Batman live - that old chest nut.

So I finally graduated, much larking around in robes by all. And suddenly I realised that I hadn't actually uploaded much in the way of my Batman work.
Well hindsight sucks, but looking back on that project I don't think I had as much fun as I really could have. Out of most of the artwork that I produced I get the feeling the main poster was something I am most proud of. It's by far not the best, and perhaps the wanted posters I have produce surpass it artistically, but I feel that this -

Probably hit nearly all the nails I was aiming for. Though that said, I am more than tempted to go back and perhaps make something new of it. As I write this I have the urge to go back and re-examine the more complex or perhaps unused designs that I didn't use, primarily due to time constraints, and also because during the production of this project, there was hardly any information released about the Live event. So perhaps knowing what the show is now could perhaps I could make something better? Who knows, that said though I loved working on this poster, the final moment of the artwork, just getting it all to work together. I wish I could have evoked a more comic book feel. Perhaps that will be something to investigate on a potential re-design. My recent work with the Valve posters have made me want to produce more poster themed artwork. 

For typography...you monster.

So here it comes - drum roll please.

A totally different take on the look and feel for the posters with this one. With TF2 it was the focus on the cast, hence the very stylised look borrowed from the Burn after reading poster. This one is something more akin to the games rather than directly lifting from Bass's own style. 

Portal (at last the first one) has a large section of the game set within the test chambers. The colours are bare with flecks of reds blues and tones of greys in there for good measure. But on the whole, typical looking lab colours. I decided to use this to my advantage in giving the poster it's own feel that relates to the games. Instead of smaller gritty details I really went all out with the idea of white minimal feel. 

If I listed all the variations of the portal placements as well, we would be here for a while. Suffice to say, there where a few, ranging from text going in the right side of the page and coming out the top downwards, some text being throw in at odd angles. But all the while maintaining the link between the two shapes.

Of course if there is one gripe I think people will pick up on is that it's Portal not Portals. Well yes this is true, but I consider these Posters more of a tribute rather than a means of selling a product. It's more fun than anything else. 

And there will be a special bonus for those who stick around, there is an alternate poster design for this kicking around - it uses far more Bass like elements but it was scrapped because it didn't feel as unique as it could have been, the it still lingers somewhere on my hard drive. So when all of these are done I might dig it out and show the world. 

Until then, it's off to Garry's Mod and Half Life. 

Burn after playing

So, remember that stuff I was on about? Well here comes the first one, in leu of my love for Valve, I have produced this.

I just woke up one day and decided to produce posters that where based around the Saul Bass style. Looking at the Burn after Reading poster I noticed it deals with a large cast list, much like the large list of characters in the game. I decided for a little fun, sadly the film and the game have nothing in common, but I would like to think that there are fans of both out there. (Which makes me think I actually need to see more Coen Brothers films)

So, for everyone's enjoyment here it it.

Entire team is babies!

Continuing to build an internet face.

So, as it goes things have been quiet, more of a week of filling out forms, more writing and more of the above. Not saying it isn't all fun. I continue the day when I can tell Nintendo how to make a game properly and fall at the feet of Valve for being one of the few game designers out there who know how to make a genuinely fun game.

Yes I've been in a bit of a gaming mood. Though it's justified on this blog since I think it totally counts as graphic design...

Shut up, it does.

So I think a promised a few bits and bobs didn't I? Well I did, and I think you get to see said bits and bobs.

The double L is intentional...just so you know.

So this is some basic concept work for a little branding I was tasked to do. A little odd with the whole double LL. But hey it was in the brief, who am I to judge? 

It's a cumbersome word to work with really. But I tried to avoid the more stodgy kinds of designs that cab be associated with this sort of work. A lot of my previous ideas started to fall into clip art areas. I though that was probably a good idea that you didn't see it. There is perhaps a lot of work still to go on it. Most likely tweaking, lots of that. It's a necessity in design these days. 

With this idea I tried to avoid using an overt logo and tried for a more simplistic feel. The idea of 'productions' allowed me to latch on to something like move production. (In reality this company deals with RP and what not). I felt that drawing subtle aesthetic comparisons to the styles of move company logos would help it just feel a little more alive and less corporate.  

However I'm still not getting my usual pazzaz from it. Still needs a little life. So hence the tweaking. Something about it to me feels a little flat. But hey I'm just waiting for feedback on it the now. Any thing that gets updated will be more or less portfolio material. 

However, that's not all I am working on. I do have something in the mix. (I get the feeling I've been saying that a lot recently). It's more of those personal projects, but I get the feeling this is VERY worth it, one of those nice little things that only come along once in a while. But it will be done very soon. I think you guys out there will like it. 

