It all started with a mindmap...

This project was based on the theme of a predator.
Colored the Dragon in Adobe Photoshop 
but it didn't turn out the way I wanted it.
I liked this version instead. It was edited in Adobe Photoshop and showed my pencil version with the other marks that got added when I scanned the image and therefore it had this effect when I changed the levels.


Used live trace in Adobe Illustrator and then expand. Next I used the simplify tool to get less anchor points and a nice effect was also created with this as the dragon's outline became more smooth.
I used the pen tool and created the eyes, putting them behind the outline.
This is a shot I took of one of the bricks used to make my house
After playing with the levels in Adobe Photoshop to give it a darker look, I added to it with the burn tool.
To create flames, I looked up an Adobe Photoshop tutorial on how to create them. Using RedHeadStock's( ObsidianDawn.com ) Fire brushes tutorial, I was able to create realistic dancing flames.
Created gradient in Adobe Photoshop since I couldn't figure out how to create a transparent to black gradiant in Adobe Illustrator. This gradient was put into place to create a balance between the top (gate) and the bottom (flames).

To create the grate, I used the pen tool to draw out the arch and then used the line tool with a drop shadow. To make the triangles, I used the star shape tool but changed the amount of points to three.







For the font, I used Franklin Gothic Book in different styles to give emphasis on the words. For the H drop cap, I simply made it bigger than the other letters and behind that I used the Symbol Sprayer Tool and chose Impressionism. I then gave the text a dark drop shadow. I then also added a white glow and blurred it so that the text would stand out from the background and would be readable.
Couldn't forget my name. Added KiwiShowers there as well. To get this, I just changed the opacity of the text layer, so that it had the watermark effect.

Final Design exported as a PDF in high quality print
Printed on a large vinyl sticker for $35

Made sure to measure it before working on the design.

Went to a print shop recommended by an old boss. While waiting for my sticker to print, I was offered a job from the print shop manager to work on future clients that would want a logo designed. I gladly accepted the offer.





I stuck half of the sticker on and then the other half and cut the excess with a sharp exacto knife.
TA - DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

So what do you think? Leave a comment down below.