Modern Brassiere

The story of the modern brassiere's evolution is told through two, 20 x 30 inch infographic panels. They are the product of an information graphics design course based on researching and graphically representing a cycle, evolution or progression.

The first panel is devoted to social influences, industry leaders, and shifts in fashionable silhouettes. The second panel discusses historical milestones, significant fabrics used, and the bra fitting procedure.

I selected this topic to answer, "What killed the corset? And why am I not wearing one?" Answers were collected through research and presented in my own voice, illustrations, and photography.

Fine Artesanos

Established 2007, Fine Arts Studio is an international collective of artists and craftsmen that foster inter-cultural exchanges through the creation and commission of art products and services. As Creative Director, this is a brief overview of my work.

Translating the vision of founder/artist, Bruce Hanners, I generated a branding system, product photography, website design, verbiage, and print collateral. The flash-based website was developed by my friend and colleague, Ian Momyer (TAK).

I became involved with this collective after traveling to the Yucatán with OSU Arts Scholars to exhibit photography at the MACAY as a part of a cultural exchange.

Launch Site: www.fineartesanos.com

Herbal Essences Packaging

This package design series is the outcome of a conceptual exploration initiated by LPK, the design firm responsible for Herbal Essences rebranding. Simultaneously, two other designers, including close friend and colleague, Channing Ritter, developed their own versions of the series.

My goal for the design was to graphically portray the award-winning "kiss" of the bottles' shapes. My interpretation of this was loosely based on Peter Behren's work, "The Kiss."

I developed figurative illustrations representative of the unique benefits that each of the three shampoo and conditioner pairs embodied. The vibrant hues and swirling colors maintain the bright and varied palette of the Herbal brand.

One Drop Shirt

This hand type graphic is featured on the latest t-shirt design for the band, The Pinstripes. The droplet shape emerges from the manipulated letterforms of the first verse lyrics of their song, "One Drop."

With art direction from Matt Kursmark, the guitarist and graphic designer of the band, I first sketched the letterforms on tracing paper. Significant words such as "music" and "rhythm" were enlarged for emphasis. I retraced the letterforms more precisely with a black pen and white-out. Once the ink version was scanned, Matt vectorized the artwork. I tweaked the paths to increase the graphic fluidity.

The design was screen printed in red and white onto a black v-neck t-shirt. It is available for purchase here.

Carlos Garage Winery

This website is the online foundation for the newly public side Pittsburgh's oldest urban winery, Carlos Garage Winery. Operating since Prohibition, this winery made its retail debut in Fall 2009 with the support of the famous bakery, Enrico Biscotti Co.

This site was designed to serve as an inviting and informative salutation to potential customers. Given high quality photos, I manipulated the colors for a deeper palette to compliment the bordeaux-stained background. The presentation of the wine list was structured for expantion as more varieties are produced. Its creation was a collaborative effort between Ian Momyer’s web development skills and my design expertise. Our design partnership is known as Takzi.

Launch Site: www.carlosgaragewinery.com

Hits!

This handmade, saddle-stitched book titled, “Hits! The Very Best of Suzi-Guided Melodies,” is a collection of 6 songs about the name Suzi. Complete with lyrics, artist’s bios and a bonus CD of the featured songs, this book is a playful take on my love for music and its history.

The concept was prompted by a bookbinding assignment that was based upon describing your name. I researched and compiled a list of 6 famous songs with “Suzi” or “Suzanna” in the title.

Extending the theme of music, I constructed the cover from a vinyl record and the case from the remaining album cover. Echoing the shine of vinyl, I applied glossy lamination throughout the book’s 40 pages to simulate a spot varnish.

Columbus Dance Theater

This is a selection of printed postcards and press kit components for Columbus Dance Theatre (CDT), a non-profit modern ballet company in Columbus, Ohio.

With an expansive repertoire, I have had the opportunity to design for dance in a variety of tones. Comedic, classical or calm, new performances, and season standards gave me room for a variety of design approaches.

I began working with CDT as a student, and continue to produce performance annoucements postcards and email invitations. One of my design professors, Peter Chan, recognized my passion for dance and introduced me to Tim Veach, CDT’s Creative Director/Choreographer. It has been a pleasure uniting my passion for ballet with design.

Extra/Ordinary Design

This book titled, "Außergewöhnlich Gewöhnliches Design," translates from German to, "Extraordinary Ordinary Design." It is a class compilation of super/normal design case studies from my primary studio course at the Hochschule Darmstadt.

The objective was to identify, document and research a strong example of good design that exists, nearly uncelebrated, in everyday life.

My case study explores the mark for the George Buchladen, a well-loved bookstore that opened in 1975. Designed by the renowned Baumann & Baumann, the mark was an architecturally influenced visual pun made to commemorate the store’s tenth anniversary in 1985.

Hydra Labs

Created for the wireless internet software company, Hydra Labs, this identity system is the result of a branding course assignment coupled with freelance client needs. The system includes a mark, logotype, color palette, 2d and 3d applications.

The mark design was based on the mythology of the Hydra, a creature that generated two heads in replacement of a severed one. Abstracted and mixed with figure/ground switches, the mark communicates a controlled complexity–similar to the Hydra Labs software.

The cool, high-key palette was chosen for its simplistic and neutral demeanor. It was important to evoke a calm sensation with their aesthetic, easing the perceived complexity of their products.

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