Sarah Rose

Bits and Pieces...

2011-05-16T18:37:00.000-07:00

Stickers from my Senior Show Sticker Book....

The Big Day:: 2011 MCAD GRADUATION!!!!

2011-05-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday- May 8th, 2011- I graduated Minneapolis College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration.

The day couldn't have been more gorgeous. It was bright, tons of sun, and actually quite warm! I couldn't believe the day was finally here and my parents and best friend since 3rd grade, Stormie was here to celebrate too.

I couldn't pick and choose the pics I wanted to add up, so I am adding a ton to remember it as well as I can. Here we go...

Graduating Class Spring 2011

Deuces!

Me and mi madre.

"The Thinker" Pose

"Roller coaster to the right!"

"Roller coaster to the left!"

Bright colors!

"Jazz hands!"

One Person Didn't Understand LEFT shoulder... ::cough::

Cute!

Getting ready with Stormie!

Alyssa, Derek and myself.

Alyssa and I.


Graduation ceremony at the Children's Theatre.

Procession into the theatre!

Too many photos!

Receiving my diploma from the Design Chair, Bern.

And of course a hug....

A shake and hug from the Media Chair, Stevie!

Shake from Board of Trustees and President of MCAD.


Aaaannnd.... graduated.

Alyssa!

Yah!

Shake on it!

Derek's turn!

Hugs!

Official!

Congrats!

Super adorable!

Nothin' but smiles!

Bag pipes baby!

Mr. Rainforest Cafe Man- Speaker

Ben- Student Speaker

MFA speaker- hilarious!

By my wall...

Super excited faces...

Stormie, me and Dave!

It was wonderful having you there!

Chino Latino!

So. Much. Food.

Yummm...

Love you all!

:::Senior Exhibition:::

2011-04-30T20:08:00.000-07:00

It's finally up! My senior exhibition is located on the first floor of the main gallery at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. I couldn't be more excited!

Spring 2011 Commencement Exhibition

MINNEAPOLIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

Come View Our Work: April 29-May 7.

Reception Honoring the Graduates After the Ceremony

Sat., May 7, 5-7pm

REGULAR MCAD GALLERY HOURS:

Mon.-Fri./ 9am-8pm

Sat./ 9am-5pm

Sun./ noon-5pm

MCAD Emerging Talent Showcase

2011-04-30T19:55:00.000-07:00

Portfolio Day was Friday for all graduating seniors at MCAD. There were supposedly 160 professionals who RSVP'd to show up that were representing local companies, agencies and design firms. Let me tell you- PURE MADNESS. I talked to so many people all in 2.5 hours. It was taxing to say the least, but tried to put my professional self forward and be genuinely interested in everyone that stopped to talk to me. It was a terrific experience and couldn't thank MCAD enough for creating this amazing experience for us all to launch us into the real world and potentially find a job.

From my seat!

Taking a look at portfolios...

Professionals making the rounds.

It was pure madness...

I met a lot of terrific people and made some fantastic contacts. I went through approx. 75 business cards Friday and started a new collection of my own! It was a truly positive experience and received a lot of good feedback. A handful of Art Directors asked for my portfolio to be sent directly to them, so I sent those out this morning along with my high hopes.

I have a few favorites already, so we will see if anyone gets back to me sooner than later!

Wish me luck! It's go time...

The State of Imagination...

2011-04-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

The imagination in all of us...

:::click to view larger:::

:::Senior Exhibition Installation Day #4:::

2011-04-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

It was the final day to install our senior show- or rather today until 8am when the show officially opened today. I was installing by my self this time around from 8pm til 2am. Measuring, leveling, taping, gluing, taping, drilling, wiring, cutting and sticking.

Things That Became Apparent/

New Life Lessons Learned While Installing:

1. No matter how many times we said we would never do it again---

MCAD kids WILL ALWAYS procrastinate til the last moment possible.

2. No one thinks it weird there are more kids in the school at 2am, than are sleeping.

3. People are still finishing (painting, cutting, screening, etc) their senior projects while installing.

4. Your studio will never be messier, nor will you even care it's messy, during this final week.

5. It was fun to see everyone working their butts off to show off their final work.

6. Don't use ladders with wheels if you are under 200lbs.

:::Minimal, yet promising:::

:::Making apparel hang tags:::

:::Robin saved the day w/the most hilarious baby ironing board ever:::

:::Worst latter choice EVER... it had wheels:::

:::Starting to get the apparel up!:::

:::Trying on the beanie Alyssa's grandma knitted for me:::

:::Layout coming to life:::

Final images of my senior show to come...

:::Senior Exhibition Installation Day #3:::

2011-04-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

Deciding against the polka dots :( I just couldn't jump into them full force! I couldn't do it! So I'm sticking with the flat green wall. But got some shelves up, got a mannequin, and saw the hat the Alyssa's grandma knitted for me!

BIG thanks to Dave for all his help with set up, doing manly tasks, almost killing me with a drill (::cough:: and breaking all my installation glass ::cough::). Just kidding! Would have struggled with the security people laughing at me without your help!

::pics from Dave's phone::

Taking a step back to critique my wall...

Adding a poof-ball to the hat Alyssa's grandma knit.

Made too big of one at first, so it got tied into my hair...

Coldwater Creek mannequin? Yes please.

Getting there!

Tonight is the last night of installation...

I have to:

1. Print my apparel tags/pin them to the clothing.

2. Iron my apparel/ pin them on the wall.

3. Print out title bubble & other one by shelf.

4. Wire down process book and sticker book.

5. Make buttons for take-aways.

6. Put up my lifestyle photographs.

Senior Show opens Wednesday! :)

:::Senior Exhibition Installation Day #2:::

2011-04-24T14:55:00.000-07:00

Aka. Easter. Spent most of the day catching up on laundry and repainting my gallery wall (well, second coat of paint).

Wasn't just the feet that got ruined...

Looks MUCH better with the second coat on it...

NOT messy at all.

Disaster zone.

Kitty sitting... This is Vincent.

He is my new BFF.

11 days til graduation... 3 more classes of my college carrer. Oh my... gawwdd...

Senior Project COMPLETE...

2011-04-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

The final collection of my snowboard brand, "Yes, Dear!" for women.

Today were the final presentations for Senior Project. I can't believe it's over! We all worked so incredibly hard and it was great to see everyone's projects. Here we are, Liz and I, dealing with some nerves before hopping up to the podium to present.

Everyone is completely stoked. We made it through MCAD! I have 3 more classes next week, and then graduation on May 7th. It's an intense, incredible, and overwhelming feeling.

Blurry pic of me, a massive hair flyaway and my snowboard- still worth blogging.


Earth Day treats! A catered lunch by Common Roots in Minneapolis providing us with fantastic meal.

Bravo to all of the graduating seniors! We did it!

:::Senior Exhibition Installation Day #1:::

2011-04-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Too many choices... all the wrong ones.

Oh god... is this the right green?

Oh my... this is going to get bad quick.

Manly help.

I didn't want to be the first to add the color.

Oh snap... here goes nothing.

Cheyah... get some.

Annndd... I've started to freak out using color.

But I'll finish it up anyway...

Coat one of paint...

Worst roller to use EVER...

To be continued...

So true...

2011-04-07T14:42:00.001-07:00

link back

'Yes Dear!' Snowboard Complete...

