A Really Really Really Good Design Firm
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Continuing the look for our series of ESG releases for Fire Records, we took a playful take on the energy inherent in their single “Dance.” The song is funky fun, while still sounding like only ESG can. You might have heard it as part of the recent xbox campaign. The sleeve made such an impact on record store shelves that it sold out in a matter of days. Everybody wants to dance, and everybody wants to dance now!
While curating my previous books, I was always left with the empty feeling of not being able to share all of the amazing work that I desired, from the talented folks around the world. Presented with the chance to assemble and design the poster entry into the ever popular 1,000 series for Rockport Publishers, I knew just what to do. Then something unthinkable occurred – I was still left with tons of work left behind! Each and every piece within these pages is as awesome as the diecut cover you see before you. This is a must have. Speaking of which, it might be time to start a new poster book already…
Emerald, Sapphire and Gold (ESG) have made some of the most inventive, yet simple, music of all-time. The Scroggins sisters channel their love of old school soul, R&B, funk and the sound of the South Bronx in the early 80s to brew up an intoxicating skeletal funk mix. Having the opportunity to package the best of their output, all in one package, was an honor I won’t soon forget. We went the extra mile to make them proud and also helped write the liner notes and assembled and designed a timeline and fold out poster that they didn’t even know they needed. Get Funky!
Few projects have allowed me to be creative in so many areas as the reissue of post-funk pioneers Pigbag’s collected works. Hand-crafted type abounds, as does a playful approach to their old photos and a complete re-creation inspired by their original record covers. The support of both the band and the label inspired me to push it even further. Every last inch of these packages bristle with the combined energy. Once we had the look established, the playful diecut took the whole thing to another level. The “awesome” level! Plus, we couldn’t settle for spreading that joy across just one release when we had Volume Two waiting in the wings:
I wish I could show you all of the pieces as each individual disc sleeve still makes me smile. Not to mention having a dayglo monkey wearing glasses and a beard! Head on over to the facebook fanpage to see more of the funky goodness.
Some clients shy away from having fun and embracing their subject matter. Americans for the Arts take what they do very seriously and their influence around the country is not to be taken lightly. I love the organization and the people that work there. After partnering on projects for well over a decade, I felt comfortable presenting something that pushed their sensibilities and really made having their convention in Baltimore a true celebration. I needn’t have worried. Not only did they appreciate the design, but they championed it through their partners and ensured that the meeting could reach it’s full potential. Did I mention that I love those guys?
One of my all-time favorite janglepoppers from the C-86 scene were Scotland’s Close Lobsters. As big a fan of their music as I was, I often looked down at their record sleeves and wished they were more in tune with the joys behind them. I had to wait two decades, but I finally received my chance to make it so when offered the opportunity to package their albums “Foxheads Stalk This Land” and “Headache Rhetoric” together on one disc. Tackling the many challenges in merging two VERY different covers from the originals, I kept coming back to how much I enjoyed the very titles themselves. Once I knew that the words would be the playful heroes, this practically designed itself (with the help of a lot of x-acto cutting and pasting and a heaving old copier.)
If you haven’t caught on just yet (and why haven’t you?) then you should know that one of our favorite times of the year is when we get to work on the City Livability Awards call for entries. You can see several of the past examples here – with more to come in the future – but we couldn’t resist getting the new version up fresh from the printers. Illustrated in a fun and simplistic style, it just brings a smile to our faces. We hope it has the same effect on you. Having worked on this project for well over a decade, it means everything that a piece can still warm our heart every year.
The dynamic duo of Tony Seddon and Luke Herriott at Rotovision were kind enough to take the time to interview John for the amazing collection that makes up “Art Directing Projects For Print.” What we didn’t know is that they would make him out to be a superstar! Combining the overall philosophy behind the work we do with striking images (if we do say so ourselves – and we do!) our goodness seeps into several spreads, along with a 10-page feature. The book is vital for anyone in the creative industry and we couldn’t be more tickled to be included – thanks! They even gave us a reason to try out this crazy gallery feature. Be sure to check out all the images close up (and pick up the book if you have a chance.)
The BCA10 celebrates the very best in businesses supporting the arts and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of their effort. Honoring some of our very favorite companies and brands at their gala (tonight!), as well as touting their achievements across the country (you can see the ads we designed in Forbes and USA Today!) It is just the kind of work that leaves us with an insanely large smile. Insanely large I tell you! The kind of smile you don’t get when you work most places. The kind of smile we get nearly every day!
Highlighting the current move towards hand-made design (and the incredible work of so many stellar firms/individuals) the nice folks at Rockport Publishers took the plunge with me once again via “Dirty Fingernails: A One-Of-A-Kind Collection of Graphics Uniquely Designed By Hand.” Despite having lived with these images for months on end, I can not lie – they still take my breath away! Complimented by my informative writing style, the assembled serves as an informative/inspirational touchstone for an important time in the history of design (if I do say so myself – and I do!) You have to get one in your hands to see the splattered joys of the spot varnish, so get down to your local book behemoth or start your wait at the door for the UPS guy and those sexy legs.