OK PRETTY GREAT

Art of Design

2012-01-15T18:55:00.000-08:00

My good friend Heidy Garay interviewed me and others discussing the intersections of art and design. She created this thesis blog as a part of her graduate studies at Pratt. Please peruse at your leisure. Also, check out Mikell Fine Iles' interview. It is packed with thoughtful insights and clarity. Heidy, thank you for the opportunity, it was fun. Check out the interview here.

Premium Goods Collaboration!

2012-01-15T15:48:00.000-08:00

They are here! If you're in Brooklyn, stop by Premium Goods on 5th Ave in Park Slope and pick up this tee. Look out for the Houston & Premium Goods t-shirts soon.

Pause.

2012-01-11T01:13:00.000-08:00

Drake has been an easy target lately. With all the emo-introspective rap he's been cranking out, I forgot how many good songs he's already created. I went back and listened to the mix tapes, cameos and full albums. It's legit ya'll. This dude has been consistently cranking out hits and somewhat unexpected hits ( which, come to think of it might be the issue at heart ). He's currently being things hip-hop has never been. Specifically, vulnerable. It's easy to critique the person that puts himself out there fully. Which actually, presents another issue ya'll. As fans, we prefer our stars to be within sight but difficult to grasp. Drake is completely transparent, making him easy to "get at." So Drake, my bad holmes. You trusted me and I pounced ( Pause ). Whether you thought it is was a safe place or not... I messed up. Although, I wouldn't mind hearing a track like "Wilt Chamberlin" from time to time. Just Sayin'.

Type Games

2011-10-26T19:45:00.000-07:00

I found this type game on Jason Santa Maria's site. His site is amazing but back to the post at hand. This game is not quite angry birds but it might be for type nerds. Try to get a perfect score! Try the game here

Typography Wall at the MOMA!

2011-10-04T14:58:00.000-07:00

Ben Vautier's Letterpressed posters at the MOMA! This wall of posters is the best thing. It's a dope assortment that really made my day!

DQM X VANS

2011-09-29T07:50:00.000-07:00

Dave's Quality Meats and Vans equals dope. Both have street credentials and the collaboration makes a lot of sense. No gimmicks or hooks allowed, just simple quality goods. If you haven't been to this store yet, it's a must see & cop. The store is laid out in a fresh way and I didn't mind value proposition. Get you some! Oh and there's a BAR in the basement!

Relax X Reality

2011-09-29T07:15:00.000-07:00

I designed this piece earlier this year and decided to make it a reality. With the help of Amelia Irwin, we screened this intricate design on Glo-Tone French Paper 19"X25". The 1pt. lines held up and came out better than I could have imagined.

IT'S YOUR COLORWAYS

2011-09-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

These shoes were color blocked for the Nick's WWDoP this Saturday by PMK and yours truely. They are featured in our image spot directed by Scott Ducan. Nickelodeon talent also received pair.

2011-09-10T17:01:00.000-07:00

Nostalgia for a good cause

WIP Designs for Premium Goods F/W

2011-09-04T13:17:00.000-07:00

I've been collaborating with Clarence the owner of Premium Goods in Park Slope, Brooklyn on some apparel designs. Look out for these in Fall/Winter 2011.

Holga . D

2011-08-04T09:55:00.000-07:00

I hope this camera gets made. It's a digital camera, retains the qualities and simplicity of the original Holga camera and brings back the joy and delayed gratification associated with good old analog photography.

Credit: I tweaked the words a bit but they are from site "Saikat Biswas"

Watch the Throne

2011-08-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

New York is an amazing town! One minute you're at desk your chomping on carrot sticks. Next minute you're at the Natural History Museum Planetarium listening to Kanye & Jay-Z's new album in a reclining seat cellphoneless (oh yeah, they were confiscated).

High hats and cresendos were perfectly synced up to realistic animations of planets colliding, being born and other celestial activity. There was tons of symbolism and ambiguity. It was an allegory for this collaboration. It was like Stanley Kubrick directed Powers of Ten. I'm serious ya'll. At one point, Jay and Ye trade bars back and forth while two galaxies collide, interact, jostle and soon became one. Which can be interpreted as "Watch the Throne". The album is a triumph!

