Graphic Design Portfolio
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Steve provides quality work at a very reasonable price, and he is open to new ideas and questions throughout the project. I really like his work. Client testimonial -- |
This graphic design portfolio includes more than just a few examples of recent work. I've even dug into the archives to show graphic design samples that were done by hand before I used computers, and before I started this company. The intent here is to show both a diversity of style, and to highlight a wide range of experience. This also illustrates the eye-catching, yet simple approach often needed for high quality graphic design.
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Full color flyers can certainly offer a lot of impact, and I enjoy creating them. But this example shows how the strong colors of red and blue, used with very simple graphics, emphasize the message while being bold enough to capture attention. This flyer is intended primarily for therapists and other medical rehabilitation professionals, so it delivers the message without any unnecessary distraction. The colors and logo were already in use by this client, but this design used those elements differently to create a new and bolder look.
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The flyer design above goes far beyond harmonizing with the look of the web site I designed for H&L Advantage. One of the most common errors made in designing a flyer is proudly making the company logo a prominent feature on the cover. Unfortunately, the only person who cares about the logo is the person who designed it and/or paid to have it designed. You need a cover design that makes someone want to know what is says inside or it may never get opened.
This flyer uses a "soft sell" approach because a corporate flyer like this rarely makes someone rush out to hire a manufacturing company. What it does do is make them desire more information so the expertise of H&L Advantage can close the sale. The H&L web site has a special version of this flyer on their Information page designed for downloading and printing. This helps H&L reduce mailing and printing costs, so they get a lot more value from the design.
Flash offers many design advantages when it is used correctly. One of those advantages is efficient use of a small amount of screen space. Below, I have demonstrated with a series of greeting card designs which you can view in a custom slide show type format. Simply click on either All Occasion or Christmas Greeting Cards to stop the animation and view an enlargement of any greeting card design.
These greeting card collections shown in the Flash presentation above were created using a combination of freehand artwork and computer graphic design. Although the wording was provided by the client, I was given artistic freedom to create the cover designs and choose the appropriate font style. Be sure to browse the collections as there are different design styles used for variety.
If you are unable to see the Flash presentation above, please use the links below to view the greeting card designs.
Christmas Card Collection All Occasion Card Collection
Steve, you never cease to amaze me. I just printed the All Occasion brochure on glossy brochure paper. WOW you did a wonderful job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I praise God for blessing you with so much talent! You've touched my heart every time you make something in my head come alive. Client testimonial -- |
The example above represents the heritage of two families, plus the melding of art with technology. The client for this project was paying tribute to his family heritage as an ancestor of the founding player of an Australian rugby team. Since photographs were limited, artwork was required to create this circa 1908 image. On the Creative Business Services side, I commissioned the talents of my apprentice/daughter to create the color pencil sketches, then used digital imaging to fine tune the finished artwork. As a result of the success of this project, my daughter now realizes that she has the talent to take on professional art, but you have to get past me, the proud father, to acquire her artistic services.
Not every picture starts out perfect, but problems can be fixed through photo manipulation. The example above is a fall color scene taken in three segments. Not only are the colors dulled from the pictures being being too dark, there are some unsightly tar lines in the road that detract from the image. All three images were combined and corrected for a wide angle view, the vibrancy of the colors was brought to life, and the finished image was edited to draw the eye to the beauty of this fall color scene.
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I enjoy having the opportunity to do something beyond merely replicating
a design. The
The two logo designs above were created before I started using computers. I do most of my work on the computer now, but these illustrate authentic graphic design work, hand drawn on a real drawing board (Yes, I still have all these classic design tools for when I occasionally need them). I have always favored simple two or three color designs for a logo. They look good at any size and do not cost a fortune to reproduce. Each graphic bears a suggestion of the business they were designed for. BK Hardwood is exactly as it sounds, a hardwood supplier. The wood grain inside the tree outline visually communicates hardwood. Michigan Coating Products is a paint manufacturer so I incorporated a brush stroke "M" into the logo design.
Another example of simple, two color graphic design would be the redesigned Creative Business Services logo. The idea was to communicate "creative" through the use of brush stroke while suggesting a business graph without being too typical. Having spent a few years branding the "cbscreative" as well, that is also emphasized in this redesign.
This recent sample demonstrates that classic two color logos still offer a lot of creative potential. This logo design stands out among fence companies by using a perspective look instead of a symmetrical design like most fencing contractors use. Makela Fence specializes in the carpentry and craftsmanship of wood, and this logo design helps communicate that distinction.
Steve's attention to detail is exemplary, he listened to my needs, and provided prompt feedback to all my questions. I have had many compliments from other people on Steve's designs, and I plan to use Creative Business Services for all of my future graphic design work. Client testimonial -- |
The many years I spent as a sign maker allowed this customer to have more value for the money they were able to spend. This picture above shows more than just a sign design, it is actually the proposal used to show the sign before it was even produced. The framework was already in place and needed only fresh paint. The sign itself needed complete replacement, but with no existing logo, I had some graphic design freedom. This design was chosen because it was for a condominium complex and needed to represent the conservative preferences of the residents, yet have some distinction and meet budget restraints. The colors are attention-getting, but not trendy.
For DBC Enterprises, I designed graphics for a fleet of twenty semi trucks with a total of five color combinations: two on white trucks, three on black trucks. The proposal shots, which are the two on the bottom show the graphics a little more clearly than the photographs. They use the same technique as Knollcrest Terrace sign above where the graphics are superimposed into a photograph to represent the finished product before any production work is done.
This four story graphic for a building in downtown Grand Rapids, MI is the largest hand painted project I have ever done. The graphics were painted in 1990 and still looked really good, even in 2002, when the building itself was repainted (12 years!). That's my way of selling you on my attention to detail in the prep work so I could make such a statement. The circle with the "25" is 21 feet in diameter, the letters between the third and fourth story, which are barely visible in this picture, are 3 feet high. This example is included because as someone who has worked out in the field, I believe I have more to offer than the average graphic designer.
Here is another example of early sign work which was designed and produced the old fashioned way, using freehand artwork. By incorporating a sundae into the center, it instantly says ice cream before it suggests apples. The icicles on the top and bottom border serve to reinforce the idea of a refreshing "chill" on a hot summer day. The interesting thing about sign design is that you have to communicate a visual message to an audience that passes by quickly. Having an artist who understands what you need to accomplish is a good test of graphic design expertise.
More Than Just Graphic Design Experience
Production Experience Yields Better Graphic Design
The choice of graphic design examples included on this page represent the fact that I have worked in the trenches as much as I have been at the drawing table. This provides a unique understanding of graphic design not shared by every graphic designer. I understand real world variables, such as how the choice of colors will endure the environment they are being required to withstand. I have the experience to create the artwork for each job, knowing exactly what is necessary to take it from the inspiration of an idea, to the reality of a finished project.
Because I understand the entire process, I can streamline the costs and avoid mistakes or expenses that otherwise might happen. Distance is no problem either because I have shared graphics files over the Internet for thousands of production jobs where I could not be physically present to control the output.
This solves another problem for you. There are some very creative people who do not understand the production. After you pay to have them design, you pay again to have a production artist fix their design so it can be used. Otherwise, you rely on a production artist who is good at making it useable, but they have less time for creativity and they rarely ever understand your business needs.
When you contact us for your next graphic design project, we will provide both experience and creativity. Best of all, we take the time to understand your needs, we design to increase your profits, and we will still be here the next time you need us. The turnover for production artists tends to run quite high.
