DeerFliction Launch

I created this graphic for the launch of Deer Timber's new apparel line, DeerFliction.  This will be utilized for marketing purposes through email, social media and the website. Below are a few potential tees I designed for the line!

Rim Shield

Working a product development firm, means everyday is a day for problem solving. This is not only in the prototype shop, but it also occurs when creating files for a number of different resources.  Luckily, we have a strong team that work well together in creating solutions for these daily issues.

Rick, the inventor of Rim Shield, came to me with an issue of creating a Solid Works file into a vector file to allow in resolution independent file to be printed at a variety of sizes for an upcoming SEMA show, which is one of the biggest aftermarket shows in the world.  Luckily, with the help of a plastics engineer, I was able to manipulate the native file enough to create the proper vision for his innovative Rim Shield product.

Rick later used this artwork in his marketing campaign to create shirts, stickers and decals. But the most exciting printed piece (to me at least) was a huge banner that was displayed behind the band Cadillac Blue as they performed one evening. Talk about great exposure!

Find out more about the Rim Shield at www.rimshield.com and check it out on Facebook and Twitter!

Kansas City Career Day Visits

As Vice President of the PR and AD Club, one of my responsibilities is coordinating company day tours in the Kansas City area.  This year we had the opportunity to visit Two West, Nicholson Kovac, Ink Inc. and Gear for Sports.

Every company had special aspects that peaked interest of each student.  Personally, I was extremely inspired by the company strategies of Two West.  Not only are they a leading advertising agency, they have an anthropology department that focuses on determining what customers really want and how they make buying decisions.

This trendy atmosphere has always been the place of my dream job.  I have been self-conscious about breaking into this difficult industry for years.  But after working with the social media coordinator at Two West on this visit, I was asked to send in my resume for possible consideration in the next hiring stage.  I couldn't be more thrilled!!

Gear for Sports is a collegiate apparel production company that specializes in production from design to shipping.  The design department was remarkable.  Our club members had amble time to ask questions to our accommodating guides Greg and Dana.  Not only did they take us in the depths of the company, but their tips and tricks to job searching has been extremely beneficial these last two weeks!

Senior Project - Pittsburg State University

As seniors at Pittsburg State University we are given the opportunity to dedicate an entire class to creating our own concept, artwork and production of a project.  Finally, our chance to show off what we have gained over the last four year!  I remember gazing in awe at these projects as a freshman, overwhelmed with excitement that one day I will be in that showcasing my most prized pieces.  Little did I know, that that case would hold so much more than just some cool designs. My artwork was drenched in hours of research, weeks of conceptual processing, months of preparation but finally, it was gleaming with smiles of success. 

Walking into this project with an open mind and clear slate for design, I was able to step back to the basics of design techniques. With the freedom to run in any direction I was slightly overwhelmed, as it was my first chance to take on a project at this level with out any assistance. It was an true test of my patience, time management and dedication. 

My idea to create the pieces for a marathon was based by personal experience.  My participation is a marathon relay and 10k race was a challenge of physical, mental and emotional strength.  These runners passion and thrill for the sport was so inspiring, I couldn't help but gather information about the putting an event like this together for such passionate people to be a part of. 

The Hilary Chance Foundation was based on a women whom personally experience the difficulties of survival after returning from war to a lonely world.  She was able to fight against all odds and earn a college degree.  After graduating, Hilary dedicated her life to helping at a local Chicago shelter where she would aid others in the skills of self confidence and work ethic until they were prepared to enter the job market.  The shelter now depends on donations and fundraiser to keep their doors open. The Hilary Chance Marathon is an annual race in efforts to keep this amazing program working.  They have raised over hundreds and thousands of dollars to construct the poverty stricken into job seeking professionals.

Each piece was meant to work into one collective design. I chose two strong colors along with two prominent fonts to focus on the energy and and strength of a marathon. Also, I went with a rough brown craft paper for a thick stock.  This of course brought the feeling of an environment friendly event. 

This race was devoted to its athletes.  I featured variable data in a different aspects of my project.  This was a differentiating factor from other marathons, as The Hilary Chance Marathon knows its participates and personally respects their dedication to assistance the aid of the program.  Each runner received two post cards leading up to the big race.  Each with information specified to their previous race time.  Also, participates were able to pick up a certificate at the end of the race with their finishing time printed on it. 