2011-04-05T08:37:00.000-07:00

This was the final piece to the Senior Project puzzle for me. It's done! I don't want to give it all away- something to look forward to seeing in my senior show. But I will toss up a teaser image... here you go!

Tons of texture. 50's imagery. And polka dots!

All that is left for my project is to wait for my hand-kitted hats to be made by my friends grandma (2 beanies), wrap up my process book (almost done- with about 50 pages in total), print out my tags for the goods, and print out my poster-sized lifestyle shots (posted here). Ack! It's finally all come full circle!

Final Piece of the Senior Show Puzzle...

2011-04-04T19:57:00.000-07:00

My snowboard design... getting it printed and all! It's entirely in the works and needs just a bit of tweaking before I send it in to be printed tomorrow. Anywho- through my research, I've collected quite a few spectaculars ads from years upon years ago. Sexist? Of course... Rude? Absolutely. COMPLETELY hilarious? You have no idea... here are some of my favorites.

link back


link back

link back

Millions of others I would love to include... but it's time to get back to the snowboard design!

"Yes Dear!" Photo Shoot

2011-04-03T00:02:00.000-07:00

I would just like to throw out a special thanks to Linnea for being my model for my senior project apparel line (and for taking a few pics of me donning my product line). Today- being one of the most gorgeous days the year has seen so far- we set out to Theodore Worth Park to do this shoot (with hopes of finding some snow).
Unfortunately, not much snow was found (worth photographing at least) so we made due with what we could find. A cute, portable house/shelter, some left over boxes and rails, etc. Here are some of the images from the shoot today--- a few will be featured in large prints at my senior show in a couple of weeks.

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Can't wait to set up my project in just a few weeks! I received a standing wall space in the main gallery. I couldn't be more excited! Just wanted I wanted! :)

Old Stuff...

2011-03-30T23:04:00.000-07:00

While looking through old DVD's trying to find some old pics of 'the crew' snowboarding back in the day for my senior project process book, I stumbled upon my portfolio I sent into MCAD.

(Obviously, it got accepted-- although looking back at it, I sort of wonder how. ha)

the complete package

folds out once

folds out twice

folds out 3 times

a print!

a photograph

still life (I didn't get much better at these while in college quite honestly haha)

my pottery!

watercolor and pencil

Haha. I laughed a ton at all of this. Who would have known what the next 4 years would bring!

Words of Advice...

2011-03-17T13:15:00.000-07:00

Used from a friend's FB status...

no link back available. Sorry! (not my image)

Illustrated Notebook Sketches...

2011-03-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

Nothing too exciting- just some things happening in the sketchbook for class...

acrylic paint and gold leafing pen

watercolor and marker

collage and marker

masking fluid, acrylic paint and gouache

collage and pen

watercolor, marker and gouache

watercolor and marker

Illustrated Notebook...

2011-03-09T23:11:00.000-08:00

An illustration dealing with social media... A positive take= people's personal choice to share information and experiences through mobile devices. Ever since I got my Droid Incredible... I've done it all from my phone! See something I want to show to my friends? I'll text them a pic. Want to share a funny moment with the world? Tweet it. I love it... and I know many others do too.

Full page illustration.

Photoshop and Illustrator (found textures).

Colors influenced by Twitter.

Spot Illustration.

UPDATE: Senior Project is going amazing! Can't wait to share more work! Process pics to come!

Gallery Proposals!

2011-02-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

Time to write our gallery proposals for the senior show! We were told we have a really big graduating class, which means people need to be on the 3rd floor (no bueno). I'm writing up my proposal now, hoping for getting a free standing wall right when you walk in the doors. I really, really, really want to be featured in the main gallery! Here is my mock up of the space and product on a 12x12" free-standing wall.

Light-green painted wall, featuring my brand "Yes Dear!" in vinyl lettering. Polka-dotted background will add depth to the wall, with a "clothes line" hanging my product. The woman's mannequin will have one of the tops on, and the snowboard will be hung up under that. The boxes marked with X's will be lifestyle photographs of my apparel in action- out in the snow on real people. My process book (full of sketches, designs I didn't use, etc.) will be on the left shelf at the bottom and my contact information (business cards, leave behinds) will be on the shelf on the right.

Here is a mocked up version of the wall I really want, except of course- that is the TITLE wall for the show, so my work would be featured on the back. OOOH! Exciting!

OBSESSION: sketches...

2011-02-10T19:16:00.000-08:00

We were given the prompt of OBSESSION for our homework assignment in Illustrated Notebook. We were told to experiment with as many different mediums as possible.

Here are a few of mine...

gouache

cut paper and acrylic

gouache, Micron pen

actual make up and Micron pens

acrylic paint, gouache and Micron

pastel and gouache

Copic markers

pastel

gouache and pencil

watercolor, permanent marker, Micron pen

Micron pen

Yes Dear! Visual Identity

2011-02-04T20:58:00.000-08:00

Printing my Visual Identity to show during first Senior Project Crit.

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Final branding/Visual Identity Board shown during crit. Collection name Yes Dear!

::click to view larger::

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Couldn't be more excited to design the apparel and snowboarding hardgoods for my collection!

Text manipulation...

2011-02-04T15:10:00.000-08:00

Finally deciding on Yes Dear! as the collection name...
dealing with the text was the next big step.
Some process work.... hand written vs. digital type.
Decisions, decisions!

Word List part I

2011-02-04T15:06:00.000-08:00

Color Study... part I

2011-02-04T14:55:00.000-08:00

(Click To View Larger)

Senior Project Theme & 1950's Research... Part I

2011-02-04T14:23:00.000-08:00

Drum roll please????

A humorous, witty and smart take on the 1950's, good house-wife.

Marketed towards the progressive, good-humored young woman, age 18-24.

WHY, you ask?:

Since snowboarding is still a very male driven sport, I found the juxtaposition entertaining of the 1950's housewife (stay at home,make his food, don't ask questions) and "today's woman" snowboarder who doesn't slave in the kitchen, but sure turns up the heat on the slopes!

(click image to enlarge. COMPLETELY amazing!)

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RESEARCH IMAGES
(PLEASE NOTE: I do not own any of these images. Found on Google Images. Kept screen shots for research only. Sorry no link backs to original sites!)

MCAD Senior Project Proposal...

2011-02-04T13:43:00.000-08:00

     For my senior project at Minneapolis College of Art and Design, I intend to design a gender-specific, mini-brand of snowboarding streetwear and hard goods for young women ages 18-24. This apparel and product line will be a seasonal one, projected for Winter 2012 release. My goal is to create a fully branded and distinct collection starting with the design of the logo and visual identity to the actual product.

     My personal interests have inspired my creative side to help push forward a sport and lifestyle I truly have a passion for and love. I have snowboarded for 10 years and even within that small time frame, I have seen the sport progress not only in a technical sense, but in a design sense as well. When I first started snowboarding, there were not many products designed specifically for women in the sport. I ordered all menʼs apparel, boards, and other snowboard products because there were not many reliable, quality, or aesthetically pleasing products for women. Today, many companies have finally accepted the fact that women are 80% of the retail market in the United States and are genuinely interested in the sport, creating a demand for product. Even with this fact, snowboarding is still a male-dominated sport in which I want to help expand the womenʼs sector and be a part of the progression for female riders.

