14 April 2012 @ 03:13 pm
Faction icons XVI  
Just one icon this time. It's one that quite thrills me, though: I've finally succeeded in making a Ravenettes icon that looks satisfactory. (After two completely different prior attempts, too.) Janette was the last major character whose faction lacked an icon; so I'm very glad to be able finally to present one.

I've made it in two slightly different versions. While most people simply call the faction the "Ravenettes", they sometimes write it "Raven/ettes" in order to include those who prefer "Ravens". Though "Ravenette" was apparently originally not intended as the feminine form (but rather was a portmanteau of Janette's name and that of her club), some people feel "Raven" is a preferable name for male members of the faction. So I've done the icon with both versions of the name.

Anyway, here is/are the icon(s):





The original symbol of the Ravens is a stylized raven, taken from the design above the door of Janette's club in Season One. My initial attempts to create an icon involved prominently positioning either the symbol or the sign. Having used one of the nightclub signs on the Mikies icon, though, I decided that I didn't want to repeat myself. However, that left me at a bit of a loss what to do for Janette. What other things are associated with her? Her style in clothes, obviously; but there would be a picture of her anyway.

Then I remembered that striking shot of her dipping her finger into the glass of blood. In making the Dark Knighties icon I'd reworked the image to remove Janette's finger and then combined it with another shot to create a picture of a full wine glass of "blood". Rather than reuse this, though, I could use the large picture. So that became the main image, and also determined the colour scheme.

In the upper left corner, I added a moon. It's one I've used before (and will use again); and, what's more, it's a true Forever Knight moon taken from a screen capture. It's been slightly retinted to match the creamy highlights on the glass. As a nod to the past, a tiny Raven symbol flies across it. I then finished off the icon with the logo, again in crimson and cream.
 
 
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[identity profile] foxy11814.livejournal.com on April 14th, 2012 09:48 pm (UTC)
I like it, but I have to admit if you didn't tell me what the words were, I would have no idea what they said. Of course, it might just be me or my computer screen.

In any case, all your icons are beautiful. I look forward to the next batch. =)
[identity profile] greerwatson.livejournal.com on April 14th, 2012 11:56 pm (UTC)
Oh, dear. I do try to ensure legibility. However, my screen is moderately big and only a few years old. Yours may be smaller, or have less definition. (I do hope that people haven't simply been polite up till now!)

The letters aren't all that small; but they're script rather than block letters, and hence inherently harder to read. I'd rather not change that. (I wanted to use a "feminine" font for Janette's faction.) It does occur to me, though, that the outline round the red may be causing problems for you—as if you're seeing double in a way.

I'll see if I can do some tweak that improves things.
[identity profile] foxy11814.livejournal.com on April 15th, 2012 02:10 am (UTC)
If no one else has said anything, it's probably just me, then! LOL. I have a big screen monitor (a HP f1905), but I have had it a few years. But I can tell you this--while I was typing this I got an idea--I just got on my iPad to view it and it looked the same. I even enlarged my screen and it was still hard to read. I just seems kind of blurry and not defined. Hopefully, someone else will look at the icons soon and tell you if it's just me. Again, it probably is!
[identity profile] greerwatson.livejournal.com on April 15th, 2012 05:28 am (UTC)
Have you been having problems with the other icons?
[identity profile] foxy11814.livejournal.com on April 15th, 2012 05:05 pm (UTC)
Nope. Just this one.
[identity profile] greerwatson.livejournal.com on April 15th, 2012 09:10 pm (UTC)
In that case, it needs tweaking. I suspect the pale outline around the letters is the culprit.

The trouble, of course, is that—as the person who slaved over the icon for hours—I know perfectly well what it says. So, even though my eyes are getting much the same message as yours, my brain sees "Ravenettes" quite clearly.

I'll see what I can do to sharpen things up.
[identity profile] greerwatson.livejournal.com on April 16th, 2012 07:02 am (UTC)
How do these look?

Image

Image
[identity profile] foxy11814.livejournal.com on April 16th, 2012 08:42 pm (UTC)
Yes, it's a lot better. I hope you didn't mind me pointing it out. I just wanted to help!!!!
[identity profile] greerwatson.livejournal.com on April 16th, 2012 09:32 pm (UTC)
Why would I mind? You were perfectly polite about it!

The fact is that, in most cases, I don't get any beta input on these icons. A few have gone to faction members for vetting, but that's usually to check that the iconography works for them (though, of course, the appearance might also elicit comment). In this case, you've improved the legibility of the logo; and that has to be a good thing.
[identity profile] apsis.livejournal.com on April 15th, 2012 02:56 am (UTC)
I love that you used a shot of Janette with some of the amazing earrings. I always envied the earrings they found for her.
[identity profile] greerwatson.livejournal.com on April 15th, 2012 05:27 am (UTC)
Oh, it had to have earrings.

I wanted to show Janette's sartorial style, which is not only characteristic of her, but also a focus of her faction. Given the size of the icon, though, it would have been impossible to show any of her gowns in sufficient detail. That left her hairdo and her earrings.