My Recent Doings...

Food Photography that Pays!

2010-08-18T14:11:00.000-07:00

Well after spending the past two years cooking and taking pictures of food for my blog, Chef Fresco, I finally got a gig to get paid to do it. Maestro's Bar and Bistro was in need of some food shots and they looked to yours truly to handle it. Below are a few of my favorites.

GPS Ad for AAA

2010-08-05T13:19:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd do a quick post showing an ad I designed for AAA. The goal for this ad was to show all of the Charlotte-area AAA locations. The higher-ups (the one's with all the great ideas) first wanted to an ad with a giant map showing (in detail) two counties complete with roads and street names, all 12 branch office locations, their addresses, their phone numbers, and a small snippet describing physical landmarks near the location. But it did not stop there... they also wanted a coupon for their Car Care Centers, a guarantee message, and a ginormous headline announcing the twelve locations. I knew from the get-go that this was going to be a challenge. Luckily after trying the best I could to accommodate this multitude of information in a clean, designerly manor they realized it was too much. After some re-thinking I convinced them to try a more conceptual ad showing all the locations on GPS screen (something auto-related, like AAA) with all the little bubbles popping up on the screen giving the reader a since AAA surrounded the area. Then if the reader wanted additional location information I drove them to visit the website for more information on the exact whereabouts.

The trickiest part if this ad was recreating the GPS screen accurately in Photoshop. It took some time but 200 layers later I felt like it looked pretty realistic.

Couple Designs

2010-07-20T07:12:00.001-07:00

Just thought I'd drop a quick update of a couple designs I've completed in the past few days. My good buddy Rich needed an invitation for his rehearsal dinner BBQ. I whipped up a southern-styled square invite that screams pork butt.

The other image is a promo offer I created for AAA's Show Your Card & Save program. The ad was placed in a Blue Cross Blue Shields 5k race program. The director of this program wanted to put together a generic AAA piece that touted the standard service benefits. I was able to convince her to narrow the ad down to one, pertinent message that would resonate well with the running audience. I also created a fantastic runner with joint pain illustration. That's all for now. The hyperlinks go to the full size on Flickr.

AAA Membership Card Renderings

2010-04-06T13:11:00.000-07:00

So when I first came to work at AAA Carolinas the cards renderings that were being used in the creative were awful. I don't what they were thinking! I know the previous designer... and if by chance you ever read this Justin, please don't take offense. Anyway, a couple months back it was requested that I change an expiration date. I decided to re-render them all together. All of this was done in Photoshop and I feel like they came out pretty well. I even used some rad smoke brushes on this Panthers version. I did a whole bunch of different views but I'll only share this one perspective. This is two posts now in one week... I'm on a roll!

AAA Fan Cruise Logos

2010-04-05T13:55:00.000-07:00

So I have decided that I suck at posting my design work. On the off chance that I do post something you'll be in for a real treat. That's my new mantra for this blog. No more apologies, just post when I find the time and feel like it. AAA has been buzzing with all types of big ideas followed by lack of budget but at least I feel like I'm working on a big project in the beginning. AAA Vacations latest ambition was to create a fresh new marketing campaign for their 2011 Carolina Panthers Fan Cruise. It does not look like this will be a very wide spread campaign but none the less I put 100 percent into the logo ideas. So here they are.

I had to incorporate a lot of stuff into one logo. They wanted the AAA logo, a football feel, the Carolina Panthers logo, a cruise element, a Bahamas feel and a lot of color. Well I could not accomplish all of these into one without it looking like total crap so I gave them a variety, each with their own strengths. The first image is the version they decided to go with while the others are alternate options I provided them with. I'm pleased with their final selection. I feel the mark has a strong football feel and will appeal well to the target audience.

Enerdyne Power Systems Website

2009-12-08T07:47:00.000-08:00

I recently completed a web design project for a local NC company, Enerdyne Power Systems. Enerdyne is a energy company that utilizes the methane gas emitted from decomposing trash to generate power. Methane gasses emitted from our landfills are collected, then converted to natural gas to power generators and offset energy utilized by the landfill itself or surrounding industries. Enerdyne wanted a site that would give them a cutting edge look and feel while also organizing all their past projects, photos and awards in a easily navigable concise site. The look and feel of the site was inspired from some previous work I had done for their trade show materials. I wanted the two to feel consistent—a staple in creating a well designed brand.

QSI Logo Design

2009-09-02T18:34:00.000-07:00

Time for another logo design. I've been so swamped lately—which is why I have not been posting anything at all! With planning a wedding, buying a house and trying to balance a full plate of freelance along with a full-time job is not easy. I finished up this QSI logo a couple of weeks ago for a local Security Systems company that also specialized in home networking. The client was looking to shorten the name to QSI rather than Quantum Security Innovations. They looked to me to harness their services and give the old identity a face lift. Below are samples from the logo designs and stationary suite.

Here are some of the versions that did not make the cut.

Advance One Logo Design

2009-05-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

I've been super busy lately doing a whole bunch of freelance work (recession, resmession... I'm swamped!). AAA is keeping me busy as well and I'll be throwing up some more stuff over the weekend. Lately I've been working on a logo design for a development company who mainly deals with land development. I wanted to give them some options that really portrayed the strength of their company while showing that they also could take on any development task and have the equipment to do so. Let me know what you think.

AAA Billboards

2009-03-27T05:31:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would post these billboards I recently finished up for AAA. The designs are meant to show the versatility of the cards and how each member uses it on activities and interests that fit their lifestyle. They will be placed in Grenville, SC, Mount Pleasant, SC and Greensboro, NC.

