Vinyl Graphic Design FAILURE

I really like personalizing a vehicle with vinyl graphics. I have good luck using wrap material from VVIVID Vinyl, so that’s why I got excited when I discovered they have a new textured vinyl Honeycomb Black pattern.  My mind immediately went to designing a new hood graphic that mimicked factory hood scoops and bulges.

Unfortunately, not all great ideas produce great results.

VVIVID Vinyl Honeycomb Pattern

As you can see in the picture at the top of the page, this vinyl has a matte black background with a gloss black honeycomb pattern.  It is very distinctive, yet tasteful.  I like this so much better than carbon fiber, and find the texture gives it a three dimensional look.

I bought a 3’ x 5’ roll of this material through Amazon (that saved me about $17 in shipping if I bought it from VVIVID Vinyl directly).  Total cost was $28–a true bargain for this type of vinyl.  It feels heavier than normal vinyl wrap, which is great for my application.  It cuts easily and is easy to apply with no wrinkles or bubbles.

Design Flaws

My goal was to accentuate the bulges that run down both sides of my Ford Ranger’s hood.  In the upscale Raptor model, small hood vents sit on top of those bulges.  

I previously bought some knock-off hood Raptor vents on eBay, but I felt like a real poser when I put them on the hood.  The picture below shows those hood vents installed on my Ranger.  If you want to learn more, please view the article Guilty Pleasure: Fake Hood Vents.

I liked the look of those vents, but not the effect.  That’s why I bought the honeycomb vinyl.  I figured I could create a unique/personalized look without breaking the bank or being fake.  Check out two designs I tried below.  There was a third one in the mix, but I was disgusted with it and didn’t take any pictures!  In each case, I just was not happy with the look.  Maybe a large graphic in the middle of the hood would work better.  What do you think?

Final Thoughts & Questions

If you are thinking this is a different kind of article than I normally share, then you are right.  I don’t normally share my failures, but it is important to highlight that failures happen often when personalizing a car.  Creating custom modifications is full of trial and error.  The point is to try and not give up.  

I am not done with my creative process. I am going to take another crack at this soon.  The honeycomb vinyl is great to work with and generates the look I seek.  A few new ideas are starting to brew.  I’ll share those updates once they surface!

Do you have any thoughts you would like to share about my process, or a recommendation for a graphic design?  Tell me in the comments below.