     I have decided to use my illustration education experience in a design and marketing sense because this directly correlates to my career intentions after I graduate. I am most interested in using my creative abilities to design actual products along with using illustrations as applications to surfaces, as well. This past semester, I have helped start a skateboarding apparel and hard good company called OBSOLETE and would like to expand on this type of application, but in another action sport realm: snowboarding. My career goals include designing streetwear, outerwear, and products for all action sports- including snowboarding and skateboarding.

     In researching for my senior project, I would like to check into snowboard and apparel companies, who design specifically for women, such as Nikita and Betty Rides. Nikita is an “Icelandic clothing brand, founded by its head designer Heida Birgisdottir and friends in a tiny skate/streetwear store in Reykjavik 10 years ago” (www.nikitaclothing.com). Betty Rides (www.bettyrides.com) is a womenʼs specific snowboarding apparel company in Portland, Oregon who sponsor women snowboarders around the world and sponsor the annual Boarding for Breast Cancer event. I am inspired by these brands because of their niche-marketing capabilities and the overall designs of their brands are visually stunning.

     I would also be interested in researching the start up and business side of other more established action sport companies, not necessarily women-specific, but still young adult, action sport brands. Companies such as Quiksilver, DC Shoes, Volcom, and Burton have now created a very established and everlasting mark on the scene. These companies, or even perhaps future employers, would be a terrific starting point for researching back to their origination and to track a progression of their designs, trends, and other visual marketing choices.

     I have narrowed down what actual products and other applications I intend to design for my senior project. Designing a cohesive brand would allow me to create a collection name, brand logo and decide on a font to be used throughout all media. For the tangible items, I intend to design a womenʼs-specific snowboard (construction kept in mind with length, width, effective edge, rocker, and base construction) with custom graphic on the top sheet and three base graphic variations (used for different sizes such as 147cm, 149cm, 151cm). I would also like to create a small streetwear collection including a womenʼs hoodie, two t-shirts and a tank top. Other accessories I would like to design graphics for would be bandanas and possibly a hand-knitted beanie. All of these would be tangible material goods, and actually manufactured to show at my senior show.

     Finalizing my mini-brand collection for women snowboarders will also include the following: either a catalog or zine to be shown at my senior show, the hangtags for the clothing itself, and either creating a website or blog to showcase the product and idea of my senior show. I want a final project that is professional, contained and fully encompassing both my illustration and design skills. From design of the physical goods, to the advertising and marketing, I want my senior project to be as tight and cohesive as possible.

     In creating this brand for my final college project, I will be able to expand my portfolio by creating an important and vital addition that will provide a transitional view from my college illustration classes and college life into a real life career. I am currently trying to showcase all of my product design projects I have done, along with other surface and pattern design as well. My senior project will be a terrific pairing with the designs and branding I have created for the skateboard brand/company OBSOLETE. I perceive that my portfolio will be better tailored to the companies I would like to work for and send my portfolio to after graduation. Designing for products I personally know about and the lifestyle I love, would undoubtedly be a dream come true.

Final Semester Thoughts...

2011-02-04T13:38:00.000-08:00

Well... here I am. I'm finally into my final semester at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. In a few months, I'll be walking across the stage at the Children's Theatre receiving my degree. Bachelor of Fine Arts: Illustration. This is mind boggling to me...

I made it this far! 4 years ago, when I found out I was accepted into this school, I remember one of my high school art teachers saying that no one that was ever accepted from Memorial High School ever graduated. So, I'm going to be the first! I couldn't be happier!

I stayed on track... even though I did bust out a couple 18 credit hour semesters. I made it through with multiple living establishments, dealing with roomies (the good, the bad, and the one that washed dishes without soap in cold water), two internships, actual, legit paid freelance projects, working a few different jobs, doing volunteer teaching for inner city girls, and most recently, helping start a company. I did all of this in 4 years... I made extreme amounts of progress in my creative processes, along with creating an ever changing and just as exciting vision for the near future.

By no means am I saying that I have everything figured out. I don't! But I feel that MCAD gave me the tools and assisted me in ways I never thought possible, nor would I have gotten from any other school. I have so many terrific connections, that genuinely want to see me succeed and I am able to go to for assistance. I now have a vision of where my creativity can and will take me. I have a plan.... yes, a tentative plan... but a plan non- the- less. So many options is what I'm most excited about. All at my finger tips. It's up to me where I want to take it. Personally, this is the most exciting thing.

This final semester, is mostly all about my senior project. Almost everything I will be posting in the near future will be research for that... sketches... flushing out ideas... etc. Not too much finished work will be added, more just the process (of which is a very important and necessary part of the entire project.) All of these findings will then be included in a process book, shown at my senior show along with the final designs, brand, and product.

Time to get back to work... I'm putting everything into this celebration of all of my hard work, creating something I have always wanted to. A self-driven project is not only refreshing, but also challenging dealing with myself as the client. ha

Lots of updates coming each week (WARNING: Some posts may be double blogged on my personal blog as well.) ... Wish me luck!

What Art School Final's Look Like...

2010-12-13T19:12:00.000-08:00

To all my friends staring at math books, writing psychology papers, and freaking out about the memorization of random facts...

Here is what art school finals look like.

Don't just say, "All you have to do is draw".

Real, hard work, looks like this.

Here's to the end of fall semester 2010. One more semester, and I'll be a graduate!

End of semester...

2010-12-11T21:19:00.000-08:00

Some of us keep tidy studios... (my studio at MCAD)

Some of us keep 'not-so-tidy' studios... (kids studio next to me)

Sketchbook images for Brooklyn Art Museum...

2010-12-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

UPDATE! (Goes with this past blog post).

Who doesn't love hot cocoa?

2010-12-03T07:56:00.000-08:00

Class assignment dealing with with a seasonal theme and of course a sweet treat! Added the Christmas light pattern I created last post, for some extra details.

::Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop CS4 ::

Christmas Lights...

2010-11-17T08:59:00.000-08:00

Just a pattern and color exploration for class today. Nothing too spectacular... just a little white line.

BLOG CHANGE!

2010-11-16T10:33:00.000-08:00

Hello to all of my 16 devoted readers of Sarah Rose Illustration!

NEWS: I will now be blogging on TWO BLOGS!

BLOG YOU ARE CURRENTLY READING: Sarah Rose Illustration Blog...

This will be all of my art things, sketches, etc. More professional since it IS linked to my artist/portfolio website at www.sarahroseillustration.com

NEW BLOG: 'Bright Lights & Curious Sights' will be used for personal blogging, lots of pictures and updates about fun things I do with my life.

Please let me know if you'd like updates sent to your email about my new blog. I can add you!

And also don't forget to click FOLLOW for 'Bright Lights & Curious Sights' if interested in more than just my art and sketches.

Let the separation commence...

Self-Help Editorial Assignment....

2010-11-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

This is a working-assignment for my editorial illustration class for a local magaine

Quarter page illustration. 4"x4". Digital with Wacom. Scanned in texture.

Electric Patterns!

2010-11-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

These were designed upon the phrase, "Everything's In A Tangle". Using the same iconic images, I challenged myself to create different styles using color, texture, and composition.

Style #1

Style #2

Style #3

Final layout with stepped out patterns... (click to view bigger)

Hanna's New Website...

2010-10-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I re-vamped Hanna Olson's photography website.

Here are some screen shots of the design, but I encourage you to visit the site to see her work as well.

http://www.hannaolsonphotography.com

Hoarders...

