CASE STUDY
IMPACT WINTER - PS4 MetadataThe IMPACT WINTER metadata was a great project to work on. It had beautiful painterly key art in three different aspect ratios, which was a good start. The requested metadata banners had a great deal of aspect ratio variation that really pushed the key art to its limits. At times, we had to take some creative license to make this key art work through extension, but always maintained the integrity of the design's "pixsoul".
This set of PS4 Metadata banner was approved on the very first draft, which we were thrilled about. All in all, this project was a fun creative challenge and we enjoyed the painterly style of this key art. |
Client: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment
Category: Metadata, Key Art Tools: Photoshop Platforms: PS4 Designer: Evan Woolery |
Here's a step-by-step of our process of how the key art was used and modified to create the requested metadata banners.
STEP 1: Key Art
Three different key art files in three different aspect ratios were provided. We first opened the key art and exported a jpg for reference. This step is always used to have a reference in case any layers are accidentally altered in the design process. Then we went through each and every layer to name, which later helped later in the design process to quickly right click to select the appropriate layer(s) when needed. We always want our final delivered work file(s) to be as organized as possible in the event they are used for another purpose or by another designer.
The following are the three different key art files provided in three different aspect ratios:
The following are the three different key art files provided in three different aspect ratios:
Landscape
Square
Portrait
We then uncropped the image to see how far the key art extended beyond the initial cropped canvas. We were pleasantly surprised by the amount of initially unseen artwork that was revealed. However, we also noticed the variation of elements that were extended in each aspect ratio.
Landscape Uncropped
Square Uncropped
Portrait Uncropped
STEP 2: Directions
Impact Winter - Full Game Metadata - PS4 - Eng banners requested:
Master Art 1024 x 1024
Hero Art 1920 x 1080 (PSD)
Background (Cover) Image 1920 x 1080 (PSD)
Banner P2 520 x 250
Banner P5 520 x 790
Banner P23 700 x 250
Banner P27 520 x 430
Banner P29 970 x 520
Featured1 954 x 302
Small1 295 x 93
IABSky 160 x 600
M2 540 x 260
WNG 1090 x 613
STEP 3: Design Work
We started with the PS4 Metadata template that we created with all the guides visible the restricted zones. The restricted areas are where critical design elements should not be located, which are normally faces and the logo. We then removed all the unrequested banners and arranged the requested banners by aspect ratio from the largest resolution size down to the smallest. This step is used to ensure uniformity is maintained.
The wide range of metadata banners requested pushed the key art to its limits. At times, we had to use elements from one of the different key art files to extend an element in another aspect ratio. At other times, it was necessary to extend the key art in a more hand's on approach to maintain the "pixsoul" of the design in that particular aspect ratio.
This set of 13 PS4 Metadata banner was approved on the very first draft, which we were thrilled about. All in all, this project was a fun creative challenge and we enjoyed the painterly style of this key art.
The wide range of metadata banners requested pushed the key art to its limits. At times, we had to use elements from one of the different key art files to extend an element in another aspect ratio. At other times, it was necessary to extend the key art in a more hand's on approach to maintain the "pixsoul" of the design in that particular aspect ratio.
This set of 13 PS4 Metadata banner was approved on the very first draft, which we were thrilled about. All in all, this project was a fun creative challenge and we enjoyed the painterly style of this key art.