I've Moved...

Don't worry nothing drastic. But the reason you haven't been seeing any updates here is because my blog is now be hosted from my website "I'VE GONE GRAPHIC." It was about time everything got consolidated. I am still working on prettying everything up, so check back for updates there and hopefully you will fine something new! Wander on over!

Site: www.ivegonegraphic.com
Blog: ivegonegraphic.tumblr.com

Brianna & Brandon's Invite

So this weekend I am gearing up and finishing the rest of the paper goodies for Brianna and Brandon's wedding and thought it was finally time to share! The wedding is coming up in 6 days! Anyways, Brianna and I have been discussing for quite a long time about wedding invites and I had the pleasuring of designing hers. I am very pleased with the final product and can't wait to do more invites today. Its very fun to use my own personal design style and meld it with the brides to create something very unique.

I'M BACK!

Ok... So I know it has been since October, but get over it! Lots has changed in my life and the thing that matters is that I have tons of items in the works; adventures, projects, and posts.

The quick update. I have a new job (it rocks), I have lots of new found freedom (which includes lots of skiing), I have a MEGA surprise coming (stay tuned in april/may-ish), I have redesigned my studio space (totally organized now) and lastly... Life is good, live in the moment, and don't worry about the past.

Anyway, I will be posting more, so please, check back more often - because I promise I will post more than every 5 months. All I can say, is although I have been M.I.A. -
2010 = New decade, New Adventures, Big Dreams, Bigger Projects.

Chronicle Books Fellowship - RD2

Long long ago - aka when I stopped blogging in October... I kinda went on hiatus aka design mega over drive for a while. I worked on revamping a bunch of projects, pumping out a few new ones and dreaming up all sorts of crazy, like this box of goodness. I really don't have to much to say, because I DID NOT get the fellowship. However I am very very proud of how this portfolio turned out. It is a vast improvement from my 1st portfolio from when I graduated from Cal Poly and as much as I liked the outside of my 1st Chronicle submission "the guts" just don't stand up to this new portfolio seen in this new post.

The portfolio itself was done in the standard amount of time, roughly 3 weeks, because why plan ahead and give yourself a ton of time?!? Actually, it's because I just thought I would give it a shot one last time... I had tried in June and thought maybe they would remember me and see some improvements, which I fully believe it shows, my book has come far. The layout was similar but I worked on my hierarchy, order of projects (I had about 4 more editorial projects than the 1st time around), and uniqueness of presentation. Overall, my idea kept kept coming back to having a game board that included elements from all my projects. The final game board turned into my route/path to Chronicle... too bad that didn't actually work out. (The dice didn't roll in my favor?) The board game was the fun part and won't really get used ever again (I am kinda done with that idea), but the process book and portfolio itself could be reused with some tweaks and changes. The process book is standard, but included more detailed descriptions about the projects, showing sketches, rounds, compared to the final piece. The portfolio style was something I had dreamed up for my first portfolio, but I could never find large enough paper, as silly as that sounds. The format however worked out perfectly for the "required 8.5x11 page size" - although I guess I cheated a little having fold out pages that were bigger than that. It's all about loop holes though, or so I figured. And maybe, there I was wrong.

Each project gives the title, one line description, and category on the left page. On the right side is a environmental photo of the project (this also may have been my down fall), that page then folds out to show details and spreads of the projects in many cases. There are a few little details that I created; for instance the tab system that is on the left side - in my signature green, green ribbon to make it easier to remove the books, the compartments in the bottom of the box that were designed specifically for the "Feeling Lucky" cards, game pieces and process book... I could go on and on, but really the pictures explain it all fairly well. If you have any interest of what projects I included or anything about creating this wondrous blue book please let me know - I am more than happy to share.

The Box: Included - Portfolio Book, Project List (required element, including short descriptions, completion dates, materials), Game Board, "Feeling Lucky" Cards: chance cards, Game Pieces + 1 Die, and Process Book

Things learned... which I should have known by now. You can never spell check enough (command + i : inDesign). Never rely on your own eyes, employ an editor or if you can't, call your Mom, like me! (Just don't do it after the fact!) So my down fall, I will never know, however being that Chronicle is a publisher, pretty sure my 3 spelling errors didn't help me one little bit (palm + forehead or as Homer would say... "Doh!")

