Experimental & Fun Projects
These projects start out as experimental. Once refined, they turn into usable design elements. Experimenting allows the unexpected "WOW" element. In the process, I take the time to document the steps I took to get to the end result. There is nothing worse than getting that "WOW" element and not being able to recreate it.
When I start a project, I have an idea of where I want to go with it. I'll sit down with a notebook and draw out the end goal. Even in research mode, I will try out new things with the understanding that I can make mistakes. When misdirection happens, it is a simple matter of back tracking and taking a new direction. There are times the unexpected happens, resulting in an unexpected design element.
Tapered Box Inspired from the"The Packaging Designer's Book of Patterns" by Laszlo Roth and George L Wybenga. Packaging is an area I am interested in.
Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas. I thought it would be a good idea to visit the place from the song, my son didn't think so. I can now say I've been there.
The Zoomify version of the Luckenbach pano. This Photoshop plugin creates a high resolution version with detail.
This made a colorful image. I went to Central Market and got an assortment of hot peppers to dry out and grind.
A Guillouche pattern. Created entirely with Illustrator without a net, I mean without a plugin. The pattern is one continuous line.
I have been thinking about typography lately. Here is an idea for drop cap/monogram type letters with a calligraphy style.
A map to an imaginary place created in Photoshop. Butch Curry has a podcast on Fantasy Cartography. Check it out the podcast.
We were driving around, looking for picture worthy elements, to try out the new camera on.
There I was, driving home from Austin, and there they were on the side of the road, "Bigger than Dallas." So I took pictures.
This was a result of more experimenting. Puzzle grids. The technique is simple and with a little thought, any number of shape styles can created.
This is a composite of a conceptual idea. A puzzle with 325 pieces. Each piece hand drawn.