Remember those Star Trek: Voyages That Never Were posts I used to occasionally churn out? Well, if you don't, you can just click the link and take a look. But, if you can't be bothered with all that clicking and reading and sighing about my Star Trek fetish, or just don't want to relive the horror again (or, maybe you do actually remember?), just skim over this post then nod and smile when you get to the end.
Anyway, someone liked what I'd shown in those posts enough - well, they liked the alternate Original Series Movie rank insignia that I designed, rough sketches of which can be seen in the first ST: Voyages That Never Were post linked to up there, and then later attempts in the most recent ST: VTNW post a year and a half ago - to render them into 3D computer generated models (just look at the beautiful job they've done with my lieutenant commander insignia in the teaser image).
Before we get to the redesigns, I'd better show you the originals, as designed by Robert Fletcher for the Star Trek original series movies:
So, below are my alternate takes:
The ranks, from top to bottom are: captain, commander, lieutenant, and ensign. Although, the one on the bottom right is lieutenant commander, not ensign.Anyway, someone liked what I'd shown in those posts enough - well, they liked the alternate Original Series Movie rank insignia that I designed, rough sketches of which can be seen in the first ST: Voyages That Never Were post linked to up there, and then later attempts in the most recent ST: VTNW post a year and a half ago - to render them into 3D computer generated models (just look at the beautiful job they've done with my lieutenant commander insignia in the teaser image).
Before we get to the redesigns, I'd better show you the originals, as designed by Robert Fletcher for the Star Trek original series movies:
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Commanders Chekov and Uhura looking perturbed at the Star Trekkyness of this post...
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So, below are my alternate takes:
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| The first column on the left were sketches from years ago, while those in the middle on the brown wrapping paper are from the last year or so, and those on the right (ignore the travesty that is the captain rank insignia at the top) are from a few months back |
And the following are the absolutely incredible computer generated models by Scribble of Trek BBS (the only other social media site that I frequent [in the guise of Cyfa - that partial me from the other future]). Aren't they stunning?!
My favourites are Design #1 with the pillow-embossing, but the clean bevelled edges of Design #3 run them a close second.
More of this fantastic work can be seen in Scribble's Trek BBS art thread (the insignia work starts on page 4).
Whether you like it or not, I shall be posting updates as and when Scribble and I-
And me! I contribute to this, too!
Me, too, but not Witchface.
OK! Updates will be posted when we have more to show.
Pardon me but I'm more into pillow-fluffing than pillow-embossing.
ReplyDeleteHey, that's my line!
DeleteHave the tables turned, or did someone get out of the turned-down bed the wrong way?
DeleteOh my! What amazing renderings of your cool designs! Well done! My personal favorite rendering is Design #3.
ReplyDeletePedantic Corner: Following the Navy nomenclature system used in Star Trek, the Lieutenant, Commander, and Captain devices should have two, three, and four stripes, respectively. One stripe is correct for Ensign.
Are Lieutenant Junior Grade and Lieutenant Commander not used?
They really are amazing, aren't they?!
DeleteFunnily enough, Star Trek's Starfleet ranks cause a lot of heated debates amongst the more fanatical of fans, but none so much as whether Starfleet is a military organisation, or something more akin to a civilian scientific endeavour.
In The Original Series, Lt. j.g. wasn't used (but was in the TOS movies), and Star Trek: Enterprise didn't use the Lt. Cmdr. rank. All other series do use those two ranks.
Although my sketches don't show the Lt. j.g. rank, Scribble has produced an insignia for it in the north-west (for wont of a better descriptor) of the final three images (along with Lt. Cmdr.).
I'm confused & don't get it : Do your designs exist as hardware or not ?
ReplyDeleteNot. At least, not yet! Scribble is intending to turn them into 3D printed metal objects once printer issues are sorted out.
DeleteI know what you mean, though - when I first saw these pictures, I thought Scribble had indeed made actual physical models, so realistic and lifelike were they. But they are just electronic jiggery-pokery for now, difficult as it may be to believe (I still can't quite believe it).
Thank you for the clarification IDV. As you say, realistic and lifelike - I thought they'd already be cut out. Not yet ...
DeleteWOW! xoxox
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty much what I said when I first saw what scribble had done with my sketches!
DeleteBeam me home again, please, Scotty!
ReplyDeleteI'll pop back next time broom takes you to Cromer or somewhere...(no offence)
Hang on. Let me just make sure the Transporter isn't set to "deep fat fry" before you get in...
DeleteWhen they are real I will put my name down for one. They are fab!
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, it seems a load of cormorants have arrived on my doorstep anxious for a photographer...
Sx
Aren't they?! I'm wondering how many I can blag (I'll be sure to nab you one - one of the higher ranks, I suspect?).
DeleteThese cormorants... Are they anxious for a particular photographer who may (or may not) have papped them unawares? Or are they looking for one who'll make them look good on a pole?
Brilliant! When are the real things likely to appirate? Very impressive facsimiles in any case... Well done you and scribble...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Princess! I'm not quite sure when actual physical models will be whisked into existence? Scribble is having to sort out some sort of 3D printer. Seems more complicated than magic...
DeleteWow! They look great! Definitely sharp looking and eye catching!
ReplyDeleteAnd if one isn't looking, sharp enough to have one's eye out! ;)
DeleteStylish and functional! You never know when you might have to defend yourself in a treacherous treaty conference or have to pop a Macrovirus on your way to the holosuite. Also comes in handy when having to make those slashes in the baguettes.
DeleteP.S. I meant to thank you earlier for the heads up on Star Trek Discovery. Loved it! Looking forward to more of it!