Vinyl Graphic Design REDEMPTION!

A couple of weeks ago, I shared my Vinyl Graphic Design Failure story.  This involved my vision for a cool hood graphic on my truck using a honeycomb vinyl wrap.  After several attempts to execute my vision, I set the project aside to regroup.  Admitting that error in public was rare for me, but necessary to prove a point.  Given some time, you can redeem yourself.

During the past two weeks, I went online looking for inspiration.  What I found was a pair of Universal Hood Vents on Amazon.  These were roughly the right size and shape, and only cost $12 for the pair.  I previously tried fake (non-functional) hood vents, but it didn’t feel right.

Related article:  Guilty Pleasure: Fake Hood Vents

I ended up buying the $12 hood vents, but not to install them.  I used them to model the shape, size and placement of a new design pattern on my hood.  These became a template for the final graphic.

Keep in mind, my goal was to find a way to use the honeycomb vinyl wrap for this design.  My past failures came from going too big and having an unfinished look.  By adding the yellow accent and surrounding the honeycomb vinyl with a pinstripe, I achieved a look I like. Fun!

Final Thoughts & Questions

For many of you, this might seem like a petty exercise to share.  That’s fine if you feel that way, but these personalization techniques are important to me.  I like my vehicles to reflect my personality and cause a passerby to ask, “Is that a factory feature?” 

Hot rod designer Chip Foose often says that his designs represent something the factory could (or should) have done.  It’s that one step further that makes a difference.  I’m no Chip Foose, but I share my experiences so that you try something different.  It doesn’t always work out, but the journey can be fun and rewarding.

Thoughts? Questions?  Please leave them below!