Get 20% Off Orders of $20+ at ShopSinister.com with Coupon Code HALLONTINE Thru 2/7!
Sinister Visions

Let's Define Our Terms

What's the difference between a logo and marketing artwork? Is a signature character different from marketing artwork? How is marketing artwork different from an actual poster or website design? Read on to see how Sinister Visions defines its individual services.

PLEASE NOTE: Graphics created for a website only ARE NOT SUITABLE for print usage. If you think you'll want to use the imagery from your website for print purposes like posters, coupons, flyers, etc., you MUST make this clear at the outset so that your marketing artwork / signature character can be created at a high resolution from the beginning. Otherwise, an artwork re-creation fee will be required. Additional information on this topic is available in the Frequently Asked Questions.

LOGO

A logo (aKA logotype) is a stylized treatment of text and sometimes accompanying graphic representation or symbol of a company name, trademark, abbreviation, etc., uniquely designed for ready recognition.

I graduated college in 1991 with a degree in graphic design and illustration; less than 5 years later, most of the techniques I'd been taught for creating the work I did were rendered obsolete by the advent of the PC and programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

However, the concepts and theory about what constitutes good design work remain true no matter how you execute them, and it's with this in mind that I approach logo design.

In my opinion, a logo needs to work in plain black & white, with no frills, or it doesn't work at all. So that's where I start. Why? Let's say you want to have your logo engraved on glass or a trophy, or you want to do t-shirts but can only afford one color. I make sure that you're able to do that. Further, because of the software and file formats with which I build the base black & white logo (vector), you're able to size it down to an inch or up to 50 feet, without losing any quality at all. The full color version, usually built in Photoshop, is of sufficient size and resolution to also be used at whatever size you might need.

Below are samples of logos created for various clients - the approved black & white version, and the final color version. Hopefully this will give you an idea of the process. You can see additional logo designs in the Sinister Visions LOGO PORTFOLIO.

Lake Hickory Haunts Logo
7 Floors of Hell Logo
HellsGate Logo
Midwest Haunters Convention Logo

SIGNATURE CHARACTER

A Signature Character is a unique icon character that specifically represents your business, product or attraction. Disney has Mickey Mouse. McDonalds has Ronald. Sinister Visions can create a memorable Signature Character for your business or attraction. Need a psychotic clown? A deranged doctor? A wicked witch? No problem! SVi specializes in sickos and psychos!

Below are samples of signature characters created for various clients. You can see additional character designs in the Sinister Visions MARKETING ART & SIGNATURE CHARACTER PORTFOLIO.

Hand-Drawn Characters

Haunted Attraction Network Signature CharacterFroggy's Fog's FrogzillaVanna FRIGHT!Dr. Fright's Signature CharacterHalloween Blast ReaperPlague Doctor CowboyScreamation DemonScarecrow CreeperGravedigger

Photorealistic Characters

Trail of Fear HillbillyRingmasterGroundskeeper Willies from Face Your Fears: Hotel of TerrorCornfield of Terror Scarecrow
Twisted Fields of Terror ScarecrowTricksterDr. BelleTree MonsterReaperMutant Hillbilly

But what if you already have a living, breathing character at your attraction? No problem! Sinister Visions can work with you to create high-resolution artwork of your existing signature character, in multiple visual styles. Examples - These are all actual characters that appear at their respective attractions, rendered in a visual style of their choosing:

Silas, the Caretaker of Kingsbury CemeteryJames the Werewolf, beloved long-time face of Six Pines RanchThe Captain of the USS Nightmare was created from several photographs of the actor in his costume and mask.

MARKETING ARTWORK

Marketing artwork is the imagery you'll use on your posters, flyers, coupons, tickets, website, t-shirts, etc. - the graphics that set the conceptual stage for your business, product or attraction; the things in your poster that aren't the logo or specific information.

Besides your company's logo, Sinister Visions can develop your marketing artwork as well, 100% original and custom to your specifications, and once paid for (as with everything else we do), you own it outright, and your marketing materials will be cohesive across the board. Further, your marketing artwork can feature your building or elements from your location.

Below are samples of marketing artwork created for various clients. You can see additional marketing artwork samples in the Sinister Visions MARKETING ART & SIGNATURE CHARACTER PORTFOLIO.

Harvested Farm Nightmares Marketing ArtworkDerailed Haunted House Marketing Artwork
HellsGate Haunted House Marketing ArtworkHouse of Trepidation Marketing Artwork

Real World EXAMPLES

Below are a couple of examples to give you an idea of the difference between a logo, marketing artwork, a signature character and how they all fit into a final printed piece or website.

Face Your Fears: Hotel of Terror

Logo, Signature Character & Marketing Artwork

Harvested Farm Nightmares Logo, Signature Character & Marketing Artwork


The Fear Haunted House Presents: Zombie Containment

Logo, Marketing Artwork & Signature Character

The Fear Haunted House presents Zombie Containment


Sinister Visions on Facebook
Sinister Visions clients have said...
  • “Knowledgeable, creative and most critically - prompt! Chad has the perfect skill set to create very user-friendly websites that work great and look super scary!”

    — Ben Armstrong, Netherworld Haunted House

  • “Chad has been instrumental in growing all of our trade shows by marketing our brands through amazing web designs, brochures, banner displays and t-shirt designs! Web design is so important in today's world and we credit a lot of our success to Chad for keeping our image fresh every year. Chad works around the clock to deliver the best products possible.”

    — Jen Braverman, TransWorld Trade Shows

  • “Chad is an unbelievably talented artist. The fact that he is able to take that creativity and use it to build websites that not only look good, but also work well and are reliable is just one of the reasons we've loved partnering with him over the years.”

    — Edward Douglas, Midnight Syndicate

  • “SinisterVisions.com have built and serviced three web sites for me over the past 6 years. Chad's input, design, backup and all around service are a credit to him, especially as we are based in the United Kingdom. I would not hesitate in recommending Chad and SinisterVisions.com to anyone wishing for web design and creativity.”

    — Mark Edwards, Farmaggedon

  • “Chad has always been one step ahead of what's popular at the time. He continues to amaze me with his creativity and designs. We at Terror on the Fox have always used Sinister Visions, and we/I always will!”

    — Mike "Beaker" Parpovich, Terror on the Fox

  • “There is no more prolific dark web designer anywhere. If you want a successful event, then you need a Chad Savage-designed web site.”

    — Leonard Pickel, HAuNTcon

  • “Chad Savage has a command of typography that isn't seen anymore... And that's only one of his skills; he's really a pioneer in horror / haunted / fantasy corporate ID and digital design. Most of the work you see in this arena that wasn't done by him was most likely influenced by him. He's an original.”

    — Joe Sena, EMCE Toys / Cinefantastique Magazine / The Monster Channel

  • “Chad Savage delivers, in an internet world where most designers and enablers spew and wheeze far beyond their capacity. Chad views complex codings with an artist's eye ­ which makes him the real deal. He walks the walk. Hire him now before he wises up and prices himself accordingly.”

    — David J. Schow, Author

  • “I knew by hiring Sinister Visions I would get excellent results. The results were even better than expected. Thanks for exceeding my high expectations.”

    — Larry McKenzie, TheHalloweenNetwork.com

@SavageSinister on Instagram