9 Surf in the Winter spotlight

I've played a major roll in this winter's branding scene in NYC. Working with agencies SpotCo and Source Communications, I was commissioned to design the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and Super Bowl Host Committee logos, the two biggest entertainment and sports events in the NYC area. After 20 years, it's still pleasing to see projects move from ideas to major public awareness.

One thing led to another...

Started with an icon design, ended up with an other-worldly object "from the stars"

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From a recent magazine cover design, influences of art deco and constructivism

The Great Martin String Swap

A promotional typographic illustration commissioned by Spark for their client CJ Martin & Co., the guitar maker. The idea is to maintain the classic sensibility and history of the company and marry it with modern execution. I used an image of their guitar as well as wood textures, inlays and other materials and shapes that allude to guitars and flavor of the music industry. Click on the image to see it larger.

Exhibit No.9 -&- 9 Surf Editions

I've been working on two amazing (and BIG) personal projects which reflect on my commitment to the arts; Exhibit No.9, a contemporary conceptual and experimental photography gallery representing national and international artists - http://www.exhibitnumber9.com; and 9 Surf Editions, a museum quality fine art and photography archival print studio - http://www.9surfeditions.com. Stop by each and take a look and see what we've been building!

Built to Last

Sometimes a simple "concept's under the skin" render is needed. This was created for Rubbermaid as a truck side and promotional image for distributors.

Pensions & Investments

A recent piece for Pensions & Investments. I've designed several covers for art director Gregg Runburg for this same cover subject over the years. I thrive on finding new solutions to work within a framework of a readable cover headline and an appropriately impactful presentation.

A recent cover design for Nurse Practioner magazine. This yearly special issue focuses on updates in legislation and other matters nurse practioners face in their field. I've worked with art director Lisa Dischert since 2002 on this annual cover. Thank you Lisa :-)

Research Magazine

A recent illustration for a cover for Research Magazine about the value of a financial advisor. I worked with Design Director Don Heyl of Summit Business Media who produces some beautiful covers for his publication.

Motifs of Antiquity

Currently working on a large series of antique map and architecture motifs with a subtly modern flare. It's quite ironic to be using the most contemporary tools to update antiquity!

Football Shields

I recently designed these updated shields for a football sports marketing program and packaging for one of the major beer brewers. In the end, the client moved in a different direction, but it was great fun to work on and worth sharing.

Case Study: Exhibitor Magazine illustration

Here I outline the process I used from planning to completion of a two spread illustration I recently did for Exhibitor Magazine. The multi-part machine is a metaphor for the rebranding process Medtronic and their subsidiaries went through in regard to how they present themselves in the marketplace and trade shows. The illustration was particularly challenging in that there were several stages in the machine which all had to coordinate with each other in sequence and coincide with where they fell in the story. All while avoiding the magazine gutters, bleeds and tight-fitting text. Equal to the challenge was concepting what each segment of the machine should look like. Too much detail would take away from the symbolic nature of each stage of the process. Too little detail would make the illustration less interesting. The following is a glimpse of how I did it (click each image to get a closer look):

Finished illustration rendered in Photoshop

Exact drawing in Illustrator of all components done in grayscale (my method of working - no color until the composition is set)

Rough planning sketch drawn in pieces then scanned and composed together in Photoshop and placed in a layout. Each component of the machine was drawn separately several times until the right view was created. Then each was brought together in the layout and the pipeline that connects them was added last when all the components were set in the right place.

Giclees - I'm lovin' paper!

Recently, I've started something new. As much as I love working in the digital environment for my clients, I have a renewed interest in getting works down on paper; both my own and other artists and photographers work in the form of museum quality giclee prints. This image is part of a series of images used on the 9 Surf Editions website and advertising campaign. I wanted to emphasize my approach to the process - keep it as hands on as possibly, in the tradition of the old engravers.

The Press Room

A logo recently designed for The Press Room in downtown Asbury Park,NJ, the hottest and coolest new bar/music venue with deep roots in the venerable history and contemporary scene of rock n' roll.

Super Bowl 2014 Host Committee logo design

Source Communications commissioned me to design the logo for the Super Bowl 2014 Host Committee campaign. Super Bowl 2014 will be held in New York–New Jersey in the MetLife (Meadowlands) Stadium. The host committee is a select group of 22 people and organizations who help organize the many different aspects of hosting an event of this scale. When the logo and campaign was completed, there was a press release in late September in New York City where all the major news organizations reported on the campaign. Included in the reporting was an analysis of the logo. It was a lot of fun to read the reporting, especially when it included critiques of the logo! Google "Super Bowl 2014 logo"