"Temmpus"

Their have been several design projects in witch I have been a part of. One of the designs that I am proud of is the one created for my personal clothing line, TEMMPUS. The clock design was original created by me as the emblem for the clothing. This design is the most recent one that was created.

 When creating this brand I was heavily influenced by a Salvador Dali painting in witch be portrays the clock in a melting fashion, indicating the idea of Purgatory. The clock is melting as well in the logo but not in the same manner that we would find in Dali's painting. In this logo the clock is melting but looks more like a splatter than a melt. The use of negative space puts the idea of the 12,6,9, and 3 that are commonly found in a clock. What I don't like is how cramped it looks where the big hand meets the center piece, this specific area make it uncomfortable for the eye. The negative space in any design allows the eye to explore, but when the eye is not allowed to travel, it gives for an uncomfortable design. The logo could use a second look to work out the kinks and make it very eye friendly.

In this specific design I wanted to put the word "time" as a statement. Based on the feedback I was receiving on the design, I noticed the public not really being able to distinguish the design of the clock. So this design came from the frustration of certain people not recognizing the logo I designed. The two circles represent the seconds and the minutes. The thin circle represent seconds and the thick circles represent minutes. The typeface was accidental, even tho I'VE been taught how accidents shouldn't happen in design, and everything should be on purpose.

This design is well balanced but lack certain tweaks that can make it POP!

With that said, back to the drawing bored.....

Chipotle Restaurants, Grand and &th

Recently I visited a Chipotle in Downtown LA and I couldn't help but notice the way the interior design was set up. Because its down town  their are usually groups of people going out for lunch. The design platform is that of a lounge area with low seating and high roofs. The lights that dangle are meant to emphasizes the high roofs and light the food your eating. One thing Chipotle has, is fresh food, and with lights hovering over your food one can clearly see how colorful and fresh the food is while eating. What is fascinating was the lounge feel of the restaurants, but the lack of public outlets within the building. Besides the food quality that is another reason my the public gravitates to Chipotlet, because one feels comfortable lounging and eating but its meant to one go in and out. The interior designer wanted to encourage the atmosphere to "chill" but only if you have food. Because Chipotle is base on Mexican cuisine there is Aztec gods in back (at least in this one). The design of the chairs is that with no back to it to encourage conversion with a group of people. The chairs that have the back piece are design to encourage conversation almost two people.

Kamel Red Cigarettes Packaging

Tonight after work I was thirsty, so I bough a beer. Ready to drink my beer I found the register and something read caught my attention, of course they were cigarettes. Once again Graphic Design was a success, I bought the cigarettes, Kamel cigarettes.
 The packaging of this product was Red as the name of this specific style of cigarettes. At the top we see the words "KAMEL" in a Sans serif typeface with some wide kerning. The box is smaller than the other cigarettes boxes. The color scheme is red with a cream yellowish border and black type and think black stroke. What is interesting about the design is how the letter in word "RED" are arranged. We have the R in a on top of the letter E & D. The letter are is a bigger typeface. The overall design has a vintage feel to it to compliment the product that it is trying to convey; and old style of cigarette. At the bottom we can the old school illustration of the camel colored in the cream yellow and outline with black. The simplicity of this design is complimentary to the time the product was created. This design is still strong today because of the great type, kurning and color templet used.

Cantinflas Movie Cover

Recently the film depicting the Mexican film character "Cantinflas" portrait by the late Mario Moreno was released (2014). Usually film covers are to represent what the film is about without saying much and hinting upon a human feeling. The cover for the film Cantinflas did not fulfill those needs that a cover should hold. In the cover we see the character Cantinflas as he looking above over his shoulder in to the sky where the hot air balloon from "Around the World in 80 Days" is floating, the film that established him in American film. Tho the film follows the story of Mario Moreno and his claim to fame as the character Cantinflas, the cover suggest the role he played in Around the World in 80 Days as the grand success of his life. The film does follow Mr. Moreno's life as well as  toggles back and forth  to the director of "Around the World in 80 Days" and his struggles on trying to make the film. This is what is puzzling about the cover as it is titled "CANTINFLAS" but the actual film focuses on a American Director being just as important (in the film) as Mr. Moreno. The design of the cover suggest that Mr. Moreno is dreaming of playing role in the film, even thoe he was sough out by the american director. Admired by many  and very popular the chracter of "Cantinflas" was not his only role, but the design of the cover suggest that it was. Mr. Moreno does not play "Cantinflas" on the film "Around the World in *0 Days" which makes this cover so troubling. Some would say his best film is "Un Dia Con El Diablo" ( A Day With the Devil). The design of this cove should recognize the actor Mario Moreno and Cantinflas as he struggled between these two characters. The typeface used is clever as it is all different color and upper case, this typeface summarizes the character of "Cantinflas"

