3 replies to this topic

[crossfire]

Hey guys. I just joined a few days ago and I've been posting liveries since yesterday. For full disclosure, I do my liveries entirely in Photoshop. I have very limited experience with Illustrator. I've been noticing my liveries seem out of place with many other's liveries. Furthermore, my liveries have gotten mixed reviews.

 

Are there any resources can use to further my skills in Photoshop and Illustrator, and thus my design process of my liveries? I want to experiment with dynamic shapes and designs, but I only have basic knowledge. 

 

TL;DR I want to make my liveries as good as everyone else's.

 

Can anyone making these kinds of liveries give me advice?

[Rigel]

Firstly, remember to include the smaller details. Just a name, logo and livery design won't cut it. At the very, very least, you need a registration and flag, because without those, we have no idea where your airline is from. Also things like coloured door frames, specific aircraft name, aircraft model, belly text, that kind of thing.

 

Take inspiration from other liveries, both in real life and on AE. Don't directly copy what's been done before, but use those liveries as an inspiration to make your own idea.

 

For making shapes that aren't the traditional circle, square, etc., I'd recommend using the pen tool. It might take some time to get used to it, but once you know what you're doing, it becomes really easy, and it'll improve livery quality ten-fold versus just using the shape tool. If you need help or advice on how to use it, DM me, I'd be happy to help.

 

And finally, the most important point, not just for you, but for all new livery designers: Take your time. Don't just spend a few hours on a livery, get it done, say "ehh... Good enough", and upload it. Take days, if not weeks, to make, develop, refine and perfect your livery. Trust me, the reward will be immense. The best and most-loved brands you see here on AE are the results of many months of trial and error, development, failed concepts and refinement. 

 

As before, DM me if you need any further advice or help. Hope this helps!

[Avelo]

Firstly, remember to include the smaller details. Just a name, logo and livery design won't cut it. At the very, very least, you need a registration and flag, because without those, we have no idea where your airline is from. Also things like coloured door frames, specific aircraft name, aircraft model, belly text, that kind of thing.

Take inspiration from other liveries, both in real life and on AE. Don't directly copy what's been done before, but use those liveries as an inspiration to make your own idea.

For making shapes that aren't the traditional circle, square, etc., I'd recommend using the pen tool. It might take some time to get used to it, but once you know what you're doing, it becomes really easy, and it'll improve livery quality ten-fold versus just using the shape tool. If you need help or advice on how to use it, DM me, I'd be happy to help.

And finally, the most important point, not just for you, but for all new livery designers: Take your time. Don't just spend a few hours on a livery, get it done, say "ehh... Good enough", and upload it. Take days, if not weeks, to make, develop, refine and perfect your livery. Trust me, the reward will be immense. The best and most-loved brands you see here on AE are the results of many months of trial and error, development, failed concepts and refinement.

As before, DM me if you need any further advice or help. Hope this helps!

This would indeed help me a lot as a designer. Though I already have ten brands in my portfolio that involved lots of time and effort to develop, I must admit I still don't consider myself one of AE's elite designers...

[airplano21]

Here's my list:

-Truth is, lot's of practice, and honest feedback. My big thing to add on is keep creating. You will make bad stuff before you make good stuff. Don't be afraid to try any suggestions given to you. And don't be afraid to start over. (don't be too lazy to start over).

-Keep it fun. It can get monotonous and creatively draining, but find a way to keep it fun. 
-Find any resource available to you. Watch videos on logo design tips, on artistic principles like color theory, shape, size, framing. be a sponge for whatever you can.

-Don't just use your device. Pen and paper is fantastic to use when making fuselage art, logos or tail designs. 

-Have some confidence. Some feedback is genuinely not what you're looking for and might take the fun out of your work. Have a spine to make your work feel like it is yours, and know that you're proud of what you made.

-Take one element from a real life airline to incorporate into your designs. Try to put a spin on it, and make it yours. If you ever get stuck it can give you good direction.
-Give all your design elements a clear purpose. This goes back into the artistic elements with balance, framing, and flow. If there is a thought out purpose behind what you're doing it looks much more composed.

-If you get stuck, you don't have to finish. some ideas are just dead ends. Don't force something you don't have a clear vision through. 
-Avoid revisiting old work. There are many exceptions, but to grow as a designer and artist it is best to leave the past where it was and make something new with what you learned. There will always be feelings of nostalgia and attachment to brand images you made before and it is a lot to craft a completely different brand identity. for passion projects it may be alright but in general it is best to start anew.
-Leave old work as a milestone. Don't ever eliminate the past, learn from it.
 

all in all, this community will be here to help. There are many other places you can go outside of this site that will help and a lot of different ways of doing things. to become better at anything, there is one very consistent rule and that is immerse yourself and practice. It is a fine demonstration of "use it or lose it." Believe in yourself, be open to try new things, and don't be afraid of starting over. You got this!