All and all, it didn't matter in the long run. I went out on a limb and tried for the fellowship, didn't get it of course, but then was given the fabulous opportunity that I have now! I really love my new job (see my LinkedIn) and already have enjoyed learning new design tricks, oh and pixal/photoshop land isn't so scary after all.

Please excuse any poor grammar - My editor was busy tonight! HAHA.

reworking.

so i have gotten into this re-design kick lately, i had some old projects i still kinda liked, but didn't really love. most recently i found my older files, and digging through, i came across "dusk 'til dawn" from the asi days. i have always been attached to the illustration, but the type, well, not so much. i had gotten many comments that it should be real writing and not a font to achieve that hand drawn look. i had always not liked that aspect much anyways, but many of the elements still worked. so i did some style research and font hunting which brought me to the final product as seen below. it looks a little crazy on the brick, but i kinda like the "slap as many posters up on the walls as you can in a day to advertise the circus is in town" vintage look, so its staying that way for now. it's an interesting vibe at least. anyways... ta da!

Pecha Kucha Night SLO

It's time to share. The ball is rolling and my mind is spinning. The date has been confirmed and I am now working quickly to prepare for :: Pecha Kucha Night SLO :: Volume 9 on Friday, November 13th @ Steynberg Gallery, San Luis Obispo, 1531 Monterey St. I have been really wanting to get involved in the SLO Art Community and I am finally getting a chance! I will be speaking about my senior project, and now on going project, "The Unconventional Oddities of San Luis Obispo". Most who know the project will be surprised because I am scrambling, it will get done, but I am adding a new component to the project. However, you will have to wait to find out, sorry. So mark your calendars, bring tons of friends, and please come support me! I only get 6 min 40 sec of fame, so it's short/sweet and completely scary/nerve-racking all at the same time. Wish me luck and let the countdown begin! (yes, many ! used, but totally necessary) Check out the official :: Pecha Kucha Night :: for the history of the event, which 110 cities participate in, and more about the format.

Interference by Type.

This video has been making the rounds, but I just thought I would share anyways since you most likely don't read everything I read too. Recently this video from Justice for the remix of Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz was released. The video is very interesting because it is as if we missed the movie and now we are just seeing the end credits. It seems pretty lame until you begin to notice the characters interaction with the typography. He sets soda cans, hangs dry cleaning, and lastly smashes chunks of the type to smithereens with a baseball bat aka my favorite part. I didn't post the video to stay out of trouble so see the screen shots and make sure to check out the video from the posted link. Overall,l I am glad to see graphic design and typography especially being recognized and put on stay in our mainstream culture.




(The video was directed by Keith Schofield)

* I am working on the images filling the whole post better. It might require a switch to A. a new blog look or B. a new host? Will see.

wood type.

Yes, I have a thing for Type, but you already knew that. I have an even bigger thing for letterpress type, specifically really pretty woodblock type. I can't say these wood blocks are perfect however, the fonts and letter forms screamed out at me, leading to me purchasing way more letters than anticipated from :: Birds of a Feather :: in Cambria, CA. Don't worry friends I didn't buy all they had, although there were many more that I wanted, but my bank account wouldn't allow for that. So if you are up for an adventure I would make the trek and see if there are any letters calling your name. Just as a heads up, they are a bit pricey and none were really of print quality, but if you are just looking for some fun letters to hang out on your desk these will do the trick. As a side note, the shop owner informed me all the type had came from the Bakersfield Press. Hope you enjoy my fun weekend finds.



(Thanks to my friend @shamlingdesign for telling me about :: Birds of a Feather ::)

Design Brunch = Inspirado

I just wanted to say thank you to the AIGA kids at Cal Poly for inviting me to " Design Brunch." It was very fun, because it was a little different now that I am an alum, still something I haven't completely come to terms with. The event was fabulous and there was a good amount of work. I was asked to bring my portfolio book/box to show. That was pretty funny because I haven't looked at it for a while and I already want to replace things. Oh the life of a growing design, it's a good thing!