Wacom tablet

So about a year ago I was given a Wacom sketch tablet for Christmas. As a designer its one the greatest gift I have ever received . The tablet is not difficult to use but does take some time, I have a year with it and I'm still trying to get a feel for the mechanism. I do enjoy how the device is a plug an play, it quickly links up with adobe suit programs. When you connect the tablet it makes it great to sketch and save. The accuracy of the pen and the program can lag but that depends on your computer. The sketch tool feels like a regular pencil/ marker and the weight is as similar. I do have a problem with the size of the pad. I know I didn't get the pro but the other pad has a black rectangle that is 1/4 of the pad and limits the use of the pad. The portion of the pad is where the sensor picks up the pen, but I don't understand why we have to waist 1/4 part of the actual tablet. The sensors that pick up the pen are less then a quarter inch wide. The tablet is not to thick and it is  convenient to carry around. Although I lack the finances to purchases the professional tablet, I am well satisfied with the tablet and would highly recommend it to my colleagues.

2015 Corvette stingray

A car that I always found fascinating in its design, because it has always pushed the boundaries of design is the Corvette Stingray.  Always with a slick and stylish design that has set a standard. This car has been used to be the bat mobile for its contortionist design and futuristic feel. That is where my problem lies the 2015 Corvette Stingray is  no longer a corvette stingray it looks like every other super car available in the market today. In the older designs we were able to distinguish a regular corvette from the stingray, but this one right is to similar to the ones out there. I understand the new approach to design is to be less dramatic but as detailed as possible. I believe being dramatic can capture the essence of a car as well as add character to the car. The 2015 Corvette looks appealing and slick but does not capture the character that a Corvette Stingray hold. I do appreciate how the designers made the headlights shapes to the old couture lines seen on the 80's hood. The 2015 model is shorter and longer as well as smoother from the top. The front end still hold the V shape which i highly appreciate. I do like how the reflector lights are no longer square but they are rectangles that hug the end of the frame.The simplicity but extravagant original design said more about the cars character then the new  design. The new design replaces the couture lines with air vents. The new model looks likes more like a Dodge Viper. I do like the new design but I don't appreciate the lack cof character the Stingrays have always had.

Persepolis Film

Recently for my English 102 class, I was assigned to read the graphic novel Persepolis. Along with reading the novel we watch the film in class. This film is  entertaining and well put together, the illustration are simple but the message is clear. From the first time that I saw it back in 2008 the film still holds up. The novel/film follows the story of a young girl growing up in Iran and the struggles she comes across as a female in the country. Through out the story we are introduce to character of her family and the individuals stories and struggles they faced. The illustrations of the book are very simple but the message is clear, as a reader and audience you are able to distinguish nouns being described.  I should mention that the graphic novel mainly uses black and white to reference the story. This is where simplicity does not matter, the illustrators design concept was in the use of negative space to distinguish movement, emotion and overall characteristic. the black and white concept is used to reference the main character telling her story from the present. In the film we see movement of the human form in the solute form contrasting with the textural background. The characters do look similar but we are able to distinguish characters trough hair style, eye color with to fill and just stroke. I found it fascinating how the illustrator introduced the main character with a black mole to distinguish her. I know what your thinking what is so fascinating about that, well the simple reason is, the mole becomes the identity of that main character, Through out the story we get a sense of physical and emotional identity through that simple dot in her face. That the beauty of art and that the beauty of this Graphic Novel, of course the creative writing help.



This is a perfect example of the creativity behind the illustration.  We all remember grade school, where we had older school staff members creeping up like snakes to tell you what your doing wrong that day, well this is whats happening in this scene. This is a small example of the great reading and design you can find in this novel.

Keurig Coffee Machine

So lately I have been intrigued my the Keurig machine as we recently obtain on in our household. This machine goes far beyond a regular coffee maker, not only by its design but buy its simple ability. 

So the machine is well design allowing the operator to make coffee without having to turn on a flame or burn any fingers.

The water is pour on the container in the left which is the filter through the machine. The machine cuts a whole through the cartridge where the water then flows through and you get your coffee.

The design of the machine can be a bit intimidating at first because of its futuristic design but as soon as you play with it you begin to get the routine of its operation. The color used in the machine area a chrome trip with black and dark silver, also encouraging that futuristic look. When you look at the Keurig you can help but appreciate the overall design with its curves and style and simplicity, it does look like something that would be found in the Star Trek, Enterprise. I'm sure its been said but this is the future of coffee making. The chrome latch at the front opens up allowing you, the operator to change the coffee you desire. The machine is about a foot and a quarter high, a foot long and a foot wide and it fits great in any counter.