The idea of having your listening party in a planetarium is genius and pulling it off in an elevated fashion is nuts! The experience was completely immersing and overwhelming at times. As the lights came on everybody filed out, my friend and I chilled for a bit and behind us was Kanye West chilling! In my mind he was thinking, "These Beats are Dope."

Credit: Watch the Throne artwork designed by Riccardo Tisi. Photography Credit: Unknown

The Lost Tribes of New York City

2011-07-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

Good friends Andy and Carolyn London are in the MOMA! More specifically, their film is in the "Talk To Me" exhibition, curated by Paola Antonelli. They generously extended an invitation to me for opening night, to which I was like, "I'm F'n there!" This is by far the most eclectic and interesting exhibit I've seen in quite a while. Full of curiosities and treats even for the most jaded museum goers. Don't play yourself, go now! Click the headline and check out there film!

Takeaways: Create what you want or better yet in the words of the illustrious Humpty "Do what ya Like"

Trillion

2011-07-24T10:25:00.000-07:00

Kanye set in a faceted trillion cut diamond. Created from Ye's line that begins, "Swagger on a Hundred, Thousand , Trillion..."

Photographer credit: Willy Vanderperre

Geodesick Mickey

2011-07-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

Listen y'all, Walt Disney and Bucky Fuller were great friends. So, I mapped Mickey's iconic face to the geodesic dome shape. Blam!

These designs were original created for a Uniqlo X Disney brand collaboration

Yep!

2011-07-24T10:08:00.000-07:00

I created this type design a while back and shared it with a few friends. Now it's time to share it with the internets.

Let Gap Evolve.

2010-10-13T05:02:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

I’m upset that people have so much to say about any rebrand or redesign. Some are not great, some are tweaks on the previous logos and some are amazing. The new gap logo (well, dead logo) to me is about two clicks past the old design if we used a logo dial. People in general are adverse to change and especially now. Most people will never like anything new because in some weird way, when brands evolve and they haven’t, then it reminds us of how much in rut we are in. So next time you’re mad about something evolving, instead of talking trash, look at your life and evolve for god’s sake! The only thing we can learn from Gap’s most recent issues, is how not be cowards and stick to our guns. It’s all we got! I like the new logo. It’s not amazing but it’s refreshed and b/c that gap jean jacket have is now vintage.

One more thing: Logos were never meant to be the whole campaign. Unless for short term projects or promotions. Corporate logos are the punctuation and the brand is the sentence that comes before it. Logos don’t have to do as much heavy lifting as they did in the past b/c the environment the logo lives in is what everybody cares about. As with Gap. I know when I go to a Gap Store, they have the basics and every so often a really nice shirt. Gap is affordable and utilitarian with a pinch of style. This new logo and the previous both say that to me. So you* think you* could have designed the logo because it’s simple. Guess what Jay-Z makes rapping seem effortless. They make it look easy b/c they are that good! And there’s more to a logo that just it’s form. Make room for new designs and embrace a new illusion or a refreshed one.

Picture above taken from Fast Company's Design Blog.
www.fastcodesign.com

Everybody

2010-08-05T04:39:00.000-07:00

When the song "Elevators" was released, this hook ( for which this typography/graphic was inspired from ) was the anti-hook. It curled around corners and walked right beside you like a kind stranger. Then it was gone right when you started to understand. You couldn't wait until the next reprise so you could hear it once again. It's an amazing lullaby, who's pacing and breaths made you want to have a life with the same air. This piece is that to me simple, interesting, elegant and going for a ride. Lately, Outkast has been on steady shuffle and repeat. This usually happens during introspective days or periods for me.

I'm looking into using the letterpress technique on this design. 18"X24" or 30"X40

credit: A modified Stymie Hairline

André 3000

2010-07-05T12:59:00.000-07:00

Aquemini is one my favorite songs of all time and happens to include a genius lyric by 3000.