The event today, reminded me of a meet up/group/nerd club thing I really want to have. Since after finding out who a few of my readers are, (thanks for reading design kids) I have a question to ask you my local designy friends... Would anyone like to participate in a monthly meet up to chat design, critique, give feedback, maybe do a impromptu small collaborative book/zine? Lets hear some interest or thoughts. Ready set comment.

Good things come from Twitter.

For the record my life is not consumed by Twitter, although I do realize I mention it a lot lately. Its a communication tool, so get over it, it's here to stay. Plus it's not so bad when you receive fun packages because you won something via Twitter. As most people know I am a book nerd, yes, I even like the smell of a good old book with aged paper. With this interest naturally I follow @ChronicleBooks. Last week they mentioned if you retweet their tweet, you would be entered to win a poster for Pictoral Webster's. The message was a link for Give-Away they are having for one "a fine press edition" of the book.

To celebrate the release of our new line of Pictorial Webster's books and gift products, Chronicle Books is thrilled to offer you the chance to win a fine press edition of Pictorial Webster's hand-bound in leather with an engraved book cover & letter-press interior, including gold leaf and hand stamped edges & end papers.

The book sounds amazing and I entered of course! It uses way to many of my favorite things and I have my fingers crossed I hit a lucky streak (ran out of luck, didnt get the AIGA ticket) and that beautiful book adorns my shelves in the future. Ok, ok back to what I won... so I retweeted the Give-Away tweet and won 1 of 5 posters for the Twitter Give-Away! Pretty much made my day last week because I usually don't win anything. Today when I got back from work, I found a cute little packing tube from Chronicle Books waiting for me. The poster is very fun and its color scheme is very popular our household. I am working on redoing my studio space, so I will have to find a spot for it. This is going to sound silly, but I think one of my favorite things on the poster is the rounded corners! I am a fan of details, duh, plus I don't think I have any other posters with rounded corners. Check out the poster below and if you would like to enter the Give-Away for "a fine press edition" click here.

P.S.
Sorry for the not so great photos.
Taken from my iPhone because my camera is MIA due to the rearranging of the studio.

Neenah Paper = AIGA Conference

hello to my readers!

so, today has brought on opportunity, however I need your help.
so, today... I can on the power of the interwebs. P.S. That means YOU!

This is how it works. I was really really sad I didn't have sufficient funds to travel to Memphis for the most awesomest (yes, I am making up words) conference aka Make/Think: AIGA. I even applied for Command X, wasn't picked though, but it was worth the try and I will be trying again someday. Can't even buy tickets at this point, but today I noticed (via @NeenahPaper) that Neenah Paper said they were giving away a ticket to the conference. The rules are as follows:

There are several ways to enter our AIGA Conference Pass drawing, so pay attention – 1) new fans should click to become a fan of Neenah and leave a comment on our wall; 2) existing fans can post a comment on our wall; or 3) invite your friends to become fans and every time they mention your name on our wall, you’re entered again. Start posting now because you only have until Fri, Sep 25th at 5 p.m. Good luck!

Ok... so now I ask you, become a Fan for me. Neenah Paper Rocks so why wouldn't you! The important part mention my name and help me get more chances to win a ticket. Thanks, if you do and I will be AIGA-ing it up in Memphis. Lastly you could always tweet to them too maybe... tell them to send @IveGoneGRAPHIC


- Maybe I am trying to hard? Nahh.

Busy Busy.

This past week has been a little crazy. As a side note, I got a tandem this weekend, and so now I am playing catching up on side projects and such. However I am posting a little doodle, if you have followed me for a while you might remember it. Also... I seem to be notice more traffic, please comment on any of my work or posts. Critiques are good or just if you like something. Look for more projects in the near future.

trendy: balloons

i wasn't sure if i would post this at first, but i changed my mind. it doesn't really fit my normal topics, however follows a trend i have noticed. while surfing channels about a month ago i stopped because pastel balloons caught my eye. then for 3 min i watched Kid Cudi (Feat. Kanye West & Common) - Make Her Say (I Poke Her Face) it had balloons, samples lady gaga (my current guilty pleasure, ahaha), and using a split screen to create simple, yet interesting affect with some scenes: stairs, pools, windows, etc. below are a few screen shots of the music video, hopefully i don't get in trouble? check out the video though, i impressed our friend Will because i had already seen the video. glad to know we have the same taste in some things. anyways enjoy the balloons and maybe you will notice them around more often now. they seem to always make you smile, brightens the day.