Chiropractor Logo

2009-02-21T14:49:00.000-08:00

The onset of springs brings forth a new sense of hope. Or at least this is the mindset I am trying to keep. With all this talk of recessions and job loss its hard to keep a strong, positive mental outlook. Well Stout Ideas is busier than ever so far in 2009 and trying to hold strong to that optimism. This surge in business explains the lack of posts and website advances—or at least that's my excuse.

Anyway I've been busy with some new shirt designs, a complete Web design for Enerdyne Power Systems and Advance One Development. I've also been working on a logo for a chiropractic and soft tissue sports rehabilitation office. Below are some samples. No telling whats in store for Stout Ideas, the future looks bright. I've been busy at AAA Carolinas and will try to get some samples up soon on the portfolio page.

New Porfolio Items

2009-01-14T18:55:00.000-08:00

I put up a summary of images that I think streamline some of my better photographs. I also added some web design examples. It's a slim collection but I hope to change that in '09. Drop me a line and let me know what you think.

Happy New Year

2009-01-05T05:44:00.001-08:00

Holy cow man! Where did 2008 go? I mean tax time already - this stinks! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, a great new year and is ready for a action-packed year in 2009. I closed out 2008 with my busiest year ever in freelance work yet! This year I hope to double that with some exciting new creative projects. I really want to focus this year on creating some really nice, quality portfolio pieces and also do some personal explorations in some fine art realms. I been pretty busy with my new job at AAA and should be posting some things that I've been doing here soon. For now you can look at one of my invitations I just finished for my best buddy's Stock the Bar engagement party.

Updates

2008-12-13T04:48:00.000-08:00

Sorry for not blogging lately, I've been busy changing jobs, attending engagement showers(lame), and cooking food on Chef Fresco. I have not been doing a lot of portfolio-quality stuff lately. I've been working on a website portal page for Porforma Identity Pros, a logo for my buddy's brother who is starting up a Reality company and some other monotonous production work. I kinda miss designing the exhibits that I was doing a month ago. The end product of seeing your work in such a grand scale was pretty rewarding. I do like my new job at AAA Carolinas though, and have been putting together a nice magazine-styled advertorial to come out the first of 2009. Below are some shots of the web portal and logo design.

New food blog...

2008-11-20T16:30:00.000-08:00

So I created a new food blog to showcase all my delicious eats. My girlfriend and I have been in constant competition to create the best meals we possibly can. They started turning out so well that we began to take photos of them which led to this blog. Check it out and let me know what you think. I believe I missed my calling.

New Job!

2008-11-03T04:42:00.000-08:00

I've got a new job! I will begin working for AAA Carolinas on November the 10th 2008 as a in-house graphic designer. Unfortunately this means I will be parting ways with ACI Design. It has been a wonderful experience learning the ins and outs of the exhibit design trade but I feel that it is time for a change and a shift back to print-based design.

Recent Logo Work

2008-10-15T04:09:00.000-07:00

So I thought I would drop a post and show the world some recent branding work that I've been busing myself with. Above are a couple of concepts for two different companies. Picazo, a landscape company (duh), wanted a clean, cool look for they're new business that portrayed a professional feel even though the company is small. Green Collar Crew needed a design that reflected they're green construction and renovation practices. Drop me a line and let me know what you think of these solutions and I'll be sure to keep you updated with new and exciting designs. On a side note, the web and photography sections of my portfolio page are almost complete and should be up by the first of next week.

Back from Denver...

2008-09-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

So I just came back from Denver, CO on Saturday from a insulation trade show for a client of ACI Design's, Green Fiber Insulation. This was the first unveiling of the new booth designs I did for them. The picture above shows the 20' x 10' booth. This is only the first setup up three designs I did for them. Check back later in the year to see images of the rest. Sorry about the crummy picture but I was up against a wall and did not have my wide angle lens. That is all for now, until I head back out west on Wednesday to Montana for Marye Virgina, my sister, and Michael Sanctuary's wedding.

Cards are in...

2008-09-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

My cards arrived a couple of weeks ago from Jak Prints. I was going to get them up sooner but was busy finishing the website. Anyway, they are here and I got a ton of them so hit me up for some and spread the news about my creative talents.

The cards were printed on a 100 lb uncoated stock with 2 spot colors. I had them laminated front and back with a 0.03 mil luster to give them a plastic-like feel. I like them, hope you do too.

War Eagle

2008-08-30T12:04:00.000-07:00

Today marks the start of a new season for the Auburn Tigers 2008 football team. Man, could it have taken any longer to get here. I have been longing for some college football like a fish for water. The Auburn Tigers kick off their season against the University of Louisiana Monroe Warhawks. Auburn begins this season ranked number 10 and will surely climb higher in the polls as the season progresses and we proceed to dominate the SEC!
WAR DAMN EAGLE!!

Hummus Creation

2008-08-25T19:41:00.000-07:00

Yummy hummus that I made over the weekend, and shot with my new Canon 50mm 1.4 lens.

My First Blog Entry

2008-06-20T06:24:00.000-07:00

So this is my first blog entry for the new site of stoutideas.com... and my first blog ever. I don't really know what to blog about this certainly will not be another Pink or Perez. I'm pretty pumped about the new site design and getting all my new awesome designs up for the world to see and call on me to execute all their graphic needs. So I am going to try to get this blog to post into my home page as a feed so everyone can log on and reply and post stuff but we will see how all that irons out.
Word!