designview

Polaroid SX-70 photos- Analog Goodness

2010-11-30T15:10:00.000-08:00

Using a Polaroid One Step cam and film from the Impossible Project.
Torn, peeled and generally ill-treated.

New Web Site Project Up And Running

2010-08-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

Recently completed web site for Ceto Builders, a Reno-based building/contracting company.
I used Wordpress for the structure of the site so that the client can make changes and additions. Wordpress is a great structure to provide a Client Managed (CMS) web site. I included some plugins that extend the Wordpress system. Plugins that help with Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Slideshow and gallery presentations, contact form and other functions.
The site itself is a heavily modified version of the 2010 theme that comes with the Wordpress installation.
My client can now enjoy all the tools of a Wordpress web site. They can even have a blog if they desire since that was what Wordpress was designed for.

8th Continent Soymilk's Design Rocks!

2010-08-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

I just saw 8th Continent's soymilk cartons in the supermarket yesterday. They really stand out in the milk aisle. Their use of illustration is really nice since most milk product packaging design if fairly conservative. Check out their site too-they have carried the branding through nicely.
There is no indication of the firm that created the packaging design, the web design or illustrator but kudos to them.

iPhone camera apps

2010-04-09T15:41:00.000-07:00

Some experiments with a couple iPhone camera apps.
Lo-Mob and Hipstamatic.
Each has it's own merits. Hipstamatic has more toy camera effects. Lo-Mob is more of a alternative photo-type app. It gives options of different emulsions and border effects.
Lo-mob does have a nice feature to be able to upload your photo to Twitter, Flickr, Facebook or Picasa built right into the app.
Lot's of fun. Makes me miss taking pics with my trusty Holga and through-the-viewfinder Duaflex.

For more info.:
Hipstamatic
Lo-Mob

Onto to picture show...

George Giusti - Bridging Art and Design

2010-03-30T15:58:00.000-07:00

Some of my favorite work by George Giusti:
See his bio on Art Directors Hall of Fame

Tomi Ungerer - Graphic Icon

2010-03-26T14:13:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite illustrator/artists is Tomi Ungerer. I first was exposed to his work in college. He created some really imaginative and iconic images. From the New York Times article cited below: "Phaidon Press, the London art-book publisher, described him recently as “the most famous children’s book author you have never heard of.”" There doesn't seem to be one really comprehensive source for his work so I pulled together these images.

Here are a few places to read up:

New York Times article on Tomi Ungerer

http://www.tomiungerer.com/

Wikipedia article

How to: Create Textures for design projects

2010-03-18T12:36:00.000-07:00

I like creating textures that I can use in my design and illustration work. I like to create them with traditional methods and scan them. For me, this method is easier than using digital brushes in Photoshop and results in more organic textures.

Once you get the hang of this, the sky is the limit as to the materials you can use and textures you can create. And, when you have them scanned, you can combine textures to get even more variety.

I think that adding these textures to design projects can make any piece stand out.

Tools: acrylic paint, watercolor paints, colored pencils, charcoal, paper, cardboard, etc.

(top left: paint splatters/drips and loop texture created with pencil)

For this texture, I decided to see what I could get out of cardboard. It has a kind of built in texture because of the layered nature of the product. I set to cut it up to expose the inside thinking I could get an industrial, decayed, worn type of texture. I cut up the surface with a utililty knife(careful, that blade is sharp) and peeled off random sections to reveal the cardboard structure below. I then painted the surface white kind of skimming the surface to reveal more of the texture. This method is called "scumbling" in painting lingo. I used white because I wanted the lines cut into the cardboard to be black in the final version of the texture.

After the paint dried, I scanned the cardboard. Now that I had the texture in Photoshop, I can do just about anything to it. I usually convert the image to black & white and up the contrast with the levels adjustment to bring out the texture. I then lay the texture over a flat colored backgroud. The sky is the limit as to what you can do. Have fun.

Textures used in my illustration work.

From a series of textures that I call, "Acid Wash"

Photoshoot Storyboard - Gothictorian

2010-03-11T13:35:00.000-08:00

Storyboard that I created for a photoshoot that combines Gothic and Victorian styles. Very Tim Burton, I think. I show potential hairstyles, wardrobe, eye make-up and props. I even give the photog an idea of how I want the lighting to look-Hollywood style circa 1930's/40's.

The idea with a story board is to give everyone involved with the process an idea of what I'm looking for in the final result. This way everyone can get busy doing what they do best. There is still room left for anyone to use their creativity and add to the process. I am completely in favor of teamwork. This would be a guide of where to start.

