Extra Black

Things have been pretty busy over the last few months and while I have posted updates on Facebook, I have neglected this blog. I will try to do better in the future, but if you want to make sure to keep up with what’s going on and see new work, find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/extrablack.graphicdesign.

With all of the holiday breaks and the transition from one year to the next, the last couple of months have been a bit hectic. Trying to balance time between work, holiday preparations and family time, it gets more and more difficult to keep up with social media and making time to keep the “masses” informed. As things are still busy but lest hectic, I am finally going to catch everyone up.

I’ve had a few website projects that have either come to an end or been started. I gave a sneak peak into one a little while back…that being a redesign for St. Annes Episcopal Church. It is still in the development process (I am not doing the dev on this one) but it is very close to launch.

Recently launched was a microsite for Atrium Windows and Doors about child fall safety. This turned out to be a really cool project for a great cause.

Through a friend (also involved in my BrandonsFoundation.org project) I was able to land a really fun project for HaveClubsWillTravel.com. This is a redesign of a site that they have had for years. It is still in the early stages of development, but here is a sneak peek…

I have also been able to work on some really great print projects. Still in the works is a catalog design for Century Furniture’s Chelsea Club line. It’s been a while since I have done a catalog and they are always a totally different beast than most other print projects. Here’s a sneak peek at one of the spreads.

Anytime I get a chance to illustrate a final piece, I am excited. As simple as it was, my illustration and design for a local telecom’s Christmas card was fun and turned out pretty well despite the printing challenges. I designed this with metallic inks in mind, but getting those to reproduce correctly on dark blue paper took a bit of work. Here’s a look at the digital file. I will be posting photos of the final piece at a later date.

Last and certainly not least is my most recent project: a wedding invitation for a very dear friend and his wonder soon-to-be wife. These guys are awesome and truly meant for one another and I am honored to have been able to design their invitations.

It’s interesting just how easily a ‘b’ can look just like a ’6.’

It’s been a while, but furniture market is finally over so I can get back to my sketches. Of course my first one back after such a long break was kind of difficult. I have always loved the ampersand – especially italic, old style versions. Baskerville Italic [] has what I consider to be the perfect character. It is so beautifully done that it is hard to imagine creating another version of a similar style. For that reason, I opted to go with a completely different style.