Derek Designs Album Cover!

FROM BIRDWATCH:
“Excited to announce our album cover for our new record OLD SCIENCE. This design was created by the amazing Derek Ballard. Along with the artwork he gave a detailed explanation of the design. The meanings he attached to this idea, and the thoughtfulness he put into it mean the world to us. Better than anything we could have hoped for. Here is his description for his work. Thank you to everyone for the support. Album out Friday.”

FROM DEREK BALLARD, VAD Graphic Design Alumnus:
“Everything in the gold overlay is represented in an art deco style, with confident lines, clean type, and strong iconography. I created a symbol based on the sextant, a dynamic tool used by explorers, and a personal point of interest. Travelers, sailors and explorers found an invaluable advantage through celestial navigation. Looking to the stars with the use of reflections, angles and the horizon replaced their dependency on the fickle method of dead-reckoning and gave them a better understanding of their current position and desired destination. I feel the functionality of this ancient tool (looking forward through use of reflection) can be strikingly emblematic to the emotional themes woven throughout the album.

The background image is a hand, subtly illustrated. At first glance, it looks as though the fingers have dipped into the water below, implying purification. However, on closer inspection, it’s clear that each fingertip has been lacerated for the purpose of bloodletting – and the pool below is the consequence of which. This OLD SCIENCE was chosen as a poignant way to suggest pain, tribulation, and release. It connects with the physical discomfort most musicians feel after spilling their souls into the writing of music, playing until their fingers erupt. It’s my hope that this synthesis of imagery will visually echo the themes of hurt, reconciliation, and growth revealed through the audible and lyrical content of this album.”

CONGRATULATIONS DEREK!

INK FRIENDS – MORE INTERESTING THAN MOST!

Wizard World Comic Con in Las Vegas

“The cast of the ‘Evil Dead The Musical’ in Las Vegas took a photo with us! They were a really nice group and we don’t usually take selfies so everyone walked away happy.” ~ Magen Mitchell 

Meanwhile at the FanX Comic Con in SLC…

“I had fun meeting everyone at the fallout group photo, seeing George Takei as he passed by us in the hall and seeing new/old friends.” ~ Alissa Hicks

“It was a bust. I lost money. I am filled with regret.” And later that same day… “It wasn’t the most successful show I’ve done, but I came away inspired and have a lot of ideas to make the rest of the shows I do this year even better. But most importantly I had a lot of fun and bought some awesome new toys for my collection.”~ Matt Page

”Erica Carroll was an amazing person to meet. She is very sincere and loved getting answers about what I thought of ‘Supernatural.’” ~ Austin Record

”First time going to a comic com with my family. (Jonas– Halo sword, Liam – Blue Mask, and Gram – Halo costume) Unsurprisingly, no one knew who All-mighty Glob was.” ~ Keith Beard and sons

“My kids, Kyle Peterson and Josaphine Green. We had a great time. These events get better every time. Artist Alley is where it’s at for merch. There are so many talented people! Also if you get your kids hooked on being a geek they will never have money for drugs!”~ Elizabeth Brown

JILL IN SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE!

Jill DeHaan’s Illustrative Typography
Southern Living Magazine
October 2015 & March 2016

Jill DeHaan has designed some beautiful illustrative typography for Southern Living Magazine. Jill is a Visual Art & Design Graphic Design alumnus, has been a SLCC Student Art Showcase judge twice and is currently the Graphic Design PAC representative. We are so very proud of Jill!

“Southern Living is a widely read lifestyle magazine aimed at readers in the Southern United States featuring recipes, house plans, garden plans, information on soil erosion, and information about Southern culture and travel.”

To see more of Jill’s work in SL Magazine.
DEHAAN, Jill SL Mag 3-16
DEHAAN, Jill SL Mag 10-15

ALUMNI NEWS: Congratulations Jessi

From Jessi:

“My name is Jessi and I graduated from Salt Lake Community College with an AAS in Graphic Design this last Spring 2015.

