STL Design Week Poster

Early this year I started working with the board of STL Design Week (Sept 24-30). It has been super fun hanging out at DK studio as the rest of the committee goes through the madness of coordinating a whole week of events this September.

There was a couple of challenges for this poster. Basically because is an “event of events”, each of them with their own theme, crowd, approach. So, I decided to come up with a character announcing what was coming up, rather than an specific abstract metaphor (which was a really hard thing to do for such an abstract concept as Design). The whole point of a week of Design related events is to inspire and engage our creative community, while reaching out the “design enthusiasts”. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to represent the city of St. Louis somehow, but I needed something bold for the graphic punch.

I started thinking in the landscape of a city, and drew some wind vanes coming out of the roofs. Each wind vane would represent each event; and a big colorful one will carry on the composition, leaving some room for the arch to show up a little bit. Wind vanes comes in all sort of shapes, so it wouldn’t be difficult to illustrate little icons according to the nature of each event.

Wind vanes indicates direction. When the wind blows, all the wind vanes in a City are aligned pointing out in the same direction. I liked that idea of different entities “aligned” towards a common purpose.  I started to think in Design as a way to “align” things. Then the wind vane rooster came up as an universal icon for excitement,  brand new days, energy,  awakening… A colorful wake up call that makes you smile

St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase

Sticker for AIGA Leadership Retreat

I’ve had this idea for years now, of having a STL Happy Face mark with the Arch up side down. The opportunity came for this year AIGA Leadership Retreat in Salt Lake City. For the opening reception, AIGA is partnering with MOO to ask chapters to design a sticker to represent themselves and share with other attendees. Each attendee will receive a sticker book with 90 stickers of the same design. During the icebreaker event, each individual will also receive a card with criteria in which to find specific chapters and obtain their stickers. Fun stuff…

The Tempest Ball 2012

Here is the poster for the The Tempest Ball 2012, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Fund raising event. Here is part of the press release:

Gather and mingle with mortals and dreamers for an evening of dinner, drinks, and artful presentations. The festivities take place on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at The Pageant located in the Delmar Loop.

William Shakespeare created over 2,000 everyday words such as bedroom, gossip, lustrous, rant, hot-blooded, and cold-hearted. For one special night, his words will come alive and shape an evening of whimsy and infinite possibility. Pay tribute to the Bard while immersing yourself in the wondrous banter, intoxicating lyrics, and limber locutions.

Over the past eleven years, SFSTL has brought more than 500,000 people together in Forest Park to experience the magic and majesty of Shakespeare’s works. The year-round education programs have served over 200,000 students in the bi-state region.

Havana. Poster, book & cigar

Havana featured at The Egotist St. Louis

I’m happy to see Havana has captured the attention of  The Egotist. A nice and respected source of inspiration for the local creative industry. Thanks guys.

Michael Eastman’s Havana Poster

I came up with this poster for Saint Louis based and amazing photographer, Michael Eastman. His book Havana, compiles a collection of photographs of the Cuban capital, we both love. This is a 18″x 24″ silk screened poster with metallic inks that captures the melancholy and faded decadence of a city once known as The Paris of the Caribbean. Hand made touches of gold makes every piece unique.

 

Green Ways to Wellness Campaign

Green Ways to Wellness is a Great Rivers Gateway’ initiative to promote healthy choices an encourage people to use the system of trails in St. Louis.  You can see the posters at the BJC campus, Metro Stations and bus shelters. Have fun with them.

Fundraising event for Lambert Airport

The inaugural Art of Travel was a high-style retro evening of travel and design. More than 200 Art and Airport supporters celebrated the first fundraiser for Lambert’s Art and Culture Program.

Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge also honored architect Gyo Obata for his contributions to Lambert as an architect on the team that built the historic terminal in 1956. Obata, the co-founder of the global architectural firm HOK, challenged the supporters to join in the effort to re-energize Lambert with art and culture.

The Airport is a gateway to the city. Yama’s (Yamasaki’s) inspiration was the Grand Central Station in New York City,” Obata said. “That building magnified the sensation of arriving and departing into and from a great city. Art in the airport is a very important factor in enriching the airport for travelers. The City Garden in downtown St. Louis is an example of how great art can enrich the environment.”

More photos at the Facebook page

Lafayette Square Summer Poster

People make places. Welcoming characters depicting the warm hearted essence of this neighborhood are the central theme of the Lafayette Square Poster Series. The wit, quirkiness, and slightly strange nature of its inhabitants are captured in this 18 x 24 poster inviting you to come and play.

Summer in here has a whimsical melody. Free concerts and movies orchestrated by the Arts Council of Lafayette Square make of the Park the perfect destination in Saint Louis. This poster celebrates the golden days of summer in Lafayette Square. Come over next Saturday and do not forget your dancing shoes.