36 Days of Type →

I was inspired by my friend, and designer Anthony Dimitre to participate in 36 days of type. It's a challenge to design everyday. It's been going on for over a month, and there are some incredible entries.

Since spring is here, I'm combining traditional, tattoo style, flowers with the numerals. They form touch points on each number. This is how I was first taught to count and do math. Here are the first four.

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Studio Jeffrey Branding

I took the opportunity over the past few weeks to brand my studio and further define it's offerings. 

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I began sketching the word STUDIO, because that's first and foremost what I want to identify and communicate. It's a studio, open to possibility and inspiration. It's where I apply graphic design, illustration, art techniques, brand consulting and creative direction to produce visual communication for brands and my own studio.

I sketch in pencil first to feel out the letters and spacing. I placed JEFFREY, smaller, in between the larger letters and it fit perfectly. Something clicked for me in seeing the sketch. Something about how my goal in working with design is to piece together ideas, budgets, people, and concepts into visual communication that can be understood and connect a lot of people.

Looking at this design, I had to figure it out, and I liked that a lot. Much like the design process, it's a puzzle that I interpret to produce something original. I also thought that the overall shape was attractive with its symmetry. I took the idea to the computer and rendered a vector version of the design. 

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Above is the finalized, identity design.

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Designing an icon to go along with the primary identity was important to me. Not only because I love icons, but because I believe simple symbols are most effective in promotion, and leaving a lasting impression of a brand. Icons also come into play when co-branding and collaborating. 

I began sketching the overlapped letters, S and J, into something like a flower or mandala shape. This is because I want to grow. I want my work to grow, my relationships to grow and I want the brand to grow, naturally. The same goes for clients I work with.

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The identities I design are systems that are created to last years and years, in order to have the consistency that is needed to produce a memorable brand.

Here are the finalized icon designs in black and white. 

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StudioJeffrey_icon_black

While working with this branding, I wanted an alternate version of the identity, combining the icon design and letters. This design will act as a stamp, to mark my products and work in certain promotional situations.

Here are the alternate, identity designs in black and white.

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I love working and branding in black and white. In my experience, it seems to stand out when placed in the world. A lot of other designs use color, so the high contrast nature of black and white allows the message to come through loud and clear. Not to mention, it's cheaper to reproduce and appears clean on digital screens. 

YogaZo Identity Design

I was recently hired as a brand consultant and designer for the up-and-coming brand, YogaZo. They are based in Albuquerque, New Mexico and have grown their offerings to Denver, Colorado. YogaZo is a brand that features yoga classes at pop-up locations, plus a growing community that is inclusive and supportive. 

Here are the identity designs that I presented to YogaZo. The goal was to create a trademark that identifies the company not only as a yoga brand, but a lifestyle brand, as they set up shop in Albuquerque and continue to extend their offerings.

At first, in designing and presenting an identity package, I work in black and white only. Leaving color to be determined after a design direction is selected. 

Design Direction 1

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Design Direction 2

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Design Direction 3

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Inking Alicia's portrait

Alicia Keys' work ethic and personality have always been inspiring to me. I've met her a few times and every time she is gracious, funny and cool. Here's to you Alicia and your new album.

?uestlove

A new watercolor painting to celebrate Ahmir Thompson's birthday.

Beverly Hills

By deconstructing images in old magazines, I love to reconstruct new layouts like this.