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AVOL

Lexington, KY

I created this ad campaign design for AVOL in Lexington, KY. It is a nonprofit which organizes AIDS volunteers. They loved the trade publication ads I made for them previously. Therefore, they contracted me for their biggest annual event campaign. For one day every September, local restaurants donate 25% of their proceeds to fighting AIDS. The organization needed a few different print sizes. These included an 11×17″ poster size and varying newspaper ad sizes, as well as bookmarks.

Ad campaign design story for AIDS benefit

Ad campaign design in marquee format at CRAVE Festival, Lexington, KY

My local chapter of the AIDS charity gave me creative freedom on this project. They only suggested a retro 1950s diner theme. They also sent a few public domain images to inspire me. These included the vintage waitress illustration I finally chose. I also redesigned their existing event logo with a new one which continued the theme. After my instructions, I poured through old 1950s ads for inspiration. Their futuristic floating shapes and pastel color palettes, as well as the kitschy mixed fonts made the cut.

I arranged these elements to suggest motion and give them a fun feeling overall. I did this by tilting text blocks and highlighting objects with different shades. A pink gradient gives shine to the restaurant and sponsor lists. The ad pieces had many moving parts, from the list of participating restaurants to information about a related art exhibit. I got creative to ensure synergy and legibility from the biggest to smallest versions.

I met the challenge of making the ad art both attractive and easy to read. Also, I crushed the deadline in plenty of time for last minute revisions. My clients raved about the finished product.

Contact me for your ad campaign design

I’ve improved the print images of many charity nonprofits and small businesses. Contact me today to join the growing list. Let’s get started with your advertising campaign!

AVOL

Lexington, KY

It was an honor to design the ad campaign for the 2017 installment of this AIDS nonprofit’s biggest annual charity event. Every year, dozens of local Lexington restaurants donate 25% of their profits for one day to fight this terrible disease. AVOL’s director wanted to go with a 50s diner theme for this year’s event, so he asked if I could start with a retro logo design. I jumped at the opportunity to give a fun, old school feel to this important happening.

Retro logo design for AIDS benefit story

AVOL provided a few sock hop and vintage diner images for inspiration. However, the director really gave me carte blanche to create something from scratch. I studied a few kitschy, fun 50s advertisements with futuristic themes. There were lots of wacky shapes on display invoking ray guns and flying saucers. Despite many people’s perception of the 1950s as a culturally repressed era in the USA, design sensibilities were both bold and upbeat. I took these cues to form this concept, which came together quickly.

First, for the background, I made a four point arrow shape in pink to form it. Then I created somewhat of a reversed out shadow in front of it from a darker pink stroke. This floating element gives it an authentic vintage feel, as well as depth. I set the main title in a classic tall sans serif font. Black letters spell the words “DINING OUT”, encased in individual seafoam green boxes. Because they are agitated, they seem to be dancing, grabbing your attention right away. The words “FOR LIFE” also pop off of a wide black fork shape pointing up and ahead.

Finally, the simple slogan “Dine Out, Fight AIDS” completes the piece using a lighthearted paintbrush font in the same shade of seafoam green. The end result is a classic mark invoking drive in movies, bowling alleys, and greasy spoons. Everyone who lays eyes on this logo gives me great feedback. It definitely puts smiles on faces and grabs people’s attention.

Contact me for your own retro logo design

Do you have a vision for a retro logo design? Whether you’re a startup business or a local nonprofit, I’ve got you covered.  Contact me today!

Sempervivi

Lexington, KY

Just as with the T-shirt design for my previous band Analog Apostles, the first Sempervivi shirt design has been a big seller out of the gate. Releasing and promoting an album is a lot of work, but I never slack off when it comes to the accompanying merch. Therefore, I put in some serious time on the minutia of this apparel project. Since I was spending my own money to print these, and I wanted fans to actually buy them, every detail counted.

Lexington, KY Band T-Shirt Design Story

My buddy Jeremiah modeling the design.

Shirt art was not originally in the plans or budget after finishing the record. However, my wife liked the idea and encouraged me to splurge, within reason. I felt like there were enough black and heather grey band shirts in the world. I needed my shirt art to stand out. My music is, generally speaking, positive and upbeat, so bright yellow seemed like a good choice. You can’t go wrong pairing it with red ink. The primary colors pop sitting on the merch table! Keeping the art at one ink color offset the cost of springing for super soft, vintage tees.

I wanted to go for a sports feel with the layout, similar to designs by Roots of Fight. The arching “SEMPERVIVI”, as well as “LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY” are set in the tall title font Moonshiner. I mixed it with the bold, trendy script Thirsty, which spells “Always Alive”.

Since this is a promotional item tying in with the new record, I reused some hand drawn elements from the CD art. Specifically, I made the succulent the focal point of the art. The much smaller cicada at the bottom punctuates the composition. Finally, I used a grunge brush to create a distressed feel throughout the artwork.

Music T-Shirt Design for Bands in Kentucky

If you have a band or other music project, I’ve got your hookup for apparel design. I will work with you on a budget friendly design that will still stand out. Contact me to get started!

Sempervivi

Lexington, KY

Since I began my career as a graphic designer, I’ve enjoyed being a CD cover artist. The CD artwork for my own band Sempervivi proves that I am very hands on with personal projects. I departed my previous band Analog Apostles in 2014 in order to start my own solo project. After self producing an acoustic EP, I wrote new songs for this record, which necessitated a full band. I designed my own layout for “Always Alive” in 2017. This album was, in every sense of the words, both a labor of love and a family affair.

