Human Prop Oct 10

HUMAN PROP

Every Friday in October @ 10:30pm/Odd Duck Studio 1214 10th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98122

Human Prop is a group of Seattle improvisors that have been performing together since January 2010, typically at the Odd Duck Studio located on Capitol Hill. Enlisted by my friend and Human Prop improvisor, Wilfred Padua, I have made posters for the up-and-coming comedy group. Many thanks for Wilfred and Human Prop for the opporunity! Keep the funny train rolling!

Love,

Michael

Initial Guidelines – Seattle, simple, quirky, classic, something that could be also be a poster, feature Peridot Green (wedding color) as key color

Final Draft (Front)

Final Draft (Back)

FINAL DRAFT

GABE GOT HIS SAVE THE DATE IN THE MAIL. JOY!

My sister suggested I try several sky/water gradient options (purples, blues, reds, oranges). Unexpectedly, she also suggested I try a gray gradient (or GRAYdient, haha!). It really highlighted the Peridot while simulating what the skies will probably look like on the New Year’s Eve wedding date. To give the piece more dimension (and pop!), I also added an outer glow on the hands and the names at the top. For the back, I went with a color reversal on the border and a washed out illustration of hands. What do you think?

Now to the invitation…

Draft #5

Draft #5

Interesting what I’ve been able to learn about my sister while working on this project. She’s not a big fan of the color pink. Makes sense now, but it was just interesting. For this reason, this newest version is void of any hint of it. Dan really enjoyed the skyline, so I included in fusion with the forest, providing a foundation for the Mt. Rainier centerpiece. Adding a lake (referencing both Lake Washington and Lake Michigan) and changing the typeface for “Daniel & Liezl” are the major changes for this draft. I think I’m getting close…

Draft #4

Draft #4

To my relief, my sister and Dan expressed that I was starting to move in the right direction. Correcting the brightness of the Peridot Green was the one edit suggested. I was still not happy with the composition of the piece. To me, it didn’t say wedding, let alone express anything affectionate. Without the text, it was just a “plain Jane” illustration glorifying a Seattle view. My intention wasn’t to attract tourists; it was to illustrate this important event for both of our families. It needed something to connect it all. The addition of the heart shaped hands was my attempt to remedy my dissatisfaction with the work. I also added some purple and pink accents to play with the greens.

Draft #3

Draft #3

Drafts #2 and #3 were sent simultaneously. As a minor change, I shifted the skyline off -center just a bit, highlighting Mount Rainier.

Draft #2

Draft #2

Ok. The fish idea didn’t really float. I had almost convinced myself that the tagline “What a catch!” would be too clever to dismiss. Oh well :p

Returning to the drawing board, I prepared something that was a more picturesque Seattle featuring Mt. Rainier, the Seattle skyline, and a multitude of evergreens. In this version, Peridot is first featured as the prominent key color.

Draft #1

Draft #1

Getting these things started is always the hardest part. This project was particularly daunting because it was for MY SISTER’S WEDDING (AH!).

After checking out a few venues, Dan and my sister eventually pegged the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) as the reception space. Recently inspired by old Western-esque design (ex: The Well), I was tickled to see these elements present in the Boomtown Seattle and replica Alaskan fishing ship exhibits  at the museum. Because each location represented their hometowns (my sister from Seattle and Dan from Soldotna, Alaska), this was particularly fitting. Taking these items, I readied a draft that played with fishing elements and Western-looking typefaces.

BACKGROUND

On the sunrise of Sunday, April 4th at the shores of Lake Michigan, Daniel proposed to my sister, Liezl. Dan cleverly hid the engagement ring in an Easter basket (it was Easter Sunday after all) so my sister never saw it coming.

Ok, that’s a lie. Both families had a sense that this was going to happen sometime or another. My sister even hinted at my design-related involvement with the whole shebang if it were to happen.

Since that fateful morning, I’ve been inundating my design consciousness with wedding stuff (save the dates, invitations), vintage posters, and other stuff my sister finds aesthetically pleasing. From my request, Dan and my sister sent me lists and images that were meaningful and indicative of their relationship.

From this, I have tried to grasp what they want this event to look like (this is an ongoing process).

In addition to the save-the-dates and invitation designs, I have also lent a hand in researching and visiting wedding reception spaces. Michael, wedding planner extraordinaire? Perhaps. But for now, I’ll settle (primarily) with designing save the dates and invitations.

Congrats Ate and Dan and thanks for this extremely meaningful opportunity!

Love,

Michael

AHL - African Hockey League

PRESS RELEASE

11 August 2010

From the Office of the Commissioner, Sheik T.E. Aurence

After the astounding success of Middle Eastern League Baseball (MELB), we are pleased to announce our most exciting and most inspiring business venture yet, the African Hockey League (AHL). Tapping into a market of unheralded potential, our only limit is destiny.

The recent success of the World Cup has shown us that sport can be a profitable venture throughout the continent. Given the African affinity for fast-paced sport and shooting things into a net, hockey is the most logical next step. Given that hockey has never before been played on African soil, there is no precedent for failure and no known competition.

Now introducing our original six of the African Hockey League:

Northern Conference Teams

Northern Conference

Cairo Canadiens

Mogadishu Blackhawks

Mwanza Lakers

Southern Conference Teams

Southern Conference

Malawi Heat

Robben Islanders

Zanzibar Merchants

We are excited about our latest venture and are dedicated to committing as much of our resources and talents to this as we have to our past sporting ventures. May the AHL bring a new world of hockey to a continent thirsting for ice.

