Yes! You are seeing that correctly. I submitted my request yesterday afternoon and when I awoke this morning, I received an invitation to become a part of the Behance Network!!

If you are at all familiar with design creatives, then you will understand how much I am geeking out right now. Behance is home to some of the most incredible artists and creatives in the world. I’m referring to Justin Maller, Neil Duerden, Jeff Finley and the likes. I would be ecstatic if my work was perceived to be even half as good as theirs.

What makes this even better is that in the beginning of the year when I wrote down what creative goals I wanted to achieve this year, becoming a member of Behance was high on that list. Needless to say, I am stoked beyond reason.

So please, click on the link above and check out my page on the Behance Network at www.behance.net

is not as easy it seems at first, especially if you’re doing it all yourself. However, it is incredibly gratifying to see the result of your hard work in learning a new skill; a skill that particularly made your head spin and made you feel as if you were sacked by Michael Strahan.

Just recently completed all the structural elements of my personal web portfolio. While it’s not going to win any design awards, I’m quite happy with how it’s turned out so far. Being able to gain the same satisfaction, of taking an idea from head and giving it a visually concrete existence, from web design that I do from drawing is rewarding.

Now I just need to style my blog. Hahaha!

Thanks!

Read a great article this morning about Printing & Prepress Basics from Vector Tuts.

Basic in its scope, but incredibly valid and informative for any new designer looking to take their work from the screen to the real world. It’s important for any designer to know that what works on screen is not always practical for real-world production.

At the end of the article was a blurb about “Graphic Design Week” in celebration of Graphic River’s Print Design Templates. When I read ‘templates’, my initial thought was guidelines, crop marks, bleeds, safe areas, and dimensions. But my assumption was incorrect. They were not ‘templates’ at all. Instead, they were prefabricated, press-ready designs set with dummy text. All the “designer” needs to do is insert new text and bam-you’re-done.

Why should a client pay for your services if you’re just using a pre-made design? Actually a better question would be what exactly are you offering your client when using pre-made designs? Here’s what you’re not offering them:

• knowledge or expertise – to offer solutions to their visual communication problems
• vision or forethought – to see other needs they may have of which they’re not aware
• confidence or trust – in you or your skills

If it sounds harsh, good. Here’s the bottom line of what it is that we do as graphic designers: we solve problems and create effective solutions for those who lack the time, creativity, or expertise to manage their visual communication issues. When they come to us for help, it is a betrayal of our passion for and love of design to give them anything other than our best. In fact, it’s quite disrespectful in the sense that you don’t respect your client enough to actually work hard or develop your skillset to provide an effective design.

If you can’t do that, if you don’t want to do that then please do not refer to yourself as a graphic designer.

Thanks!

A friend of mine commissioned me to do a vector portrait of her as a zombie and this was the result. The danger with this zombie is that she’s so cute, she’ll have ripped open your skull before you realize how seriously screwed you are.

So three weeks ago, I had my very first art exhibition as part of the Arts Council of Asbury Park’s “Collide-A-Scope” night. It’s a monthly event that gives prominence, recognition and opportunity to local artists to display their work and art galleries and businesses to host receptions; all to increase the profile of the thriving arts and culture community in Asbury Park.

My exhibition/reception took place at Mattison Park, a cool and trendy lounge and restaurant that was converted from an old bank. It was such an AMAZING experience! Minor snafus aside with some of the promotional advertising that went out, I couldn’t have asked for a better night.

Part of the “speech” I was asked to give explained how thankful I was for everyone coming out and giving me their support. I’ve always had a talent for art but for some reason(s), I’d taken a huge detour away from it and was now coming back to something that I truly love; about which I’m truly passionate. That night really helped confirm that I’m finally heading in the right direction for my life and my opportunities and chances for success aren’t limited.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more posts and features in the future.

This the latest personal piece I’ve done for my first public exhibition. When I saw the original photo of the girl, I immediately knew that I wanted to do a space theme with her sort of kissing and giving life & form to Earth.  She was originally holding a lollipop where the earth is now but it wasn’t until I came across Carl Sagan’s quote; while doing a quote search about the universe, that the idea really came together.

FINALLY! I think I finally a basic working knowledge of this whole Wordpress phenomenon even though I’m quite behind the curve. But at least now I have a decent theme that I can work with until I figure out how to design my own. Just a few more arrows to add to my quiver of design skills. But anyway, thank you for visiting my blog. Hope you see some things you like or that I manage to be psuedo-interesting enough to help the time that you’re spending avoiding whatever work you’re supposed to be doing fly by. Thanks again!