vert | creative intelligence

Snow Ride

2009-02-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

Logo for winter mountain bike group ride.

MNSCS Guidebook Ad 1

2009-02-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

Full-page ad for the 2009 MNSCS Guidebook.

PugFest 2009

2009-02-12T12:35:00.000-08:00

Logo for PugFest 2009, final race of the Cold Bear Challenge series.

Elk River Hillside Attack

2009-02-12T12:33:00.000-08:00

Logo for the Elk River Hillside Attack, part of the Minnesota State Championship Series for 2009.

John Deere Chess Set

2008-09-30T06:48:00.000-07:00

As seen in the new M. Cornell Importers catalog, the John Deere Chess Set is coming along nicely. I came up with the concept and worked with a local artist to develop the pieces. The photo shoot was challenging, as we didn't have all of the pieces available. So, we started with what we had, took a photo, then moved pieces to a new location, took a photo, and so on. The other problem was that the logos on the pieces were still in a raw phase, so I had to Photoshop those in. The final image I used for the catalog spread is a composite of 20 different photos that are blended, masked and color corrected together into one image.

Catalog

2008-09-29T08:54:00.000-07:00

80-page product catalog for M. Cornell Importers. Huge project, tons of work (layout/design, photo shoots, production/color correction, copywriting, press checks, etc), finally done. Yay.

Swear Jar

2008-09-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

Product design and development for M. Cornell.

Vert Site Redesign

2008-05-16T09:25:00.000-07:00

Updated portfolio site is in progress. Need to add some "about me" stuff, but I'm keeping it simple.

Boot Shot Update

2008-02-25T07:22:00.000-08:00

I got the first printed sample today. I'm no engineer, and some of these gift boxes get pretty complex, so it's always a relief when I get that first sample and the product fits into my design. A few little graphics tweaks and this guy is good to go.

John Deere Packaging

2008-02-21T08:52:00.001-08:00

Prototypes of a new shipper/display package to house John Deere glassware. The carton goes from shipping container to store shelf instantly: just remove the perforated front panel and fold in the scored side tabs and top. Recycle the cardboard dividers and you're good to go. Nothing to cut, nothing to assemble. No outer carton for shipping protection means no wasted material.

After designing the box dieline and graphics, I printed out multiple color sheets, tiled them together, applied to cardboard sheets, then scored, folded and glued together. The prototypes were used to successfully sell the product to a major national retailer, and are being used as a selling tool at trade shows. Production skills and attention to detail are every bit as important as good design skills. Having both is a big plus.

German Design Book

2008-01-28T06:35:00.001-08:00

A little recognition is always nice. A logo I designed for the Birchwood cycling team was published in this German book of logotypes.

Mini Beer Boots

2008-01-10T08:06:00.000-08:00

Mockups of new glass boot shots packaging in your choice of Bavarian or German flag colors.

Family Guy flasks + packaging

2007-12-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

New for 2008. Looks pretty good when it's all put together if I do say so myself.

Salsa label

2007-08-30T08:51:00.000-07:00

Label for entry in Salsa Cycles homemade salsa contest at 24 Hours of Afton.

Hillside Race Series Promo

2007-08-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

Promo for mountain bike race series.

24 Hours of Afton

2007-08-08T13:44:00.001-07:00

Logo for 24 hour mountain bike racer (me). Still fine-tuning...

More Birchwood icons

2007-07-20T08:16:00.001-07:00

Revised logo for the "Bettys", Birchwood Cafe's women's cycling team. Also did a version for the guys, which was apparently turned into a yummy birthday cake. Mmmm....logolicious....

Connects FCU direct mail

2007-06-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

Direct marketing pieces created for Pinpoint Direct Marketing's client, Connects Federal Credit Union. 8-1/2" x 14" mailer and 5" x 8" postcard targeting young professionals to apply for auto loans or mortgages. I provided the art direction (layout, typography, photo selection) that serves as a guide for all branded direct mail.

Rimage Corporation sell sheet

2007-06-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

To get the most mileage out of this project for the client, the front page serves double-duty as a magazine ad. The two-sided document was printed on press and converted into a PDF document that was emailed to vendors, salespeople and other customers worldwide.

General Mills promotion

2007-06-22T14:22:00.001-07:00

This multi-phase promotional project for General Mills consisted of: brochures, itinerary kits, gift boxes, welcome packets and a 6-foot tall, 3-sided informational kiosk all designed to generate buzz and create awareness for a sales reward program that sent nominated managers to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. I created the theme, "Embrace the moment, live the dream", and developed the campaign pieces.

Stratum One logo

2007-06-22T14:19:00.000-07:00

This logo for a Minneapolis fitness retailer reflects their high-tech inventory of fitness equipment, and better positions them among their competitors. The bars were inspired by the lcd display on one of their treadmills.

