan of the first solution… You are correct that each brings something to the table.
@ Bjorn, your font work ended up very nice and easy to read. I agree with you that the font didn’t flow as nice on image 4, but I do like it. I bet some of the older ambigramists will agree with me that your first few images look a lot like the Ambimatic results a few years ago. I am not too sure if that thing is still up and running. It is a clever way to approach ambigrams. (UPDATE: it is on this site..)
Both of you did awesome! I am looking forward to seeing what is next.
Happy Holidays to you all…
Elwin
[...] For complete results and comments click here – http://www.ambigram.com/qd-round-4 [...]
Very cool!….again.
@Bjorn: The RES-RAI flip was very creative…Consistent style. Great letter form…and your B. Wichmann watermark/signature/logo is AWESOME. I love it. You and Skylling have got a great signature logo!
@Michael: Effective and readible. I like your D-S flip within your image 4.
Great work fellas. Money for nothin’ and your glyphs for free!
Both designs are awesome…
@Bjorn: Shape of ‘d’ and 1st ‘S’ look little identical which is effecting the readability to some extent. The effect given is awesome making the design beautiful.
@Bjorn: Very very legible ambigram you have made. Looks simple but very effective. Yes, image 4 lacked something, not sure what was the problem, but the changed version is a cool one.
QD is really going great!
I understand these are Quick Draw contest and time is of the essence, but what I do not find logical is the overwhelming positive feedback. Shouldn’t we be honest with these contestants and give them constructive criticism?
For one Bjorn’s FINAL ambigram is unreadable. The black and white one he did is much better (images 4 and 5), and the smaller ‘t’ was more effective than his giant ‘T’. His final product doesn’t look good compared to his earlier tries.
Irvings final is just atrocious. What font is that? Pipe? I will get back to the final in a minute. Pic number 4 is the most pleasant and most readable out of both contestants. Why Irving thought to go from that great style and readability is beyond me. Irving, could you elaborate? Now back to the final, Irving, the Photoshop is just bad, you should have left it simple, both contestants should have. They both look cartoonish after you Photo-shopped them.
I am not saying these are not creative, they are, but it seems they had a good idea, then questioned themselves and made poor judgments. However, how would they know? Everyone on here is giving kudos! How can they improve? Sharath is the only person to actually give some constructive feedback but only to Bjorn. I always see Elwin and Clayton give nothing but positive feedback. Do you guys think you are earning points? Not everything is roses. Lying and giving falsities is not a great way to motivate your peers.
In order for us to grow as artists, we need to be honest with each other and these contests. What looks good, what looks bad. Honesty is the best policy, guys.
I do agree with Sam Johnson to some extent.
Positive feedbacks are always good to motivate the ambigrammists. But at the same time areas of improvements and readability percentage also need to be provided. As an ambigrammist when I complete my ambigram I always tend to read what I have done. I mostly get satisfied with my design when the spacing and the design match properly, But it doesn’t mean my designs are readable to everyone. Even my designs might have flaws which I get to know when someone tells me.
If people give their honest replies it is really good for the ambigrammists to improve their design skills.
A constructive discussion will really help.
To me both the photoshop work looked good. Even I do give some similar finish.
@Sam: Probably you can explain what exactly went wrong in the photoshop. Yours feedback will help me too.
Along with constructive feedback it is really good to give some positive feedback when there are some creative designs attempted.
@Sam – I think you make a good point. I do tend to remain positive in my feedback in this forum, mainly because of the nature of the contest and also it’s probably in my nature to do so anyway. Not sure how words like “atrocious” and “cartoonish” are effective critisism, but they very well might be.
I will try to provide feedback that is more useful and helpful to the participants. That way the forum can be more educational and informative. Not just high-fives.
Well….here goes…
1. While Bjorn’s design is not easily readible at first glance, I think the style of the design works well. The metallic effect works with the “steel” guitar work from the band. The black blotches in the background are repetitive and do not add to the design. I do LOVE the “B.Wichmann” signiture logo, but that too is SO over-the-top COOL that it takes from the design at hand.
2. Irving’s line-work in his final design lacks style and is quite bland compared to some of his earlier renderings, but I think it is quite readible.
3. While a huge fan of the band “Dire Straits”, I’m not a huge fan of the assignment “Dire Straits”. There are too many obvious solutions to the challenge. In future challenges, I want to see words/phrases that at first glance, one says, “NO WAY CAN THAT BE DONE”.
