Over the past month, we’ve been working with 5 members of the PosterSpy community to create scroll-stopping, bespoke artwork to promote the new ATARI 2600+ console. Initially, our public call out garnered over 120 applications for this paid commission and Dominik Gümbel was one of the chosen artists based on his fantastic portfolio.
Dominik’s poster is the first to be revealed, with others being shared across November in the lead up the console’s release.
Here it is!
We asked Dominik a few questions about his work:
What made you apply for the ATARI commission via PosterSpy?
A good friend of mine introduced me to this beautiful platform and the ongoing Atari contest. Since I grew up with numerous retro consoles and games, I was excited to apply and give it a try.
How did you find the experience working on a PosterSpy commission?
I really loved the perfect mix of freedom to create what you have in mind as an artist and having a loose guideline on what needs to be incorporated and done to make the topic shine.
What was the biggest challenge when creating your piece?
Since my piece featured a lot of different layers and dynamic movements, it was hard to figure out the right placement for each element. Finding the balance to, on the one hand, focus on the character and console, but also leave some spotlight for the other characters and references from all the featured games, was a challenge.
Did the final piece turn out how you initially planned?
In this case, yes, because I wanted to ensure from the very beginning that I could handle the dynamic composition. Therefore, I tried to identify any potential problems right away when I created the initial sketch for it.
How does it feel to be part of the ATARI legacy?
There is no better feeling than having something you’ve always wanted to do completed and right in front of you. I’ve always dreamt of creating a fun and action-packed artwork for one of the consoles and games I grew up with, and now, being part of Atari’s legacy fills me with joy!
What inspired your design?
I’ve been inspired by many recent shows and anime I’ve watched. One thing that caught my attention is how many anime intros try to encapsulate important story elements in highly dynamic and entertaining animations. This led me to wonder if I could recreate that essence in an illustration!