I’ve been designing a new logo for myself over the past few weeks and in that time I got fully caught up with color choices. The logo I landed on ended up being far simpler than this design, and only has two colors beyond that of Black and White, but before I made it that far I was designing a much larger, more cartoonish logo. Which led me to my first color palette - Batman, of course.
But I didn’t stop there. I went back to all my favorite films and media inspirations as a kid and I pulled the most prominent colors out to create different renditions of my own logo.
Here are some of my favorites and as time goes on I’ll probably add some more.
HALLOWEEN
This film had a profound effect on my relationship with horror. I love the simplicity of Carpenter’s camera work, his use of steadicam, the score, and the way in which he makes Michael so ambiguously terrifying. The lack of definition in the face creates an infinite loop of horror in viewers’ eyes. He haunts you even after the film ends.
JAWS
This has always been a seminal film in anyone’s library, but for me this was a fan favorite of my mother’s and so it’s stuck with me longer than most. Oddly enough, it’s also my girlfriend’s favorite film so it was hard not to include this film in my palette choices.
T2: JUDGEMENT DAY
The first Rated R film I absolutely loved. This one still sits in my top 5 as it encompasses literally every genre you could want in a film. It’s Horror, Action, Scifi, Drama… if you include the first film it’s even got a bit of romance in it.
Batman: The Animated Series
If anyone my age tells you that this cartoon had zero impact on their creative development, they’d be lying. This show taught me an immeasurable sense of morality with an eye for the darkness that lurks in all of us. The use of official black on black alone is enough to inspire a million new animators and artists.
SPONGEBOB SQ PANTS
Though it isn’t my favorite Nickelodeon cartoon, this show represents the last link I have with kids today. I saw the birth of SpongeBob as Nick’s last great cartoon and it’s still going strong today! I even met the creator once, may he rest in peace. This show captures everything there is to love about Nick Cartoons - bright colors, eccentric humor, catchy music, and a lesson in every episode that being yourself is always the most important part of life.
JURASSIC PARK
I remember going to theaters to see this. It scared the hell out of me. I remember going to see Jurassic World and it had… the opposite effect.
This film is an instant classic that reminds us about filmmaking techniques we often forget, but will make an extraordinary difference in how we view it.
DUMB & DUMBER
Best comedy of my generation. It captures the joy of stupidity, the ease of naivety and the dangers of ignorance. It’s still funny to this day and it’s one of the few movies I can quote almost entirely.
TMNT
At the heart of this show, and the incredible films, is brotherhood and teamwork. Beyond that it’s a catastrophic collection of mutants, space aliens, giant underground tech and April O’Neil’s yellow jumpsuit. This show, however, was ultimately outperformed by its line of toys. I had and still have hundreds of different turtles toys that go as far as Frankenstein Michelangelo to Punk Rock Donatello.