The total project included: 

Subway Poster, Variable Data Post Cards
Race Day Bib Number, Race Day Catalog, Information Brochure on The Hilary Chance Foundation
Printed Race Bag, Marathon T-Shirt, Water bottle, Hilary Chance Pre Race Power Bar, Hilary Chance Post Race Recovery Bar, Towel, Silicon Bracelet, Variable Date Finishers Certificate and Medal. 

Public Relations and Advertising Club T-Shirts 2010-2011

We finally received our Public Relations and Advertising Club t-shirts! It has always been a struggle to get things printed for our on campus organization, but better late than never!

 I am strangely addicted to typography, so when President Sienna Miller asked the club to design a few shirts I automatically was drawn to the project with a chance to play with letters.  It only seemed natural to take the acronym and create a fresh look. I went with a different approach when designing, which was a little out of our branding concept. To be honest, I was slightly surprised when the club chose my design for this years tee. I guess keeping it fresh is always the best! The bright colors on the black shirt give a fun splash of color that is sure to grab some student attention on campus.

Interested in the Pittsburg State University PR and AD Club?  Join us on Wednesday nights at 5:00 in the Student Center! Check us out on Facebook or email psuprad@gmail.com for more info! We would love to have you!!

What should I do with my Graphics Degree??

A student with a creative degree has hundreds of options upon graduation.  This is a great niche to have when being tossed out in the unforgiving economy of 2011. Many companies crave those creative minds to help build or reenergize their company. Below is a small list of careers that graphics degrees may lead to:

Freelance Designer
Graphic Designer
Web Master
Creative/Art Director
Jr. Art Director
Marketing Executive
E-mail marketer
Animator
Game Developer
Photographer
Press Operator
Branding Specialist
Sales and Customer Service
Layout Artist
Public Relations Specialist
Set and Exhibit Designer
Multimedia Artist
Interior Designer
Film Careers
Illustrator
Photo Editor

That list is a very small taste of the opportunities a creative degree will bring.  Developing and maintaining a portfolio is a necessity when stepping out into the workforce. This will demonstrate your skills to the employer in a quick and fascinating manor.  Also, it essential to have a digital portfolio in this world that is dependent on the web.  Not only are your visuals important to employers, but your knowledge of software with a degree to back it up is what will set you a step ahead.  Next, show that you hold transferable skills that you have earned through research, time management, self management and communication.

Creating a Correct file.

People think graphic design is easy.  "Oh, just download something off the internet." Or, "I had Photoshop in High School, that should be enough."  These inexperienced folks are only setting themselves up for disaster.  Designers don't just have to worry about making things pretty, but also functional. They are sculpted into problem solvers.  Keep in mind there are hundreds of ways a file can go wrong.  To avoid the basics errors, follow these simple rules while creating a file.

AVOID:

   Missing fonts - 97% of file errors are missing fonts.  And its such an easy fix!

   Embedded artwork.

   Nested artwork.

   

 3 Steps to creating a safe Illustrator File

      1. Ungroup all artwork.

      2. Clean up: lose extra points can throw off the RIP

      3. Delete all unused swatches.

5 Steps to creating a safe InDesign File

      1. Fonts: Find and missing fonts.

      2. Delete all unused swatches.

      3. Page Geometry: Make sure you include bleed if necessary.  Respect margins. 

      4. Paragraph Styles: Be sure they are correctly formatted to your document.

      5. Links: A missing link means there is missing artwork.  Without the link, no information can be collected. 

3 Steps to creating a safe Photoshop File

      1. File Format: be sure to use the correct format.  A correct COB should be saved as .eps.

      2. Resolution: A safe print ready resolution is 300. Remember - you convert your resolution to a smaller number, (From 1500 to 300) but you cannot go up.  (72 to 300)

      3. Do your best to stay away from Pantone Colors in Photoshop.  They were not designed to properly reproduce as rasters. 

                     Hint: View image at 100% whenever possible.  Especially during color correction. 

With these simple rules for design you will be able to build a proper electronic file ready for output. Oh, and remember to always print to postscript when creating a PDF!  (: