Extra Black

Behind the Design: Acorn MGMT

David — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:10:41 +0000

Coming off of the poster design for Tim Galliher, I was excited to have that project lead straight into another: a new identity for his manager’s agency, Acorn Management. The project was to come up with a new logo to reflect the agency since expanding to include a music management division. The request was for a more earthy logo with an Americana kind of feel to it. In the end, I think it turned out pretty cool – and it looks great on the new business cards that are being printed as I write this!

I thought it might be interesting to see a little of the process to get to the final logo. Of course, there’s much more to the process than can be illustrated in a few photos, but this will hit the high points.

As with any project, I always start with sketches. I try to quickly get down as many rough ideas as I can then weed through those to see which ones make it to the next step. Here is a page from my sketchbook of some of the ideas that I came up with.

After I narrowed it down to just a few of my favorites, I started to create more refined comps.

Even though I felt like the simple black and white lent itself to more of an Americana feel, I knew that I would need to come up with some color versions – if for no other reason than to support my black and white theory.

At this point, I sent the comps to the client to look over. After a day or so of contemplation, the logo below was chosen.

Update: Tim Galliher Poster

David — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:23:13 +0000

A quick update to last week’s post: I have finished the layout for Tim Galliher’s promo poster. I’m excited by how it turned out and even more so by how much he liked it! I think it’s a nice continuation of the image/brand that he has been creating for himself for some time now and I hope that it helps to establish him as the professional that everyone close to him already knows he is. I look forward to what I hope will be many more projects in the near future!

Switching Gears

David — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 05:15:55 +0000

I was recently asked to create a promo poster for a local musician and, of course, given my love of poster design, I enthusiastically said yes. What makes the whole thing even better is that it is for a friend whose music I truly believe in. As I started thinking about what I would do, I realized just how long I’ve been focusing on websites. It took me a little while to switch gears. Posters require a completely different approach – you have to think very differently. While function is the foundation and goal for all graphic design, form plays a much bigger role in poster design – especially when compared to website design.

It’s very exciting for me, though. After all, this is the reason I started Extra Black in the first place; to do more print work – particularly posters. I have several sketches that I am working through and I look forward to seeing what wins out and where the final design ends up. Stay tuned to see the final result!

In the meantime, check out these awesome examples by a few of today’s best poster designers and if you’re looking to have a poster designed (whether for music or not), shoot me an email or a call and let’s talk!

By: Jason Munn – Small Stakes

By: Travis Bone – Furturtle Show Prints

By: Justin Helton – Status Serigraph

Album Inspired

David — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:00:54 +0000

Like so many graphic designers before me, my interest in the field was inspired by album covers (or in my case, cassette inserts) of my favorite bands during my school years. I still remember spending hours trying my best to recreate them – sometimes coming close, others, not even remotely. Album art is exactly that…ART and it takes more than just the ability to use computer software to do it well. It’s a whole different way of thinking. Whenever I need a bit of a creative boost, I often go back to album art – past and present – to find inspiration.

I’ve always been a bit of a metal-head (ok, maybe more than a bit) and here are some of the covers that inspired me the most. It’s funny to see how different the things that inspire me are today. What album covers bring back memories for you?

New sites for 2012

David — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:15:33 +0000

I recently launched a couple of new websites. The first was a redesign of hpclubs.org (Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater High Point) which I originally designed in 2004. The original site won marketing awards 3 consecutive years at the BGCA annual conferences. After 8 years, though, the time had definitely come for an upgrade. The new site was built on a WordPress platform allowing them to manage all aspects of the site. Visit the site at hpclubs.org.

The second site was over a year in the making. It was a new site for the Guilford County Partnership for Children. The site features a slightly unconventional but still functional design. See this site at guilfordchildren.com.

Grayscale Simplicity

David — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:38:24 +0000

The new blog layout is finished! I’m excited to have a new look for it; I had grown tired of the old design. Up next…my company website! Stay tuned.

Please Pardon the Mess

David — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:31:35 +0000

85, the Extra Black blog is being renovated! Check back again soon to see the new layout or subscribe to the news feed to be one of the first to know when it it’s complete!

What’s In A Logo

David — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:30:29 +0000

I get it all of the time. A potential client calls up and wants to know what a new logo will cost them. I put together my quote and either 1) never hear from them again or 2) get the “I’m just going to have my kid/friend do it. He can draw.” response.

Many people don’t seem to understand the importance and value of a professionally designed logo. It’s not about how pretty it is. Every line, color, graphic and typeface should be chosen carefully and with a purpose.

A logo is the face and voice of your company when you aren’t there to explain what you do. It’s used on your sign/building, stationary, business cards, website, TV commercials, sponsor banners – any place that your company needs to be represented. It carries more responsibility than any single employee ever will.

I doubt that many brands/company names are chosen by randomly throwing out a phrase, so why are so many willing to just place some clip art and “Times New Roman” onto a business card and call it a logo? Sure, a logo design can get pricey at times, but think of the weight that this little graphic carries.

Facebook It

David — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 03:30:08 +0000

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.

Where I’ve Been: Project Updates

David — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:02:42 +0000

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.