Sci-Fi Movies Vending Machine

Hey everyone, let's dive in my mini-breakdown for this project!

The initial idea for this piece was to create a Blockbuster vending machine, but I didn't really feel a connection with that. I wanted to create something that felt personal to me, something I am passionate about: that's essentially why this project revolves around horrendous sci-fi movies creatures hunting you to death.

The second thing I wanted was to tell a story. That's why this couldn't be just a standard vending machine with a creepy print. My main inspiration for this project was the amazing vending machine prop by Jonjo Hammens. I was truly inspired by the level of detail and storytelling he incorporated into such a simply shaped object. I wanted to do something similar, but in my own style and with a more intricate narrative.

That's when I abandoned the Blockbuster vending machine idea and began brainstorming ideas for something I could call my own creation. I knew I wanted to evoke a dark and creepy mood, which is why I chose a vending machine with a secret. After sketching some rough notes, I started outlining the front of the vending machine. It had to look as standard as possible because that's what the story it tells is all about: luring people in to simply insert their ticket and select their favorite movie. The primary focus on the front view was, indeed, the damages. Telling the "actual" story was up to them.

I also wanted the machine to look old enough to be "trustable", supposedly placed outside or in a very large public space (a train station? A supermarket parking?), exposed to dust and weathering.

The "secret"/back part, though, was less easier to visualize convincingly. I knew I wanted it to resemble something between a time machine and a starship console, but I wanted it to look cheap, grotesque, just like the feeling one get when watching Back To The Future in 2023. That's why in the end I came up with with this final design: many useless levers, ridicoulsy big pipes, weird signs keyboards, many warning signs and pressure clocks.

Coming to the tapes, I am sure that designing their case would have made the asset boring and less fascinating. The tape design is far more interesting in shapes and shading.

Plus, the bare tape without case has a far more "amatorial" and mysterious look/mood. That's also exactly why the movie titles are handwritten.

The decals and graphics were all made in PS/AI from scratches. The branding of the vending machine too, I quickly designed a logo and some branding assets.

These were my references.

What can I say? It was a really fun project to work on! A little bit challenging, since I'm not a concept designer, but it was still super fan and super interesting to design something that respected the mood I was vibing with. I will probably repeat the experience.

I hope you enjoyed! Thank you for reading.