Happy 4th!

2010-07-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

If you can guess who this is in the image. I'll send you a pack of vintage Yo! MTV Raps trading cards. Yep, I got'em.

The Meaning of Life

2010-06-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

I had to extract and highlight a portion of this aim conversation I had with Bryan Collins. The most delightfully positive person and a awesome art director/designer/artist to boot! We were just catching up and he'd typed some brilliance and I was inspired to create a design around it! Enjoy!

Salt Water Taffy!

2010-06-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

Over the Memorial Day Holiday my Fianceé and I traveled to the rustic beaches of Delaware. We met the family for a few relaxing days at the Broadkill beach house. One day we struck out and hit the board walk at Rehobeth and I took this picture! I love taffy and typography with flourishes and flows, it reminds Bello Pro... delicious!

The Blotter: While we were eating boardwalk fries, a clearly drunken and possibly meth addicted man of age asked me for "A" fry.
I was feeling nice and generous, so i obliged. As he pulled the fry out some others fell to the ground. He devoured the fry I donated and proceeded to eat the fries off the ground. Then proudly proclaimed, "The 5 second rule". His female companion seemed embarrassed at that point and started to back away. Finally, the man of age tried to chat me up... I with the help of Faith (Gracia's sister) shut him down.
He blankly lingered then walked away and it seemed that he wanted to make more of a connection but I couldn't risk more fries.

Here and Back

2010-06-25T08:40:00.000-07:00

When I'm not being an a**hole. I like to think about fun positive things. Like iced cream and typography. Well, one day in the not so distant past, I had a positive thought. What if everyday everyone thought of their daily commute and happenings in between as a "Victory Lap". Road rage would be reduced to "road". Smart Ass NY Kids w/out headphones for their musical electronics wouldn't annoy you on the subway. You might find yourself embracing Miley Cyrus' tunes (please don't). You get what I'm saying. Gents, puff out your chest and take your style up a notch! Ladies, walk like everyone works for you! Act like you won the race for the day.

It's been too long

2010-06-23T05:49:00.000-07:00

I've been busy with life/work and forgot how much pleasure keeping a digital journal gave me. So, I'll be making regular posts from now until infinity. Laters.

Adam Garcia's Typography included in Letter Cult's Best Type of the first half of '09

2009-06-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

Yay Adam! You are very close to being insane. Awesome hand crafted typography! Enjoy more of Mr. Garcia's work aka The Pressure here and here.

I love type so much, I want to take behind the middle school and do drugs with it! Look at the other featured typies too, there are some names you need to get familiar with. And stop wearing the wrong New Balances!

Nicool

2009-06-08T13:08:00.000-07:00

My good bud, Nicole opened her studio to randoms all for the love art! Congrats Nicole and BOS 09! I'm proud of ya! Not sure who took the photo but when I find out I'll post the propers.

Practice Makes Better (Perfect)

2009-06-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

So, I'm going to come off like an a**hole in this post. Well, maybe not. You decide.

To be good at anything you have to work really really hard... there's no other way to get around it! Bust a** or suck for the rest of your life. Any kind of talent that one has can be traced to the obsessions of that person. So when people say ish like you're lucky to have a job, I say f'you! Guess what? I've been drawing since the age of 2! When you do something all your life you better be good to great at it. If not, what's the point? So practice makes close to perfect. Work it out.

Above are typographic treatments I've been working on. I'm kinda obsessed with practicing forever

Federer!

2009-06-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

It's not everyday you get to witness greatness! Sunday morning Federer joined the ranks of Jordan, Woods and Gretzky with his 1st French Open Victory! Nadal (a clay court specialist) has owned the Open for the last three years but Federer owned it yesterday. Admittedly, I have always been impressed with the poise and grace the aforementioned athletes wield as they encounter various challenges. I use it as inspiration for myself to get through my own set of obstacles. As humans we all have tiny victories here and there and when that is added together it's a major victory! So when you get down about what you haven't done, look closely at what you have done and I'm sure you'll be smiling a lil' bit. I like looking at great performances b/c it reminds me of how great we all can be in the area we choose to focus most our energy.

