Client
Year
Role
Duration
3 days
My role encompassed research, concept development, style definition, and the creation of a vector-based digital illustration to ensure scalability and high print quality.
About Montesa Impala
The Montesa Impala is an iconic motorcycle designed and manufactured in Spain by the Catalan brand Montesa during the 1960s. Its story began when Montesa’s founder, Pere Permanyer, tasked Leopoldo Milà with creating a lightweight, durable, and versatile model.
The Impala quickly became a success, both in sports and daily use, known for its elegant design, simple mechanics, and excellent performance on various terrains. It remains a milestone in motorcycle history, recognized for its quality and its role in expanding Montesa’s international reputation.
The challenge
The client wanted a unique and personal poster that not only highlighted her husband’s passion for the Montesa Impala but also captured the sentimental value it held in their relationship.
One of the biggest challenges was simplifying the complex details of the motorcycle while maintaining its recognizable features. The Impala’s classic design includes many distinctive components that required careful attention.
Additionally, achieving a balance between the bold tones of the motorcycle (black, red, and gray) and a neutral yet contrasting background was crucial to make the illustration stand out.
The process
The design process began with researching real photographs of the Montesa Impala to capture its distinctive features. I also gathered reference illustrations from other artists to inspire the approach to the poster, focusing on maintaining a minimal yet detailed aesthetic.
With the concept clear, I defined a clean, vector style for the illustration, ensuring that key elements like the tank, wheels, and engine were represented with simple lines and clean shapes.
Explored different color palettes, ultimately selecting a soft yellow background that contrasted beautifully with the vibrant colors of the motorcycle.
To personalize the design further, I included the exact license plate number of the client’s motorcycle, making the illustration one-of-a-kind.
The most challenging aspect of the project was simplifying the numerous detailed components of the Impala without losing its essence. I worked through multiple iterations to ensure the lights, shadows, and highlights added depth and realism to the motorcycle without overwhelming the minimalist look.
I created the final illustration in Adobe Illustrator, ensuring that the poster could be printed at any size without losing quality.
The solution
The final vector illustration features the iconic Montesa Impala in its recognizable red, black, and silver tones, set against a soft yellow background. This color choice allowed the motorcycle to take center stage while providing a warm and inviting feel.
The inclusion of the bike’s license plate number added a personal and unique element to the piece.
The illustration was designed with simplified details to maintain a clean, modern look while preserving the Impala’s essence. Subtle shadows and highlights were incorporated to give the bike more depth, ensuring it didn’t feel too flat.
Conclusion
The project was a success, with both the client and her husband thrilled with the final result. The personalized poster now holds a special place in their home, serving as a meaningful reminder of their shared experiences and love for the Montesa Impala.
