Tag: illustrator

Illustrated map of the Truckee River watershed

I have recently completed a watercolor and pencil illustrated map of the watershed of Truckee. This map will be used online as an informative diagram illustrating the boundaries of the Truckee River watershed. I am also working on the website for this large project as we speak. More updates to come!

Illustrations and Design for Interpretive Sign

I recently completed a super fun project where I was able to integrate my science illustration background with marketing and design in an interpretive sign. I was approached by the Truckee River Watershed Council to create an interpretive sign for their restoration project at Perazzo Meadows in the California Sierras. They provided some aerial photos, some photos of the site and where the intended sign was to be, a list of species at the site, a pdf of the planned change to the stream channel, and some ideas of tags they needed to show. From there, I created some sketches, got them proofed, incorporated changes and then added color. Once the illustrations were approved, I then finalized my watercolor and colored pencil illustrations and had them professionally photographed. When done, I then laid in the text and images into the interpretive sign layout. After some last minute changes, the sign layout was complete and sent to the sign shop. Check out more of my science illustration portfolio and how illustration can help for interpretive signange.

New illustrative designs for tees

I'm working on some fun illustrations lately with the thought to expand my tee line. Getting out of winter and back into climbing shape has inspired many of my new designs as well as has resurrected some older ones. If you haven't seen any of these hand-drawn surface designs for tee shirts, you can view them in my illustrations' gallery slideshow and even purchase some through my shop. Here's one of my newest called "Crack Climber."

Illustrations make you get noticed

Ever go to a job fair, chamber of commerce, bulletin board, or coffee shop flier stand? What do you see there? I typically see is an ocean of cookie-cutter marketing materials strewn about, hoping to catch the attention of a potential client. Unfortunately many of these businesses, events, or  people hoping to catch a break are only contributing to the mess. They spend countless hours, and hundreds, (if not thousands of dollars), hiring a designer to create a look and a printer to deliver that message so they stand out from the crowd. Yet, when using the same ol' fonts, colors, and layouts, how unique can one be? That's where hand-drawn elements can make your dollars (and time) count. Illustrations, either hand-drawn or painted, can make your business, event or project really POP! They can add that personal flavor that visually represents the person behind the project. And surprisingly enough, it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to do so. If you don't have the budget to recreate an entire website or full identity, you can often spice things up with just a few hand-drawn flourishes, icons, or hand-painted textures, etc. Illustrated design may not be for every business or everybody. For instance, if you are in financial consulting and appeal to a more conservative, middle-aged crowd, then a streamlined, corporate look will most likely be best. However, if you are hosting an event or creating a fundraiser t-shirt for a Gen X/Gen Y crowd who loves the outdoors, pets, music or art, then a hand-drawn theme may be the exact way to catch the attention of your market. In a world of over-stimulation and constant eye-candy, it seems impossible to make your materials stand out from others. However, offering the alternative from the standard will most likely gets heads turning, and eventually clients and customers coming your way.