Q Department Director Series: TWIN

2009-05-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

Ok here we go... Around the beginning of April, I was invited to contribute a drawing for this show curated by TWiN (real-life twins Jonathan and Josh Baker) amply delivered with a session that in turn paid homage to their most influential albums. I was given A Tribe Called Quest to draw to. I know! Create a drawing whilst listening to one of your favorite groups of all time. For anybody that knows me half decently, I do this everyday in my sketchbook! I was given 30 mins to draw and as you'll see the video was sped up to 7mins and synced to the jams. I am really honored to be featured with 19 other talented artist and to top it all off I headed line the show! A big thanks to Josh and Jonathan for inviting me! Also, a special thank you to my girlfriend for all her support and encouragement! Read more here!

Objectified

2009-04-22T10:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a Swiss Miss posting I bought tickets for Gary Hustwit's Objectified! Only showing in NYC for one night! Me lady and I made a date of it! The movie was pretty solid. I will say, "Helvetica" had more personality and was a bit funnier. But how funny is graphic design, really? Graphic Designers in general are a bit more out there but that's the nature of design itself. Visually communicating with the culture, while industrial designers are charged to create objects that function with culture. It's a similar process the latter seems a bit more introverted. Uh Yeah. Anyways, I dug on the movie! It started out with a bang, then dragged and then got its' second wind. Strong finish! I give this movie two nods from the pulpit.

Engrave Your Book | Artist Series

2009-03-10T09:05:00.001-07:00

After taking a break to refine his engraving process, Joe is back up and running! Apparently, Lazer engraving directly onto Moleskin notebooks is hazardous to one's health but on butta leathers it's just fresh. Check them out as well as the artist series.
A real gem of an idea!

Engrave Your Book | Artist Series

Posted using ShareThis

Yes Yes Yall...

2008-08-05T03:56:00.000-07:00

And ya don't stop! Good friend and talented designer Nessim Higson and friends have this gem of a site where you can here the latest jams. In their own words, "We’ve gone back and forth on the idea of creating a space where we bring forth the conversations we have on a daily basis and share with everyone else. Share the music that has caught our attention, grasped our imagination and won’t let go. If you enjoy what we post and talk about – we encourage you to support the artist by buying their music or seeing them perform. As of right now there’s three of us, Ness, Josh and Kenneth holding down the fort ( Kenneth – Josh wanted his name before yours. ) If ya got suggestions of something sizzling your ears – please let us know – would love to share with everyone or hell – listen to it ourselves. BTW, for those of you that like to speed up Flying Lotus’s 1983, Kenneth hates you. Peace…" There you have it! In the words of Teddy Riley, " Jam Oh Jam"

BA ROCK BROOKLYN!!!

2008-08-05T03:19:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share some news with all of you. We were invited by the good people at the Ba Rock Brooklyn to vend at an Obama Fundraiser over the weekend in Greenpoint Brooklyn! It was an amazing experience! Great bands played four different venues til the early morning! We were set up right in front of the Lost & Found watering hole. A good showing of supporters and more importantly $3000 was raised for the campaign to elect Barack Obama! There are more shirts available too for those who are interested. A portion of the proceeds go to the fund to elect Barack

J Dilla Donuts Print

2008-08-04T03:34:00.000-07:00

Print for perennial beatsmith James Yancey aka J Dilla. Limited run of 50 off-set posters are for sale here. Printed on 80lb water color. Rest in peace Dilla.

Work Can be Fun

2008-06-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

My whole month of May was completely consumed by Work and June is not looking much different. I'm not complaining at all but more akin to testifying. You'd be surprised what you can do in short amount of time if all your ducks are in a row. With that said I also played a good amount too. I guess I'm kinda patting myself on the back for breaking through and expanding. Whoo Ha Got you al in check!