I decided to go back to school and work towards a bachelor’s degree in computer science and information systems. My goal is to get a job in that field and be able to apply my knowledge of graphic design into my work. I decided to take my classes for the Associates degree at SLCC then transfer to Utah Valley University to earn my bachelors.

Although I will be transferring, most of the classes required for my bachelors degree program at UVU are offered at SLCC so I will be saving even more money on my education. I am excited for my new adventure and I suggest to everyone who is working towards their degree at a four year institution to look into taking classes at SLCC to save money on their education as well.”

ALUMNI NEWS: Congratulations Austin!

From Austin:

“After having graduated for the second time from SLCC, I changed job locations to work with the SLCC Academic Advising department as Graphic Designer. These are not the only opportunities that I have, but for now I will be helping out at SLCC.

After graduating in May of 2014 with an AAS in Graphic Design and certificates in Mobile Publishing and Web Graphic Design, I discovered that the AS in Graphic Communications would be opening up for the academic year of 2014 – 2015. Since an AS is “easier” to transfer I continued and graduated in May of 2015.

I am in the process of transferring to the Savannah College of Art & Design to continue my education. I have recently submitted portfolios for transfer credits and scholarships. After my portfolios have been reviewed with the list of what credits transfer, and after I have a financial plan, I will be able to work on my class schedule.”

Alumni News: Congratulations Alissa!

From Alissa,

“Hi, my name is Alissa Hicks. I recently graduated in May 2015 from SLCC with an Associate’s of Applied Science degree in Visual Art & Design/Graphic Design Emphasis. Now, I will be pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, as well as minors in Business Administration/Marketing Emphasis and Japanese at Weber State University.

I have always wanted to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree and I really look forward to obtaining more education in Graphic Design, because I truly enjoy every aspect of this profession. For a while, I was not sure where I wanted to complete my education, but after comparing many Graphic Design programs at 4-year colleges, I decided on Weber State University. They offer a wide variety of traditional and digital art classes for their design program, as well as, printing classes.

I started my graphic design education in a print-heavy environment in high school, which has caused me to be drawn to printing and WSU offered exactly what I had been looking for. The process of transferring to WSU has been really great for me. As a transfer student, I was eligible to apply for some scholarships through WSU and I actually received two President’s Transfer Scholarships that, along with another outside scholarship, completely covers my tuition for the year.

Along with all of this, I was also able to find a part-time job, through the school, to work as a Graphic Designer for The Signpost (WSU’s school newspaper). I’m really excited about all of the opportunities that have been, and continue to be, presented to me since graduating from Salt Lake Community College.”

Alumni News: Issac Christensen

“It may seem ironic that a mostly Scandinavian blooded man would choose to paint a series of portraits of American Indians. As far as I know the blood of no former Indian killer runs through my veins. My ancestors are recent immigrants who “missed out” on the holocaust of the American Indian. At first I was inspired to paint them as a political statement. I imagined exhibiting them and spray-painting giant black x’s over them to represent the beautiful culture that white man uprooted, murdered, and placed on reservations, but perhaps worst of all, introduced to alcohol.

My mom and a friend both agreed that making it a political statement distracted from, and perhaps cheated, the underlying message: there are lessons to be learned from the first peoples of this land other than political messages. I’m drawn to the way of life of the American Indian. I’m disturbed by the adoption rate of new technology in a land where there is no precedent for such a rate, and no spiritual body collectively speaking out against its dangers. The way of life of the American Indian is a time-tested system that endured for thousands of years.

My paintings are largely interpretative, with no implied meaning other than hope that those who look upon them will dig deep inside themselves and think about the way of life these people lived. I hope they consider the irony of a white man painting them, and how they might look different if an American Indian did using the same technique.