2010-10-20T09:07:00.000-07:00

Perhaps this idea stemmed because I've been watching Hoarders on Netflix for quite some time. This illustration is technically about inborn desire... of which I immediately thought how squirrels know that they need to collect acorns for the winter. So here is a narrative of the hoarder, lover, and care taker of the acorns... the squirrel.

original sketch

final illustration

15"x20" Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop with Wacom Tablet

Column, 1/4 page editorial.

2010-10-16T12:15:00.000-07:00

Next editorial assignment complete! It was assigned we would work with the magazine Gulf Shore Life and their "Ahead of the Curve" column. This is at the
back of the magazine and contains tips of interest to their readers in Southwest
Florida. Final size 4"x4".

Two sketches were posted yesterday in the blog post under this, and we only needed to chose one to complete. Here is the final quarter page illustration along with a mock-up layout of how it would work with text.

NOTE: These images are lower quality/screen shots only so I could show the correct colors instead of the web-safe/desaturated version). You are still able to click to enlarge, but won't be great quality.

FINAL EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION

SHOWN IN MOCK-UP, LAYOUT FORM.

Illustration/layout created digitally with a Wacom tablet in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign.

Editorial To Come...

2010-10-15T09:41:00.000-07:00

For a magazine column working with Gulf Shore Life. It's a magazine for readers in Southwest Florida. This assignment is for school and is 4"x4" each illustration. Using the cut paper technique I used on the "Girl With A Mechanical Heart".

Topic 1: Snorkeling

All cut paper technique, stepped up with use of foam core board and then the "goggles' will be painted/printed" on vellum so it looks like the fish are in her reflection.

Topic 2: Best Pet Beaches

Again, use of cut paper. Lots of tiny pieces on that one. Ouch...

I'll probably do both, because I love them both!

Cut paper is pretty much my favorite... wish I did more with that.

Finished Illustrations Up Before Next Friday!

Participating Artist in the Sketchbook Project Tour: 2011

2010-10-06T14:58:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Long time since last update. But some awesome current news!

I will be participating with my artwork/sketchbook in the Sketchbook Project Tour: 2011. Basically, this means I will be sketching in a Moleskin sketchbook, and once it's filled with my work following the topic of "In 5 Minutes..", it will be shipped to The Brooklyn Art Library. My sketchbook will then travel the US in a collection with other artist's sketchbooks to places such as Chicago, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Austin, etc. You will also be able to digitally view my completed sketchbook off of the website as well. (I'll add that address to the blog when I find that out after my book is submitted).

How fantastic to be apart of something so awesome!

Here is the map my sketchbook will visit from The Sketchbook Project's website.

Here is my sketchbook along with ID card for the traveling show.

More to come! I'll be digitally scanning and updating my blog with the sketches as I go.

Nurtured Desire

2010-09-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

This 15"x20" digital illustration (created with my Intuos4 Wacom tablet with Adobe Illustrator and found textures), is for my Advanced Illustration Seminar class. The subject is dealing with a nurtured desire and the use of memory. This young girl is suppose to be walking down the isle of a toy store (and following the "yellow brick road {to toys}" and faced with an overwhelming decision of the items on the "shelves". She wants everything, but can't have it all. All toys featured are 90's/memory influenced such as TY beanie babies, My Little Pony, Game Boy, Super Soaker, Furby, tamagotchi and more.

Final Illustration: Nurtured Desire

Then, I always love it when other artists put up process photos, so here are mine. Especially with digital files, it's fun to see how things progressed. Love my Wacom tablet! It makes everything so much easier and faster!

Sketch:

First Layer:

Adding A Little Texture:

Dealing with Dollars:

Adding some 90's memorabilia:

Bar codes and adding the dollars to toys:

Final Image of Girl:

Book Review Editorial.

2010-09-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

For New York Times Book Review.

Acrylic Painted Textures. Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

Magazine Subscription

2010-09-18T23:32:00.000-07:00

I have been getting interested in getting magazines again lately. Perhaps because of new found love of editorial illustration, or purely on the design layouts of text juxtaposed with image. Oh, and the photography too. Shesh! Okay, point proven. I need some magazines.

I was thinking of Computer Arts.

It includes:

* 16 pages highlighting the best new projects from all over the industry and all over the world

*creative tutorials for Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign

*interviews with a "hero of the design industry"

*top designers talk about the big issues affecting creativity in the commercial world

*CD highlighting a lot more great work in video format, along with video training

AND TONS more.

For subscribing you also get a sweet limited edition USB drive (pictured below) that comes "packed with tutorials and interviews with the best designers in the business".

And THEN- I found out it's $125 for 13 issues/a year. HOLY-MOLEY. You save $83 by ordering a year instead of buy each one when they come out, but seriously? That's insane!

Looks like I'll just stick to Transworld Snowboarding when I move to my new apartment at the beginning of the month!

Finished Cookie Website!

2010-09-18T22:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the new website of Danielle's Delectable Cookies. After contacting me to create a website and identity for her cookie business about a month ago, the final outcome is here!

Icon:

Home page screen shot.

Cookies screen shot. Shown with rollover engaged.

After clicking the birthday category.

Matching blog for news & other "sweet" offers.

Sweets overload...

2010-09-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

After a terrific crit last week on my OTHER cupcake illustration, my instructor told me to stay in the same direction just a new composition. All I knew, was that meant- MORE CUPCAKES! I tried to create a more stretched out/extreme composition where there was a juxtaposition of the messy-ness while actually creating cupcakes, and then showing how in some magical way, the perfect and precise cupcake in the end.

All vector art was done in Adobe Illustrator with my drawing tablet, and then I added texture again with my tablet, but in Photoshop. I wanted a bit more grainy texture than perfect, solid colored vectors.

Dear mom- don't forget you can click to enlarge! :)

My sketch:

My final piece (changed my sketch quite a bit):

And finally- some cropped, up close thumbnails

(to see the textures):

Oh- finally... I got into the spirit.

And made some cupcakes as well. :)

Calling all skateboarders!!!

2010-09-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

Feel free to copy, print and post this call-out anywhere you would like.

(click to view bigger)

The sweet stuff..

2010-09-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

Final scan of my painted cup cake illustration.

Approx. 13"x22". Gouache and acrylic.

(Click to enlarge)

Sketches!

2010-09-01T14:51:00.000-07:00

For an upcoming project, I'm doing an illustration with cupcakes. (go figure, right?)

Anyway, the first was my original sketch, then- after deciding it was an odd shape (in a bad way) and it could use some more movement and fun for such adorable things as cup cakes!

Second and hopefully final sketch before I paint.

(these are NOT the colors that will be used)

P.s. This was created with my Wacom tablet. Best thing in the whole wide world!

Editorial For the Minnesota State Fair!

2010-08-31T21:15:00.000-07:00

My first assignment when heading back to school was this. We had 3 days to complete an 11"x11" editorial piece for Star Tribune about the Minnesota State Fair. Also keeping in mind, we were suppose to stem from one of our previous created works. I chose to work from my other editorial piece for Vita.MN on "Motion City Soundtrack". With the use of texture and pattern, came a play off of the individuals at the fair, along with their interests when at the fair.

As always- click to see images larger.

Final Piece Sent In to Star Tribune proving there's something for everyone at the fair.