Headshots

2009-12-03T16:45:00.000-08:00

I like shooting headshots. Although challenging, when all the stars align, they can turn out quite well. Here's a sample of some of the headshots that I have taken. All the shots of women were for a web site: deanamariehair-a hairstylist. I found lighting to be quite a challenge. Any move the model made required the lights to be tweeked slightly. Getting the models to relax, as these were not professional models was also difficult. It takes some time shooting before most people get comfortable in front of the camera. Still working on my photo chops but it sure is fun.

Anyone need a head shot for social media? Contact me.

Movie Poster - MOTH

2009-10-16T15:10:00.000-07:00

I created this collage piece recently and it occurred to me that it would make a good movie poster. A poster for a fake movie, that is. I designed up some type for a headline using an old woodtype font from my collection.

I love the movie and theater posters from Poland and wonder why the movie posters here in the U.S. aren't as interesting as theirs. Hmm.

Farmer's Market Photo Essay

2009-09-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

Hand-Made Art In Design

2009-09-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

In this age of computers, it is refreshing (read; different, eye-catching) to see design that incorporates hand-made art. I try to implement some hand-made art into my design work when I can and when it's appropriate. It can really make a design stand out from the crowd.

Project: Fahrenheit 451 Movie Showing Poster
Client: Washoe County Library

Project: Washoe County Library Annual Report

Project: Rhythm & Rawhide Invitation
Description: Invitation to an annual event that combines Cowboy Culture with Classical Music

Project: Sierra Neurosurgery Logo

Project: Food For Thought Logo
Description: Logo for event - guests sat at a table that had a discussion topic for the evening. A moderator helped keep the discussion on topic.

iPhone Mobile Portfolio

2009-09-25T08:53:00.000-07:00

Many creative types know about this but I thought I'd post this just in case. You can use your iPhone as a mobile portfolio. I haven't had a printed portfolio in years. With my web site and pdf's, there hasn't been a need for one. Now I have a portfolio on my iPhone which I use to show my work when I meet the old school way, "face-to-face".
Sure you could dial up your web site on your iPhone but what if you are not in reach of a wi-fi zone and don't want to wait for the Edge Network to load your site. Having a portfolio on your iPhone is fast.

Here is how to put one together: first, get all your images together, rasterize them (72dpi and I made mine at 400px wide) using your favorite image editing software. Next, open iPhoto and make a new album and title it whatever you like. Next, drag all the images that you prepped for your porfolio into this album. You can rearrange the images to your hearts content. Plug your phone into your computer, click to select your phone in iTunes, go to the photos tab and make sure that your new album is selected to sync. Now sync. Your new portfolio will be an album under the photos section. You can even play it as a slideshow. Impressive.

Logos For Non-Profit Businesses

2009-09-23T12:54:00.001-07:00

Logos created for various non-profit businesses:
Arts For Nevada
Client: Nevada Arts Council
Location: Reno, NV

Northern Nevada Reads
Client: Washoe County Library
Location: Reno, NV
Logo for event

ONE Online Nevada Encyclopedia
Client: Nevada Humanities
Location: Reno, NV

Food For Thought
Client: Nevada Humanities
Location: Reno, NV
Logo for event.

photography

2009-09-23T12:43:00.000-07:00

I love sign graphics. There are some great old signs here in Reno. Development hasn't eliminated all of them yet. I took these photos with a Holga lens on my Canon 30D. I wanted to abstract the signs just a bit by throwing them out of focus reducing them to shapes and colors. These photos will look great blown up big in the living room.

Strata Design Logo - Interior Design

2009-09-22T15:33:00.001-07:00

Strata Design Logo
Client: Strata Design
Location: Reno, NV

Logo for an interior design company. The logo had to look sleek and modern to represent my client's design style. I also named the company. The circles represent the many elements that come together in the design process.

iPhone as CAD (Creative Assistance Device)

2009-09-22T15:18:00.001-07:00

Out on the town I snapped these pics. You never know what will inspire you or what these pics will inspire in the future. At the very least it's an exercise in "seeing" or spontaneous creativity. Plus, I love signs, especially old ones.

Decks and More Logo

2009-09-22T14:59:00.001-07:00

Decks and More Logo

Client: Decks and More
Location: Reno, NV

Final logo for Decks and More. The client wanted to not only convey the idea that they build and repair decks but also that they are a young and modern company. I wanted to show the representation of a home and a deck since it was at the center of this companies business but I also wanted it to be very minimal, modern and easily read. This logo would appear on a sign on the side of the clients truck, yard signs and business cards. Here is how the project started. I always work in black and white until the client picks a design. Then I do color studies. This image gives an idea of how many ideas I come up with. This is also one step after the sketch phase where there are even more logo ideas. In this phase, I refine my hand-done sketches and then choose 3 or so for client presentation.

The client was extremely pleased with their new logo and later remarked at home many people liked the new logo. Step one of branding complete.