Last year I spent time learning how to do simple visual effects for videos. No original concepts by me- I tried to recreate the Charmed orbing effect. Below are some of the results. When I figure out how to upload them and embed them into this post so they play in a flash player, I will do just that. Until then, I got nothing.
I completed a temporary version of Jake’s business card that he needed for his trip to Chicago tomorrow (today technically). It took a lot longer than I was expecting because I was fighting with simplicity. I wanted it to be simple since it’s a temp card. But then I realized it should probably be musically themed and artistically expressive in spite of that. So I spend hours working on some vector art (which I ended up screwing up in Photoshop) and I got it done.
I think I might’ve had a little bit of a selfish motivation for making it artistic since it’s going to go in my portfolio as well.
Below is a completed sample of the card. It’s been slightly modified to respect his privacy but still put him out there as an artist. If you want to contact him in regards to his music, contact me and I’ll get it to him. And no, I’m not his agent.
JMAC's Business Card Front
JMAC's Business Card Back
I failed at my design. I didn’t know he wanted a clean black and white logo done in Illustrator or InDesign. Which is probably my fault since I should’ve asked the client and been clear about what they wanted. Tomorrow (today technically) I’ll get cracking at it in a program I haven’t used in years- Adobe Illustrator.
Not sure why I stopped using Illustrator. It’s probably because I stopped designing logos and things of that nature for a while and just manipulated photos in Photoshop. And since I started learning to do visual effects in videos and things of that nature, I started using Premiere and Soundbooth. Redoing the logos in black in white in Illustrator (and maybe InDesign) will give me a chance to go back and broaden my spectrum of programming knowledge. I’ve never actually used InDesign before because I never had the need to so I doubt I will be using that for this. Maybe when I have the time I’ll go play around with it but not today.
Also, I’ve come to realize I’m not a plain design person. Yes, I can do them, but I end to use vector art and subtle background graphics more than often than not.
It’s time to get back to 90120, Supernatural, and the other tv shows I’ve missed during this week and last because I’ve been working on logos for MPR and JMAC and because of work.
A few days ago I officially took on my first client- Jake ‘JMAC’ McDonough.
He’s a friend of a friend I recently started hanging out with and she asked me if I could help so naturally I agreed. This will be an interesting project because I’ve a) never done a CD cover and b) never designed anything musically related (except that hoodie of female artists I like, aka the ‘Hottie Jacket’).
For the first time, I’m actually short on ideas. It’s probably because I accepted that when I took on the task of designing some Morrill PR logos. It shouldn’t be a problem though since I’m done sketching the ideas I had for the MPR logos. Aside from a 4 hour training session at work, I will be working on my new client designs.
A few minutes ago I finished my concept art for the logo I was working. Massive fail. It did not turn out well at all. Fortunately I had a backup idea so I’m working on it now. This marks the first time that my mental imagery didn’t turn out as a good idea when it was implemented.
Time to get back to the work.
After what I’m hoping was a good interview on Friday, I was tasked with creating some sample logos for Morrill PR. Currently that’s what I’m working on and it’s taking a lot longer than it usually takes me to complete. I’m having trouble implementing my take on suggestion I was given. I envisioned it in my mind how I want it to go but I’m having difficulty translating the mental imagery through Photoshop into a final product. The problem is what I want to do requires a blending technique that I haven’t learned which means I have to experiment and learn while I’m doing it. Which is fine because it happens and that’s how you learn, practice, and perfect a technique. That coupled with a few surprise shifts at work which divided my weekend quite oddly and has put me a lot further behind schedule that I would like.
I think I’m going to have to completely reimagine my original concept and it’s implementation or abandon it completely. It’ll probably be the latter.
This is a test post that will eventually be deleted to make sure all the twitter publishing plugins are functioning. Three tweets should go out after this is published. Chances are only two will be published.
Today I started another blog. This one is dedicated solely to my design work and it used as my professional and personal portfolio presentation. Potential employers, fellow designers, and anybody who appreciates artwork is welcome to view my artwork. Obviously it’s not for you to copy or use without my consent. If you wish to view better, higher resolution versions of my artwork, you must email me about it and make a request. I need to know who you are and why you want a higher resolution version.