Remarks: I wish I had more time. After creating all of the little illustrations for the hair, I found they were not what I had envisioned for the whole images in my head. I wish there was more time to tweak my use of pattern in this. Although, I still think it would be neat printed on newsprint, instead of the bright white background.

Individual pieces broken down.

He, who I named Neil.

Neil's interest: agriculture.
(nothin' like a wind turbine, award winning cows, and corn)

This is Missy.

Missy's interest: all of the delicious food.

(from Sweet Martha's Cookie Tub, pickles on a stick & other fried goodness, oh- and don't forget the beer!)

This is Suzie Q.

Suzie Q.'s interest: entertainment.

(from butter carved sculptures, to art, to the eco experience)

And finally, this is Chad.

Chad loves the rides, games, the gondolas, and prizes like the infamous stuffed banana.

Oh, he also thinks his eyebrow ring gets him chick's.

P.S. My best friend Autumn is visiting this weekend and I couldn't be more excited!

Say hello, to the new intern!

2010-08-20T19:43:00.000-07:00

of Penguin & Fish!

Penguin & Fish creates plush characters, embroidery patterns and art. The products are eco-friendly and designed and manufactured in the USA. The plush characters are made entirely by hand. Penguin & Fish products are available online at Craftsbury Kids (along with many other online locations) and through a growing list of retailers all over the US and online.

Cheers to the start of something new!

(photo credit: Penguin&Fish)

Mini-slider cupcakes!

2010-08-09T12:52:00.000-07:00

Had the Quiksilver BBQ last night at Tim's (the manager's house). It was quite fun! And for the BBQ, I decided to make cup cakes... but... instead of the regular ol' cupcakes, HAMBURGER LOOK-A-LIKE CUPCAKES! 48 cup cakes (24 yellow/24 chocolate) make 24 mini-burgers.. LOTS of cupcakes... and baking in the 95 degree heat- YUCK! (which weather channel said 'felt like 102') They turned out fantastic, and everyone really loved them... fooled lots of people too ha.

If I ever make them again, I'm going to actually mix up REAL, homemade icing... the store bought stuff was NOT thick enough NOR did the gel icing look like I wanted it to for the ketchup and mustard. OH well... perhaps next time...

Coloring Book!

2010-08-05T23:51:00.000-07:00

Please visit this link to view and download the final version of the coloring book I just finished for the Johnson family. The coloring book is dedicated to their two daughters with Rett Syndrome, Emma and Katrina.

Roxy Bikini

2010-07-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

As an intern...

2010-07-08T17:07:00.000-07:00

Mock ups, mock ups, and more mock ups. That's the drill...

Also, sketches for water bottles! (cute face, I'm aware)

I'm also creating an educational coloring book describing Rett Syndrome for a young audience (6-8 yr olds). It's going to be great! Especially with my new Wacom tablet.

Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to sew up a cute bag for the tablet, like I did for Aimee. Also, I'll be able to get a jump start on this coloring book before I start work at Quicksilver.

New branding...

2010-06-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

Since we all know that I can't make up and KEEP my mind made up on my professional identity. I'm restless... and need a change.
Here is a sample of things to come... At least for the summer months.

Rookie Cooking Mistakes, Take 1.

2010-06-09T14:17:00.000-07:00

Although I still cannot find a job for the life of me (even applied at Walgreens!) I'm getting more interested in cooking to take up some spare time. On the good side, it's fun trying out new things, it's exciting to see if it will look like the picture in the end (or not) and each day, I get more and more addicting to cooking/recipe blogs. On the bad side, as I have no job, I don't have much money to cook with, or if I want to cook- it better make a LOT and last for days. ha

Today I sort of combined two recipes found online- since I wanted to make both anyway. That was the easiest/cheapest way. There was once a "shrimp salad vinaigrette" and a separate "avocado and black bean salad". Well, today, they joined in a delightful marriage I now like to creatively call, "Probably Should Have Sauteed the Shrimp First". Oh well- they were fully cooked, just not pretty pink like the first recipe (but it said NOTHING about sauteing them!!!!). I love shrimp- so I don't care really, they just don't look as pretty.

Not the first rookie mistake of today though-- I finely graded my knuckle tops as I created lime zest. I also bought and proceeded to cut up a "not ripe enough" avocado. But I DID, buy canned diced tomatoes with green chillies so I wouldn't have to risk my finger tips at the chopping knife any more than I had to.

"Probably Should Have Sauteed the Shrimp First" Recipe:
(makes about 8 reasonable sized portions? sure, I'll go with that...)

1/2 lb. of small, cooked and de-veined shrimp
1 chopped avocado (if it's ripe, it helps- lesson learned)
15 oz. can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
10 oz. can of sweet corn
10 oz. can of diced tomatoes with green chillies (as spicy as you want)
chopped red onion (only need 1/2 of a medium sized one)
1/4 c. chopped cilantro (more or less to taste-- I used lots, I love the stuff!)
scallions (had them in the fridge, why not throw them in too)

Dressing:
zest of one lime
½ cup fresh lime juice
¼ cup honey
1 garlic clove, pressed or chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp. vinegar
black pepper, optional

Combine in a large bowl all of the "dry" ingredients (from the top list- shrimp down to scallions).
Then whisk up dressing in separate bowl. Pour dressing onto other ingredients. Ta-dah! Easy!

And here is the final result! COMPLETELY delicious!

Words of Encouragement End the Semester On A Great Note.

2010-05-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

My junior year of college at Minneapolis College of Art and Design is coming to a close. Today, I have two final critiques, for my personal identity in Professional Practice (business cards, website, resume, and my tangible Pina Zangaro portfolio) and Products and Illustration (my tea redesign project).

I'm definitely going to miss my Products class. Why aren't there more at MCAD? I'm going to have to bring that up to someone, somewhere. I don't want to do children's illustration, or illustrated notebook, I want a Products 2 class (more patterns, more surfaces, more products!) Good thing I put forth so much effort in my projects in both classes (Pro Prac and Products) because almost my entire portfolio is that work. EVERYTHING I made is in my portfolio! How fantastic.

Tomorrow, I just have one final test ("test" isn't a word used in art school, just FYI). Thank goodness its a multi-choice, true/false and short answer kind. Then I'll officially be a senior!

Today, I got all of my internship paperwork for Linday Nohl's Paper Bicycle all turned in. The Design Chair, Bernard Canniffe, had to sign it, and after this short, round, English-accented man signed it he shook my hand and enthusiastically said, "Now, go kick some ass!" What a good jump start and positive outlook on that! Great words of encouragement!

Now the only thing left really is getting my digital portfolio, resume, and cover letter sent in for the "trend & product marketing internship" for JL Buchanan. Running that by Charlene today, so I can hopefully send it in tomorrow after my "test". This would be a huge deal if I got this second internship for the summer! A really good name to have on my resume as well as an amazing opportunity that could hopefully lead to a jump start in my career after school. I'm very excited for that and can't wait to hear about it!

Finally-- Sunday I leave for NYC for Surtex at the Javits Convention Center. A huge paper goods, and surface design convention. It's going to be amazing. I have never been to New York and couldn't be happier we are staying downtown Manhattan. So awesome! I'm sure I'll have tons of pictures from all of that!

Well, I made it another year. This time next year, I'll be sitting pretty with a college degree and hopefully a magnitude of jobs to pick from. That's the plan. Oh, and one rockin' portfolio and resume to go along with it!