portfolio case.

this post is long overdue. i have slacked at taking good photos of my portfolio case to feature because it is a piece in itself. the box was designed specifically to hold my portfolio book and samples of my work. it is import for me to carry some of my finished pieces, because many are books and show much better in person for proof of craft, typography,etc.

the box was quite the project. i made about 2 full practice boxes, originally having a drawer/sleeve for the book. this was later simplified to the shelf that was implemented in the finished product. i am very proud of the box, except for a few bubbles which sadly were caused by the box sitting in a hot car while our AIGA group was touring studios. no one noticed the bubbles except myself and charmaine, (which is why i was kicking myself for the bubbles) i knew she would notice. ugh. oh well more practice making elaborate boxes is good in the long run. i love this portfolio case and it worked perfect for my presentation at AIGA SF Portfolio Day. however, I think it will become much more sleek for the next time it's needed. i see a redesign in the future, which can only mean a better design.








check back later on my webiste for better studio shots. these were just taken in my backyard as the sun was setting, just wanted to finally share.

making bogie stencil's

i have been bugging my awesome roommate Brian (@bman530 & author of freshasaurus) for a while to make me a stencil after seeing him make a present for his girlfriend. we decided on prints of Bogie. i have talked about Bogie before. he is my cute little longhair red dapple mini dachshund. a mouth full i know. the image we selected, although it doesn't highlight his recognizable characteristics, the smirk on his face shows his personality. the stencil was made in three layers, and after doing a test run, i encouraged brian to play with shading and so we began to make many prints-trading off on spraying layers. below are a few images, but head over to freshasaurus: bogie stencil for images of the process.

AIGA SF 25th Anniversary Book.

One of the perks of being an AIGA member is occasionally getting something fun in the mail. They do seem to be cutting back on the amount of paper used, because I haven't gotten any really oversized posters recently. I took a few snap shots of some of the spreads in the book the day I got it. Its AIGA SF's (@AIGA SF) 25th Anniversary Book. I was very grateful for the present, but I was a little disappointed with the design. Just felt it could have been a little more modern. The design did sorta fit the style of AIGA's font and such... sorta of a play of the brand and identity, at least thats the vibe i got, which wasn't a bad idea. so all and all i am happy. whenever i get something from AIGA, I do think of the 365. Ahhh thats the best gift of the whole year.

a must read blog.

i stumbled across :sleeveface: some how, sorry i can't remember if somebody else told me, tyler already claims he's seen it. anyways who cares. just wanted to share because its got some great compositions which are centered around the use of vinyl record sleeves. i have a friend down the hall who has a ton of records, so we joked and maybe in the future might try and submit a few images, haha. i'll let you know if that ever happens. for now check out sleeveface.com

my favorite image from recent posts.

did i mention i love plastic bags?

earlier in the year, around february i created an interesting piece in was a poster/framed collage of different color plastic bags cut into shapes and then melted together via use of a iron. trust me i had the thought, "this can't be to good for me, since the smell of burning plastic is kinda strange." oh well after a few experiments and about an hour of carefully ironing everything together... after way more practice than that.

well the point of this post however was to share some work from :Virginia Fleck: an artists from Austin, Texas. I posted a few of her images below but really please check out her site because her work is lovely. the prints and colors from so many bags inspired me to try this type of art for a class project. my piece resembled her work but my finished piece was a square and looked a lot more crinkled. i ironed a little long giving the work some bubbles and imperfections. it worked in the long run because the idea was to make it look more like trash trying to be beauty then giving it the full make over and turning into high art. anyways check out Ms. Fleck, I would love to see the work in person sometime to see the texture of the finished work.

p.s. if you want some help learning how to iron plastic grocery bags... i learned by reading this post. also i will try and find an image of my final piece. me digging up this link reminded me i never got it back after it was in the case, it was in there soo long, i don't even remember if or when it came down. woops. lets hope its still around.