I’ve been having some fun lately creating logo emblems in an abstract design style based on the house sigils from Game of Thrones. This particular style where a subject is simplified and replicated with just straight lines results in cool stylized graphics which make fantastic logo designs. In today’s Illustrator tutorial I’m going to share my process of creating this abstract illustration style to help you create geometric line art of your own.
The designs I’ve been creating are these abstract takes on the various house sigils from Game of Thrones. Each one is created using only straight lines to create a stylised polygonal appearance which provides consistency throughout the series despite each sigil featuring a completely different animal. I’ll be explaining how to create the Baratheon stag, but the same design process is used to create any subject in this style.
Open up Adobe Illustrator and create a new document. We need to make use of the built in grid tool to give our illustrations a consistent structure. Go to View and select Show Grid, then make sure the Snap to Grid option is also enabled.
Instead of redrawing the outline for a thicker outer stroke, try this:
(1) Cmd+A to select all.
(2) Cmd+C to copy.
(3) Cmd+B to paste in back.
(4) In the Pathfinder window, click “Union”.
(5) Adjust the stroke width & miter limit as described.
Much faster and less error-prone!
Very nice work. I look forward to seeing the rest of the sigils if you create them.
Urgh! Spelt my own name wrong
it was good and simple to understand and a well written post.
Love the drawings, thanks Chris!
Beautiful artworks.
Gorgeous and some really helpful hints & tips in the tutorial
Very useful tutorial, thanks a lot!
Beautiful, and it works perfectly with the typeface.. Anyone knows where can I find it to buy it? I just fell in love with it…
It’s actually a freebie named Fontin – http://www.exljbris.com/fontin.html
Hi Chris, amazing work. And thanks for the link..
As a graphic design studio and great fan of GOT. Very nice article! Very informing.
Time to embark myself on a new project :D thanks for sharing this!
wow, I cant believe I just see this foundry! Thanks Chris, loved it!
Great tutorial as ever, thanks for posting
Too Good Chris! Really simple and the results are stunning!. Thanks a lot for sharing the same.
Great tutorial. Games of thrones is my favorite show.
This is awesome! I can’t believe you created this. Amazing!
Awesome effect! Thanks.
omg!
I love it so much!!
Wow . This is great . I must try do it by myself . Thank you for sharing this .
Would it be okay to have this design as a tattoo? I totally love it!
Awesome tutorial Chris.
Super original idea!
Thanks for another great tutorial. I set about following it before using the tips to create my own animal head.
I don’t often use Illustrator but I couldn’t pass this up.
This is an awesome tutorial, even great for beginners in illustrator like me. Thanks for this.
A great and creative tutorial man!
a great and crative tutorial man!
thank for sharing wonderful tutorial, this is a awesome tutorial !!!
My hat is off to your astute command over this toori-bcavp!
Thanks for another great tutorial
That’s what i was looking for – Thank you !
Good work, nice re-interpretation in line-art style :)
Wow, nice work here. I might make something like the giants or the mammoths. The tribe outside the wall may need their own sigil. Like this guy:
http://www.ranker.com/list/game-of-thrones-recap-season-4-episode-9-watchers-the-wall/matt-grippi?format=SLIDESHOW&page=9
Thanks Chris! this tutorial is awesome.
I did Batman :P
http://i.imgur.com/UkeRmWu.jpg
This looks awesome. Can’t wait to try it!
Very good tutorial Chris
Great tutorial/inspiration!
I have a n0ob question for anyone who can answer though – when working with the pen tool my lines never meet up where they visually should.
*Example* In the snout area under the triangular nose (where the vertical line is) the line always bounces either left or right of the triangle’s vertex. I’d like for the lines to meet but can’t manage this! It’s driving me insane!
I found the same thing, so I made sure all the lines had curved ends, and suddenly, they all looked joined and nice.
hope this helps.