Proof I Did Math in College...

2010-05-08T10:02:00.000-07:00

This is HONESTLY, the first and only piece of paper I have and did math on during college. ha.

Circumference= pi(diameter)
CHECK IT OUT! Oh, and there are some other configurations as well...

Hahaha... Thank goodness for art school.

Final Tea Redesigns

2010-05-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

Pages for my portfolio. Click for bigger images/descriptions.

Copyright, Sarah Rose, 2010.

Lil' "Dot"

2010-05-06T17:38:00.001-07:00

Miss you little 'Dot'. You're in doggy heaven now though! Say hi to Skippy for us all!

The offical flier...

2010-04-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

For "Seperation of Class & Skate" by my instructor Charlene Smith, owner and designer of Paisley Pickle, Inc.

Minneapolis Farmers Market Poster

2010-04-25T22:02:00.000-07:00

Perhaps I've lost it, being the last few weeks of school- but this idea was created on the idea of a juggling chicken.

The assignment was to create a poster for Minneapolis Farmers Market. Date, place, times were to be on it, and it had to revolve around a solid idea/composition/and color palette. It was pretty hard to think of an "original idea" revolving around so many choices of produce and treats at the market, without having it look like one big rainbow of colors.

I hand painted with acrylic paint all of the items then digitally composed them in Adobe Photoshop CS4. I also created the type by hand, and scanned that in as well. The print would be 18"x24" (poster size), but I'm putting it in my portfolio to fit at an 11"x14" size.

Here ya go! The infamous juggling chicken of the Minneapolis Farmers Market.

And for the second event of the day...

2010-04-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

My "Separation of Class and Skate" skate deck show at Cal Surf! Here are some snap shots! Charlene (my instructor) said lots of people were commenting on mine, so I'm pretty excited. While I mingled, Alex bought some shoes downstairs at the shop. ha

My board and I.

Skate decks to the left.

Skate decks to the right.

A really nifty chair made entirely of skate decks.

Who was there at the time of this photo. ha.

Starting Top Left: Dan Levar (student), Garrett Perry (Cal Surf designer/collaborator), Charlene (instructor), me (student), Aimee Pipers (student), Laura Beaverson (student) and crouched down is I THINK, don't quote me, but Charlene's boyfriend, Ryan? ha. Sorry if that's wrong! haha

Bernard Canniffe, MCAD's Design Chair, came to the opening and had some very nice words to say. He was very proud of our work and he wants to have ANOTHER show next year at MCAD with all our decks, and the other classes' (who designed skateboards but didn't have a show) as well! How fun! So maybe we'll get two shows out of this assignment! How awesome! Overall, this was super cool and I loved this project from start to finish.

Whittier Storefront Unveiling

2010-04-24T18:22:00.000-07:00

As I said earlier, our "unveiling" of the Whittier Storefront Project was today.

For us (the event planners, Alyssa and I) the day started earlier than 3pm, but rather noon. Printed out posters to put onto sandwich boards, picked up balloons from CVS, opened the Payday America space, set up tables inside. Here are a few snapshots of the event or getting ready for it.

We had a fairly good turn out. Probably 100 or more came within the 3 hours we were open. I'd call it a success.

Me trying to tame the balloons in the wind.

2 of the 8 posters up along Nicollet Ave.

Inside the Payday America space.
Projection units in back corner,
food table, sign in and photo booth.

Food table included Jimmy John's subs, chips and salsa
from Little T's, spring rolls from Jasmine Deli, and a
variety of treats from Marissa's Mexican Bakery. Mostly donated
and quite tasty!

Us getting ready to talk to the public and Kare 11 news.

MCAD's president showed up, Jay, talking with our teacher
Elissa.

Group picture... not all pictured, but mostly.

Top Row: Joe (designer), Luke (all over helper/set up/"mingler"), Rachel (photographer), Michael (PR/Marketing Man for Payday America- guy who let us use the space for free), Me (even planner)!

2nd Row: Elissa (our instructor), Ashley (food coordinator), Alyssa (event planner), and Marian (Whittier Alliance's Executive Director).

Me! After getting lots of honks, whistles, cat calls and shouts trying to direct people to the event and handing out flyers.
Luke counted, and it was between 20-25 times someone said something/honked at me. ha.

Whittier Storefront Project

2010-04-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

For my Art in Community class, we have created a very large "beautification" project for Whittier neighborhood streets, mainly on Eat Street in Minneapolis (Nicollet Ave.)

An article has been featured on the front page of Southwest Journal. CLICK HERE to download the whole story in full Journal format. I am also featured on the front page, with an embarrassing picture of me washing windows- getting the storefronts ready for installation of our posters.

Here is the rest of the advertising I was in charge of coming up with. These "Public Unveiling" posters are up all over Minneapolis/Whittier area, at local coffee shops, etc. Today is the opening, and it's going to be great. Although the weather is not so good (cloudy, rainy, and 52 degrees).

The first two images are part of the flyer (front and back). The "Layout for Event" are the plans for the event, designed by me but come up by Alyssa and I. Well, here's to the big day!

I'll make sure to update with pictures from the event!

I feel official now...

2010-04-23T16:22:00.000-07:00

Business cards are in!

I ordered them Monday night and they came today, Friday! Why pay for rush shipping, when it came WAY faster than the up to TWO weeks they said. I'm so excited, they printed so nicely! I opted for NO glossy coating, because they said they were matte. Well, "matte" from Overnight Prints actually means just regularly printed, and no gloss. ha. Oh well, they still look nice. Rounded corners and everything! They also follow the same lines (design wise) with my new and updated website. Check it out!

sarahroseillustration.com

Process on Deck...

2010-04-23T16:16:00.000-07:00

Got too excited to load these up on my blog first, so you got to see the finished board first. Well, here are some process pictures, I took TONS. You can tell how many layers actually went into it and the time it took to tape off the "throw-up rainbow" as kids called it in my crit Wednesday. They are still fun to look at! I promise! :)

Skateboard Design!!!

2010-04-21T21:01:00.000-07:00

It's done! It's done! Finally! After probably about 12-15 hours of working on it, it's complete! This design was something I went with because it was SO different from my normal work. This piece developed from a "separate sketchbook" I have that is just doodles, patterns, line work, and colors. It was also much inspired by and stemmed off collaborations I do with a friend, Patrick, when I'm back home in Indiana. I wanted something fun and funky- and I absolutely LOVE the final design. I wanted bright, poppy colors, bubble letters, and an overall graphic look. It's hand painted with acrylic paint and tempura, and also has some pen detail work on the bubbles. Let me know what you think!

ALSO! Exhibition plug!
"Separation of Class & Skate"
Opening: Saturday, April 24
Cal Surf (Uptown Minneapolis)
6-11pm

COME AND SEE SOME SWEET HAND-PAINTED SKATE DECKS- collaboration between MCAD Illustration & Products students and Cal Surf's local artist, Garrett Perry.

Please-- click for a larger view as well!

Skateboard sketches...

2010-04-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

A really amazing/awesome project where we get a plain skatedeck, and have to hand paint onto it a design. There is going to be a gallery show at Cal Surf for our skateboards. I'll keep you posted on the dates and how my project is going, we have a few weeks to do it. We meet with one of the managers tomorrow to show him our favorite 2 designs (last two pictured). Here are mine!

