I Know Dino
Web Graphics | Vector Illustration | Podcast Art
“We are so happy we got to work with Tara. She is incredibly creative, knowledgeable, and professional. She kept us in the loop every step of the way and did a fantastic job with our logo redesign. We definitely recommend Tara if you’re looking for someone to do graphic design or illustrations.”
—Garret and Sabrina, I Know Dino
I Know Dino is a podcast run by Garret and Sabrina, two paleo-enthusiasts with a passion for science. They were in need of updates to their imagery for their podcast, and I was happy to work with them to provide a solution.
What started off as one project turned into multiple: a hero graphic for desktop applications, full page show art, and an additional graphic for their Patron exclusive spin-off I Know Paleo.
What’s in a dino?
The design had two requirements: have a Tyrannosaurus rex, and maintain scientific accuracy (while taking some creative liberties.) Upon a layout being chosen, I referenced the most up-to-date skeletal reconstructions to ensure our T. rex looked just as good now as it did 66 million years ago. The scale texture in the background is directly based on real scale impressions from a T. rex as well. As for the text, the footprints are based on a real life set of trace fossils from a creature known as Eubrontes. Everything features is based on real-life fossils.
I Know Paleo is Garret and Sabrina’s spin-off to I Know Dino, with a primary focus on the non-dinosaur creatures from the past. With the visual style of the main graphic out of the way, that allowed for easier brainstorming for this one. As with the I Know Dino graphic, this one was also based on real science.
The final design came down to two choices: the armored fish Dunkleosteus, or the shrimp-like Anomalocaris. Neither myself nor my client could decide on which one to go with, so it was put to a vote to the Patreon followers. By a narrow margin, the Anomalocaris won. It was as shrimple as that.