This was included in the recent 2014 Philadelphia Wizard World Comic Convention program. As a fan of comics and convention revelry, I was pleased to have a little work make a presence.
Showing posts with label Design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Design. Show all posts
Ultimate Hangover-Sized Cocktails
I don't get too many full photo-collage projects lately, but its still a heap of fun when I do. These were like an quick entry into summer, with a brisk shiver down your post-happy hour spine.
Turn to the Right...
The greatest thing about spec ads is stretching your ideas to fit a clients interests, or personality. Its good to know what a person likes, how they approach business, etc. These were a few for an independently-owned/operator Lord and Taylor. I like stepping into fairly normal business design. Its like putting on a suit.
QUICK FLASH!
AAAAH! Things happening, wheels turning and burning through the grease! A little gross fro the faint -of-heart, but true nonetheless. This is a logo for what seems like it took place in the Precambrian age, but it happened! Obviously its a logo for a film fest issue. And as always, there are previous attempts to show below!
Hmm, Need to Hit the A.T.M?
Working for a client you can respect, you somehow even seems to understand what the design racket is all about, is a good thing. Here is an ad (that can take forever to update) that is finally running. Above is the (hoped for) two pg spread, and below, the single pg layout. Get those expensive homes folks?
...and Get Outta That Time Machine.
This one is a bit of a late bloomer, but sometimes you can only let the cats out after things are over. This was just such a case. Originally, this was supposed to be a full suite of weekly focus sections, similar to the scope of another recent special section. I would have worked out the full design of the project, (which would have been fun) but it was not so. Only the logo (below), and the above section headers were created, not even finished before the project was scrapped. So be it, on to the next thing.
Pump Yer Brakes!
Random, last minute, "We needed this yesterday" projects are certainly one of my specialties. This fit right in there. This was for a cover story highlighting a new production of, oh you can read what it is. Anyway, apparently a few sources fell out, and the powers that be needed something fast and good. I am pleased to say I was called in for just such a job. To get the old, worn-in look of classic posters, I relied on the classic, worn-in #2 pencil for the whole shebang. There is a huge difference to the more refined graphite, and should not be ignored when needed.
Also, recently I attacked this cover job for a mis-trial story. A bit of a late update, but the home studio is abuzz with new projects! More on that, as things move forward...
The Nerve of this Empty Pen!
I have done many small cartoons/illustrations for print before, but never have I been given a full two page spread to illustrate, until recently. I can tell I like a project when my mind begins working on different ideas as soon as I am given "the lowdown" on the it. This was absolutely the case. Its been a long time I had worked on a full comic, and I was ready for it.
This story, written by Jess Bergman, tells the tale of Harriet Cole. Harriet was a maid/washwoman in the late 1800's who donated her body to science. Dr. Rufus Weaver was, using her donated corpse, able to accurately separate her nervous system from the rest of her, for the first time ever. Back then it was a scientific miracle. These days, it is still on display, but is mostly seen as a creepy thing in a case.
I had been avoiding comics, mostly because I was unsure of my ability to really do one justice. Reading: no problem, even writing: no problem, but illustrating....ehhhh. After this, Im ready for more. I have already begun another.
A small portion of the comic was separated (much like her nervous system...ehhh folks?) for the cover.
These are the first and second sketches made for the comic. The first was just me ramblings during the initial meeting with the writer. using those, I was able to craft a more solid idea of what the comic would be. Some things were changed, but this (like all in the sketching process) were vital to solidifying MY nerves in making this comic. Fun too.
And to the Winner...
Some folks reaction to a host of design is pure horror. Not me. Recently I was given the reigns of the logo and materials for CityPaper's Reader's Choice Awards. The plan was to flood the businesses involved with materials including table tents, cards for shopping bags, print and web ads, window decals and web banners (all seen below). I had fun putting all these things together (even though most of the printing/cutting/laminating were done in-house, to save more than $4,000), and always look forward to tackling full projects.
(the ad-tags made for participating clients, plus finalists and winners)
"Will She Trick or Treat - I Bet She Will"
Ooooooooooh Man, Halloween is comin' and I am raring to go! Shame there's so little time to finish my costume. The cardboard and hot glue never cease their call. Aside from that, I present my All-Hallows cover! Lovingly titled "Trick or Tremble", it is the culmination of many hours tireless work. The funny/excellent part of this piece, was that I was given the "do whatever you want" request on this.
Although slightly tampered down from the immediate ideas I had, this is just what I wanted: A demon parent, bringing their ghoulish kids out to trick, and make others tremble (as shown in the concept sketch below). The ensemble was first made as individual characters, for as-yet-to-be-decided future plans. It probably took twice as long to do so, but turned out to be more fun, and a bit easier to fit into the right assemblage.
Prints of this (as well as phone/ ipad/ laptop skins and cases. and T_SHIRTS!!) are available at my Society6 store! So check it out!
Also, thanks go to Type-O Negative for the lyrics borrow, for the title. R.I.P. Peter Steele.
The Knife in the Dictionary
You May perhaps be confused about the title of this post, maybe not. Its a direct reference to one of the many possible title origins to the art movement "Dada". Not far removed, is the connection to this piece , and the story its for.
There are some artists close to, and inspired by Marcel Duchamp (as well as both Surrealism and Dada), featured in this article. Since all involved are being shown within Philly's Art Museum, and with a slice of simplicity, I bring you my cover piece above and below.
I really wanted to provide a cover treatment that followed some of the free-form concepts within Dada-ist works, without going completely unreadable. The framework for the text is supported with angle reflections of the architecture of the museums arches, as well as the famous 72 steps (all of which are present here".
Though understated, the framework is much clearer in the concept sketch above. Less so, but close in the concept sketches below.
PARENTAL ADVISORY Explicit Content
Y'know, its odd how in this age, 2012, the smallest most unusual forms of censorship still exist. Take the above illustration for example. It is a censored version of the illustration below.
Apparently, this was "too much" for the writers of an article about people going gun crazy. Hmm...Hmm? Either way, there are the details.
...and yet more tiny icons made for food sections, showcasing "Mise En Place" ( a kinda awkward and unsavory name/phrase) and cooking in general.
Where's All This Serious Stuff Comin' From?
In random design news, I present a recent spec ad for a credit union. I enjoy working under the gun, and thats exactly the type of work presented when trying to hook a client fast. SOLD!
"We mashed locusts, and made bread"
Collage is not a lost art, just talk to Tim Noble and Sue Webster. Though terribly simple (and not frankly the idea I had hoped I could have made), I present this recent cover. Made by my mitts, and photographed by Neal Santos, this cover is more an exercise in self-restrain against an unstoppable wall of mediocrity. Certainly not a iron-clad battering ram, but certainly a calorie-burning drill.
Keep You're Eyes Upon the Periphery
Haven't posted in a grip of days, but fear not, loyal public? I have been hard at work in the bowels of castle creepenstein, and shall soon unveil some new beasts on new pages. In the meantime, here are some smalltime things. Above is an ad I did for Citypaper's writing contest. I like it, nuff said.
For a last minute request, I was asked to quickly "whip up" a tornado. Ink in hand, I threw to the page like...a person with only a few minutes. Thus this little thing. You are welcome.
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