KLONDIKE, CP Army Headquarters – Welcome to the column, “Artistic Analysis,” where, in every edition, I shall be focusing on one Graphic Designer from the community and look at some of their works of art. For this edition, we look into the graphics that Zamb has created and understand more about his journey in the Graphic Design community.
You read that right; this week, we will be talking about the man, the myth, the legend himself, Zamb! Zamb has been in the community dating all the way back into 2013, becoming AUSIA leader in Chaos and Water Ninjas. He later became a higher command in armies like the Doritos of Club Penguin, SWAT, and the Night Warriors. When he left the community in 2016 for a short while, he rejoined in 2020. He joined as Second in Command for the Doritos of Club Penguin. He then became a leader for the Dark Bandits, Elites, and the Underground Mafias Army until 2021, where he has since left the community.
Now let’s look at his Graphic work within the community. Zamb sent me Graphics dating all the way to 2014! Every Graphic comes with a story so let’s look at some Graphic Designs that he has made over the years.
First Graphic in Microsoft Paint Made in 2014
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First Graphic in Photoshop (2014)
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Golds Banner (2016)
Help Force holiday banner (winter of 2021)
As you can see, Zamb’s graphic knowledge has increased over the years. His first one was the Light Troops Xat template he created in Microsoft paint in 2014. He then moved on, what a lot of designers use, Photoshop. He got inspiration from graphic design outside the Club Penguin community to create works like the Golds banner. Zamb recently has been experimenting with custom work, and his experimentation has come out with good results. He designed everything custom in his latest design with the Help Force’s holiday banner above, except for a few small things. He told Ayan to give him any possible idea and think as outside the box as possible. The banner is still present on the Help Force website.
I had the opportunity to talk to Zamb about the influences that led him to become one of the select few Graphic Designers in the army community.
What or who influenced you to become a Graphic designer?
I wanted to get a promotion in my army, which was Light Troops, and I saw they were giving promotions to people that make YouTube trailers advertising the army or doing art. I always liked the graphics they had, so I wanted to try doing it. Sent it to the leader at the time, and he said he liked it, but I kept wanting to get to that higher level, so it was my desire for recognition that influenced me.
When did you start designing things, and what software do you mainly use?
I began designing in 2014 and alternated between programs. My first being MS Paint, I moved onto a mix between Paint.net and GIMP before switching to Photoshop, my main program since due to it being a jack of all trades.
What are some things you would like to improve on regarding graphic design?
Though I no longer design for this community, I do regret not working on my illustrations as much. I dabbled into custom penguins a bit but was never able to publish a fully custom penguin. That is something I could improve on. My notebook was initially my math book, but after COVID, I turned it into a custom penguin sketchbook. There’s a lot of sketches in there that never made it on the canvas. Also, I could’ve improved in taking payment, I am broke.
What aspects do you feel are important to be added to a specific design or any design?
I feel that putting your own flair is the most important thing. We designers understand that Club Penguin army graphics are the most repetitive thing you’re going to be doing. On a blank canvas, you put down a background, penguin, and text, and call it a day. However, to be one step ahead and move this community with the times, you have to be innovative. It’s taboo to deviate from the standard set by previous graphic designers, but I think otherwise, as long as you’re committed to it. My format was what fit me the most, being the result of the graphics, I’ve worked on outside and inside this community, which is why I go with it. I may have set my own flair as the standard for graphics, but as long as you can make something that advertises the army well, fits the army standard, and satisfies the client needs, that is very important. Your work speaks for itself, and indirectly speaks for the army.
Is there anything else you would like to add or say to the community?
Graphic design is a very underrated aspect due to the dependency we have on Discord. If you show interest in it, but have no clue where to start, pick up a pencil. Look up a video. Get into it in some way, shape, or form because even outside of armies, the demand will continue to grow for design. There are several esteemed designers in the community, one being Frostty, who has done a great job with the HQ’s graphics, turn to someone like him as a mentor. I never had a mentor, ended up having to look up to those that were so distant from me, but it was because of their feedback (even if it was very unthoughtful, negative, or very unhelpful), it grew me as a designer.
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Graphic Designers have to start somewhere small, don’t expect your work to be fantastic the first time you design something. Zamb started very small with a couple of Xat templates and army banners. Then as you can see, his Help Force banner was almost fully custom. As a designer, you learn as you go with mentors or, in some cases, yourself with trial and error. Who would you like to see on the next edition of Artistic Analysis? Perhaps someone out of the community?