chokedesign

New Poster (Yo La Tengo)

2007-01-26T04:39:01Z

Newest t-shirt design

2007-01-18T04:49:03Z

Here is a link to my latest sumbission to Threadless for the Josh Ritter contest. Please take a look and score.

Thanks.

Please Vote

2007-01-08T16:51:05Z

New Poster

2006-11-03T03:45:13Z

New poster

2006-10-26T01:16:36Z

The Daily Grind

2006-10-24T03:55:02Z

I am swamped. And I still haven't heard back from the client on the spec logos. I am beginning to worry. I would guess that I am not getting the project. But I cannot figure out why he would not respond. Time will tell I guess.

I am staying pretty busy with other clients though..

I saw Kit Hinrichs from Pentagram speak the other night. It was somewhat interesting. At the end there was Q & A. Someone asked what they look for when hiring at Pentagram. I always thought that Pentagram was my dream job. But after hearing his response I am not sure anymore.

He said the norm—hardworking, creative, thinker. And then he went into the being able to deal with clients. Which, too, I whole-heartedly agree with. But the thing that bothered me about what he said, was that he didn't want to be "afraid" to put someone in fromt of a client. Now obviously, you don't want someone who can't control their language, or can not communicate properly. But I think he was commenting about being too "out there" for the client to handle.

I think it is that stuff clients are "afraid" of, that makes a creative a creative. If we all came in neat little packages, prim and proper, like the suits—well then we probably wouldn't be much different than them would we? I think it is a bit scary that one of the top designers in the world would subscribe to such a notion.

I know there are some people who are truly creative with unique voices that do fit the mold. People who can get along fitting in with the rest of the world. (I am by no means promoting being purposely "weird" that is equally obnoxious) What I am promoting, is keeping your individuality. It's OK to be yourself. It's OK to get excited and stammer and stumble over your words. It's OK to come up with "scary" ideas. It's OK to think free of the fear of scrutiny or unacceptance.

I would have to say that if this is the policy he adopts, he probably is not producing many of his good ideas. I would bet that they must come from brainstorming with other younger, in-touch designers. You cannot have such narrow views and be so far removed from reality, and produce work that matters. Sure, he may produce some super clean designs that help his clients sell things. And, he may make some books about collections of american flags that follow a grid very well and have a clear and defined heirarchy. But is he moving anything forward? Is he applying the fresh thinking that probably got him to where he is? I think it must be a constant struggle and renewal of yourself in order for anyone to maintain validity in design.

I think the problem begins when you realize you've found the quickest path. You know you can make it to the coffe shop and order a coffe, not a latte, and make it to work on time. So you follow the same route every day. You pound it into the ground. Your co-workers see the path and start to follow. and there you have it. Everyone gets to work and gets the job done. But they have given up on any other possible routes.

Fuck that. Art Chantry said, "You have to make everyone else believe that you are the shit. But, as soon as you start to believe it, you're fucked." Amen.

Waiting

2006-10-20T05:25:57Z

It's been over 24 hours since I sent the spec work to the client. I am a little anxious to hear back from him. Sometime I think, "no news is good news." And then I think, "he's just putting off breaking the news that he went with someone else."

I think I am going to give him a call tomorrow to follow up.

On the bright side, I got a new client today. An insurance broker. a previous employer recomended me. So that's exciting. I have suddenly found myself busy. A nice change of pace.

Logos Sent

2006-10-18T22:56:03Z

So, after many sketches, revises and tweaks, I settled on two logos for the spec job I have been working on. I am excited about them actually. I think they are clean and on-point.

This is my first spec job so I don't know what to expect. I really want this project. I just hope I don't get ripped off. He doesn't seem like the type, but stranger things have happened.

Logos are always so agonizing for me. They will make or break a brand. Once they're out there, it is very hard to turn back. So this, coupled with my self doubt (self loathing may be a better term), makes it very difficult for me to hit the send button. I always feel some relief though after it is sent. I can stop thinking, stop fine-tuning.

So after about 30+ hours of work, I can relax. BEER!

Frustration

2006-10-17T04:49:15Z

So I am doing a spec logo for a lounge. And I am utterly frustrated. I am sick of looking at it. Sick of sketching it. Sick of thinking about it. But I am nowhere near where I want to be with it.

I love the feeling of finding those perfect solutions. When I know I have created something that I can firmly stand behind. But, man is it a pain in the ass getting there sometimes.

chokedesign @ 2006-10-16T01:53:00

2006-10-16T06:15:58Z

This is my first post.

I am a freelance graphic designer in York, PA. I am hoping to meet other designers, photographers, illustrators and of course — potential clients.

I ended up a freelance designer after working for a few ad agencies. While I learned a lot during my time at these agencies, I realized it was time for me to make the jump to freelance just five months ago. I found that I was compromising things I felt strongly about and being forced to produce work that I could not stand behind.

So here I am, five months in. So far, it has been going well. It’s a big adjustment. And, I have to admit I miss the environment sometimes. The thing I miss the most is having other creative minds to bounce things off of and collaborate with. What I don’t miss is the office politics and all the bullshit that you can’t avoid when working for someone else.

Right now I am working on some great projects. I have a few posters going on for the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia, some projects for Hershey Medical Center, a website for PhotOle Photography and some spec work for a new lounge opening in Chicago.

Future posts will range from bitching to discussing to new work to work in progress.

For now though, I have said enough.