Sam, I appreciate not only your critisism of the ambigrams but of the forum itself. Honesty IS the best policy.
Hi everyone!
I’ve been reading this blog from its first days, even if I don’t show up very often in the comments section. I could blame it on lack of time, but I think it’s more because of laziness
Anyway, I these one-on-one competitions are really interesting (even more than the open competitions), and they can be a great opportunity to learn from other designers. I also think that the feedback and criticism is very important, and I agree with many of the views exposed in some of the last comments, although maybe some things were presented too harshly.
I would love to play one round some day; I’m looking forward te receive all your feedback. And if you haven’t seen my work, go ahead and check my blog.
In my opinion, an ambigram is never easy when you’ve got to start messing with esses. You WANT them to look like other letters, but they resist. If I had registered for this challenge, I would have just curled up into a ball and wept, so I think the praise given to the contestants here is justified. Criticism is good, too.
I liked Björn’s lower case solution the best, before he “set it on fire”. I think he could take a page out of Michael’s book with that initial “D”, though, which I think works better than the small one (Even in Björn’s Upper case version, he uses the small ‘d’).
As for Michael’s designs, the pipey final is good (although the background is a bit arbitrary and distracting). Pic number four is ok, but it falls back on the most overused trick in the ambigramic hat: the calligraphy cliché. There’s a reason that olde English style gets used so much: it often works… but you end up seeing it so often, and rarely is it appropriate to the subject. I think maybe that’s why he wisely decided to change it up into the more groovy, modern looking type style of his final works. I think his drawing #5 might have turned into the best one as it is, before the letters started to jam up on each other.
A tribute to Dire Straits, very legible and artistic work done by both the Ambigrammists.
@ Bjorn – The presence of a wave effect in the design gives fluidity to the curves, the extended tails of S and D give quite a look to the design..Rather than keeping all the letters height restricted, moving the letters up and down have made the design very stylish.A very apt use of space, also the D-I combo is commendable.
@ Michael – Design no. 4 is superb, your idea of marrying T and S gave a new look to the design, it has a Arabic typography touch to it, is simply amazing. Though in the E-A combo, base portion of A should have been given a bigger curve, but it might have not synced with the other slim curves.
These designs are great, and I hope we have many more to come in the coming weeks. I would like to be involved in a future Quick Draw round, as this is a great learning experience. Best of luck to all the Ambigammists and congrats to Bjorn and Micheal for the splendid work of art.
@Sharath Bjorn’s Photo-shopping is novice looking. There is not getting around that, and that is for both Bjorn’s and Irving’s Ambigrams. More on Bjorn’s, there is no doubt that he is a VERY talented Ambigramist, no doubt at all, but on this one in particular, he seems to question himself a lot in regards to readability. Seriously, anyone out there think his final is more readable than images 4 and 5? He nailed completely on images 4 and 5, then he decides to make it illegible. Why? I can clearly read images 4 and 5 and they are my favorite, why? Because they look phenomenal and they flow wonderfully. Back to the PS, he tries to make the design to metallic. It doesn’t work and it looks more cartoonish than retro. I think if he would have kept it a little simple it would have been much better. One reason it looks irregular is due to the fact the background has a more current look and he is trying to go for a more retro look with the logo itself.
@Clayton I appreciate your honesty, is i both refreshing and yes, the best policy. I agree with you on the background for Bjorn’s logo and him having a bit too much going on in terms of ambigram overkill. One question, which one of Bjorn’s is better, image 4 and 5 or the final image? Also, don’t you think the larger ‘T’ doesn’t fit, but the smaller ‘t’ is a lot more effective? In regards to Irving, yes his design is very legible, no doubt, but the pipe design and the embossed effect can only be characterized as amateurish. The background is just a basic gradient it looks unfinished. You have a very basic gradient background, a very basic embossed setting and he inversed black and white. If he went more professional or brought it back to simplicities, it would be good. Although i think the Pipe effect is just not appealing. I like Image 4 a lot. To me, image 4 is the best, no doubt. Do you think his final is better visually than image 4? Ok, maybe atrocious is bit much, but that is they way I FEEL when I see it. Perhaps i can tone it down a bit when it comes to my criticisms.
