Today marks the exciting launch of the Lunar Remastered Collection, which is now available for Xbox One and is also compatible with Xbox Series X|S. I recently caught up with Amy Nguyen, GungHo America’s Senior Graphic Designer, to delve into the creation of this collection’s new logo. We chatted about her inspirations, the design process, and more.
Hey there, Amy! Great to have you with us. Can you share a bit about your artistic journey and some key projects you’ve worked on at GungHo?
Hi! Absolutely, I’ve had the chance to work on a diverse set of projects, from national tournament assets to collaborations with globally recognized IPs. My major role came with the console port of Grandia next year, which was my first big project as creative lead.
What were your thoughts when you found out you’d be designing the Lunar logo?
I was thrilled yet a bit anxious. Being tasked with something as iconic as the Lunar logo is both exciting and daunting given its importance in brand identity. I started with multiple variations to figure out the best direction. The process became iterative—feedback loop after feedback loop—until we finalized the design.
Did the original logos influence your process in creating the new one?
Absolutely! My first step was research, which is crucial for a remaster. I aimed to mirror the classic Lunar brand that fans hold dear. From there, I brainstormed and sketched numerous ideas, tweaking them until we had a final design. The current logo retains Lunar’s signature red with inner shine and incorporates gold accents to highlight the remastered games.
The logo evolved through numerous iterations. What was the inspiration behind these variations?
Capturing the original nostalgia while incorporating the essence of a remaster was critical. We explored design directions by sketching multiple variations focusing on color and accents like the dragon sword and ribbon from Lunar 2’s Sega CD logo. We experimented with the font, adding dragon elements and exaggerating arcs, before combining elements from iterations one and five to create the official logo.
Is there a specific element of the final logo you’re particularly fond of?
Yes, the elongated tail in the ‘R’ of “Remastered,” which echoes the original Lunar logo’s ‘R’. I also emphasized certain serifs in “Remastered Collection” to enhance its shape language.
Toshiyuki Kubooka contributed new key visuals for the remaster. How did these influence your packaging design process?
I was blown away by Kubooka’s detailed compositions. The new art’s darker background and collaged layout offered a modern twist. Designing the front cover was seamless as the visual fit well with just a few adjustments to keep within the safe zones.
You had some freedom with the back cover. What was your approach to its design?
I wanted to incorporate pixel sprites due to their nostalgic charm. By combining these with screenshots, I created a broad view of the game content. I ensured that elements like the gold color and font tied back to the “Remastered” logo for brand consistency. To differentiate and unify the games’ presentation, a gradient transition was introduced for the background.
What stands out to you about the package design?
Working alongside Mr. Kubooka and collaborating with GungHo’s teams was invaluable. This package is a testament to collective efforts, aiming to deliver an enjoyable product for fans.
For those eager to explore these beloved JRPGs, Lunar: Remastered Collection is now available on Xbox, ready to reignite your passion for this classic series.
You can dive into Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete, re-exploring Alex’s quest to thwart the Magic Emperor and Hiro’s thousand-year-later adventure against the so-called “Destroyer of Lunar.” Experience these revived tales with enhanced features, graphics, and audio, updated for multiple languages―all for a nostalgic trip back to the ’90s.