West end village and more

So, the I get the feeling the west end village project will be drawing to a close soon. Various files have been sent to various people, and while I think that most of my work is over (I think...) I get the feeling that I might be able to stick around to watch the whole thing take shape. Would be nice to see it all come together. I've been working on this project since around about early July/late June and it's been quite a blast. The final meeting with all us designing folk is scheduled for next week. It's just one of the "So what are we doing meetings" the kind where we say we've actually spending our time doing something productive rather than drinking heavily and wondering what to go see at the Fringe - Which reminds me, I really should go see something before it's all over...

As for other things going on in my big ol' design world....weeeeell it's quiet. And to coin an over used phrase too quiet. But to be fair I have great plans for my folio. Within the next few months some of my work shall be cherry picked for a very nice overhaul. Everything remade to be nice, bright and shiny. And yes! To the one follower that watches this blog, you will get to see the up/dates/grades to my work. With the more advanced skills that I have picked up over the last few years I think I can stretch myself to work on some fantastic new stuff.

So, I actually have been keeping myself busy on the side. A little design thing here and there. Recently got a little request to do some design over haul - it was less than purdy. The kind that aches of that 90's era of design where there are loads of Bizzaro Helveticas lingering around the place being used in what could actually be a breach of the Geneva Convention. It's been an interesting little jaunt to keep the cogs turn and stopping the rabid insanity from taking hold.

So, it's been quiet, but I am hoping to get a job soon. The recent hail of CVs in Edinburgh should yield something, and hey, another one will strike soon. So if any design agencies do actually watch this blog, well keep an eye out for a little white envelope coming through your door.

An open letter to Nintendo

I doubt this letter would ever reach anyone of importance to company, and I doubt anyone with any connections to the company ever reads this blog - but I would like to know that somehow it one day could. Wishful thinking.

I'm a fan of video gaming. I won't deny it. Always have been, always will be. Most likely I will encourage my children to play video games. And perhaps even in the distant future when I am old and grey, I will still play video games.
That is not to say I am creating a wold devoid of life and creativity. On the contrary, I'm a designer. I'm a sociable creature, I greatly enjoy the time I have with my friends and family. Sadly, the ones who are slowly suffering from is a lack of creativity is Nintendo.
It is almost with a heavy heart that I write it. Nintendo? Lacking imagination? Surely not, they've created one of the first motion controlled consoles to sell worldwide. They took something as horrible as the virtual boy remade it and created the highly popular 3DS...and while these are all brilliant innovations, it's somewhat like have an incredibly fine dust jacket for a book. Wonderful to look at, hold and feel. But what's inside is somewhat lacking substance.

Perhaps it is me and I am feeling a little jaded at what I am being offered for games on the wii. It's so very lacking. There are good games. Yes. But they could have been so much more.

Super Mario Galaxy was probably the biggest leap forewords in Nintendo's Mario series within the 21st century. It gave us something fantastic to look at, feel enjoy and experience. The game was flawed in certain areas. However I forgive this. They tried to do something new, if a little formulaic. Galaxy 2 however. It was just something with another number added onto it.
In an age where consoles can instantly have downloadable content to add to the overall feel and the depth of the game, a plot can be expanded, altered, levels could be made harder, enemies could be added we have never seen before and we a perhaps paying just for those individual items rather than just a whole new game.
But thats what Galaxy 2 is. It's DLC, but it comes as a new game. There is nothing new to the gameplay, layout feel, look, music, not even the plot is any different. Of course, yes Mario plots are thin, but there is the difference between using the "Kidnap Peach" idea to completely recycling ideas and presenting them in a manner that they are ment to be new. Nintendo didn't ever really try that for Galaxy 2. And thats why I'm quite bitter about it. I enjoyed the game of course. It's fun to play, but it never offered me anything more than Galaxy did in the beginning. And thats the problem, no matter who your audience is your need to give them something new otherwise they are never going to see the point in buying your products if you can't be brave enough to look outside your box, or comfort zone, or the area of definition.

This is sadly's Nintendo's defining flaw. There are only a few occasions where a team has been brave enough to take a game idea and actual make it real. The best example? Super Paper Mario Witty, fun an actual plot it holds more water than the Galaxy series. And the sad part? Super Paper Mario is a sequel. Yes. It sits in the same corner as Galaxy 2. But it tries. It gives us something and doesn't take the audience for granted.

Of course, you could argue "But it's a children's game. Are you that petty you will try and dissect something that is intended for children?"