@Ryan, I agree with your comments about Bjorn’s ambigrams. Not so much about Irving’s. Even if he used that classic typography, should it be about what looks good and works, rather than trying something bold? Yes, if you have time and the means to work on making a bold ambigram, do it, but also when you are trying for time, you need to go with watch visually looks good. The Pipe design to me, does not look good. Is it legible? Oh, there is no doubt, and maybe that is why people like it. Readability is key in ambigrams and we can read his easily. I do not like the typography, it is not complex. His image 4 typography is better and looks clean and serious.
@Shivang, You brought up another point, yes Irving’s image 4 is great, but the ‘e/a’ could have a bigger middle, I agree, and I do not think it would mess with the curvature of the design as a whole. Strictly from a technical standpoint, it would make the flow even more present. However, Image 4 is by far the best in Irving’s group and definitely visually appealing.
I had a very close look at image 4 of both.
bjorn’s image 4 (1st text in particular) is very close to a beautiful ambigram except for the ‘d’ ‘s’ solution. If he had used ‘D’ instead of ‘d’, he could have easily converted ‘D’ to ‘S’ which would have similar shape to his 1st ‘S’ making the ambigram perfect to an extent.
Michael’s image 4 still have my concerns. The letter sizes are a bit of a concern in that image. But he could have tried to rectify that instead of going for another design.
@Sam: Regarding Michael’s final work: why shouldn’t one go for simple lettering in ambigram? If it was for tattooing then I agree that his work can’t be used. But here I feel the design looks cool.
@Sam – In response to your follow-up questions…
1. I like the readability of image 4,5,6 better than the final image, but the style of the final image works great for me. It has enough visual interest and consistency in wavy letter forms to draw me in and take a second to figure out what it says.
2. The only issue I have with the ending caps T is that it differs from the shape of the center lower case T. That is all. The fact that it is larger doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, the crossing matches many of the forms within the design. Having two similar T’s in images 4,5,6 works for readability very well.
3. In my first comment, I mentioned that I liked the style of Michael’s image 4 best. I do not think the final design is better visually…Only as it relates to readability.
It’s very hard for me to even comment on how well something is “Photoshopped”. I am completely unfamiliar with those programs…But then again, I am not a graphic designer or even artist by profession. Frankly, I’m a bit jealous of everyone’s computer software skills, computer hacking skills and nun-chuck skills.
Björn – I think your first version is easier to read but your second one is far more estetical in my taste.
Micheal – I really like your generic lines with round corners. It’s a treat to the eye and refreshing and very readable.
Sam – your never ending criticism annoys me. Where can we see your work and give some constructive criticism?
Hello everyone,
Quick Draw 5 will be up tomorrow!
Sam, if you have a minute, shoot me an email.
Hi everyone,
i hope you all got nice xmas-days and the new years start great for everyone!
At first: thanks for all the response!!!! There’s a lot of stuff you talked about and i saw some new faces out there – that’s nice! I try to write a short response cause … it’s 1.1.2011 am i’m a little bit tired right now, lol.
@irving: good work. You found the D/s solution is was searching for, but i didn’t found, lol. I agree with a lot of the other guys, Nr. 4 is the best. It looks more dynamic and fluid. Cool to see how you did it!
@Clayton: thanks! Always nice if someone likes your own work. The B-Wichmann signature was something i put together from different logo-pieces i did for myself in the past. It came out quit well i think
I will post it on my new blog in the next week.
@Sam: Nice, that you brought some power at the comment section, lol. I have to say at this point that Quick-Rounds were done … quick. I did all that stuff in 2 1/2 days and you can bet that it would look way more “perfect” if i would have spend more time on it. I tried to show My Way of the process and that everyone could create ambigrams for the same word with totally different solutions and workflows. And that an ambigram could walk into a completely different direction when you put some effects on it. There are a lot of newbies out there and i thought it would be nice to show them the magic world of ambigrams, lol. So, don’t be to hard on me.
Once again … thanks for inviting me!
And if you like you could take a look at my new baby: Slambigrams, my ambigram-blog at: http://slambigrams.wordpress.com
CU and H A P P Y N E W Y E A R
“Hello everyone,
Quick Draw 5 will be up tomorrow!”
LIES!
p.s. … yes, that was mock outrage.
Obviously, Nikita wasn’t “lying”, but has more likely been kidnapped by an undisclosed cadre of anti-abigrammatic fiends.
Here’s to a speedy rescue.