CD Assignment

Here is a little post-computer production work, getting my cd case a haircut, trying to make it look good. For this project we had to design a cd case for a single song by a band of our choosing.  The limits were that we couldn't use imagery and had to stick to a strictly type exclusive design.  The case was also suppose to reflect the song we chose.  I chose to represent the Canadian rock band Broken Social Scene and their song 'KC Accidental.'  The song starts raucous and chaotic as the 9 band members light up the night with explosive thundering guitar riffs and lightning drum beats. This all eventually cools down into melodic crooning. I had hoped to express this chaotic moment through the use of crumbling type on the cover and then the cool down on the back where everything comes to a rest.
It was a fun project and now know how to make simple cd cases.  Next its finding time to screen print.
If anyone has projects or work they might want me for let me know. I'll finally have a moment to myself in December.

Typography Rules!  

Poster Project

Here is a picture of the "Show & Tell" designer lecture series that I worked on for my Typography class. Fun!

Stamp Project/ Top 5

So its Been a while since my last blog post (despite my best efforts to do this thing weekly), I have no time for anything else besides work and school. So with nothing new to report here are a few projects I have been working on this term.

1. Stamp Project: I was given the task of creating stamps that commemorated 5 American Artists. I know Neil Young is Canadian, but close enough, he's lived in California for most of his life.

Top 5 Things I'm into right now:

1. Ezra Furman & the Harpoons

2. Next Adventure

3. Nick Felton

4.Frank Chimero

5. Charles Bukowski

Till next time: Enjoy your day

I'm Back

Ok, I swear I'm gonna start making this a weekly thing. School has started and were racing right out of the gates. Lots of amazing things to see and do and hear. Some of which I will post up here for your viewing pleasure (If anyone even bothers with this blog). I started taking a Typography class and I am finding it so interesting and creative. One week in and were already creating our own modular typefaces. I call it New Crave, Its a play on New Wave because it reminds me of something I would associate with club culture or something "hip" like that (ha). The other class I'm taking is Communication Studio I, also lots of typography and layout design.

I recently procured a job at Next Adventure in Portland...great outdoor store that prides itself on great new and used gear at really affordable prices...not joking, some things are a complete steal here. The staff is great, its very relaxed and allows me to work full-time and go to school. Safe to say I won't be doing anything else this year but learning and working. So here it goes, these are somethings I'm into hard right now.

Joanna Newsome...clam, crab, cockle, cowrie

The guys over at Public school, put up some of the most visually compelling, make you want to be a better artist work.

This is a really cool photo zine that I want to get my hands on called "Tell Mum Everything Is OK."

The food carts in Portland are amazing and cheap and I have been trying to pick them off one by one. my favorite is the New Taste of India...there all so good though!

Command Save is a blog dedicated to the Graphic Design department at PSU and has tons of great work and imagery to peruse while your bored at work.

And finally, I've been re-listening and re-listening to the Beatles Magic Mystery tour Album, and cannot get enough of the tripped out melodies...especially Blue Jay Way

I'll be putting some of my work up here from classes soon. Expect more.

It's the middle of August already...jeez. The weather in Portland has changed from hotter than hell with no rain to beautiful temps in the upper 70's with scattered rain storms. Its beginning to feel like fall and that means its time to get back to reality.

I really haven't been designing much or drawing at all this summer, oops. School is going to be a little more challenging for the first few weeks, while attempting to get my skills back up to par.

I have however been taking a ton of photos for work...that really makes me happy. My job with the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps has got me traveling all over Oregon taking pictures of all their different crews. The work that these young men and women are doing is inspiring. They commit themselves to their community by working 40 hour weeks doing trail building, forestry work, invasive species removal, waterway improvements, painting, construction. A lot of these kids are at risk youth and don't have the same resources that we take for granted. Weather they are low income, from broken families, or have been in trouble with the law, they are so so glad to have a job and be able to give back and contribute to their families and communities. One kid I talked to is helping his mother who suffers from a brain disorder by caring for his 7 year old sister and by giving part of his weekly income towards the families expenses. It makes me feel completely selfish.

So this job has been taking up most of my time and I haven't had much time to do anything else except for the occasional (and by occasional I mean quite often) beer on the weekends.

But the bills are being paid and I have a job that I get excited about and challenges me, So while it lasts, I'm very happy and hope that my skills as a photographer may be able to supplement me as a graphic designer...that is who I want to be when I grow up.

Check out my Flickr account It will be updated monthly with new photographs...which are for sale. Buy one and help get me started.

Photos will be matted 5"X7" and shipped to your address

$15/2 for $25

Well Wishes Card

Here is a postcard and poem that I just got finished designing for a couple of friends of mine that recently lost their first child...very painful. Her name was Juniper and I thought it only appropriate to make a serene picture of a Juniper tree...her namesake.

Tutorial-Clone Pattern Tool

This is a fun tool that allows you to place preset patterns into your images using the clone tool. I love this tool and think it has some hilarious applications. Check it out on youtube.com Here I placed an appropriate pattern behind this photo I found on awkwardfamilyphotos.com