My Typeface Progression
Here are the typefaces that I have liked and primarily used from high school through college. What is your typeface progression? This was inspired by Jessica Hische. Check out her Daily Drop Cap.
February 23, 2010
January 24, 2010
Live4This
As one of the few Oklahoma design studios that doesn’t restrict themselves to the nothing-but-advertising attitude, Live4This has contributed some really solid work to the local scene and has been recognized nationally for their talents. These surprisingly young creatives describe themselves as “artists, art directors, advertisers, designers, photographers, and programmers”, and their website is full of work that shows they aren’t exaggerating their skills.
Who is Live4This?
Live4This is the collaborative between Darshan Phillips & Aaron Whisner.
How did you get started and what goals were originally present?
We started the studio because the two of us had enough freelance and contract work to do it. We have been friends for a long time and had studied art and design together.
As a multidisciplinary studio, how do you balance the differences between art and design, and what differences do you see there?
In art, we create without trying to appeal to any audience but ourselves. In design, we are trying to appeal to the intended audience. The rules of composition are the same in both art and design.
How do you find inspiration in Tulsa, Oklahoma?
Books, online, movies, and nature.
What are your thoughts on the art/design community of Tulsa and Oklahoma in general?
We are huge advocates of the Oklahoma art/design community. There is so much talent in our state regardless of our geographical location and it is growing. When we first started, we had a lot of people tell us that Oklahoma would never have a cool design community. Instead of fleeing to some state that did, we wanted to work on growing one. It is a huge frustration when someone we know, with talent, moves out of Oklahoma. Hopefully Oklahoma will continue to retain talent and grow its design and art community.
Any favorite projects so far?
Our last art show, Progress as Promised.
We saw you in Print Magazine a while back, what other awards have you won?
Best of Show / Ride Snowboard International Art Competition, 2005
2nd / Salomon Snowboard International Design Competition, 2005
Multiple Awards / Art Directors Club, 2007 & 2008
Best of Show / ADDYs 41, Best of Show, 2008
Multiple ADCT Graphex Awards, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
We have also been featured in:
ART 365 THE FILM
Art Directors Club, 2007 & 2008
CMYK Magazine, 2004
Corridorbuzz.com, 2008
FecalFace.com, 2008
Kern Newsletter, 2007 & 2008
New American Paintings, No. 78, 2008
Oklahoma Magazine, 2007 & 2008
OklaTravelNet, 2008
Print Magazine, RDA, 2007 & 2008
Tulsa People, 2008
Tulsa World, 2007, 2008 & 2009
Urban Tulsa, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009
Up Late with Ben Sumner, 2008
Steamboat Pilot, 2006 & 2007
WheatToast.org, 2008
What are your goals for the future?
We would love to have a show featured in the New York Times. We are also working towards having shows world-wide.
Anybody in Oklahoma you would like to work with but haven’t had a chance to?
We would love to be commissioned by one of the big oil companies to produce a body of work.
December 30, 2009
Oklahoma License Plates
As the new year approaches, we will no longer be seeing the old Oklahoma license plates that most of us have grown up with.
The new Oklahoma license plate features Allan Houser’s “Sacred Rain Arrow” sculpture which is housed in Tulsa’s Gilcrease Museum. They really don’t have much going for them. What’s that? An extended descender? I guess it technically isn’t even a descender. Personally, I loved the old plates. They were simple and classic. Was there any public input on the design of the new plates? Your thoughts?
Here are two of my favorite Oklahoma plates. I could do without the condensed/bastardized serif type of the Quapaw Tribe plate but you have to love that blue and red. I wonder if non-tribal members can get these plates?
November 24, 2009
November 3, 2009
Gray Owl Coffee
If you live in Norman, get excited because we are about to have a legit coffee shop. Gray Owl Coffee is opening it’s doors today. What’s this? A coffee shop in Norman with late hours, a chill environment, and most importantly good design? Absurd!
Just look at this beautiful sign which was designed and handcut by Tim Elliott. Nothing like some good type to warm your soul.
Try it out and let us know what you think. Map.
September 24, 2009
Futura, Anyone?
July 29, 2009
Seth is Kind of Like Prometheus
If you’ve had the feeling that downtown Norman has been looking better lately, but can’t place your finger on what has changed, don’t feel alone. The same thing happened to me. I was sitting at Bison Witches (Wiches?) having a mediocre time when all of a sudden, something caught my eye.
That’s right, our very own Apache Housemate has had one of his spiffy little logos displayed prominently on ye old thoroughfare. He was also kind enough to let you all take a peek at his sketch work before the final solution. Enjoy.
June 20, 2009
The Israeli Type
As promised, here are a few photos of typography that I took a couple weeks ago in Israel. Unfortunately, my camera disappeared somewhere between Jerusalem and Norman, along with most of my photos. These are a few of the pictures I had on a separate flash drive.
R.I.P. Dear Camera
June 7, 2009
Peace and Typography in the Middle East
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times – typography is always best when displayed in multiple languages. Don’t worry, I’ll post more photos when I get back, I promise.