What started as a study in letterforms, DUCLOSE has progressed into the development of a full-fledged custom display face and more. Taking inspiration from the streets of mid-twentieth century San Francisco, I have created the early workings of a font and begun to push further design elements reflective of its clean, modern forms into applications of branding and advertising.
Love Wins In The End
The United States general election in 2012 saw the continued pendulum shift in public opinion over marriage equality as three states, Maine, Maryland, and Washington approved referendums granting same-sex couples the same right to marry as heterosexual couples.
Despite it not being recognized at the time on a federal level, nine states did legally permit same-sex marriage while others had/have laws acknowledging these marriages and/or permit certain civil unions. At the same time, several states passed constitutional bans on any type of marriage or legal partnership between same-sex couples.
I created this handwritten piece to highlight the passing of Referendum 74 in Washington State on election night, 6 November 2012, to show my support for what is not an issue over “traditional marriage” or “gay marriage” or even marriage at all, but an issue vastly superior: Equal Rights, that all citizens be treated equal under the law. Among the many rights that are granted—including the right to vote, the right to bear arms, the right to freedom of religion—is the understood fundamental right to love and to love whomever one chooses to love. These are rights that are not doled out or denied based upon personal opinion and belief. They are given to all whether or not we choose to support them, whether or not we choose to exercise them. Like those rights, love has no race, love has no gender, love has no creed. Love does not discriminate nor does it castigate. You can advocate against it but you cannot argue its power. Because as civil issues throughout history have shown, at the end of the day justice does prevail and love does win.
“In a 5–4 decision issued on 26 June 2013, the Supreme Court found Section 3 of DOMA to be unconstitutional, ‘as a deprivation of the liberty of the person protected by the Fifth Amendment.’ The Court held that the Constitution prevented the federal government from treating state-sanctioned heterosexual marriages differently than state-sanctioned same-sex marriages, and that such differentiation ‘demean[ed] the couple, whose moral and sexual choices the Constitution protects.’”
SOURCES
United States v. Windsor
Justices to Hear Two Challenges on Gay Marriage
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ted S. Warren/Associated Press
DOWNLOAD
iPhone
iPad
1280x800
1440x900
1680x1050
1920x1200
2560x1440
Combining the tradition of the National Football League with the pride of ‘The Big Easy’ bore the identity for Super Bowl XLVII held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
From the wrought iron filigree embellishing the historic French Quarter to the conviviality of the many parades and festivals held year-round strongly influenced the flavor and direction of the artwork. NOLA is unlike any other Super Bowl host city, and embodying that spirit allowed the week-long celebration to be that much more a unique and lavish experience.
While working overall as a team, I contributed the mock ticket used in promotional and marketing collateral.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Shandon Melvin
ART DIRECTOR
Chris Stackhouse
PHOTOGRAPHER
Esther Nisanova
DESIGNERS
Appolllo Bey
Scott Faries
Andrew Lowe
Simi Mahtani
Brian Yu
Print Studio and Gallery (Conceptual)
Rebranding Concept
A self-initiated rebranding concept of the Philly Pretzel Factory to give a more sophisticated look and feel to the chain while retaining and highlighting its roots.
From the “City of Brotherly Love,” in addition to a fresh logo update, a simple name alteration elevates the perception that this is not just any ol’ pretzel joint, but the one, the only, The Philadelphia Pretzel Factory.
Mimosa is a Sydney-based duo established in 2009 and has since performed all around the world. Consisting of Phoebe O’Shea on violin and Morgan Haselden on guitar, the pair met at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and shortly after began performing their own arrangements of favourite classical pieces. Since their humble beginning, Mimosa has broadened their musical influences and repertoire to consist of many world genres, in particular the music of Django Reinhardt and Gypsy Jazz.
COMPANY STATEMENT
The Witos Group, LLC is a team of certified professionals committed to providing small to mid-sized businesses complete technological support. We handle everything from computers, servers, and networks, to office phone systems and personal wireless devices.
We can set up and build these systems from scratch or simply service and maintain your existing solutions. We know that our clients’ ability to rely on us is critical. That is why we make it our number one priority to keep your business running smoothly and as efficiently as possible.
CREATIVE BRIEF
Create a logomark using the name “Witos” as its elemental focus that best represents and embodies the communications services of the company. Also, incorporate into the design a reference to information technology itself, “IT” within the wordmark.
Restaurant Concept
Salon and Gallery concept.
Formerly Le Salon d’Art (90 Stanton St.)
Consulting firm identity currently in progress
Free Ai Weiwei
I created this poster resembling Shepard Fairey’s OBEY GIANT campaign in order to help raise awareness for then-incarcerated artist and activist Ai Weiwei in 2011. His arrest spawned an outcry from not only other artists but the global community as a whole.
The text (爱未来) translates to “Love The Future,” which was adopted in solidarity, as well as to evade firewalls and censorship by the Chinese government, in support of Ai because it is very similar to the Mandarin sound and spelling of his name (艾未未).
Barred from leaving the country for over four years forced Ai to curate his shows and exhibitions remotely, but in 2015, the Chinese government reissued Ai’s passport, which allowed him to then apply for a visa to travel internationally.
Mr. Fairey, when interviewed about the piece in 2011 by Robin Cembalest, editor of the nonprofit youth-art blog Niborama, said,
“I think the poster is great. I wholly endorse the message and I’m proud that an homage to my work is the form it has taken. I have been following the Ai Weiwei situation sympathetically and I am a strong advocate of social justice in my own work, so I like and support the poster Andrew made.”
Source: Ai Weiwei, Chinese Artist and Provocateur, Is Given Back His Passport
cinquino+co.
BULBRITE: Initially, a complete rebranding was discussed which led to new logo concepts. However, in the end the company decided to remain with their current wordmark and only add a new tagline. Reshifting, I began exploring a mini branding within the phrase, “Turn Life On,” with various shape applications that could be adapted for their entire range of product offers
INDEPENDENT JEWELERS ORGANIZATION: The IJO is the largest jewelry buying group in the world. I was tasked with layout concepts for one of last year’s event brochures for one of several conventions held each year. I explored the theme of gems while also highlighting the host city and what it had to offer in terms of entertainment and accommodations.
FUJIFILM: Film packaging as well as sketches for the instax mini camera’s related services. Celebration is a package containing an instax camera, film, and a voucher for photo frames. The paper frames stick to the instax print and allow the consumer to custom “brand" their event. The idea for the logo was to create something fun and enthusiastic that would be paired with the instax logo.
MLS
Player profile map
Personal projects and explorations…