My response? It's not just for children. Nintendo broke into the world of family gaming when they created the wii. Creating a console that could span across a much wider audience than they ever did before. Perhaps not just with the wii, but with their entire business model was made with a family in mind. So why talk down to your audience with a game that doesn't try? I honestly have no idea. But I think sooner or later Nintendo will need to show some creative innovations within their games that need to show that they not only have good ideas for consoles. But good ideas for games as well. Maybe the second Wii game will do this. But I'm usure. Hopeful but unsure.

So, what do I want from Nintendo? Well, I want a Mario game that will make me stop and stare at what is happening. Something that will finally top that feeling I got when I fist played Mario 64. Do something no one has ever dared to ask. And don't talk down to us. There was a helping in condescension in every aspect of Galaxy 2, the protective box on the cd case game with instructions, it came with a tutorial DVD,  and a poster on how to play the game, and with an instruction book, not to mention the game gives you constant controller prompts. This just feels backwards. Playing a game and getting to that point you've been struggling to reach for so long is such a good feeling because you got there yourself, and you didn't use cheats, you got through on skill. How does it make me feel then that at every turn I am reminded how to play the game? As if I am too ham fisted to use the controller, I can't possibly jump a ledge without a helpful NPC to remind me to do so?
In the future I want Nintendo to actually look at what they are producing, and think. "What do the fans want?" Yes we could do with another Mario game. But a better Mario game. Perhaps even make a new addition to the Nintendo family? All your characters that you featured in games such as Super Smash Bros Brawl? Perhaps introduce someone else? Create a whole new character that can carry the weight of the Nintendo legacy. Perhaps even let Mario rest for a little while. Create us something truly new and origonal. And don't treat us like children when you show it to us.

Now perhaps this ramble was something I needed to get out of my system. A collection of thoughts that I felt I needed to share. And I know people have done it before. But I'm doing it again. But I want to remind people that I love Nintendo, I love their contributions to games young and old what they have done has been so interwoven into my childhood that if it never existed I would probably never be where I am today. So deep down I would somehow hope this would reach them in an effort to show them from a fan's perspective what is so very wrong. And perhaps prod them into a direction. And who knows what comes of this. If Nintendo ever wanted someone for their ideas team. Well I would be more than willing to live out my life's dream of making games.

So, if anyone from Nintendo does somehow manage to read this. It doesn't matter what part of the building your in, you could be the janitor, or Miyamoto himself. It would just be nice to know that someone out there has read this. And perhaps would agree that things could be changed for better.

Well. That's that out of my system. See you people around.

So now what?

Well it's already August, holy crap did time move fast. Looks like things are moving at a pace I'm only just getting the hang on. So, it was my birthday a few weeks back and I was graced by the gods of Apple with a shiny new Mac Book. Ahh the wonder of it...

So of course that ment I got steam straight away and downloaded Team Fortress 2...it's to help cope with my Fallout and BioShock addiction....it's not working but hey it's something to do after all.


That said, it's not been all without design work, as I quite happily much on some skittles sour I reflect on the upcoming hand in for this west end village. More technical stuff this time, focusing on the nitty-gritty bits and bobs of signage. The designs are a little stripped down from when I started, but I'm trying to retain the ideal amount of individual look/feel while keeping it within the sort of workable level I've been assigned. Not that hard when you think about it. Stuff will hopefully be going up.....sometime. There is all the legal rhubarb about sharing design stuff like this, so for the mean time I'm going to keep those designs nice and snug on my hard drive, despite how mind blowingly awesome they are.

So as I continue to carry on with job seeking - and noticing that Skittles sours have gotten less sour over the years... - I've been working my way to any job graphic or not if it will be enough to have some paying. I'm really also focusing on perhaps going back and continuing to tweak my folio before I go back to the real work, take some time out and treat myself, and by treat myself I mean learning to drive, getting a bog standard job, getting a few of the things I've always wanted to do, but never had the chance purely down to my commitment to college. Hopefully with a part time job I can get a few of the more daydream related stuff done. It's a sizable list, but you never know. No time like the present.


Speaking off a tangent that I need to take... the fantastic web series Back Yard FX has sadly come to a close today, four years old, probably lasting longer than most other web shows. (Or web shows worth talking about anyway). It's been a rather insightful view into the world of creative film making for low budget prices. From Idiana Jones style melting heads to Halo Armour. It was one hell of a show. And I would be lying if I didn't say I would be somewhat sad that it was going, but then again Wayside creations are starting their own show on their separate channel.  They are the wonderful little people behind Nuka break, so it's nice to know that we shall be seeing Zack Finfrock in the future still working on little bits and bobs for us creative folk how have nothing better to do than waste our hours fiddling with hot glue and bits of card.

So I've finished my packet of skittles, and promptly forgot why I was really even making this video. Probably to elaborate on something big, or just to show that I'm still alive. Anyway. Seems that I should be getting back to work. Cv's don't write themselves.