Creating the Stellar Logo and Packaging for the Lunar Remastered Collection: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

With the Lunar Remastered Collection now available on Xbox One and compatible with Xbox Series X|S, I had the pleasure of catching up with Amy Nguyen, the Senior Graphic Designer at GungHo America. Our conversation delved into the inspirations and creative process behind the new logo for the remastered collection, offering a glimpse into its design evolution.

I began by asking Amy about her artistic journey and her notable projects at GungHo. She enthusiastically shared, “I’ve had the chance to work on diverse projects, from designing assets for national tournaments to collaborating with well-known IPs. My big debut as a creative lead was with the recent console port of Grandia in 2024.”

When approached to craft the Lunar logo, Amy admitted to feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. “Crafting the Lunar logo was pivotal, as it’s not just about aesthetics but about capturing the game’s brand identity,” she explained. Her process involved creating multiple variations, refining them through feedback, and ultimately crafting the logo we see today.

Integrating elements from original designs, Amy’s process started with in-depth research. “For a remaster, it’s crucial to honor what fans love about Lunar,” she emphasized. Through brainstorming and sketches, many design ideas emerged, eventually settling on a logo that melded the classic red with new gold accents, acknowledging the remastering effort.

Reflecting on the numerous iterations, Amy said, “The nostalgic shape and color were my central focus. We experimented with various elements, like mixing colors from different games and adding iconic details such as the dragon sword. It took fusions of several concepts to arrive at the final version.”

Highlighting the final design, Amy mentioned the extended tail in the ‘R’ of “Remastered,” a nod to the original logo. She adjusted serifs on characters like ‘R’, ‘E’, and ‘N’ to enhance the design’s visual language.

Discussing the packaging, I learned Toshiyuki Kubooka contributed new visuals, influencing Amy’s approach. “His detailed work resembled a dark collage, adding a fresh twist to traditional Lunar art,” she noted. This inspired the package’s front design, aligning seamlessly with Kubooka’s key visual.

Amy embraced creative freedom on the back cover, using pixel sprites to resonate with nostalgic gamers and incorporating elements from the remaster’s logo. “I wanted sprites and screenshots to showcase game elements, while maintaining a cohesive look with gold accents and unified our collection.”

Her favorite part of the package design? “Collaboration! Working under Mr. Kubooka’s direction and integrating ideas from multiple teams made this project special,” Amy concluded.

For those eager to revisit these beloved stories, Lunar: Remastered Collection is ready for you on Xbox. Dive back into the adventures in LUNAR: Silver Star Story Complete and LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue Complete. Experience these enhanced JRPG classics, enriched with better graphics and audio, to relive your 90s gaming nostalgia. Available in multiple languages, it’s an adventure not to be missed!