To give you a bit of context to the pic above...I just like type and post-its together. Mmm...post-its and type. Can I Live?

In other news I'm also, getting hella fat...ya boy's been eating. Referred to in some circles as "Gettin' It In". That four pack has morph into a loaf of bread. Hey Ladieeeeees my Mercedeeeeeees!

Merrill = Murder from the I Love My Friends Project

2008-06-15T12:35:00.000-07:00

Here's the deal, I love my friends and I'm not the best at keeping in contact with them. But I want my peoples (you) to know that I think about them and their well being quite often. So I'm embarking on a series of type executions made up of things that remind me of that person's best quality.

The first person in this series is Merrill! Known to his buds as an all around good natured a**hole. I hate this guy so much it might appear like love to a pedestrian but it's hate at it's finest. Ah...Hate. Merrill has a sharp wit to the point where it feels like you have been stabbed in the arse. Those Paco jeans you had on are ruined and rightly so! Dammit Merrill! Caution to all who encounter Merrill, if you dish it out be sure you can handle the fallout. He'll have you crying tears of pain, kicking rocks and wishing you thought of that comeback about his Aunt hours ago. Xacto Razor blades lovingly spell out Merrill which is equivalent to the Murder of your self esteem. In all seriousness, Merrill is one of my best friends and irreplaceable. Cheers to Merrill!

RollingStone Summer Tour Guide Map!

2008-05-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

Yes ladies and gents it's true. Sleezy and I have once again collaborated on a map for RollingStone's website. Never thought we'd be making style maps for a living but that seems to be the amazing case! This map is for all the Summer Tours in the good'ol US of A! It's pretty comprehensive and should provide all the info you'll ever need this summer. So crack a beer or crack open a vile of that cook-up. Touch the Sky!

YumYum Chefs Launches!!!

2008-05-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to announce the website launch of YY Chefs. Here's the skinny. You are a busy New Yorker, going to work, filling up your social cup like there is a fountain near by. Then you're left with no time to eat proper meals at home. Make your parents proud and take advantage of the services YY Chefs provides! This great company not only provides weekly meal service but they also do dinner parties and catering! You'll be hard pressed to find a nicer bunch of people with the skill and talent they possess. Oh, I almost forgot they make these delicious Red Velvet Cupcakes that make you want to have a sit down with your Aunt and ask her why she didn't make these when you were a kid. The reasoning she would come up with just makes you shake your head in disappointment while walking away.

All Year Round Hoodie Weather

2008-04-09T15:39:00.000-07:00

So, this my second post on hoodies and I think my last, I'm kinda hoodied out. Remember when I posted the off the shelf hoodie, well above is it's more expensive cousin. Whatevs.

You know how all those trendhumpers started rockn' all over print tees and sweatshirts. Yeah, they were usually accompanied by another trend like bracelets inspired by the opening credits for Saved By The Bell. It was cool at first then you realize your 30 and you really don't want to bring anymore attention to yourself by wearing a pattern of primates all over your chest and back. Simultaneously, you figure out you're truely jealous because Nigo wasn't making cool ish when you were a kid and everything goes back on the rack and you walk out of the boutique not really knowing what you've become. Sigh. Well I got the opportunity to counter all the ridiculousness, by designing the official KCA hoodie for 2008. I decided to put all hot graphix on the inside, leaving the outside clean like Massimo Vignelli. OH SNAP! You wouldn't rock your organs on top of your skin... would you? This hoodie was created for the KCA's of 2008 and even though it wasn't as dope as Chris Brown's, I assure you there are no blatant logo violations. Actually Chris can only wear his once and feel appropriate, while you can wear this til you're old and 30. Say Word.

Seems the joke is on you Chris! The leather and platinum encrusted sweatshirt has an expiration date. 20G's down the drain! Hahahaha. Or maybe the joke is me b/c I'm typing this right now in my cube with my timeless hoodie on. A mere parting gift for not being better at life. Nah, I'm cool... don't touch me... I'm cool, I'm cool

Drawing on the Plane

2008-04-04T10:30:00.000-07:00

So I just got back from LA. Ish was crackn' but I'm glad to be back in BK where it's safe. I did these drawings on the long flight back. These are inspired by my down hill experience snow boarding at Big Bear Mountain! Enjoy!

