Super Mario 3D Allstars is the project that I used to combine the skills from my Paper Mario the Origami King and Pikmin 3 projects into a steelbook design that I spent the most time and effort on. This game is a collection of games containing Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. These are all games that I grew up with and have fond memories with, so I wanted to combine these skills into a work of art that I can be proud of and can classify as a work of art.
I started out finding a logo that perfectly shows each game in the collection to put in the center. From that logo I went to Photoshop to create a rough design where on the front I would split the cover in three parts, having each Mario in their own section representing the game that that version of Mario is from. The green Mario being from Super Mario 64, the black design being from Super Mario Galaxy, and the blue with clouds is from Super Mario Sunshine.
The back design is an iconic graffiti M logo that was used in Super Mario Sunshine. I figured that using it in a piece that I used spray paint to help create would give a sort of irony to the piece.
To create the cloud design for the Super Mario Sunshine section of the front I had to learn and experiment with different ways to use the spray paint that would create the desired effect.
Eventually I got the designs that I was hoping for with the front cover so I placed the sticker and sprayed it with a clear gloss enamel to preserve the paint and hold the sticker in place. I then moved on to the back to recreate the graffiti M design from Super Mario Sunshine. After some difficulty I was able to get the design and spray painted the clear enamel over top of it as well. The spine is a design that I was lucky enough to get made so that I could place it to help complete the design.
After finishing the outside of the steelbook I decided that I wanted to incorporate part of the official release for the collection as well. The collage was from the inside of the game's cover that I thought would work perfectly to compliment my design on the outside.
After placing the collage artwork into the panels and putting the steelbook together I decided to add one final touch. Inside I put the coin that came as a preorder bonus for the original release of Super Mario Galaxy back in 2007.
I am very glad that I got a chance to create this one of a kind piece for a collection of games that mean so much to me. Between creating the steelbooks for Paper Mario the Origami King, Pikmin 3, and Super Mario 3D Allstars I learned how to work with spray paint in graphic design as well as how to incorporate stickers to create something that I can put on a resume. Thank you for taking the time to view this project and go on this journey with me.
