SOME RECENT VECTOR ILLUSTRATIONS

Good work attracts more good work. I've heard that before and it really is true. Also, the type of work you do will attract that type of work. Though it's best to be in a niche and focus on one area of design, I love so many that this is difficult to choose just one. I do focus on a lot of logo/identity work for my freelance business, while I also do advertising (ads, brochures, wraps, sites, etc.) here and there, for me identity work is the focus. Sports identity is the majority of my business but branding for any type of business is attractive. For those who want to invest in identity that is bold and stands out, I'm in. That being said, vector illustration has been an area I have always enjoyed. Below is some recent work done for various projects. Whether it be another children's book illustration, dueling pianos with a baseball twist, to portraits, it's all fun for me. 

Immediately below is a few social post illustrations done around a couple holidays or just for fun. A Buzz Lightyear cupid just makes sense for Valentines Day. A Cinco de Mayo celebrating parrot was fun to illustrate and illustrating bucks is always fun because if I don't see them in the woods at least I can see them on my social feed I guess. I am not the biggest user of social media to say the least. I have Twitter simply to stay current on news. I have Dribbble to follow designers I respect and be inspired by work. I have Facebook because I've had it forever and I guess there really isn't a good reason. Anyway, how things get popular, go viral, get recognized really does interest me. Recently a co-worker and great friend was involved with a video that has over 10 million views. So in an effort to be more active on social media, I want to contribute more work that I enjoy in order to attract more work that I enjoy and maybe get noticed.  I am trying to do more vector illustrations that have a thought or purpose for them. Whether they are specific to a holiday, event or just a part of a project I am working on, post the thing. Maybe someday I will even write stuff that contributes to the post and gets read, but I'm not sure I am that invested yet :).

I've always done some amount of illustration work in the crests and sports identity I design. Below are two recent examples of vector illustrations that I have incorporated into the crest. I try not to go really intricate with these illustrations or I try to provide a simpler version of the crest for use with embroidery. 

Below are some examples of more intricate line work in recent illustrations. One is a just-for-fun illustration of Conor Mcgreggor and the other is for Jackson Motorsports t-shirts. Since there was all kinds of talks of Conor vs Floyd and even more talks about the money split and who will be the A-side. I thought it only makes sense to show the Ace or A-side in the situation as I saw it. I used an Irish style border and put the shamrock on his jacket. Did this layout do anything for me on social media. Nope. Waste of time? Nope. Reason being, I just was contacted about a vector illustration with a reasonable budget and they asked for a sample before awarding the work. I sent over a few and not much reaction, but then I remembered I had done this Conor layout. They liked it and awarded me the project. Good work attracts good work and that's all I aim to do.

PRINT MAGAZINE TWEET

Pretty cool to be included in promotion for the 2017 Print Design Annual competition. Look, my answers were written quickly in response to an email and won't be winning any awards, but it's just fun to have work associated with such a professional publication.

MORE IDEAS FOR TACTICAL WALLS

Some swag designs that may or may not be used. The first layout was a social media idea that spoke to how well Tactical Walls' products hide valuables and firearms. The other layouts were patch and sticker layouts that speak to multiple benefits. The half-patch idea speaks to the customization and options you can have in products. The idea was to create multiple versions for each product where those could choose any two sides and line them up to form the final product.

A HEART FOR POE MILL

The area surrounding Griggs Church is known as Poe Mill. Griggs was originally named after a local business owner who impacted the community greatly and was always willing to help those in need. Today, the church is not only being revitalized itself, but is revitalizing the surrounding area. Pastor Mitch and the people of Griggs are doing great things for the less fortunate in the community and keeping the original theme of the church going. The goal of this type treatment was to communicate to the surrounding community our love for the area of Poe Mill. The text really speaks to the core message of the church and I think the heart negative space in the "M" shape help reinforce that theme. The type treatment will be used on staff t-shirts, posters and cards letting people know they are prayed for.

SOME AFTERNOON TYPOGRAPHY

Going to do a series of hand-drawn typography in this style with scripture references. Really is fun to design and I am considering creating a full alphabet. Maybe just lowercase letters to start. Or maybe uppercase. Or maybe both. Anyway, more to be added here someday.

ENVELOPES, STICKERS, ETC. ARE IN

The final pieces of my thank you's have finally arrived. See more about them in my earlier post here: thank you blog post. 

RVW IDENTITY

What does RVW stand for? Rip Van Winkle of course! Illustration and logo design done for a consultants group specializing in sleep. This mark was really fun to illustrate and develop.

Anyway, props to the client on trusting me to illustrate a detailed logo without needing to see multiple flushed out versions. The drawn type with subtle texture adds to the hand-drawn look and fits the overall theme.