So these are just a few I've been playing with. I have a ton of other sketches.

KEEP IN MIND: really fast PHOTOSHOP sketches!!! Giggles to the handmade type in the thug/cowboy one, made from using the eraser tool. ha

Deck of Cards Design Project

2010-03-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

For my Illustration+Product's class, we had to design 2 cards in the deck, text and icons, a pattern for the backside of the card, and then finally design the box.

My idea was to go with a graphic "Kill Bill" type motion graphic. A mix between ransom, money, violence, and fast cars. The color scheme came about because I initially wanted to create this all in 3D, making the players wear 3D glasses. But with time shortage, came a fun project in a style I do not usually do. A good one for my portfolio- "poppy" and bloody.

Charlene, my instructor, said laughing, "Wow! This is another side of you we haven't seen before...", but perhaps it's just my way of saying spring break couldn't come any faster. I need outa' here!

Final business card design...

2010-03-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

Or at least for today... they have rounded corners and will be printed on matte paper. Now it's onto my website..

Even more ideas.

2010-03-22T10:13:00.001-07:00

Backs and fronts.... fronts and back.

Business Cards.

2010-03-21T21:42:00.000-07:00

I'm designing my business cards right now, and can't find "the one". There hasn't been the SPARK and the strike of confidence. So I know I don't have it just yet, but here is what I've been toying with. Drop a comment on the one(s) you like, or how to make them better. Any input would be great. Or any other pieces of work of mine I could pull from to represent my body of work!

note: all are screen shots, so please don't take bad quality into consideration. :)

Burton Snowboard Collection!

2010-03-08T14:32:00.000-08:00

Yah! It's complete! Here is my Burton women's snowboarding collection. Including: gloves, jacket, board, and goggles! These images also include my process!

The images will enlarge HUGE so you can see the detail and please, snoop around. Please click each image!

Let me know what you think!

Final Ants Attack

2010-03-03T22:29:00.000-08:00

Yes, within the past day I've updated way too many times (sorry for all who get my email notification), but I've again changed, revised, and fixed-up again my Ants Attack patterns and gifts. Here are the finals I am putting in my portfolio!

Ants Attack pt.2

2010-03-03T14:05:00.000-08:00

Here is the next step for the project I posted on earlier. This is my bugs pray gift tag. This will attach to the gift bag I'm designing right now, which will hopefully look like a picnic basket. The white circle at the top will be punched out and threaded onto the handle of the gift bag. I love his project!

When Ants Attack!

2010-03-03T12:34:00.000-08:00

For our newest project in Professional Practice, we were to create a Seasonal Collection using three descriptive words. We chose words out of three piles, and mine were 1) Dismal 2) Summer Party 3) Gifts. This meant, I needed to create a Seasonal Collection of a "dismal summer party" and create wrapping paper, gift bag and name tag. So far, this is the pattern I came up with for the wrapping paper. Bag design and tags to come!

Old Arizona Teaching Syllabus

2010-03-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

This is the syllabus that Alyssa and I created for teaching our 8-week Eco-Friendly DIY Projects at Old Arizona. We taught our first night last night, bead making. A slight handful, but the girls seemed to like the projects we have planned so I think it should go pretty well! This book (a 20-pager), was printed on recycled cardstock, and presented to the director of Old Arizona. I'm only picking a few images to show.

Hallmark-CHECK

2010-02-26T18:43:00.000-08:00

Here goes nothing!

Large Item To Do List:

2010-02-24T12:55:00.000-08:00

1. Finish Hallmark Internship application/ look for more internships

2. Print all pages for my new portfolio for March 1
    (on the large, expensive, and time consuming Epson printers)

3. Get my Jr. Review around for sometime during the 3rd week of March.

4. Print even MORE of my pieces and set up an exhibition space
     for the Design Merit competition

   Oh yes, and even newer information. ONTOP of my 18 credits I'm taking, and all of the other fun stuff I'm doing, Starting Tuesday, March 2nd, I will be teaching a "Eco-Friendly Do-It-Yourself" 8-week workshop at Old Arizona. This class runs from 4:30-6:30pm and is a gender-specific program, mentoring 12-18 year old young women, in eco-friendly arts. Classes at Old Arizona serve inner city girls who have an interest in the performing, media and visual arts. I will upload my teaching syllabus once I figure out how to do it on Blogger.

Stay tuned (while I try to stay sane), there will be LOTS more to come in the short weeks ahead.

(Checking out my new professional Pina Zangaro portfolio 14"x11". Biggest size that came in an acrylic, opaque, white cover)

Edited Vita.mn for portfolio

2010-02-24T12:34:00.000-08:00

After some constructive criticism in my critique on the Vita.mn cover page and spot illustration, I decided to edit these works for my portfolio! Here is a link to my older post which shows the first round, and this post is showing the improvements.

Trendboard for Women's Snowboard Gear

2010-02-22T09:15:00.000-08:00

For my new assignment in Products & Illustration, we are to create a product collection. I chose to design women's snowboard gear (ages 18-24): jacket, snowboard, and goggles. This is pretty much one of my dream assignments... if only it were in the real world! Now since I said that, I hope it turns out like I've always hoped. ha. Here is my trendboard for my snowboard gear design... stay turned for more sketches, designs, and inspiration.

Food For Inspiration.

2010-02-21T14:51:00.000-08:00

Foodgawker is one of my all time favorite websites. I needed some help coming up with color palettes, so I decided to turn to food for inspiration. All of these images have been pulled from the above website, and are not my own photos. Just so that's clear, here is what I've come up with.

Sock It To Me!

2010-02-19T22:03:00.000-08:00

This is my entry for Sock It To Me's sock design competition. Straight from their website, "Designs are reviewed on a constant basis. If your design is chosen for production you will be notified and rewarded $200, plus 6 pairs of the socks you designed once they arrive."

My icon: the juice box... on a blue/payne's grey background (or sock in this case)

Pattern stepped out.

And the final template filled with my design.

Wish me luck!

Oceans Royalty- Pattern Making!

2010-02-18T10:28:00.000-08:00

As of right now, my computer keyboard won:t type commas, so you will get a : instead. Sorry!

With that said, I just completed a pattern for my Products and Illustration class. I was told I needed to have a more formal pattern shown in my portfolio, because I mainly have *conversational patterns*. (Looks like the double quotes don:t work either! Sorry!) I tried and tried making something floral, but that didn:t go so well. I was inspired by my Valentine:s Gift, which was a hand-blown lamp of an octopus. (bluetoothed from phone)

I started out sketching octopus tentacles. Then, I went to Paper Source in Uptown Minneapolis. I bought many different kinds of fancy paper which sported a fancy, floral, Rococo-ish style. I then created floral pieces inspired by the papers, and paired them with the octopus tentacles. From here, I made individual pieces on vellum and scanned them in to work digitally (because there was too much detail to work fully by hand).

My icons to work with:

Here is a full drop pattern:

This full drop stepped out:

Another full drop pattern made with my icons:

Stepped Out:

This is my half drop pattern:

Half drop stepped out:

I:ve decided I want to create a stationary set with these patterns and icons. Here, I show these patterns printed on recycled cardstock, and a few different color possibilities.

