Bequia Threadworks Brand Identity Design

Bequia Threadworks is a nonprofit sewing enterprise that empowers and trains the women of Bequia as artisan seamstresses. Working to spark economic transformation for Bequian families, the clothing line and identity are affirmation of the island’s craftsman history.

Teal was chosen for the logo color, inspired by the water in the Caribbean. A custom monoline script was created to reinforce authenticity and craftsmanship. Custom buttons with the B letterform were made to be used on the clothing line.

 

 

Rough sketch — studio at work

Rough sketch of a busy morning in the WECO. Prismacolor and red Sharpie.

Doodle: 1.30.13

Uniball (blue) with highlighter

New design for Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina

The Golden Ratio: where design and mathematics coincide

The golden ratio (also known as the golden mean, golden section or divine proportion) is a height to width ratio that measures 0.618 and manifests itself in nature, art and architecture. The Parthenon in Greece incorporates the ratio, but it’s unknown whether or not the designers actually used the principle. The human form has this same basic geometric relationship — DaVinci studied this and created drawings that illustrated the proportion in his Vitruvian Man (below). Piet Mondrian used the golden ratio in much of his work in  the 1920′s. Even Twitter uses the golden ratio principle for it’s screen design.

The Golden Ratio looks like this:

It's defined as the ratio between two segments such that the smaller (bc) segment is to the larger segment (ab) is to the sum of the two segments (ac), or bc/ab = ab/ac = 0.618.

And can be calculated like this (adding 1 to the ratio is phi, yielding the same basic geometric relationship):

More examples of the Golden Ratio:

Fascinating! Is it an inherent aesthetic preference or is it a design technique turned tradition? How do you explain the proportion found in nature? However you decide to answer those questions, it’s hard to argue that it has had an enormous impact on art and design over the years and continues to influence design today. Next time you see something that just “feels” right, or that you just can’t take your eyes off of, take a look at the proportions and remember – Ahh, it must be the 0.618!

- Ryon

Type Observed: Hobo

I see the typeface “Hobo” in a lot of different places — labels, signs, posters, logos – the list goes on. I once thought that this was one of the ugliest type designs out there, but I now realize that it’s not the design itself, or even the terrible name — it’s mostly because of how it’s used and misused. Of all the type crimes out there (thank you Ellen Lupton: http://www.thinkingwithtype.com/contents/extras/#Type_Crimes), you’ll often find Hobo as a nearby accomplice. And I’ve certainly made my jokes about this “awful” typeface over the years, but once I studied the origin and the history of this design, I’ve become much less critical.
Stylistically, Hobo looks like something crafted from 1970′s, but was actually designed in 1910 towards the end of the Art Noveau Movement. It was designed by Morris Fuller Benton, one of America’s most prolific typeface designers. After closer examination, the letters are actually well-proportioned (when typeset properly) — every part of each letter is curved, which gives it a decorative effect, but with a modern twist. It’s lowercase letters are unique — descenders that do not drop below the baseline. Yeah, it’s weird — but it’s designed to be a display type. Fairly progressive for 1910, considering that most typography from that period was very decorative and ornate.

So I’m no longer a Hobo-hater. I just hate seeing it being misused.

Note: If you’ve seen examples of Hobo type out there (good or bad), please send  some pics my way – I’m starting a collection of images and would love to include yours! Thanks.

CreateAthon begins!

CreateAthon www.riggs-createathon.com/ is our once a year, 24-hour, work-around-the-clock creative marathon during which we provide nonprofit marketing and design services on a pro bono basis. Let the work begin! Check out the video that Emulsion Arts (Charlotte, NC) made for the event. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBuhuaf4d1s

Protect Antarctica Poster

Poster I designed to support scientific research and preservation of Antarctica and its habitat. Specifically for Dean Schuster of www.truematter.com, who is running a marathon in Antarctica for the cause: Check it out at http://runningwithpenguins.com/

 

"Double"

A little illustration I did for Illustration Friday (a weekly illustration challenge), based on the single word "double". This double used to be a triple. Be happy with a double. Don't be greedy.