Abdallah logo

2007-06-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

To bring this 95 year-old company into the 21st Century, I updated their logo with contemporary typography and an illustrative, woodcut-style rose icon. This approach gave Abdallah's key brand elements a refreshing new look that still spoke to their generations of tradition. To see this logo in action for the brand, see Abdallah's website.

General Mills environmental branding

2007-06-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

This environmental branding project redefined the 10th floor of General Mills headquarters, home of the Meals Division.

Large-format lifestyle and stylized food photography were printed on fabric and affixed to cubicle panels. Larger images were printed on perforated vinyl and installed on glass office doors. The elevator bay was painted using the brand elements. The floor entrance is highlighted by branded raised panels, spotlighted to show the division logos.

General Mills logo

2007-06-22T14:07:00.000-07:00

Logotype I created for General Mills promotional campaign tied to the 2002 Winter Olympics.

PNM logo

2007-06-22T14:06:00.001-07:00

This provider of free-range elk and buffalo asked for an identity that reflected their Midwestern roots.

The windmill and rolling hills suggest the tranquil prairie ranchland where Pure Nature Meats animals are raised while the overall shape mimics a western-style belt buckle.

JetChoice Identity

2007-06-22T14:04:00.001-07:00

Identity system for JetChoice.

JetChoice

2007-06-22T14:02:00.001-07:00

JetChoice offers corporations and individuals timeshared flight hours, enabling flexible travel without the expense of owning a fleet of aircraft. I created a logo that helps differentiate JetChoice from their competitors, and reflects the upscale professional lifestyle of its clients. It is my most well-traveled identity, with a top speed of 566 mph and a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet.

3 Studios, Inc

2007-06-22T13:59:00.001-07:00

The overlapping 3's represent the three disciplines: residential, commercial and interior design. The logotype can be used in conjunction with the logo or the elements can be used independently.

Betty Boop Shot Glass

2007-06-06T12:36:00.001-07:00

1 ounce shot for the "good girls". 2 ounces for the "bad".
Drops in Fall '08.

Invite

2007-06-06T12:27:00.001-07:00

E-vite for doggie birthday party. (she's worth it)

Beer!

2007-03-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

Print/Packaging
M. Cornell
This 2-sided insert serves many purposes. First, it informs the customer as to the function of the boot with the unmistakable visual of beer. The reverse side reveals the secret to using the boot properly. Secondly, the insert allows retailers to display the product out of the box, for a more impactful shelf presence. It also allows for a generic shipper carton to be used instead of full-color packaging, creating a larger profit margin for wholesaler and retailer. The shape of the insert allows it to be easily inserted before shipping, and ensures it does not fall out of the boot in the store.

Birchwood Cycling

2007-03-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

Print
Birchwood Cycling
Logo to promote the weekly hill ride. Symbolizes the fight against the evils of gravity. To be used on clothing, flyers, website and email.

Birchwood Cycling

2007-03-13T07:31:00.000-07:00

Print/Web
Birchwood Cafe Women's Cycling Team
Logo concepts for the Birchwood Cafe's women's riders, the "Bettys". They went with the "Powerpuff" version at top. To be used on clothing, website, stickers, etc., to promote the women's team and club riders.

Catalog

2007-03-13T07:19:00.000-07:00

Print
M. Cornell
40-page, business-to-business catalog for importing company. I was in charge of: concept, design, layout, photography and photography direction, digital production and copywriting. What impact can design make? Annual sales increased over 25% for the fiscal year following catalog launch.

M. Cornell Website

2007-03-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

Web/E-Commerce
M.Cornell
Website redesign. Rebranded to match other collateral materials. Streamlined navigation, downloadable PDF versions of print catalogs, new graphics/photography. Image management for 1,000+ products. Copywriting.
www.cornellgifts.com

Corona Chess Set

2007-03-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

3D/2D Project
Corona
Created board graphics, art directed/collaborated with artist to create the chess pieces. Created packaging (graphics, art directed photography, wrote copy). Managed project through approval phases with manufacturers and licensor.

Jack Daniel's Poker Set

2007-03-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

I designed this upscale Jack Daniel's poker set for M. Cornell Importers. Casino-quality, clay chips are branded on both sides. Cards were already in existence from another licensee. I created the artwork for the wooden box cover as well as the gift box.

Simpsons Ok'dohberfest Mug

2007-03-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

3D/2D project
Twentieth Century Fox
Worked with local artist to develop concept, then provided direction for The Simpsons designers at Twentieth Century Fox to create an Oktoberfest-themed mug.

Welcome

2007-03-12T03:12:00.000-07:00

I am launching this blog in conjunction with my main portfolio site, in an effort to update more frequently and easily. Check back over the next few days to see what I've been up to.