This is a little hack that I hobbled together after reading Web Designers Wall and realizing that pulling stuff out of the database in my own little loop shouldn’t be that Bad. This is neither a. Xhtml standards compliant, or b. a good idea so use at your own risk. Sometime in the near future, I will worry about making this site Standards compliant, but I have about 8 things ahead of that project, and every single one of them will either complicate or ease the transition to Xhtml/CSS badge-worthy status.

In case anyone wanted to know how I did my Categories when there is not a wp call for it.

(more…)

In working with a variety of folks, you start to realize that everyone has a different level of priority they assign to printed material. Sometimes that level changes with the amount of exposure one gets, all I need is to be stuck without cards once. As a designer, that is not just professionally embarrassing, but a deal-breaker in some situations. Allegheny Image Factory is basically a one-horse business, Feast of the Seven Fishes, and are constantly in need of small things here and there, which is great for me. (more…)

I am excited by an upcoming project, Chopper Zombie. I enjoy working on comics very much, and this will be a web comic first and then printed in a Graphic Novel form sometime before spring. This gives me the chance to work with people I like and to flex my creative muscles. If I have a direction I would like to go, all I have to do is demonstrate how something will work and they give me a blank check on most design decisions. More to come as the production nears completion.

When working on projects for various folks, I am sometimes surprised by their intended level of involvement. Some clients, who control every aspect of their day-to-day business are more hands-off than I could imagine. In fewer cases the opposite is true, a more laid back type of manager with an absolute Jones for the nitty-gritty design. (more…)

These are just a few of my illustrations that I have permission to show or personal pieces that I feel are finished and show-worthy. I feel that a few of these are strong enough on concept to make them better than more interesting images that have little or no concept behind them. You be the judge, and if you notice a lot of diversity, that is because I am constantly reinventing my style searching for something distinctly me.

I have been interested in typography for a very long time. This interest stems from my unusually bad handwriting, which in turn comes from no patience or practice. I started looking for nice typefaces to set schoolwork in at computer shows and other places but this was the age of rampant piracy. (more…)

There are probably lots of ways to use the Illustrator Brush Engine to make life easier, I just wanted to point out 10. I would like to credit Veerle and her post about Brushes which indirectly prompted me to think about this.

1. The swirly curls from Veerle, could be accomplished with a single curl and the application of a brush like this. Note the simple variations that yield impressive results.
2. I love the Art Brush Setting, but what I love even more is the Pattern setting. Use it too make a Celtic/Greek Key pattern like this. Not that simple, but super powerful. If you want the corner and end pieces, you need to add the object to the swatch palette.

(more…)