I’m currently teaching a lighting class and a recent assignment focused on texture and the ability to minimize or exaggerate it as the situation required. Since sandpaper is all about that texture, it served as the perfect model.
Back With the Best of Both Worlds!
Well hey there, folks!
Nope – I didn’t drop off the planet and I didn’t take a crew position on the H.M.S Galactica. In reality the answer’s a bit more boring. Life’s been busy, projects have been in flux, and work’s been less visual and more consultation-based.
Over the last 6 months I’ve acquired some new clients, started fresh projects with previous clients, and been on a number of adventures. Why, I even started teaching at an accredited institution and have been presenting a growing series of motivational presentations directed at upcoming professional creatives. (So, I can safely say you should be expecting some content that’s excited to jab at your cerebral cortex.)
To kick things off, I’d like to showcase a recent project. It took about a month to put together and ended up producing one of the best outtake reels I’ve ever shot. (That’s coming a bit later).
Going on a year and a half ago, I put out this post for a recently finished project. Canine Resolution contracted me for a branding package, photo series, and promo packets. It’s now 18 months later and video’s the name of the game.
I’ll give you a quick rundown.
Canine Resolution is the Metro Area’s best dog training institution. No – really. They just won 1st place in the 2014 Detroit A-list Competition for “Best Dog Trainer.” They work in all programs from puppy and the A.K.C Canine Good Citizen Program, to agility, scent training, and schutzhund (attack training). Their program shuns shock collars or negative reinforcement and promotes simultaneous training of owner and dog. All things considered, it’s pretty awesome.
So, let your eyeballs be entertained and soak in the official Canine Resolution Commercial.
– Jon
A Project of Furry Proportions
Hooray! I’ve been waiting quite a while to share this one with you guys, but I had to iron out the finer details first.
Way back in the spring, I began doing video work for The Michigan Animal Rescue League. The promo spot caught the attention of one of their 
sponsors, The Urban Dog, an all-natural dog food and supply store out of Rochester Michigan.
After a fairly lengthy amount of planning and conceptualizing, we settled on an advertising project that would include a promo video, a series of ad posters, and a collection of interviews about the store.
Then the fun started.
Probably a good 80% of the dog owners I know graciously allowed me access to their furry family members. After a couple months of video, photography, editing, audio selecting, and post processing – the project is locked, loaded, and ready for you, the loving audience.
Also, be sure to swing by TheUrbanDogStore.com to see what they’re all about. I learned a lot on this project I wish I had known years ago about maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle for your dog.
And I’d also like to mention how massively thankful I am to everyone who helped my out and let me borrow your dogs for the afternoon.
Check it!
Jon
Home Grown Ads.
Hey y’all! Sorry it’s been a bit since the last post – Finals week sort of took up my time. But now I’m back and ready to rock out some new work!
Let’s start with a finish. Over the last few months there have been regular posts about a series of group adverting projects. We’ve seen hygene products, security systems, summer-y desserts… No we finish the series in the real estate industry.
Our task for this last project was to design a pair of single page ads, a 2-page spread, a billboard, and a commercial. The task was intended to focus on the service industry, so we chose the real estate sector (specifically residential real estate.
I’ll skip the long-drawn breakdown of why we did what we did – Enjoy!
Oh – and fair warning: the video is REALLY cheesy.
A Wonderfully Delicious Series
Hey! I shot a menu! It was a delicious day…
You may have seen this post (in fact my very first post). For the past 8 months or so, I have been acting as visual/marketing coordinator for a local bowling center (Wonderland Lanes in Commerce, Michigan).
There’s been stuff like advertisement photos, event coverage, high school leagues – basically full coverage. Even busted into logo and business card designs.
Recently the hard and heavy phase of projects got under way. Wonderland is home to The Mad Hatter Pub. However, unlike the everyday bowling bar – this place has some tricks. Comedy night’s a huge hit, as is Wonderband. Basically there’s some ambiance you wouldn’t expect.
Of course the food is a welcome surprise, as well. That’s where the menu comes in. A little bit ago we began getting the raw “ingredients” set up for all the upcoming promotional material. With the culinary mastermind, Bobby Durrant, the whole shoot got knocked out in one day. Now, extra-designy Ashley Lawler is in progress of menu layout.
