Monday, December 22, 2008

Dil's Home Foundation

I recently had the honor of working on an identity for Dil's Home Foundation, a brand new non-profit organization benefiting impoverished families and children in the rural village of Bandipur, Nepal.



We wanted to incorporate some elements of Nepali culture with a symbol for hope.... The lamp turned out to be the favorite mark. Please give DHF your support by checking out their online presence: Facebook or Myspace, new website coming soon...

Contact:

Nichole Myer
Dil's Home Foundation, Inc.
9449 S. Kedzie Ave., #318
Evergreen Park, IL 60805
nichole.myer@dilshomefoundation.com
info@dilshomefoundation.com

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Don Pendleton Documentary

I recently picked up the fascinating new documentary about designer/illustrator Don Pendleton. Don was the graphical genius behind one of the most respected brands in skateboarding, Alien Workshop. Over the past 10 years skateboarding has grown into a multi-million dollar industry, which skeptics say has turned a once trendsetting counter-culture into a trend-chaser. Through these changes and into the present, Don's clean lines and un-compromised work remains some of the best to ever grace skateboarding. Don Pendleton works from his home near Dayton Ohio, far from the California hustle. Check out some of his work at elephont.com

Whether you love skateboarding or just good design, go pick up a copy of Little Giants/Don Pendleton for some serious inspiration. (Also has a great soundtrack, check out the trailer.)

Friday, October 17, 2008

so sweet...

Sweet Dreams is world class specialty bakery headquartered in Colma, California headed by Executive Pastry Chef, Rebecca Lugtu. Last year Rebecca contacted me about the opportunity to help re-brand her company. I was so honored, especially considering all the amazing west coast studios that were right at her fingertips!
So after a few phone calls and emails we embarked on a remote working relationship. Rebecca's amazing work ethic and creative input made this a dream project. The outcome was a new clean identity that reflected Sweet Dream's mission to create memorable, delicious, and stylish desserts.



Not only is Rebecca a talented business woman, she's devoted to the social issues effecting her community in greater San Francisco. Sweet Dreams has volunteered and donated to many local non-profits including homeless shelters school fundraisers and various healthcare foundations to help service the sick and poor. Check out Sweet Dreams Shop.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

La Femme Monkita

My good friend Kirsten Buys is beyond cool. Not only did she introduce me to my awesome wife Tara... but she is an incredible photographer, writer, journalist and creative entrepreneur. Her new company La Femme Monkita is a myriad of her stylish handmade knit goods. Beautiful hand dyed scarves, neck warmers, wraps, shawls, and blankets are just a few of her incredible creations. Brooke Vanderbaan and myself had the pleasure of creating the La Femme branding, identity and hang tags. The result was a great compliment to Kirsten's unique style.

Be sure to check out La Femme Monkita at the up and coming Detroit Urban Craft Fair which hosts 50+ of the most talented DIY artists and crafters in the Midwest. Saturday Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Fillmore Detroit (formerly The State Theatre.)

LaFemmeMonkita.etsy.com




Monday, October 6, 2008

Business Facilitation...

New client the Village Circle Company is taking business facilitation to a whole new level. I have had a blast working with Cary Paul and his dynamic team on creating a brand/web presence that encapsulates their unique vision for effect change management, corporate training and facilitation. Check out their site for more info: villagecirclecompany.com

Friday, July 4, 2008

Welcome to your new skateshop....

Whether it's checking out the newest video, stopping in to replace a kingpin, gripping a new deck or just to grab a handful of stickers, there's nothing like a local core skateshop.

Unfortunately due to the internet and discount sporting good outlets, these shops are struggling to stay in business. I am definitely all for change and progression, but there is a type of experience that comes with having a community skate shop, (or any type of specialty shop, record store, or boutique) that cannot be emulated with a computer screen or a big box discount store.

My friend Jeremy who owns Downtown Skateshop (one of the last skater owned and operated shops in Northwestern Michigan), wanted to create a tongue-in-cheek
board graphic as a statement to the "fast & cheap" image of the industry.

