Strange Days

dreamland

2009-01-06T23:12:00.005-05:00

I've switched to WordPress. My updated blog is currently here:

http://luisishere.wordpress.com

New Work: Doug Boem Website Update

2008-04-25T23:42:00.003-04:00

I was tapped to update a site I made in late 2006 by the illustrator Doug Boehm. These are updates to the navigation, as well as Doug's new work, including a fine art section. Doug has also launched two blogs, one for his illustration updates, and one for his fine art updates.

The Arrival

2008-04-12T20:00:00.002-04:00

Funny that the last post was about our baby's due date coming and going. Four hours after publishing that post... around 4:30am, February 8... Raquel woke me up to tell me she was feeling some strange 'waves' of tightness in her lower back.

Our new arrival, Gabrielle, was born at 9:49pm, Friday, February 8th. She was 6 pounds, 15 ounces and 18 inches long. These past couple of months have been a challenge. Most of all, they've been fun. It's a very happy time in our lives.

No Baby Yet

2008-02-07T23:58:00.000-05:00

The Due date has come and gone, and still... no baby yet. As you can see, my wife can't wait till our tiny dancer is born! One of the tips I've heard the most from people is that the first born is usually late. Today's doctor appointment confirmed no progress. Wednesday was the start of her 40th week.

Almost Time

2008-01-31T23:36:00.000-05:00

My wife's due date is next week. Today, my co-workers TOTALLY caught me off guard with a surprise mini-shower thing. I'm usually good at sniffing this kind of thing out, but when I'm called into a meeting about a design project... I come prepared. Little did I know it was only a ruse. Still, great laughs, and great cake.

Updates Since July 31 2007

2008-01-30T23:27:00.000-05:00

Well, let's run it down, shall we?

• Experienced roller-coaster of emotions with pregnant wife.
• Extremely excited over new baby (due soon!)
• In the graphic design world, I've hit a cross-road.
• Discovered a key element in my emotional upheaval over the past couple of years.
• Had artwork hanging in a group show for the very first time.
• Turned 30
• Reconnected with a few old friends.

About my design cross-road... I don't know. That's it.

Ode to a Sketchbook

2007-07-31T23:19:00.000-04:00

For the first time ever, I completed a sketchbook. There have been pages torn from this book, including the first page, but I still think it counts.

This book was purchased in a Pearl Arts Supply in Philadelphia in 2004. It served as a design idea book and later a drawing book. It got slightly mis-shaped by a yogurt bursting in my book bag last year. The book has traveled with me from NYC, to Austin TX, and Hawaii.

Shown is the first page, the start of a logo idea for a shrimp truck in Oahu, Hawaii. The last page, completed yesterday, are random people at a bookstore.

18 Years

2007-07-28T22:45:00.000-04:00

Eighteen years ago today my father passed. I was eleven years old. Now that my first child is on the way, I think about what kind of father I'm going to be. I've learned from the mistakes he made. I'm ready.

Work in Progress: Avance Website

2007-07-27T23:06:00.000-04:00

This assignment was to create a website based on the look and feel of the previously created items in the campaign. I also had to include elements from the 15 second spot as a banner. Photography is original.

Work in Progress: Avance TV Spot

2007-07-24T23:12:00.000-04:00

The assignment was to create storyboards for a 15 second TV spot that can also be converted into a web banner using the Avance logo and color scheme. You may not be able to read the descriptions underneath each board.

[feb 5, 2008 update: I realize now that I made a huge no-no in writing the copy... to stay away from "Introducing..." ...why couldn't I stumble upon Alex White's Advertising Design and Typography last year?]

Work in Progress: Avance Redux

2007-07-19T22:02:00.000-04:00

Avance Airlines logo rework, with company color scheme. Professor was not "completely sold" on the color treatment of the type. I took out the second custom 'A.' I think it reads better.

Work in Progress: Avance Airlines

2007-07-18T23:57:00.000-04:00

Three logo ideas for a new airline based in Barcelona, with daily service to and from the U.S.

I think I might work on the first one. The kerning needs to be touched. Prof isn't totally sold on the A not touching the radial stroke.

Broken Pizza

2007-07-17T22:52:00.000-04:00

I ordered a slice of white pizza for lunch. Apparently, the slice felt it necessary to break apart. Points off for presentation. I drew the pizza man because he had this huge mustache.

