Graphic Design and Illustration

This card was created by combining a pencil drawing of the deer with an ink drawing of the flowers and plants digitally, and the color was also applied digitally. We love mixing hand-done and digital mediums!

I completed my MFA in Graphic Design at the end of September, and have only recovered sufficiently in order to blog about it now (after a much needed relaxing autumn). Since the Master of Fine Arts degree is a terminal degree (meaning the highest level of education available in the field and in this case equivalent to a PhD in other fields), I am done with school for good!

This is the abstract:

TITLE: An Investigation of How Animals Are Used and Perceived in Graphic Design

Animals are used extensively in graphic design to communicate marketing objectives. They are strong communicators because of the definite associations that the general public attributes to them. This thesis delves into the recent history of animals used in graphic design and advertising in the Western hemisphere, focusing primarily on the United States from the 20th century until present time. Additionally, the paper provides the results of research conducted in 2008 to determine exactly which qualities are associated with each animal studied, as well as which logo usages are most successful based on their memorability. The study had 247 participants, making it a valid resource for the graphic designer to consult when deciding whether or not to include a particular animal in a logo, brand, advertisement or marketing materials for a client. Further recommendations for the graphic designer are included, based on the success of particular logos and brands. The thesis also examines how the use of animals in graphic design and advertising affects the public’s perceptions of the animals. The visual portion of the thesis is provided in the form of an illustrated book to be used as a resource for the graphic designer.

If you’d like to read my thesis, you can do that here.

If you’d like to see the entire visual portion, you can do it here.

Thanks to everyone who helped and supported me through this process!

These are a series of posters which I designed and illustrated for a variety of animal welfare issues. I wanted to achieve a nostalgic and textural look. I looked at a lot of retro illustrations from the era of the 50s and 60s to get inspiration.

To learn more about the danger wolves are in and help them, go here.

To learn more about the owls, go here.

To learn more about the poisoning of birds, go here.

This flyer was created for an art show I co-curated with a friend.

This is the inside spread of a tri-fold brochure design. We also created the identity.

Flyer design that was ultimately not chosen, but I liked it better than the end result, which was a photographic solution.

The cover of a tri-fold brochure, which was announcing the merger of two companies, thus requiring the blending of two entirely different logos and color stories. Not an easy task!

The client actually chose a slightly different color variation of this, but this was the palette I preferred.

A rather abstract design for a New Year’s flier…

And a figurative design for a New Year’s flier.

A save the date card and the corresponding wedding invite… Although it doesn’t show well on the web, the text on the invite was printed in gold ink.