"Welcome to your new skateshop" limited edition run on 7-ply maple, available at:

Downtown Skateshop
102 S. Union St.
Traverse City, MI 49684
phone: 231.995.down (3696)
DowntownSkateMI.com

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Buy Local

Rodger Dewey is a farmer and business man who lives on 350 acres with his family in northwestern lower Michigan. I recently had the pleasure of designing a new identity and product packaging for his Antrim County farm specializing in Grass Fed Beef. When I first started this project we would often meet at Short's Brewery for beers and to discuss his mission behind raising animals the way Mother Nature intended.
His story is a labor of love and his beef is the result of forty years of trying to produce slow, natural food with true integrity. Rodger's cattle receive no hormones, no grain, and are never confined to feed lots.

I grew up eating grocery beef but never really tasted red meat until I tried Rodger's grass fed beef. Check out his blog: Buy Local Beef.


Monday, April 14, 2008

Tributaries

Please join us for the opening of Tributaries Contemporary Gallery located in Central Lake, Michigan, about 3o minutes northeast of Traverse City. Representing working contemporary artists from the midwest.


Showing a wide range of mediums including: Mixed Media, Sculpture, Ceramics, Fine Jewelry, Paintings and Limited Edition Prints. Artist include: Jeff Krino, Kim Hergert, Scott Nelles, Jesse Riesmeyer, Andrew Krino, John Miller, Steve Toornman, Meredith Krell, Jesse DenHerder, and many more.

Tributaries prides themselves in quality and thought provoking artwork.


Grand Opening Reception
on April 26, 2008
from 4-7pm.

2134 South Main St. - Central Lake, MI
(one block south of downtown on M-88)
Light refreshments served.


About The Founder

Rachel Krino, 29, is currently a graphic designer with Northbound Publications & Graphics in Central Lake. Rachel is a trained videographer and photographer, who carries a Master of Arts degree in Media Management from Ohio University. Her thesis entitled, “Digitizing Grassroots: How to start a non-profit media arts center in rural America,” is aimed at bringing arts education to underserved populations.

She has been highly active with local arts programming and development over the last 5 years. Before moving to Michigan, she was the Director of Foothills School of American Crafts in Nelsonville, Ohio. There she coordinated all efforts of the non-profit organization to achieve its mission of “Economic development through quality arts education and marketing.” While at Foothills School, she facilitated the development of a two-year associates degree in American Craft Design and Marketing with Hocking College (http://www.hocking.edu).

During her time in Nelsonville, she worked with local organizers to revitalize the downtown area through a collaborative arts initiative. The group created a monthly gallery walk called “Final Fridays” (www.finalfridays.com). Other projects include the development of Majestic Galleries (a contemporary arts gallery), Athens Area Arts Alliance (board member), and Team Nelsonville (a community group designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission).

Rachel believes strongly in the arts as a way of educating and developing a community both culturally and economically. She hopes to bring her knowledge and enthusiasm through continued advocacy in northern Michigan.

Jeff Krino's Artist Statement

My work is a combination of acrylic and enamel paints, spray paint, and found objects. The assembled sculptures are born through the integration of these materials with one another onto a wood panel. I utilize bone, rubber, wood, sinew, and various types of metal. All of the objects are recycled.

I aim to reveal the unseen beauty within these otherwise everyday objects, and to bring to attention the undeniable human impact on our natural surroundings. I question what is natural.

Each piece is an attempt to answer this, and in the end, becomes anything but natural. This work is a fabrication of my surrounding environment. It is an illusion that visually redefines an animal bone, a slab of rubber, or an old rusty piece of metal. It is an ode to all objects.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Brain, Child Magazine

New editorial illustration for the Spring '08 issue of
Brain, Child: The Magazine for Thinking Mothers
(& Fathers). Brain, Child is not your typical "parenting"
magazine. The content is clever, insightful and very
relevant; I highly recommend this magazine to
any future, new, or veteran parents.


Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Self Promotion

I Recently had one of my business cards published
in the 8th installment of Rockport's renowned series
"Best of Business Card Design 8". 240 pages of some of
the best business card designs from over 25 countries.
I'm honored to have my work displayed with these
heavy hitters. Pick up a copy for some serious
inspiration.