Work in Progress: Relaxt Logo

2007-07-15T22:44:00.000-04:00

The assignment was to create a package for a fictitious high-end tea brand, communicating four different flavors. Creating the identity wasn't part of the assignment, but I felt it was an appropriate element.

I always strive for simplicity, and I think I achieved it so far.

Rum Punch

2007-07-14T23:59:00.000-04:00

My wife and I had a bunch of people over Friday night. I made rum punch. It was hailed as 'awesome' by many guests. I had a little too much (photos not available.)

Recipe available upon request.

Philadelphia in July

2007-07-12T20:45:00.000-04:00

In town for ActionScript training.

Eating breakfast at this little coffee shop. I started drawing some of the customers. The waitress asked about them and we had a small chat about art. When she gave me my check, she said "keep up the drawin' hon."

I tipped her well.

Design by Candlelight

2007-07-11T21:36:00.000-04:00

A freak storm uprooted trees and knocked out power throughout the neighborhood. My school does not accept 'power outage' as an excuse to miss assignments. So, I worked by candlelight. It was actually fun. No fridge hum. No TV. No internet. Just me and the Moleskine.

Type Abuse

2007-07-09T00:37:00.000-04:00

My current assignment is to communicate a political, social, enviormental, or economic fact using ONLY type. I chose domestic abuse. It was fun to stamp on the paper against the sidewalk. It messed up the ink on the paper, and gave me a nice roughed up texture on the paper. I scanned in some torn edges, but took them out, for fear of points deducted. The assignment only said type.

Sidenote: I've drawn every day now since I started. I feel a sense of personal accomplishment.

Beach of Death

2007-07-06T02:09:00.000-04:00

I read in an article that Imperial Beach, CA has been labeled as a death beach. What that means is, sewage from neighboring Tijuana flows into the IB waters. Basically, if you swim the waters, you may get some sort of illness. It's sad to think of my childhood town as a death beach.

Strange Days

2007-07-05T01:53:00.000-04:00

These are strange days we're living. I sure could use a vaction from this three-ring circus. We talk about things going from bad to worse. Was there ever a time when everything was fine? What kind of world will our new child grow up in?

Painting by Alex Grey

The Eternal Struggle

2007-07-04T22:30:00.000-04:00

I had a really hard time with this current assignment. It's about opposites. I have to inspire a pleasurable reaction and a painful one with the same item, using either food or clothing. That -was- a clean Eagles jersey, and that's not my blood. I don't feel that guilty, though... it's T.O.'s old jersey.

A Question of What Matters

2007-07-03T21:09:00.000-04:00

I try not to let my circumstance rule me, but I guess I don't have a choice. It sounds like I'm playing the victim, but am I really a victim if I CHOOSE to be in that circumstance?

PS: I've drawn for five days strait. This is a new record.

All About Quality

2007-07-02T23:16:00.000-04:00

See that in the pan? My wife made that. Large scallops with arugula pasta. It was resturant quality. Who knew I married a culinary artist. Yes, I'm bragging. But, I have every right to. She's adventurous in the kitchen. I should be so lucky.

I also drew again today. My fourth consecutive day. I should get some sort of medal.

He was reading the stocks.

Cafe Society

2007-06-29T23:57:00.000-04:00

Some drawings during my reading/drawing visit this afternoon at a local cafe.

She was flipping through a magazine.

This guy was with the magazine woman. He was using a magnifying glass to read.

This woman was sitting directly in front of me. They were discussing the demise of her daughter's current relationship.

This dude kept watching the girls walk by.

Hard Lesson

2007-06-26T23:49:00.000-04:00

I haven't had a hardass for a design teacher in a long time. Not to say the other profs at the Academy are 'easy.' This new guy is pretty strict. Which is fine with me. I can handle strict. But, I begin to question the line between being tough to help, and being tough to the point of being unfair.

Long story short, I missed one specification in a list of 15 required specifications for the first assignment. Now, he gave me a decent crit, but missing ONE specification resulted in a very low letter grade. I thought that was a bit harsh.

Anyway, this is a snip from my first assignment... coming up with a concept for a paper clip company, showing the product's utility. I chose to show the product being used on something besides paper, and use a cultural reference at the same time.