DESIGN WORKOUT...

Just thought I would share something this week that I have done for years. Not sure whether or not it is the best practice, but I can say it is challenging and fun.

Start by choosing a magazine that you feel is loaded with design stimulation, and visual impact. I like Source Magazine, Essence, Vogue, XXL Magazine. It's up to you. For the next five graphic design related assignments force yourself to use that magazine as your reference guide. No Google images, just this magazine. It's tough because you have to make the assignment work for your clients, but all influence, and inspiration must come from this one source, be it a logo, postcard, presentation you name it.

Try it. It is quite a design workout, but it helps you apply some new disciplines while pushing your creative parameters into unexplored avenues.

For some reason, the results are always outside of my design comfort zones. Mind you, I am not talking about copying design, I mean channeling visual influence. It's still your work and will still bare the integrity of your designing style, just within the lines of a foreign source.

If anyone tries this, let me know how it turns out.

Thank you for looking.

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All the best,
JNESS
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JNESS GRAPHICS
Bigger Art Is Better!™
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Commissioned Art:: Book Cover by JNESS

A  Wonderful new book of poetic artistry on sale soon by Karen Guardiola Lopez. I will be posting links the moment the book is available. An absolute must read!

Jannette Asked: Why Do you Draw Plus Size Superheroes?

The answer is a simple one, Superheroes are American icons, they have been a part of our culture as far back as men have had imaginations. I am fortunate because my art doesn't just respond to my inner creative voice, but it serves a community that needs a positive voice outside of all the negative misrepresentations of Plus Size.  So my natural love of the superhero genre makes it a perfect platform for including people of size into the pop culture mosaic.

It's not because I have a problem with the original versions of the superheroes or the demographic that they represent. It's just an artistic reinvention designed to speak to how we think and see people of all walks, shapes and sizes. Not as targets of jokes, disrespect, and discrimination, but as a part of our society and culture.

Thanks Jannette for posing the question.
And thanks to you all for looking.

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All the best,
JNESS
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JNESS GRAPHICS
Bigger Art Is Better!™
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HOW TO MAINTAIN CLIENT RELATIONS...

Last week, I missed making the blog entry. Reason… You guessed it, "Life got in the way". Fortunately the smoke eventually cleared and I got back on track with my client related work and eventually my blog post. It's a case of the dreaded workflow domino effect.

This is a classic example of how a designer ends up being late delivering to a client or several clients. Which brings me to the point of this week's entry. It is important that as creatives providing a service to our customers, that we are always forthcoming and sincere about events that effect the timeline on a project.

When the unexpected rears it's ugly head, keep your client in the loop. They don't need to know the personal details of the situation at hand, but they need to know that the timeline is effected. I have found that clients appreciate getting the heads up versus having to track you down to find out what's going on. It's a professional way of working and it maintains the standards of the industry as a whole.

People appreciate the fact that you consider their deadlines and value their time, in return they value your time and will continue to patronize your service.

Thank you for looking
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JNESS GRAPHICS
Bigger Art Is Better!™
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Commissioned Art - Mix CD Cover - Created For J'Ann entitled "Free World"art by JNESS

Fabulous project. J'Ann 's music is fitting perfectly into the hip hop mosaic. I was very excited when she spoke to me about this job and the idea she had for the cover. She's an easy going client, who has faith in my ability to bring the style and feel she was after to fruition. This is the result of our work. Hope you like. Let me know what you think...

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JNESS GRAPHICS
Bigger Art Is Better!™
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Commission Art - Revisited / Created for DJ JAY THREEOH SlowFlow vol. V

Smooth It Out Mixtape Cover for DJ JAY THREEOH SlowFlow vol. V illustration by JNESS
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JNESS GRAPHICS
Bigger Art Is Better!™
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