nipple typeface

Areola, an illustrative typeface

inspiration

I am inspired by everyday by everything around me, as most artists and creative thinkers should be. I'm often attracted to a wide range of styles, and my tastes change frequently. Here's a few things I'm in to right now. 

gig posters

Gig posters are awesome. They give so much freedom to designers, and are always fun to look through.

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frank kozik

collage

I've always loved collaging, but simplicity is key. Imposing just a few elements onto a photo creates interest without being overwhelming.

All of these are by a Portuguese artist that goes by duVarret. You can check out his art here.

trendy

This stuff is so hot right now.

hand lettering

Hand-drawn type is everywhere right now – posters, book covers, chain restaurants, mass produced art at Ross – and I love it... most of the time.

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However, it sometimes begins to feel generic (*cough* art at Ross *cough*). I think the chalkboard texture contributes a lot to this.

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This kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it? source

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Some hand lettering styles begin to make me feel like I'm living inside of Pinterest.

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this doesn't make any sense and it's almost too hip to handle. source

using comic sans ironically

It's funny, but I think putting it in a magazine is going a little too far.

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design in half an hour

Quick poster design for International World Peace Day

good & bad

Here are some things I am in to.

branding 

editorial 

posters

All of this work is by my one of my favorite designers, Alvin Diec. He is an Atlanta-based designer, who does branding for most of Atlanta's restaurant scene, including two restaurants where I have worked, as well as really awesome posters, editorial design for Brother magazine, and more. All of his work is beautifully executed, with a lot of variety and playfulness. Check out his work here.

Here are some things I'm not that in to.

"The Invisible. Future Beautiful. Of Everywhere. Design."

Wired Magazine

This is a really horribly designed magazine cover, which is unfortunate because the cover story is about graphic design.

Cover your home in... what?

Esurance

This is a great example of why you need to look at your work from a distance, especially if it's going onto a billboard. Oops.

self portrait & timeline