Accusing me of cultural appropriation may be justified. That also is a part of the message. The message is only about me so far as it reflects positively upon them. And if I am looked upon less favorably for appropriating a culture I long for and revere, a little less attention upon white culture, pop culture, will be the result – and that’s a good thing.

My technique: The portraits are inspired by the photography of Edward S. Curtis, using the spontaneous direct painting method, alla prima. All of Curtis’ work is black & white, I render the paintings in color. The relationships of the colors aren’t researched or planned, receiving their inspiration only from whatever parts of academic training is buried away in my subconscious. The irony of the bold use of color is that line is the key to my work. There are so many different types of line. Smooth ones, jagged ones, scribbly ones, thick ones, thin ones. The spontaneous and varied application of the many different types of line, along with the need to immediately transition from one type of line to another within the same stroke is important. I try to harness the spirit of Egon Schiele in that vein. A thick phthalo blue outline, with sometimes smooth, sometimes jagged edges, is a common trait to all of the portraits. I abstain from neutrals as much as possible.”

ALUMNI NEWS: Derek Ballard “Courier Girl”

From Boneshaker Magazine:

Boneshaker Magazine, founded in 2009 in Bristol, England, is a celebration of cycling, full of articles, personal stories and anecdotes about people and projects doing great things with bicycles around the globe. Derek Ballard’s design “Courier Girl” appeared on the cover of Boneshaker Magazine, Issue 16.

Now “Courier Girl” is available to purchase as a digital print. Printed by Rik at Ripe Digital onto thick, textured, A3 size Tintoretto Gesso art paper, each print hand embossed with the Boneshaker embosser.

Check out more of Derek’s work at iamconduit.com

http://boneshakermag.bigcartel.com/product/courier-girl-print-by-derek-ballard

ALUMNI NEWS: Matt Page on Kirby-Vision!

Alumni News
Matt Page on Kirby-Vision!

Matt Page is a huge Galactus fan who regularly writes about “The hunger that does not cease.” Matt’s Aztec/Mayan inspired “Galactus and Silver Surfer”
is now featured on the blog, KIRBY-VISION. This blog is curated by Jason Garrattley and showcases creative work inspired by the art and concepts of Jack Kirby. It is open to artists from any field and contributions are welcome in any media.

Kirby-Vision: http://kirbymuseum.org/blogs/kirby-vision/2015/08/17/the-great-destroyer/

Matt Page’s tribute blog: http://whencallsgalactus.com/

Matt Page’s work: http://mattpagedotcom.com/art/

NEWS: Alumni Magen Mitchell at 3tArts!

From 3tArts:

“Magen Mitchell is joining us from Obake Style! You’re definitely going to enjoy her creepy cute work! Get a sneak peek of her piece right here!

Magen Mitchell is a multi-media artist from Salt Lake City, Utah. She started life as an illustrator and graphic designer, took up painting, learned to screen print, and now plays with laser-cut wood. She likes to shake things up and try new mediums. Her brand, Obake Style, comes from the Japanese word for shape-shifting goblins. There’s playfulness in the way she blends the unexpected.

As a child of the 80s, Magen was really influenced by the wave of anime, manga, and video games that were adapted for American children around that time and it shows in her work. But she’s also heavily influenced by the graphic, often symmetrical nature of traditional folk art. Her favorite subjects to depict in her work are cute and/or creepy. She likes to combine related or even diametrically opposed ideas into surprising results.”

Get more Obake Style here: http://www.obakestyle.com

From 3tArts:

“Three Chicks who love pop culture, Jane Estantino, Stephanie Han, and Katie McAtee, came together with the re-release of the 20th anniversary of the Sailor Moon anime. With a shared love of Sailor Moon, this art show represents their desire to share that love and some fantastic inspired works with other fans.

3tArts opened their first gallery at rothick art haus in Anaheim, CA on July 5th, with the opening of Moon Crisis: A Sailor Moon Tribute Art Show.”

Get more 3tArts here: http://3tarts.us/