Sabado wanted a graffiti, throw-up style logo that would be used on flyers and promotional materials. This job was straight to the point and he knew exactly what he wanted to see.
Here is the result...
You can find DJ Sabado opening for various hip hop acts and spinning at multiple venues in and out of the Chicagoland area. For an up to date schedule of his events, check his facebook.
Rubyhornet.com, a Chicago based website/label, recently had a project called Closed Sessions Vol.2 that needed artwork. Closed Sessions Vol. 2 was recorded from May, 2010 through
January, 2012 and features a collection of artists that help to shape
Hip Hop music and culture during that time period. Closed Sessions Vol. 2 presents Hip Hop fans with new music, as well as a candid look into the creative process of many talented artists. RubyHornet partnered up with MTV2 to put out a behind the scenes documentary to show the making of this project...I was happy to be a part of it.
They liked the feel and look of old school vinyl album covers,
so I came up with this cover for the project...
They liked the direction that I took with the artwork, so they asked if I could continue the feel on the individual releases that were leaked every week. For inspiration, I looked at old jazz, rock and soul record sleeves to give them an authentic feel...
As you can see, the list of artists included some up and coming artists as well as some seasoned veterans in the game. If you want to give it a listen/download, click the link.
Much success to the RubyHornet crew & MTV2. Thank you for the opportunity.
I received a call last year from an independent manufacturer of audio/data components for a major company. They had an idea to create a brand of headphones that catered to a younger audience and asked me to head up the project...Ummm, OF COURSE! The best part of the deal was that they wanted to use my name and logo to place on the product!
Good thing both are trademarked.
From that moment, ST!ZO AUDIO was born!
I came up with multiple renderings, but because of pricing and turn around times, we decided to alter an existing style that was only available overseas. We went back and forth for many months trying different processes to color the headsets to set them apart from competitors and found one that worked perfectly. Cord selection also ranked high in my design criteria. Being a deejay, I wanted something that would transmit the sound clearly while giving it a sturdy feel. Nobody likes flimsy wires! Here is a look at some of the prototypes...
I was happy with the look and feel of the initial samples and the sound quality was on point! I went on to design the packaging for their presentation to the big wigs and they were received well. It has been a few months since the unveiling of the prototypes and now it's up to the company to decide whether or not integrate them into their line at this point. Who knows what the future will bring?
All Natural Inc., a well respected Chicago based label, hit me up to create artwork for their artist MC ADAD. They provided me with a couple of pictures and just let me roll with it. The first cover was a single called Space Invaders featuring Fashawn and Naledge from Kids in the Hall.
Then came the mixtape named "P.S. I'm Next"
MC ADAD is a solid artist with nice flows and great wordplay. I've had the opportunity to perform with him and he definitely knows how to rip the mic as well as skillfully wield a camera.
An up and coming sneaker brand out of Chicago requested my assistance to help with branding. Coveted Kicks aka CVTD Chicago is a company that was spawned from the goal of making custom shoes available to the masses in limited runs. These shoes are designed by some of the world's top shoe customizers and are made with the finest materials. First we had to tackle the logo. Something easily recognizable that spoke to the brands characteristics (premium quality streetwear).
After a few brainstorming sessions, we agreed on this...
The owner already had the shoe styles and colorways selected, but we needed some shoe details, such as the sole, tongue tags, box design and apparel to launch with the sneakers.
Here are some peeks from the product shoot.
Next on the agenda was a CVTD teaser video.
I'm pretty happy with the outcome even though one of my cameras was down.
The website needs some serious updating and shoe production has begun.
A new blog out of California called DIRTY HORROR hit me up to put together a logo for them. They wanted to have a particular movie still and the feel of Quentin Tarantino's Grindhouse melded together to create the logo that you see down below! BANG!
If you like horror movies, you might want to peep the site.
It's been a minute! I haven't been able to keep my work/sleep schedule regular and the blog has been suffering. This logo was created for a chiropractor that wanted to incorporate his chemical background with his current occupation.
We went back and forth a few times and it evolved into this...
Debbie Lee of Penelope's Press wanted a video that gave her potential clients and fans a sneak peek into her letterpress studio. The mother of three took her love for scrapbooking and the letterpress process to the next level and started her own business. She does great work and has the sales to show for it! Check out the video...
C.A.S.T Crew just released it's Spring 2012 line of apparel with 3 new designs. We designed, silkscreened, and packaged everything in-house. With this release, we started a campaign called MATCH the HATCH, a term usually used by anglers when talking about matching their bait to the aquatic life in the body of water that they are fishing. In this photoshoot, we matched our gear with the things that inspired us to create our designs. Enjoy...
The client wanted to incorporate elements of Rob Zombie's movies(House of 1000 Corpses), an album cover and have green as the main color. I found a pair of Nike premium blazers with crackled leather and orange soles. DOPE! I liked the texture and color combinations going on in Rob's dreadlocks,
so I continued it all over the shoes to make them cohesive.
Science Supply Solutions contacted me to create packaging for their line of experiment kits that they will be releasing this year. They didn't give too much information as to what direction they wanted me to take it, but stressed that the packaging should be colorful and fun. Initially, I tried to make them look consistent for each category (Biology, Physics and Chemistry), but that is not what they wanted. After mocking up the whole Science Cube line (38pcs! No sleep!) for their trade show booth in New York, I realized that the common elements and layout of the packages worked well. I always say, "If the design makes you look twice or pick up the package, then I have done my job."
I teamed up with Bill Kooties and Moonhouse Productions to create a website revamp for Dr. Richie Lerias of Wood Dale Dentistry. He wanted a clean, no frills website where patients can make appointments, get a quick overview of his practice and see what he is all about without the look of the cheesy templates that most of his colleagues were using. He does great work! Sign up!