Off The Shelf Hoodie also Found to be Off tha Chain!

2008-03-26T07:10:00.000-07:00

I feel like in the year 2025, we as humans will have compromised the mother ert enough so that it will be all year round hoodie weather. Whoo-hoo! This will then end the beloved tradition of shirts and skins and start a new tradition of sweatshirt classicism. The debates will grow to include cashmere and velour? I think you get it, we are screwed! But it's the year of 2008, hoodies are only partly year round and it's close to the Kids' Choice Awards. Oh Snap! Pictured is the less expensive but equally dope KCA Hoodie. Ish is kinda crackn' if I do say so myself. Get you some!

Blank blah, blah, blah, blah Blank

2008-03-17T22:11:00.000-07:00

Working on my new identity! Yeah, try fixing your face. Seriously, this is a self-promo tee. I'm looking to drum up some more freelance. Everybody loves tees! Don't they...don't they....answer me! What is wrong with you...oh yeah your aluminum body only responds to key strokes. Sorry baby, I didn't mean it. What's that? ....Oh, I will

Ba-Rock-It!

2008-03-17T21:40:00.000-07:00

What's happening in politics currently is no doubt fascinating but man...I gotta say. This guy is making everybody wanna step their game up, including yours truly. This is an overt nod to Barack of course but also a statement about staying positive in the face of negativity. Put that smile on!

These tees are presently being made and they should be ready in three weeks or so. If you're into them email me. Shirts are alternative apparel. Google it, I'm still trying figure how to do links.

B's Chalkboard Wall

2008-03-17T21:19:00.000-07:00

On a nice enough to day in Brooklyn, actually this past Sunday. Me a my homie B were getting real nerdy at his apt. You know, flipping through comics, sketching and wondering why Nigo makes so much mf'n money. B was in the middle of cleaning and asked me to draw some stuff on his wall. I obliged

Ill Slime Exploratory for Nickelodeon

2008-03-17T21:09:00.000-07:00

Ok, I was pretty excited about this actually being out in the universe in a big way. I can't get into specifics about what we are doing here at Nick besides it pertaining to Slime . I can get into how these beautiful creations were killed for being too pretty. That's really the extent of the story, they were just kind of like, "not so much" Although the strategy of Slime has changed, I still like what I did. May the world feast upon them in a small way.

Type Made from Slim Post-its

2008-03-17T20:44:00.000-07:00

I've been kind of obsessed with type lately. Especially type made from otherwise useless office organizational instruments.
This posting is self indulgent but successfully demonstrates an unwillingness to be bored. Say word.

Not Just Cartoon, Nicktoons!

2007-11-03T15:56:00.000-07:00

Hi All, this is my very first post on my blog. This is truely an historical date! Ok here's the skinny, I recently designed a book for Nickeoldeon with help of James Casey..wooo-hooo! The book is entitled "Not Just Cartoons, Nicktoons". It was written by Jerry Beck. It includes Interviews from the shows' creators and production sketches from hits like Ren & Stimpy and Avatar. This is my biggest project to date as far as scope and design! This book was meant for your coffee table. I'm truely excited, so pick this up. Propers to NCR, Theresa, Eric, Iwona, Roberta and my good friend James Casey! Bam!

http://www.amazon.com/Not-Just-Cartoons-Jerry-Beck/dp/1595910433

Rolling Stone Summer of Love

2007-10-04T20:33:00.000-07:00

Over the summer Jake Sleezy and I collaborated on a mini site design for Rolling Stone magazine! This site was launched simultaneously with the release of the Summer of Love issue...whose cover was designed by Chipp Kidd. OH SNAP!!!! The deadline was very aggressive but we finished it in under a two weeks. Phew! Shout to Jonathan of WSDIA for the referral and Trong for some genius coding!