Salam Aleikum,

Sheik T.E. Aurence, Commissioner

More Post-Colonialisms (Middle Easter League Baseball – MELB)

MELB - Middle Eastern League Baseball

PRESS RELEASE

10 August 2010

From the Office of the Commissioner, Sheik T.E. Aurence

Today we are pleased to announce the realization of a dream decades in the making. After years of waxing and waning American influence throughout the Arab world, Middle Eastern League Baseball (MELB) aims to be the most exciting and entertaining venture and enterprise for a public hungry for sport. With eleven teams across three continents, we hope to unite both Sunni and Shiite fans from Marrakech to Tehran. After the successful importation of democracy, the importation of sport is bound to bring prosperity to the region and fans.

Teams will be broken up into two divisions: The Westernized Division and the Orientalist Division based on geographical location, fan base, and market size.

Westernized Division

Teams in the Westernized Division will include the:

Westernized Division Teams

Damascus Dodgers

Green Zone Big Green of Baghdad

Istanbulls

Marrakech Mariners

Tel-Aviv A’s

West Bank Chargers

Orientalist Division

Teams in the Orientalist Division will include the:

Orientalist Division Teams

Baghdad Bombers

Dubai Mets

Kuwait Oilers

Riyadh Royals

Tehran Isotopes

With an eye towards further expansion in the near future, these teams will provide a steady base for a viable business venture and fun for fans around the globe. We look forward to having you join us in this exciting time for the Middle East and for sport.

Salam Aleikum,

Sheik T.E. Aurence, Commissioner

(Excerpt written in collaboration with Matt Salazar)

Conceived during a sophomore level course entitled “Understanding Islam”, Middle Eastern League Baseball first began with the notion that if an American-styled sports team were to be located in Dubai it would surely have to pay tribute to the massive construction boom that has simultaneously defined and bankrupted that Emirate. Inspired, they then pondered what teams might exist in a Middle Eastern sports league. What sports would they play? Who would be their mascots? They found that puting typical Americanized sports teams in the Middle East would result in team names that are unbelievably racist. It’s only natural to think that the American thirst for high performance sports move abroad. After all, the NBA already has a plan for world domination. Why let them have all the fun? This collection of logos points to the commercialization and percieved trivialization of the growth of the American Empire and spread of American culture abroad.

(This is part of a continuing series of team logos that I will be updating periodically. Check back for more!)

Love,

Michael

Harbor Island

With all the Brontosaurus Sunsets I’ve seen lately, I couldn’t resist.

Love,

Michael

4 Choices

This is the first of two ideas presented to me from the braintrust of Matt Salazar. Which of these four do you like best? Feel free to respond on the comments section below, Facebook, or Twitter. Details of your respective opinions will be posted later this week. Thanks for your help and support!

Love,

Michael

Happy Birthday Gabe!

Love,

Michael

CD Chupacabras Crest

THE NEW CD CHUPACABRAS WEBSITE! —  Check here for team stats, schedules, and other Chupacabra news

CD CHUPACABRAS IN THE TWITTERSPHERE — Follow King Chup!

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP. RALLY THE CHUPS.

BUY CD CHUPACABRAS GEAR HERE

With Sounders FC, is there really room for another Seattle soccer powerhouse? Instead of taking Paul Allen head-on (Soccer Pun #1), this team is serious about soccer, just not seriously talented.

CD (Club Deportivo) Chupacabras (Spanish for “goat suckers”) started as as group of 20-somethings looking for a break from their nine-to-fives, girlfriends, and hours of Modern Warfare II. It has since grown to something much more than that.

Appeal has spread to the soccer hooligan and the soccer mom alike. With a Facebook of following topping 100 and game time crowds reaching double-digits, the club has struck a chord. To keep up with demand, the Chups have even begun selling t-shirts.

The goal (Soccer Pun #2) of CD Chupacabras was to have fun. Who knew it would become a larger community?

True to the “Club Deportivo” (Sports Club) name, CD Chupacabras has expanded to softball!

This is a Dodge.

Meme fodder:

2010 Dodge Challenger “Freedom” Commercial

I’m the Juggernaut, Bitch (Go to 2:19 for Dodge reference; Watch whole thing for a good time)

Vuvuzela

Love,

Michael

Mexico vs. France Viewing Party

FACEBOOK EVENT – RSVP NOW

Mexico vs. France World Cup Viewing Party Thursday June 17th!

Come watch “El Tri” in style as they take on France in their 2nd World Cup Match

Free Mexican Food

A great space to watch the event—lots of TVs and billiards and bowling.

No cover charge.

Give us your feedback on our new product and get a free Corona ticket and a chance to win a Jabulani World Cup ball, a Mexico jersey, and other great prizes

Arrive between 10-11 a.m. and double your chances to win and get an extra Corona beer ticket

When
Thursday June 17th
Doors open at 10 a.m. for the 11:30 a.m. kick-off

Where
Garage Billiards & Bowl on Capitol Hill in Seattle
1130 Broadway, Seattle, WA
http://www.garagebilliards.com/
You must be 21 or older

RSVP
Please let us know you are coming and how many friends you’re bringing by emailing todd@boomboombrands.com
Space is limited, be sure to RSVP and come early

Sponsored by Corona and presented by BoomBoom Brands.

Thanks to Job Romo and BoomBoom Brands for the design opportunity!

Love,

Michael