Design

Whether it's for web, graphics or illustrations, any type of my design work stems from extensive research. This is the basis for comprehending the challenge which will lead to a more fundamental concept. By applying what is learned and with the use of metaphors, symbols and colors the viewer can gain a clearer understanding through the design. The knowledge gained through this process can also be applied to future projects and is insurmountable to me as a designer.

This scope of exploration has many of the same visual aspects as fine art, however, there are many other technical considerations to take into account. Typography alone comes with many exciting new demands and possibilities and with that I have found myself using it in my artwork too.

When it comes to designing web sites my focus is primarily on usability, for both the viewer and within the XHTML & CSS coding. I find that the organization of information and how it is presented can actually be an extremely rewarding process. By using web standards based practices I am able to provide a forward compatible site that is easy to maintain and will be around as browsers evolve.

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  UNF Honors CD

  Design

  This is one of my first design campaigns for UNF. The University of North Florida Honors Program needed a fresh new look for a student recruiting program. The campaign primarily focused on a DVD for students and a redesigned website.

  The concept revolved around the theme of – Question, Reveal, Evolve. These simple impactful statements encourage the students to look beyond the norm to further their education.

  The nature of the UNF Honors Program is to create a community where students feel they can challenge ideas while being challenged themselves.

  Within this community students begin to understand that they are all facing similar challenges with a faculty and staff that has their best interest at heart.

  By creating this community of mutual understanding the students can then be courageous enough to Question, Reveal, Evolve.

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  E&A Gyotaku

  Site Design, HTML/CSS

  I have been creating fish impressions for over 12 years now and felt it was time to build a website to showcase some pieces. This site features pieces that I have collaborated on with Andrew Foster. The design is a hand stamped wave, painted with watercolors then slightly Photoshopped to create the feel of an old Japanese painting. Visit the site: www.ea-gyotaku.com

  We took the oriental concept one step further by making the site a single scrollable page. The page scroll navigation is aided with a javascript provided compliments of MooTools. Visit the site: www.ea-gyotaku.com

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  Hinote's Gutters

  Identity, Site Design, HTML/CSS

  That name looks familiar doesn't it? This design was for my brother who started running a family owned gutter business in South Florida. He wanted to give the company a new look and feel without losing the fact that they have been in business for over 40 years. Visit the site: www.hinotesgutters.com

  The logo is focused around two simple fonts that have a retro style feel and a clean vector cloud graphic.

  This small identity package included: logo, business cards, letterhead, large vehicle magnets, t–shirts and website.

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  La Taza Coffeehouse

  Design, Illustration

  La Taza Coffeehouse wanted to create a label for their newly imported Guatemalan coffee. The design centers around the native toucan and was stylized with an Mayan border and blue background.

  These sketches show where I started in the process through quick renderings.

  These sketches show a more refined illustration of the toucan which is closer to the direction I followed.

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  The Fox and The Peacock

  Design, Illustrations, Story

  On a dark cloudy winters night a sly fox stalks silently among the trees in search for food. Along the bank of a shallow stream the fox approaches a magnificent cypress tree and spots an elegant peacock perched for his nightly roost.

  The fox's stomach growls in pain for the sweet taste of this beautiful creature. Over the rumbling in his stomach the hungry fox calls out, “what a beautiful sight to see on such a lovely night.”

  This awakens the slumbering bird in it's roost. “Why, thank you,” coos the peacock. “But it is so hard to see your true beauty with it being so dark and you perched so high in the tree” mused the fox. “I wish to only get a closer look at your true elegance.”

  So the peacock hopped down a branch and spread his tail feathers for the fox to see. “How is this? Can you see how lovely I am now?”

  “Oh, that is much better, but it still does not do such a majestic bird justice to be perched so high in a tree,” the fox stated. “Why don't you hop down to the ground the next time the moon comes out so I can take in your true beauty.”

  The peacock, being so caught up in the foxes compliments, waited for the moon to peer out from behind the clouds. As the moon slowly crept out, the peacock hopped down from it's perch and spread his feathers for the fox to see.

  Before the peacock had a chance to say a word, the fox pounced and grabbed the graceful bird by it's neck. With his last breath the peacock lamented, “I was so caught up in my own vanity that I couldn't see the true nature of the compliments given to me.”

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