What do you see first?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJcBNamhS30-lBzpsTJ0VEcsQaT_orzLiNR-EqlcdSWaVFujqN8mxcoh7g2Msw4vtsATxFENBzdVk8z7zzaQZIk-XKCuvry_pLKBpxw9ng0dJ9c-OMlT85NvlJs2uImc214-zBEfdOqX8/s400/new-tattoo-G.jpg)
Judge Dredd or an Eagle?
Last year, Mike from the 2000ad forum asked for someone to design him a Judge Dredd Eagle tattoo... I had a go at designing something for him and this was one he chose from several options I showed him:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mrEXuf7DL0T5rNDRMeKbxLEXF5KRPddXsAMO02nrXhoe9KaJyBiHBEzZvSQg5eZRyAbV-QpaY4X2R9-brqHPSQGiKYNQrwsXVb3auN7ZBVWXKLiMaTYgXgveYZcNqYF3ISZRY8z3Jy2b/s400/eagle_rev.jpg)
He tweaked it a little from the originals:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6n2WNg1ST47Ic0nuRxC6zNRKVFQatWhZMZb4BqnEbgWJhR4y5mW1w983XX3QOsgPAaYv-QKr51_h4qBUKdmnU-zYwv3i-RsfRx0JrpcxW4pr_IIIR1tSTUcrpxp8DFEmJNModgpbPvZvU/s400/eagle.jpg)
All was well until recently. Before taking the plunge and permanently marking himself,
he asked for some last minute opinions... a wise decision as it turns out!
As soon as the word Nazi was mention, I did a quick google image search for "Nazi Eagle" and was thoroughly shocked to discover that I had inadvertently designed something that was pretty close to one of their emblems... I immediately offered to design something else for Mike.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRRY8kvcKKSd0B1nbj6TAdwODGH-WC5CaD-DTvl9oFq3bqlTAW3I89vgnPOaCnCRQy5NW0LcJWdxmKBclVHTZ4gaHH6fcKDaUCoOBaozVk_nORtTS5JAXsL0DETW54123sXY8lcxDSUm0/s400/eagle-roughs.jpg)
I began by sketching ideas out and very quickly hit on the Eagle-head & wings forming the visor section of Dredd's helmet (bottom right above). It was serendipity I reckon, to have created Dredd's visage and an Eagle in one emblem, I was pretty chuffed.
Before showing anything to Mike, I worked in photoshop and created the top left one below.
Mike asked for some alternatives, possibly with Dredd's badge or with the Eagle's legs (top middle and top right) but I didn't like that it made Dredd look like Chad and a bit beard-y respectively).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxBwQO-aU_3cspRb3Kt3OM16rgiKnfTMYXJTEGa0vi_HZJ5asc7T9wUl-g1UaGROEx7LIEBxDPtFI_ws_Lukd1yBpw9JGnS6XzKgQjSptNySXpJUrud626ysZ8Dr9xxR3zvcbBGic4Tsg/s400/variants.jpg)
After this, Mike decided that he like to see some alternatives based upon my original again, but trying to work more of the Eagle's chest into the design. I showed Mike a few more variations than I've shown in the middle row above. There was a bit more discussion before I presented the final two in the bottom row. He selected the one at the top of the posting and we're gathering opinions now before Mike does actually go ahead and get himself branded!