Knocking Out Blight with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan

I had the distinct pleasure during this election season to create a flyer/poster for then, Detroit Mayoral Candidate Mike Duggan's K.O. Blight campaign.  I was contacted by a long time client to create a design concept for the event that took place August 3rd of this year to aid the efforts of the Puritain Clean-Up Initiative.

I must admit, I did not expect that this piece to get the reception that it has.  Needless to say, I was pleased with the amount of compliments that I recieved on it.  It was a wonderful experience and I hope to be able to repeat similar projects like this in the future.  

Here is a full image of the ad:

Photography with Adam Sparkes

During my time at the International Academy of Design and Technology, I had the very distinct opportunity of having some very unique instructors who taught me some valueable skills in design that I use to this day.  One such individual is Adam Sparkes.

During my time there and shortly after, I was given the chance to work with him on about three of his wedding photography projects.  What a learning experience!

Needless to say, I was a sponge, soaking up as much knowledge of the process as I could. These jobs gave me a major part of the hands on experience that I needed to become a better event photographer. Working under his instruction was truly a pleasure and I would jump at the opportunity to do it again.

When you get the opportunity, check out Corey and Aimee Wedding in the D with Adam Sparkes to see one of the cool photoshoots we did in downtown Detroit.

Chickee Bijoux (Jewelery)

 I had the distinct pleasure of  traveling to the beautiful city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada to assist my good friend Natalie Chickee on a business venture that she started called Chickee Bijoux, a custom jewelery service.    

Her objective is to make one-of-a-kind pieces and sell them online and to local shops who want to carry original and unique jewelery that are beautifully crafted with meaningful purpose. Her goal is to not only make asthetically pleasing "wearable" art, but to also create a sense of well being, comfort and joy for whomever wears it. 

 I was there to assist Natalie in her online promotional efforts (photography) as well as her corporate branding and presentation (logo / product concepts).

Check out what we came up with in the slide show below.

See the latest at ChickeeBijoux.com

Project: 15 Februaries Feat. BuGsy B' Fresh

Today being February 15 (the day after Valentine's Day), it seemed fitting to make mention of a project that I happened to stumble into courtesy of my friends (and former classmates) at TripleStrike Media.

The following music video is titled "15 Februaries" performed by Bugsy B Fresh.  The video concept was the product of Bugsy paired with the dynamic creativity and camera work of Chris Eaton (a person I happen to draw a lot of creative inspiration from) who skillfully composed the final product.

I was fortunate enough to be there when they began filming and had the distinct pleasure of helping out a little with the lighting.

The song is a short story about the "one that got away"... Check it out!

 This is official "Yac Town" Representation.  Follow him @BuGsyBFresh

Project: Smithberrie Accents

My sister Charnette has always had an entrepreneurs mind.  So during the 2011 Holiday Season, she asked me to help her with logo concepts for her latest venture, Smithberrie Accents.

Smithberrie Accents is a seasonal giftwrapping service that was opened in the main shopping area of Twelve Oaks Shopping Center in Novi, MI, right outside of Macy's Department Store.  Services included basic giftwrapping to specialty wrapping for all gifts large and small.

I had the pleasure of assisting my sister through designing some of her promotional products, which involved graphic design and a little bit of photography.

 

She was really happy with the logo design concept that I came up with for her that she immediately sought to have it grace her storefront (as you can see in the photos above). Fortunately the whole thing was a success.

 

I imagine that this will be a continuous "yule time" effort for her, so I look forward to another holiday season of helping her out with it in 2012.

 

Must be nice to have a Graphic Design Dynamo in the family...lol.