Lunar Remastered Collection: The Story Behind Its Stunning Logo and Packaging Design

The latest release of the Lunar Remastered Collection has finally hit the shelves for Xbox One, also ready to run on the Xbox Series X|S. To mark this special occasion, I had the pleasure of chatting with Amy Nguyen, the inspiring Senior Graphic Designer at GungHo America. Together, we delved into the creative journey behind the remaster’s logo—focusing on her sources of inspiration and the detailed design process.

Hey Amy, thanks for being here! Let’s start by hearing a bit about your artistic journey and some memorable projects you’ve worked on at GungHo.

Hi there! Thanks for having me. My experience at GungHo has been quite a ride. I’ve tackled a variety of projects, from crafting assets for a national tournament of one of our titles to embarking on exciting collaborations with iconic IPs. A significant milestone for me was leading the creative team for the Grandia console port, set for 2024.

What crossed your mind when handed the task of designing the logo?

It was both thrilling and slightly daunting when I learned I’d be working on the Lunar logo. As a crucial part of the game’s identity, it needed to resonate with fans. Initially, I toyed with several designs until a clearer direction emerged. It was a dynamic process, constantly refining the design with team feedback until we reached the final version.

How did the legacy logos influence the remastered version of Lunar?

Diving into the design, I always start with some thorough research. Given that we’re remastering, it was key to reflect the familiar brand image that dedicated fans love. I sketched numerous concepts, tweaking small details to broader elements. Finally, we went forward with a logo blending classic Lunar red with shimmering gold – an ode to this new reimagining.

How did you keep the logo’s spark alive through its various iterations? Where did you grab your inspiration from?

My goal was to honor the timeless look and feel of Lunar while integrating hints of its rebirth through remastering. Each sketch iteration explored diverse paths, aiming to find what resonated and what didn’t. Some versions toyed with color schemes, meshing hues from Lunar: Silver Star Story and Lunar 2: Eternal Blue. Others took inspiration from elements like the dragon sword and ribbon from Lunar 2’s Sega CD days. Eventually, a blend of two different versions clicked, giving birth to the official logo we see now.

What’s a standout feature of the final logo that you’re particularly fond of?

I’m especially fond of the elongated tail of the ‘R’ in “Remastered,” reminiscent of the original. I also gave a little extra flair to certain letters in “Remastered Collection,” like the R, E, and N, by extending their serifs for added personality.

Original Lunar artist Toshiyuki Kubooka’s new visuals must have been exciting to work with. How did these influence your packaging design process?

Kubooka’s masterful detail was spellbinding. His innovative use of a darker palette and collage composition breathed new life into Lunar’s aesthetic. His visuals made setting up the front package design practically seamless, requiring only minor tweaks to fit the cover snugly.

And about the back cover—a bit more room for creativity there. How did you go about choosing the design elements and layout?

From the get-go, adding pixelated sprites to the back cover was a must. They are endearing and pack a nostalgic punch, capturing character essence in limited space. For a holistic view of what the game offers, I incorporated screenshots. To maintain the brand feel, I tied the elements to the remaster foundation like the gold color scheme and relatable font. For the backgrounds, gradients helped unify yet distinguish the games within the collection.

What’s been your favorite part of the package design journey?

Working with Mr. Kubooka under his guidance was truly special, alongside richly collaborative efforts from GungHo’s Marketing and Production teams, as well as Game Arts, the original developers. This package is the result of everyone’s dedication and I’m thrilled for everyone to see the final result.

Lunar: Remastered Collection is now ready for adventure on Xbox. Dive in and explore these iconic tales again!