0. Working title: “The Design Network”

1. Project Goals: To get my name known as a good designer and increase site traffic through a network of sites that bring a high volume of users

2. Project Description: I will be creating a site that is the beginning of a network of sites that will attract a high volume of users — The site will be visually on the cutting edge  and the content will be design oriented. Also, during the development of the site I will be focused on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to increase site volume.

3. Specifically Studying: The Envato network and their network of design-oriented sites

4. Visual Research: Again I will be looking at the Envato network of sites but also: GoMediazine.com — part of the GoMedia network

5. Treatment visuals for the project: the treatment will come when I actually start designing. There is no need to make a fake version before the real version!

6. Description of Specific technical issues: I need to figure out how to take a .com that I purchase (cheap) and host it on the host I already have.  Also, I need to figure out in more finite detail the use of tutorials that I find in other places online. Can I just re-write the tutorial?

7. Timeline: Since there are 7 weeks until the end of the term here is my time line/week:

- Week 1: What the content will be, specifically described with examples of similar pages and what is different about my idea

- Week 2: start mock-ups for the site in Photoshop (Ideas for the layout, not the actual graphics)

- Week 3: Graphics being made and put into mock-up

- Week 4: Site construction begin, hopefully will have the main home page done by the end of this week

- Week 5: Gather content so the site will be “Full” for the launch & continue making the site

- Week 6: Continue making the site, gathering information/content

- Week 7: Prepare and launch the site. Also, set up Google Keywords

Ideas for site design:

http://www.gomediazine.com/

http://arsenal.gomedia.us/

http://www.jonathantrumbull.co.uk/

http://www.photoshoplady.com/tutorial/create-a-trendy-typographic-poster-design/659 — I like the combination of 2d and 3d elements

http://ecoki.com/ — Everything seems to be going towards “Organic” design, so it will be good to have references

http://us.blizzard.com/diablo3/index.xml — I have to remember to HAVE FUN when making the site, then it will be good — all of blizzard’s site are SO fun to cruise around, I’m sure they had fun making it. Also I really like how Tyrael (the angel type character) moves and I want something with movement on the home page. Which might be a “Splash” page like blizzard has.

Working Title: “The Offering”

Project Goals: To better myself as an illustrator, both speed and quality. Also, to work with print design and page layout and to finish a very nice looking project for my portfolio.

Project Description: To make a ~12 page comic book based on the Cain and Abel myth from the bible. The story will be set in modern time with some fantasy twists (Demons, Angels, Gods, etc.). The point of choosing the story is: it’s an old story of jealousy and deceit that can carry over to be an interesting story in modern day.

Specific Products: There will be a number of character studies for my main characters: Cain, Abel, their father and god. There will also be studies for environments.  The “final” product will be a 12 page comic book.

Visual Research: I’ve been looking at a number of artists for visual direction on this project here are a couple samples:

Visual Treatment: I am fairly happy with my most recent page production CLICK HERE TO SEE IT

Technical/Research Issues: I think my largest issue will be consistency is drawing/coloring technique. I find that my visual style constantly changes as I find new ways to produce my artwork and I’m sure I will as I draw and color more and pieces for this project. Also, the printing of the project will be a topic of research. I have printed many catalogs while working for Musician’s Friend which will be very similar to printing this comic.

Timeline: This is going to be very tentative as inspiration comes and goes but here it is (since there are 7 weeks left in this term, here is the breakdown by week):

- Week 1 (starting on Oct. 19th) Have solid character designs down for Cain/Abel/Father/God

- Week 2 Have the first page complete

- Week 3 Have the first spread complete (2 pages total)

- Week 4 Have the first 2 spreads complete (4 pages total)

- Week 5 Have the first 4 spreads complete (8 pages total)

- Week 6 Have 6 spreads complete (12 pages total)

- Week 7 After having drawn every character so much, come up with a back/front cover and front/back inside flaps (forgot the proper name for these) — This will also be the week I print.

It’s all about the process, isn’t it? As far as my artistic process is concerned I prefer to be in my studio with music, caffeine and images that inspire me.
Here is an image of my studio:

As far as a ritual, I guess it would be fairly simple: Start the music and start drawing!
I do not like drawing in public places, people stop my work-flow… Sometimes it works out well though, I’d just prefer to stay in the studio I guess

When I think about what I want my comic to look like as a whole I think of the follow key-phrases: Dark, scary, intrigue, evil, beautiful. I include beautiful, yes, I don’t want the comic to look nasty, at all – I want the design to be very nice — I want people to look at it but also not want to look because of the content. I have several pieces by other artists gathered for a visual treatment but I would prefer to shape those images into my own style so I will not post them. I will, however, post my own images (later today, or tomorrow) for my visual treatment.
The story itself is already written and I will reveal that when the time comes!
I know this post is somewhat weak, I will modify when I have images.

This is more if an “Illustrated Novel” by Brom — One of my favorite artists. This book is a mix between a graphic novel, a novel and a comic. The images and the entire design of the book are very much how I want my comic to feel: Dark, beautiful, scary, exciting, evil — Anyways here is the page I chose to analyze:

Lets first take a look at the image border. It fits very well with the overall design, it’s tattered and makes the image feel like a PART of the page, very nice (5/5). The tattered page itself enhances the style of the design, that includes the 2 burn holes at the bottom of the page (5/5). The image itself is incredible, Brom after all is first and foremost an artist (5/5). I do have one thing I don’t like about the page though: the text is TOO CLOSE to the image. Yes, you need more room on the in-seam of the page but that edge is simple too close to the text, don’t you agree? (3/5).
Feel free to comment/disagree with me.

Another hard choice here but I chose John Singer Sarget. This artist is simply: incredible. Looking at his work is like reading a really good novel, his brush work tells stories and plays with your eyes again and again. Go look at this person’s work and you will be amazed too, I promise – THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS. One of the best to ever live.
Here are some samples of his work (Click the images for a larger gallery):

This artist, Daniel Dociu, has a really unique style for digital artists in the commercial world. Daniel has an additive style of digital painting where things seem to be physically constructed in his pieces. His stuff is really a lot of fun to look at because there is so much there. Mainly, he is focused on scenery and concept work for environments, very exciting stuff.
Here are some samples of his work (Click on the images for a larger gallery):

Here are some thumbnails, or storyboard pieces by Jason Chan. Thumbnails should be done rapidly and should LOOK rapid, have a gander at these (click to enlarge in a new window):

I spent all night on Monday thinking of a place I’ve never been in the Rogue Valley as I’ve lived here for over 22 years. I was trying to think of something unique and exciting, normally things you would find outside of the valley… The answer dawned on me sometime on Tuesday and I realized I was sitting in my answer. A new place I’ve never been would, in fact, be my house and what’s happening in my life. Sure you could say life changes constantly and you’re never in the same “place” – but in my case everything around me is new, let me elaborate:

Just as backup I did go sit in the E.R. at ACH for an hour but I wasn’t profoundly moved, so I didn’t write about it. I’m more of a conceptual person, writing about going to an ER (hadn’t ever been there) didn’t seem like too exciting of a concept for me.

Speaking of concepts, I have a few good ideas for my comic, be ready… Actually, don’t be, it’s more exciting that way.

Ok, for my known artist, this was a super hard pick, there are SO many good artists that I look at consistently, but I’d have to say some of the most inspiring work and simply enjoyable to look at is: William Bouguereau. A french artist from the 1800’s — Here are a couple samples of his work (click the images for a larger gallery):