Vita.mn Magaine Cover and Spot Illustration

2010-02-15T08:53:00.000-08:00

This is an editorial for the Vita.mn Magazine here in Minnesota. The headline is: "Motion City Soundtrack: Their 12 Step Program for hitting the Bigs, Page 20.". The band, Motion City Soundtrack, is a local Minneapolis band who have worked their way up to the big leagues. In the interview, Motion City Soundtrack made a list of 12 different "steps to fame".

The cover illustration had to describe at least one step and I chose their first step: Get in the van. Repeat 95 times while also capitalizing on their local fame from Minnesota. The repition is shown with the van pattern in the state of Minnesota. The text is also hand drawn and then digitally colored.

(with vita.mn text)

(just cover illustration)

For the inside spot illustration (4"x4"), I chose to represent their lead singer with his crazy hair and glasses and bring in some text "MCS" and a name of one of their new songs "@#?@!". Keeping with the pattern theme from the cover illustration, I put micrphones and mic cords in the lead singers hair as well.

Final note: All of the textures are acrylic hand painted, then juxtaposed with help from Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign. All programs were used in the making of this editorial.

Have a dam good Valentine's Day!

2010-02-12T11:08:00.001-08:00

T-shirt Design=Sewing!

2010-02-03T19:55:00.000-08:00

For my Products and Illustration class, our first assignment was to create a band t-shirt. I chose the band Mates of State. They sport a vintage/bohemian hipster style. I chose to represent them with the polaroid camera (vintage and VERY "it" for the hipster crowd now.) I also hand stitched this, with the help of a machine in some parts. The fabric is from Crafty Planet in Minneapolis, MN. Here are a few process pictures. (click images to enlarge)

Final for Concepts+Metaphors!

2009-12-08T09:18:00.000-08:00

Yah! It's done! It's done! The assignment was to create a poster 17"x22" about bird watching in Minneapolis. We had to use the city in the illustration somehow. I created the type myself and used the city in the binoculars. I am really happy with how it all turned out... I created swatches of color using pastels and scanned them in to use in Illustrator. Ya-dah! One more final done for Fall 09 semester!

Added to an oldie...

2009-12-07T06:33:00.000-08:00

I really liked one of the first acrylic paintings I have done this semester, so I decided to go back and add to it. It is indeed the boys in the tent, using only purple and yellow. With the help of my instructor, she told me what I should pull out in the painting and how to mix a few more shades to really make things "pop". Here is the final (again) scanned in painting... It now has more vibrancy and definition here and there.

Original:

After 3 More Hours of Work to get some color and vibrancy back in.

Final Snowboard painting!

2009-12-06T15:58:00.001-08:00

This was blogged about a month or so ago, but I didn't have a scanned in image to put up then. Here you go!

Definitely click on this to see it bigger... tons of details!

Marilyn Monroe

2009-12-06T15:35:00.000-08:00

For this assignment, we were told to create a room for a famous person. This did not have to be a literal take on it (seeing a room with 4 corners, walls and such) but could be more of an environment this person would belong to. I chose Marilyn Monroe and created a very feminine, pink, glitzy, and somewhat depressing room. If you take a close look, I've also very discretely put her famous curvacious body in it. Starting with the head as the mirror, her headboard suggesting her upper half, and the curvy bed as the rest of her body. Fun assignment... took a long time to do. This is 14"x17" in gouache (shiny/sparkly details are Golden acrylics).

Don't forget you can click on it to see it bigger!

Sketch

Final

25 Littles!

2009-12-06T15:06:00.000-08:00

For this assignment, we were asked to experiment with as many different mediums as we could possibly want. We were told to combine, separate, use different papers, mediums, and had a list of topics to address. All of these illustrations are about 5x6 or so. I'd love to add up all of them, but I'll just add up a few of my teachers favorites. Each took under 20 minutes(very quick).

Dear mom, you can also click these ones to see them larger too.

First Set:
(transportation-left image) Marker and Acrylic
(transportation-right image) Gouache and Pen

Second Set:
(smell-left image) Watercolor and Cut Paper
(smell-right image) Pastel and Watercolor

These all were pretty fun to do...

Buddha!!!

2009-12-06T14:58:00.000-08:00

I've always wanted to do a Buddha illustration of some sort...

I was really excited when I learned we had to illustrate the topic "Magical Garden" (many of the students wanted to go with the dragons and swords on this one... but not me- Buddha fit in this one!). While sketching, a more tranquil and "happy place" developed. My final illustration shows a laughing Buddha in the mist of lily pads and lilies.The final piece is 10"x22" acrylic painting.

Please click on to see larger, Mom.

Little Dresses Part 2

2009-12-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

Here is the finished illustration... I did end up making little tiny hangers from wire, and using a wooden skewer for the rod they hang off of. All the rest is acrylic painted with foam core behind/under it to give it more dimension. The final has writing, which is the story behind the illustration... the rest are just process shots.

Final:

More process photos.

100 Pretty Dresses...

2009-12-03T19:22:00.000-08:00

Well, perhaps not EXACTLY 100 dresses... more like 9? I'm getting my final illustration around for my Tools of the Trade class. It's a pretty open assignment, it's just mixed media. I've decided to use acrylic paint, and cut paper... and perhaps some wire as well (to make little hangers... no promises, but we'll see). Here are the sketches for the dresses, and then the painted finals as well. This is just in progress... I'll add up the final or add to this post if I decide to do more process shots. Oh, each of the dresses are about 2"x4"... painted with acrylic. (Brands I use are Basic by Pebeo and a few Golden.)

Sketches with pencil.

Final dresses with acrylic paint.
Individual dresses scanned in.

While working on them...

Finishing touches!

The printed dress was the hardest!

My desk... paints, coffee with whipped cream and cinnamon, iMac and various other art things.

3D out of 2D

2009-11-24T16:42:00.000-08:00

For Tools of the Trade, we were told to create a 3D illustration. Mind. Instantly. Went. Blank. And Face. Went. Pale.

I don't do anything 3D, illustration-wise, so I knew this would be a challenge. I really love Maurizio Santucci's aka. Bombo! 's work, so I thought I'd try out his style. He uses cut paper in a 3D manor, by layering up pieces of his composition.

Our assignment was to create a 3D illustration of a medical anomoly, so after some research, I decided on a story of a 14 yr old girl who survived on a mechanical heart for 4 months before finally receiving a real heart. (Ps. She is perfectly healthy and quite alive now... no worries!) So I created my illustration with the help of Adobe Illustrator (coloring my sketch) and then printed out each layer, so I was able to layer the pieces with foam core.

Here is the final illustration.

Photograph of final cut paper.
Approx. 13"x19".
Inkjet Print.

Fishy Pattern

2009-11-24T16:25:00.000-08:00

This was for my Concepts+Metaphors class a couple months ago. The assignment was "Small Boat in a Sea of Fish". I decided to make a pattern (I absolutely LOVE patterns), and this is what came of it. I'm not too much of a fan how the red came out (one of my first painterly things/ aka NOT digital), but I'd like to make this digital and have some really nice flat colors come through. I'll post that later, and add to my real portfolio website.

Acrylic and ink.
16"x16".

Human Animal- Part 2

2009-11-24T16:14:00.000-08:00

Acrylic and pencil.
8"x10".
Human Animal- Part 2

Human Animal- Part 1

2009-11-20T22:29:00.000-08:00

Acrylic and pencil.
8"x10".
Human Animal- Part 1