Anyone with a background in graphic design or illustration knows just how many different iterations of a logo are required before landing on the perfect end result. It can be a taxing process, but when it comes to a massive game like Metroid Prime, the time and effort is undoubtedly worth it when you see just how influential the final product proves to be.
During a talk with YouTuber KIMI TALKZ, graphic designer Jim Wornell talks through just how many different iterations of the Metroid Prime logo he went through before landing on the right one; if you somehow skipped over the title of this article, it's 53. Yikes! You can check out the full interview in the video below; there are plenty of other fun tidbits to discover.
When asked about whether Jim enjoyed creating each and every one of those 53 iterations, this is what he had to say:
"Oh no no no, there were times where I wanted to blow my brains out. To be fair, 53 versions, yes there were 53 versions, but some of those versions were a blue ball, or a red ball, or a red ball with the 'S', or without the 'S'. Right around version 30, I was getting a little tired of it, but you know, it was a big title at the time, there were a lot of people looking at this. I understand why there were so many versions of the logo, from start to finish, you want to get it right, it's important."
He later went on to state that the logos for both Metroid Fusion and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes were easier. For Fusion, Nintendo already had a font in mind for the logo, removing a lot of the work for Jim from the get-go, and for Prime 2: Echoes, Nintendo wanted to keep the general format of the logo from the first game, but change up the colour scheme.
It goes to show just how much effort goes into all aspects of video game design, particularly for huge franchises like Metroid!
What do you make of the Metroid Prime logo design? What's your favourite from the entire franchise? Let us know!
[source youtube.com]
Comments 28
Metroid prime 4 will be released one day, what a world we live in xx
@Dragonslacker1 It's already finished but are being held up by the logo. They are only on logo version 26 at the minute. They should get there before the Switch Pro releases.
10 bucks says that Metroid Prime 4 never restarted development, and that they have been agonising over the logo since 2019.
@Enigk : Beeeeeeeeeeeet me to it...........................!!!!
The logo went through 53 iterations? You mean just like the rumor of a Switch port every self-proclaimed insider is super sure is already finished could shadow drop any minute since 2018?
Well, the logo they settled on is definitely a winner. Very iconic
@HefHughner Came here to make the exact same comment haha
Well, in the end, they nailed it! I know it can be frustrating when art is also a commercial product.
Each of the 53 logos represent a different version of Metroid Prime and we've only played one. We need to find the other 52, hopefully without running into Action 52.
@Kainbrightside This. It creates a creepy, lonely atmosphere immediately.
Come on, 53 is an average number of iterations for a logo. On some projects you can have 530. For example, this Lebedev's Studio work had around that much: https://www.artlebedev.com/unlim500/logo/process-1/
@Zverik Honestly this was my thought as well. I've worked on many creative projects. Logos, product names, tag lines, T-Shirt design, etc. In any of those cases, coming up with 20 ideas is a minimal effort. For such a big project as Metroid Prime, 53 doesn't seem at all unreasonable 🤷♂️
What kind of half hearted journalism is this? I DEMAND you unearth each of the 53 variants and provide your commentary on each successive iteration!!1!
I hope we can see some of them, I like seeing unused logos for things! Makes you think of what could have been
@Jackpaza0508 the first 52 were all in Comic Sans. What could have been.
@sketchturner I work in a marketing division and our graphic designers have come up with 50+ logo designs for way smaller projects.
Having worked for years at a printing company that offered logo design services, I can absolutely confirm that clients would request dozens of small adjustments stretching a small project out for days and weeks, often times just to settle on one of the first couple options that was sent their way in the begenning.
And to be fair, I get it. Even the slightest change in colors can evoke an entirely different feeling from looking at it. And from a printing standpoint, there's always compromises that need to be made when shifting from an RGB image from a glowing monitor screen to a printed out CMYK ink on paper. And unless they wanted to pay out the ass for custom Pantone inks, that rich royal purple was going to need to calm down and look more like a grape flavored candy wrapper.
@Kainbrightside
It was that bass line that hooked me so much. One of my favorite bass lines in any video game music track.
Making light of suicidal thoughts is abhorrent! And triggering!!!!
@Zverik I was thinking the same line of things. I have designed logos before of much less importance and done like 20-30 different iterations of it, easily.
I would love to design 53 logos for the Metroid series what a fun job. "Blow my brains out" come on now.
@Desrever Somewhere in my secret lock box is the only prototype Metroid Prime package on foil.
As an adult design professional myself now, I really appreciate just how many weirdly specific shapes Jim managed to put together here.
Without any of them becoming difficult to read do to tangents or important details getting obscured. Hats off.
@Jimtendo64 Are we talking inline foil where the image is printed over a metallic background, or is it a hot foil stamped over the image after its printed? That little part of my nerd-brain that specializes in print and graphic design is dying to know
@Kid_Sickarus The first 51 had "metroid" spelled as "metorid."
@Desrever pantone and colour matching is another planet, we had the swatches in one office I worked in and so many people have no idea it's a thing. We had to keep them and the calibration sheets stowed away to prevent light damage.
Anyone interested the graphic designer at Linus media group did an unboxing of $10000 worth of pantone coloured chips on their short circuit channel last week and it's pretty interesting for those not living in that world. I mean it's a lot of money on coloured plastic chips most people would think was a waste but it will save them money in the long run with product developments and prototyping being accurate first time.
@Desrever It's printed on foil. It was one of my first attempts with foil printing. It looked good but not enough to make it worth it. Prime 2 on the other hand turned out much better.
I wish the control scheme could have gotten the same attention.
Nope, let a single analog stick do four different things, but one at the time.
And let the spring loaded trigger be the most annoying “auto aim” feature ever.
Heartening to see several level headed replies here from people who've done similar work before instead of the usual snark
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