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Mara Jade's Father

Master Member
Hi all...

After the success of me Resistance Pilot Wing Pins (see: http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=255563), I was asked if I would do First Order versions.

Here is what I have come up with.

View attachment 602249

The Resistance Pilot pins were based off TFA marketing artwork. However there were not wing related art for the FO. Not a problem as I developed the pin wing design for my previous Rebel and Imperial Wing Pins and those have been successful for multiple runs since 2002.

As this will be a companion piece for my Resistance Wings, the size will be the same; 2" long. Currently the height will be around .8" which is approx the same as the Resistance pins. I wanted the FO wing design to be different from the Resistance version which was simple line work with an upward design. So I went with a traditional feather look using a downward design.

Currently the way the pin is designed is the the white area in the artwork are recessed which would allow enamel to be added if the design called for it. I know I want this for the main logo, but I may invert the black and whit of the wings to allow the feathers to be raised and the grooves to be recessed.

Like this:
View attachment 602250


This would mean the the wings would have no enamel option unless I make the design with a raised frame around it. Then the grooves of the feathers could have enamel coloring. Not sure how that frame would look or even if enamel I the wing grooves would be visually pleasing.

Like the previous wings, I plan on offering various colors. So ideas so far.
-Antique silver plating with black enamel
-Antique silver plating with dark red enamel
-Polished silver plating, no enamel
-Black plating with dark red enamel
-Black nickel plating with dark red enamel

Because these will be the same size, the plan is to sell them for $13 shipping in the US.
 
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Re: First Order Pilot Wing Pins (Star Wars The Force Awakens)

I'm not really sure what to take from the lack of feedback. Not sure if this is a bad idea, bad design, or if (like with my Resistance Wings) it will get the most interest when the actual pins are produced.

I did hear from someone about the FO symbol. It seems there are some different variations floating around in which the number of points inside the center vary. I would definitely look into it before production if it happens.
 
Re: First Order Pilot Wing Pins (Star Wars The Force Awakens)

As a designer, I don't really feel that the style of wings you've chosen go well with the styling of the FO emblem. The FO emblem is sharp, aggressive, and jagged; the wings you picked are soft and rounded.
On top of that, the wings are down swept, which kind of gives it a "sad" look. Speaking as a former military guy, all the wings I've seen are either horizontally outward or slightly upswept, and that gives them a more noble/proud look. I think it might work better if you designed/derived your FO wings based on this:
130215-F-NQ666-001.jpg
 
Re: First Order Pilot Wing Pins (Star Wars The Force Awakens)

As a designer, I don't really feel that the style of wings you've chosen go well with the styling of the FO emblem. The FO emblem is sharp, aggressive, and jagged; the wings you picked are soft and rounded.
On top of that, the wings are down swept, which kind of gives it a "sad" look. Speaking as a former military guy, all the wings I've seen are either horizontally outward or slightly upswept, and that gives them a more noble/proud look. I think it might work better if you designed/derived your FO wings based on this:
http://www.afspc.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/2013/02/130215-F-NQ666-001.jpg


I don't really disagree with anything you are saying. As you can see from my old Imperial Wing pin in the image attached,

attachment.php


i went with a harder line design. But it also played off well against the natural look of the rebel design I created. However this time around with the hard line design go the resistance pin, I wanted to go another way.

I also agree that the upsweep wings tend to be the standard, but it is not uncommon.

W02_lg.jpg
361105703042.jpg
CO3087,%20Southern%20Rhodesia%20Air%20Force%20Silver%20Pilots%20Eings,%20ww2%20engraved%20To%20Margaret%20with%20best%20wishes,%20Alec,%2063%20x%2025mm%20(1).JPG
main-qimg-4e5c204c8bce2dde2714e0932a4049bf


I also want to keep the size of the pin the same as the resistance version (2 inches) so that I can offer it at the same cost. So the wings cannot be too long or else the logo will be smaller and then it will look more like a mini wing pin.

So with all that being said...

I can defiantly go back to the design phase and go for a harder edge design.
 

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Re: First Order Pilot Wing Pins (Star Wars The Force Awakens)

All valid points.
I suppose I was mainly thinking of U.S. military wings, though you did post the Pararescue badge, so I suppose there are exceptions. I hadn't even considered other global military airborne wings though, so good for bringing that up!

I think the down-swept wings might work if you made them to more resemble the appearance of the RAF wings you've posted, where the wings are more "out" than "down."

In addition, and though you've already pointed out that the Resistance wings design has it, I still feel that the FO wings should really be more of a geometric, hard-edged, mechanical-type design. The Empire and First Order are both industrial, regimental military organizations, where their technology, ships, and firepower are their main pride and joy. Everything about them is sterile, industrial, clean, and in-organic. Having organic wings just seems contrary to the image they are trying to portray (in my opinion).

That being said, there is a real-world historical group which we KNOW the First Order (and Empire) was DEFINITELY patterned off of...
Though it would take a bit of retooling, perhaps take a look at their insignia and possibly incorporate some design elements from that?

HOWEVER, this is, of course, all your design, so go with what YOU want! :)
 
Re: First Order Pilot Wing Pins (Star Wars The Force Awakens)

I appreciate the feedback. I'll go back to the drawing board and hopefully come up with something that gets more feedback.
 
Re: First Order Pilot Wing Pins (Star Wars The Force Awakens)

One idea I have is to go away from the traditional idea of a pilot badge (wings) and do something else. Maybe a TIE wing/panel with the FO logo in the center.

I guess the other thing I could do is try something for the FO instead of pilot related. I could rehash an old idea for a infantry style pin I developed but never produced:

Expert pin V2 copy.jpg
 
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