samhayn's art Reviews on Newgrounds

[Quantum Resolve Magazine Mockup]

I enjoy the concept, but the layout is a bit messy. There isn't a clear hierarchy so my eyes don't know where to look first, or where to keep moving. The giant face in the center is probably helping throw everything off. I would find a way to make "Quantum Resolve" more at the forefront. Another thing that is a bit odd is that this doesn't really feel like a magazine *cover*, moreso an ad that would be at the back. You have all the key elements needed; a title, subhead, sections, barcode, and even a cute mascot, but right now everything feels all over the place. I think you should focus on finding a central image, and if that's the face you have right now, making it less cut off and more of a foreground piece. Then you can rearrange your elements to compliment the focus. Pinterest is a really great tool for collecting layout inspo for stuff like this. With a bit of a facelift (and make sure you're checking your spelling), this could make a great portfolio piece.

K4YSTR547 responds:

Thank you for the feedback, this was one of my very early projects that I made when I was starting out with graphic design and I have greatly improved since, though your input still stands. I should definitely remake this in the future with my newfound knowledge in hand. Thanks again for the kind words! Hope you have a good one!

- K.D.

[Benten-Cho Boogie]

Now that I think of it, I don't think I've ever really seen a traditional JSR piece! This is super cool and I love the homage to 2mello, dude is goated

EmilXOM responds:

Hi. late reply, but thank you! I guess trad fan art is getting exceedingly rare, lol

[Beat in a Y2K style]

Love what's goin on here. You've clearly got a grip on the shapes, colors, and language of this style. Also, I just love that you drew the main character of my favorite game in my favorite graphic style, lol.
Some general ideas if you want to keep messing with this style:
-Try making the background more dynamic! Not sure if this is raster or vector but if you have a program like Illustrator you can make some really neat stuff by just messing with shapes and the transform tools. When I've done stuff like this, I mimic a lot of Kentaro Mori's work, which combines a lot of type with graphic elements and occasionally photographic elements as well.
-I'd love to see this piece or something similar be a bit more in-your-face perspective wise- I love what you're starting w/ the shoulder bolts, but having the headphone spike seem more pointed at the viewer or putting a hand in view could add a lot of energy.

Overall though, love this. You nailed the style and I hope you create more! BTW, some great inspo I can recommend to you would be the Pictoplasma books and the book New Species.

segastuffd responds:

I appreciate your feedback!

I've been trying to study Kentaro Mori's work on his website for a little while now, and I've actually not considered trying photo elements in the designs. Now I have been working on getting better at perspective over time, so perhaps I'll try to take a crack at this again later on once I have a better grasp at exaggerated perspective.

[mastershake dragon]

this is freaking epic

bullsam12 responds:

Thanks

[Mother]

yer dragon art is so kewl!!

Malzykins responds:

tysm!! :D