PAUL JM PLAYS OUT: BIRDSALL HOUSE DEC 2-2010

A non-design related post. I have been involved with graphic design for over 15 years. I have been involved with music for most (close to all) of my life; drums, guitars, writing; playing in bands and solo.

Well I have worked up a few sets of music consisting of my originals and other songwriter's originals. Some people call other people's originals 'covers', but I like to call them 'originals by others'. Anyway, I am taking my Fender Telecaster (or 1983 Fender Bullet), my Fender Blues Jr amp and Fender Passport PA system (I should see about an endorsement) out on the road to perform at one of the coolest bars in Westchester County: The Birdsall House in Peekskill, NY.

The photo of me was taken by my good friend Emmanuel Faure... brilliant, eh? I am using this for all my solo performance promotional needs. It works.

The set list consists of Please Lingering, Garden Us Beautiful and NOW, written by me as well as some Beatles, Catch The Wind (Donovan), Mysteries Of Love (David Lynch/Angelo Badalamenti) and Bridge Over Troubled Waters (Simon/Garfunkel).

Looking forward to it all. Birdsall House - Thursday, Dec 2 - 10pm

Thanks

E-BLAST: AMEDIA CYMBALS

I may have mentioned I have the pleasure and challenge to create a brand and promotional materials for the USA division of AMEDIA CYMBALS. And me, being a drummer... I mean what else could be more cool(er)?

Amedia, an old school cymbal manufacturer in Istanbul, Turkey, is just over a year old in the states but are definitely getting noticed. The sounds (am I repeating myself from a previous post) that spring out from a drumstick tap are some of the most musical sounds I have heard. I am not alone on this.

Anyway, I recently developed this e-blast with the US Sales rep, Dominick and the response was overwhelming. This went out to drummers and drum shops across the country. We had replies on how nice the ad was and are getting some shops to take in Amedia for retail. Does the idea for the image look familiar?

There is still a lot of work and designing to do and it's going to be a great road to travel.

Thanks

HIGHLIGHT FONT MAN: JONATHAN BARNBROOK OF VIRUS FOUNDRY

This just in. Apart from me (hmmm) Jonathan Barnbrook is  the definitive creator of the coolest fonts and typography. He has worked in close collaboration with renowned artists such as David Bowie and Damien Hirst.

Check out the interview here

NEW ART GALLERY WEBSITE: IT'S ALIVE

Celebrate the online presence of a new gallery downtown Peekskill: INNOVATIVE ARTS. 

Visit the site to get a feel what is happening there in the way of up coming gallery shows and art classes. Then you must take a ride to Peekskill, go to 1 South Division St to the second floor and say hello to the owners Steve and Judith at INNOVATIVE ARTS.

3D: PROGRESS WITH ELECTRIC RAIN SWIFT 3D

So, it goes something like this: I have had Swift 3D for a few years enabling me to create vector based animations for Flash. So far I've used the software at the most basic level and recently decided to dive in with tutorials and really learning how to model. The graphics to the left are a few results of this.

I am not a fan of using standard 'in the box' images so I created everything on my own. That would include bump maps, extrusions as well as the eye ball illustrated on the 3D sphere.

I am getting a bit faster and making fewer mistakes but still have a ways to go. My objective is to create environments with depth to utilize in my Flash websites. I am not looking for a graphic that shouts 3D!!!, just something subtle enough for a nice organic look and feel. Me. Me. Me.

POWERFUL TYPE - MEANINGFUL TYPE: TYPOGRAPHY

I am a lover of type and how a logo, or even a single word can tell a story when using the right font for the job. I came across this collection of invites online. Truly beautiful and adventurous. http://www.bloggs74.com/inspiration/25-inspiring-birthday-card-invitation-typography/

On the other hand, font FF-Milo was created to go almost unnoticed but yet carry strong attributes which lend itself to magazines and newsprint. Check out the font designed by Mike Abbink.

http://fontfeed.com/archives/ff-milo-becomes-super-family/

As well as other font by him:

http://www.fontshop.com/fonts/designer/michael_abbink

LOGOS NOT USED - OR - USED ON SECONDARY PROJECTS

Of course I like to promote the successful designs, but there are some graphics I really like that didn't quite make it... or they're used for secondary projects by the client. It's all good. 

So I want to show off a few that didn't go further than client meetings or discussions.

Thanks