There’s to be a heck of an unveiling for the new items, but – for you folks – here’s a little sneak peek.
– Jon
A good defense is the best… defense.
We’re back for round 2 of the collaborative projects. You may have seen the first post a little while ago. For those just joining in, allow me to recap: I began participation in a series of group endevors. Each round involves an art director, a photographer, and a variety of other individuals (positions as needed). We trade roles for each new project.
Basically, it’s a set of group building exercises.
The time around, our team tackled some tough technology (see what I did there?) Anyway, one of the more important concerns in today’s world of digitally-creative individuals is security. Our ads are a look at ioSafe’s nearly invincible hard drives. Dave Rodriguez, Nancy Garcia and myself decided to go “stereotypical” on the security.
As always – opinions and comments always appreciated.
– Jon
Minty Fresh Work
For the next few months I’ll be involved in a set of group assignments. It’s basically a practical rundown of job delegation (art director, photography, designer, wardrobe, props, location…) In the end it will provide useful insights into working with a professional team in an environment where everyone has a different opinion and a different eye for art.
These past 2 weeks we’ve been focusing on an ad series for a household product. In terms of the specifics, that was about it. Household product. 3 spreads.
2 other individuals on the team, Ryan Schafer and Nancy Garcia, along with myself decided Listerine, when presented in the right light, could hold some comedic value.
We went with juxtapositions as an a attention-grabber. Enjoy!
– Jon
And a special thanks to Marcus Samland for releasing his inner nerd in all its glory.
Reconsideration
Well, folks – after a bit of soul searching, a sizable chunk of staring off into the distance, and an overpowering need to get out and take some pictures, I decided it’s time for mighty deal.
I want to create. I want to create something for YOU.
So, for the next 5 weeks, the deal is as follows: If you’d like some portraits shot, you get half off the session. This includes, but is not limited to: you, your kids, you and your significant other, your whole family, your grandmother, your BFF, your dog, you AND your dog…. I think you get the picture.
– Oh and dude(s) – I come to YOU. There ain’t no sittin’ pretty on a stool in a cheesy studio, with the wafting tunes of (whoever I think you might like), that smells vaguely of Kmart brand vanilla candle. NO, SIR (or ma’am). This all happens on your turf (or at a super cool spot if your turf is lacking in creative possibilities). The point here is that we’re going to have an adventure!
But let’s not forget global warming and oil and what not… don’t make me drive 50 miles, people.
ANYWAY! Here’s a little doodle I put together for this. Have a gander. Send it to your mother (it’s mother’s day soon and she’d LOVE a picture with her precious little bundle of joy), send it to your coworker, your neighbor, your dog… OK, don’t send it to your dog. That was a bad idea.
I’m rambling now. Here’s the picture.
I’m in the Detroit area, by the way.
– Jon
Hey! Did you know it’s spring?
Just put this together. What do you think?
If you like it, drop me a line or pass it around.
-Jon
Shooting ad photos. It’s theraputic.
I always like building little sets. I did one with a drawing figurine (that’s for a later post).
It’s fun because of the details. OK it’s also a nightmare because of the details; but when you get to the end and can say that you hand crafted every single insignificant piece of the image, it’s just a good feeling.
I wanted to shoot an ad. Lucky for me, the alcohol industry puts out a new flavor of something or other every 12 hours or so (that may be an exaggeration, but not by much). Anywho, it afforded me the opportunity to come up with a project for myself that hadn’t been done before. … Now, before I continue, I must say – when it comes to liquor, I’m a purist. If it’s already good, don’t mess with it.
This is the exception.
Bacardi pulled off something special here. If you’re a spiced rum kind of person, you should go try it…. actually you should try it while you finish this post. It would really enhance the experience…. but I digress.
I wanted to make an ad and to do so, I tore through an ENTIRE bag of charcoal to find/make just the right pieces. Those chunks of wood – scavenged from a tree that was recently “chipped.” Spent an hour getting the blackening “right.” ARTS AND CRAFTS, PEOPLE.
So take a gander and see what you think. I like the top one, everyone else likes the “smokey” shot. Comments always welcome.
– Jon
JonKPhoto 