Friday, December 26, 2008

Going the Distance!

So a few months ago, I got a call from Soupy who plays in the Philadelphia based pop punk band calledThe Wonder Years! and he asked me to do a 7 in cover for their new split album with a UK based pop punk band called All Or Nothing. I was really stoked to take on the job, and put a lot of love into the art work.

I sent them Sketches and they chose the one that fit the idea of traveling. So I drew a air port scene, but I didn't want to clutter it so I based the image around 3 different types of interaction. People leaving one another, people coming together and just leaving.



Full Spread of the 7 in sleeve

Because this record dealt with a band in the US and the UK, they wanted me to illustrate and design the labels on the records that represent something from Philly and something from Birmingham. So the liberty bell was an easy solution, but I was in the dark when it came to Birmingham. The band then said something about a bull that is famous that is in their town. They wanted the image to be graphic and have the flags in the labels. So I did just that.....



When designing the layout for the insert I was given full artistic freedom to do what I wanted. What I choose to do was make the layout of the lyric insert have a gritty taped photo copied letter feel to it. I wanted to set the type for clarity sake, but I needed a solution to how I could made the images feel alittle aged. The way I did it was with a printing process called Acetone transfer, which involves taking a acetone solvent from a blender pen to the back of a reversed photocopy and then using a bone folder to rub the type out and TADA! screwed up printed type that looks weathered and photocopied.

To see these images click here for the wonder years linear notes and click here for All or Nothing's linear notes.




My Job doesn't stop just yet. After finishing up the record cover, I get an email from Chris at No Sleep Records saying that he also wants me to draw up a shirt design that would be printed one color to go along with the pre-orders. I say alright, lets do this! Again I got complete artistic freedom, so what I did was draw a bird carrying the same suitcase on the front cover popping open. The funny thing is, its a guy on the cover and there is a bra coming out. I know I broke a rule in art by weighing the bird down from not flying by putting it in the corner but sometimes you have to break some rules to gain a better image to what you want to focus.



enlarged image

Once I finished this image I emailed Chris and was like dude this would make a awesome poster! So I finished up the poster and sent it to him in both a print and online version.



Above is the online version, here is the print version.

Last but not least, Chris created a animating banner to promote the album, but I created my own and he liked it a lot better so he is using it now.



For Some reason, this isn't fitting right


This project was really really really long, but it taught me a lot when it comes to working with a record label, an art director and a band all at once. It also taught me to work hard when I am under the gun of school and projects like these that come about.

I made this post with all the parts of the project to show and share the experience of the process and how one thing led to another.

Enjoy!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Winter Break - 4 week push


My best friend Dani, is letting me stay at her place over the winter break in philly to work. She's the best and so is her cat!



School is out for winter, and there is a lot on my plate. The usual work coming in for designs, the rest of my portfolio pieces for my graduate school application, Senior thesis work, and a series of visual essay zines I am making about philadelphia.

I am in the mode of working on stuff but I will post it next week, but till then here is some sketch book stuff...

Have a good holiday everyone!





Sunday, December 14, 2008

Sunday, December 7, 2008

F.U.E.L. Gallery



I had a fun time at the F.U.E.L. gallery, seeing all of the art, seeing a few people I havent seen in a while, and meeting a few new people.

I posted on the Autumn Society blog more photographs of the show.

Thanks for everyone that came out!

Preview the works in the show: HERE

Monday, December 1, 2008

SVA Grad Show + Sketching + Kate Egan


NJ Transit to NYC 11/25/2008


Enlarged Image: HERE!


I went to New York City on Tuesday and saw the Graduate studies show for the Illustration as a visual essay program at SVA. I was really impressed with the work that I saw, but not only that, it got me to challenge myself to ask the question yet again. "WHAT IS ILLUSTRATION?"

The work looked more like fine art and not so much like illustration. I am so used to seeing work that is put into context with symbols, metaphors, ect that looking at the show I felt alittle uneasy. I was both curious and shocked by the work. That night I had the pleasure of sitting down and having dinner with Matt Cavanaugh to talk about the business of illustration as well as other topics. After we finished our burgers and copious amounts of tatter tots at the Trailer Park Bar/dinner, it was time for me to head back to Philadelphia to get ready for the Thanksgiving holiday and what was left to do work wise.


Kate Egan "The Vegan Eater" - Soph. Illustration Major at U Arts
For her random thoughts and drawings/paintings


Enlarged Image: Here



We will see how the week turns out, so I might do two portraits this weekend. I don't know yet, I have a few things I have to take care of before then.


Plus I have a job I did that I want to post but due to copyright I can't so in the next week or two I will be able too!

HAPPY MONDAY!