Same ol' same ol' never inspired anyone.
Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Illustration, in the traditional sense, was a supplemental and representational activity. Concept, thought provocation, and the ability to stand on its own as a message didn’t become mainstays of illustrators until more contemporary times. Imagery was simply meant to visualize the text while that text did the heavy lifting. This straightforward execution can still be used today as a viable direction. It helps, though, when the text is behaving in a way that mimics its meaning.
Do What You Love and You Will Never Work a Day in Your Life
At the time of this design my daughter was 8. One day she announced wanting to be a dog walker when she grew up. “I can play with puppies and exercise while I work. I’ll love it”! I agreed to make her a business card. A few days later when she changed her mind, this sentiment remained. I admit being devastated that a perfectly good logo would go to waste, but happy, nevertheless, with its place here.
You are Posthuman and Hardwired
I love the notion of this Marilyn Manson lyric in our digital age. It brings to mind a hybrid of organic and electronic. Fluid, liquified video static infused into a next-level human.
Always Drink Upstream From the Herd
Great advice for outdoorsmen, better advice when drinking an adult beverage. Twisting this meaning sets up an unexpected punch (poor pun intended) that is humorous and more memorable. It’s also an excuse to design liquor packaging.
The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side
Not to be upstaged by images, typography can be used as illustration—even when not illustrative. The demand placed on the viewer to complete this puzzle makes its aesthetic intellectually rather than cosmetically.
Like a Monkey Fucking a Football
Am I supposed to go here? But he is going there. She said to do this, but why are they doing that? Is he doing it or is she? Do I go forward or backward? Grab this or break that? Are you doing it or am I supposed to? Why isn’t anyone on the same page? Nobody knows anything as they fumble + bumble all over themselves, guessing. This may be a bit of an inside-joke utilizing the vintage 80’s game, Donkey Kong, but the other dozen games happening simultaneously speak to the behavior of the saying. And, of course, Donkey Kong is a monkey. There’s that.
Whatever
Sarcasm and Valley Girl accents are what I hear when thinking of this “phrase”. What I see, however, is more surreal. Anything labeled “Whatever” can certainly be just that. In fact, it feels like an open invitation to play. Patterns, objects, and situations juxtapose to form a gratuitous canvas that, ironically, carries meaning because it is gratuitous in this context.
Suicide Giraffe
Most design comes from having a specific problem that you purposefully set out to solve. That intentional thought-sequence leads to choices of imagery, type, colors, position, and styles all working towards meaning. I still don’t know where the idea for quips like this originate—seemingly out of nowhere. My best guess is that I was brainstorming another project, playing with the idea of a noose, it didn’t work for that project, but I found something interesting in messing with the characteristics of the noose. Sucks for the sad giraffe, though. Well, maybe not. Wrong tool for the job.
“The Revolution is Carried Out By Means of One’s Thought”
Caricature. Political satire. Penis envy. Clearly the reason for such posturing and aggression has something to do with compensation. A deeper, more Freudian, explanation is also offered for obesity. This enigmatic quote by Kim Jong-Un is better understood now. Don’t show him this—I don’t believe I would enjoy torture.
