I may be tiny, but I'm STRONG!

A quick little 8-bit exercise . . .

A little raspberry jam to go with that peanut butter and chocolate

I had a great meeting with Laura at MAQ last week. She seemed to have a genuine interest in helping me with my career path. During the portfolio review, she asked if I had any examples of my web design skills - and I really didn't have anything to show her. When I think about myself as a designer, it's in terms of composition, color, flow and visual interest. But, in thinking this general way, I had neglected to show any of my specific web projects. So, I'm about to add a 3rd page to the portfolio - one that is specific to my visual design and UI skills (web design). Here's a sneak peek ...













And be sure to check out the final - it's up now!

Work has been Looney

For the past couple months I've been helping the great folks at Looney Labs. They make the awesome Fluxx games and a bunch of other super fun games. My role has mostly been that of the Photoshop Magician and I've done a bit of graphic design and layout of some of their new marketing materials (posters, flyers, postcards, etc). The magic part is taking their press-ready files and making 3D mock-ups. Here's an example . . .

The Odd Ark

The Odd Ark's Blog has launched! Heidi and I have been busy coming up with a biz plan for those animals I made for my then niece-to-be. We're kicking it off with a blog and we've set up an Etsy storefront for you to purchase signed, archival prints of all your favorite Odd Ark characters. It's sort of a "soft launch" - as we're still trying to get all our processes nailed down - we're hoping to do a big launch in the spring (with some PR!). So, feel free to head on over to The Odd Ark Blog, become a fan and subscribe to the feed. 

peanut butter and chocolate (cont.)

Last week I shared with you a jpeg of my soon to be launched "Freelance Graphic Artist" site. Here's a peek at what I'm calling the "Fun and Games" site . . .

separating the peanut butter from the chocolate

I've come to the conclusion that not everyone sees that my broad set of skills is a good thing . . . which is a little crazy, since my non-game work keeps me in-touch with the latest trends in visual style, design and usability - and my game work is constantly offering new solutions to visual challenges in the advertising and marketing world. It's like a dirty little secret that each offers so much to each other, but neither really wants to acknowledge it.

I read this the other day on JON SCHINDEHETTE's blog and it stuck with me . . . "You need to be creative and conceptual first and foremost. No matter what you work on, you need to bring something imaginative to the table. Everything else is about having the eye, the communication skills, the energy to follow through and the intestinal fortitude to stomach the stress and pick your battles."

I think that sums me up - creative and conceptual - and it really shouldn't matter what category or label you put on the work. But, I'll pick my battles and keep the secret. I'll separate my portfolio and resume into two. I'll put the peanut butter on one plate and the chocolate on the other - and I won't even mention the graham cracker and toasted marshmallow that I also have to offer.

Here's a peek at my design for the agency side . . .