CD artwork process for Kentucky rock music

Initially, I only knew that I wanted to use a bright green color for the album’s cover. This is because the record’s concept is evergreen life. I took my time on this project in between other work and music related tasks, since my goal was to hand draw as much of the CD art as possible. At first, I even hand wrote the credits, but I was not happy with how those turned out. However, I drew or traced each and every other element in the CD and jacket composition.

CD artwork incorporating natural elements

Many of these songs’ themes center around family, growing up, and the idea of continuing one’s lineage to future generations. I wanted to incorporate many elements that were found in nature. Therefore, I researched which animals represented immortality in different world cultures. In the end, I settled on the cicada. It is a winged insect which is common here in Kentucky that can be heard chirping loudly on humid summer evenings. I incorporated a pair of these bugs as part of the front cover heraldry.

The sempervivum plant is also known as a succulent or houseleek. I featured it in red, located front and center on the cover. It is a reference to the name of the band as well. “Sempervivum” is a Latin phrase that literally translates to “ever living” or “always alive”.

CD Cover Artist – Fonts and typography for CD artwork

I did not initially set out to draw the word “SEMPERVIVI” with a particular font in mind. Instead, I decided to emulate something I would have doodled on one of my old high school notebooks. I drew, scanned, tilted, and resized the letters a few different times to get the feel just right. The varying sizes and placements of the tall serif characters make it stand out in a way that a conventional font would not.

I set the arched title “ALWAYS ALIVE”, as well as the track listing, in the “Triforce” specialty font. However, I filled in the signature openings of the letters when I traced it. This is in order to give the characters more weight. I then completed the front cover layout with some doodles of light beams and bubbles. I also created a frame to go around all of the elements using the Adobe Illustrator program. Then, I retraced it by hand in order to continue the sketch art theme. The text, frame, and drawings all have a faint white shadow that adds depth, as well as creating a subtle embossing effect.

Jacket CD artwork finishing touches

I sketched a drawing of my young son’s face on the back cover as the focal point. This made sense, since two of the songs center around becoming a father and spending time with him. The drawing offsets the album’s track listing. I used the Paint tool in Photoshop so I could highlight his face and make it pop off of the cool blue background. I also redrew the Bad Apple Records logo, which I designed for the record label in 2002. Finally, many paint splatters blend into the background. My son actually painted them at the tender age of just one and a half years old. Thus, I  made sure that he was listed prominently in the album credits at the bottom of the jacket!

Disc CD artwork layout

Last of all, I painted the compact disc itself with a deep magenta hue. It was complementary to both the green and blue backgrounds on the jacket itself. Next, I blended in a few more paint splatters from my son’s art into the background. Then, I arched the artist name and album title, once again using my altered version of the Triforce font. I traced sempervivum stalks from some photographs I found online by using a fine Sharpie marker. The traced Bad Apple Records logo is again featured, centered between the drawings. One more time, I highlighted these elements in a lighter shade of Magenta by using the Paint tool in Adobe Photoshop. After I had put in many a long hour working on it, the album art was finally ready for the press.

CD artwork that screams “YOU!”

All of the elements of this sophomore record, ranging from the songs themselves to the art detailed above, encapsulate the story of who I am. I identify with many roles. Christian, husband, father, Kentuckian, musician, friend, and graphic artist are all labels which describe me.

Do you have a distinct vision of what CD packaging should accompany your next recording project? Let me be your CD cover artist! I have years of experience designing merchandise for bands and musicians in many genres. This includes artists performing everything from country to bluegrass to alternative rock. Whether you have photography and other elements ready or not, I can get the results you need. Contact me today so we can get started on your own CD artwork!

Analog Apostles

Lexington, KY

Ahoy, ye scurvy sea dogs! This band shirt design for my former rock band Analog Apostles is one of my favorites. I created this two color screen printed art before we loaded up our van and left for our Summer 2014 tour of the USA. These eery shirts were instantly hot sellers. Several years after they were pressed, I still see them around town here in Lexington on occasion. I love being a band merch artist and creating musician shirt art! We’re going to plunge 20,000 leagues into the sea and talk about the thought and work that went into this band apparel design.

Band Shirt Design – limited inks for apparel printing on a budget

Everybody loves to wear a good black band shirt. I know I do, at least. Seriously, I have probably filled half of my t-shirt drawer with black apparel featuring musician shirt art. Mostly for my clients’ budgetary reasons, my shirt designs usually feature only one or two screen printed ink colors. Also, black is the most popular shirt color. Many shirt printing businesses offer special discounts on them. I can still make a big impact, even though I am not drawing from a large color palette.

This design definitely provided a lot of bang for our indie band’s very limited bucks! I chose a color combination that consisted of cool turquoise blue and a light green shade. They come together to create an aura that is both mysterious and soothing. This makes the two distinctly bright ink colors really stand out against the stark black background of the shirt itself.

Deep sea themed band shirt design for a Kentucky indie rock group

The chilling deep sea diver bust is up front wearing a vintage style diving helmet. I feel that this element adds to the mystery of the overall design. Who or what could be lurking behind the mask? The unknown figure in the foreground makes for an unsettling and potentially dangerous focal point. How spooky is that?

It turns out that the uncanny valley has a body of water running through it. A pattern of waves comes together in order to create the green background behind the diver. I actually took the cool water shapes from a photograph of the ocean. I simplified the aquatic image down to just two colors using Adobe Photoshop. This way, it would work on the screen printed art. Then, I finished cleaning it up for the vector art application using the Adobe Illustrator application. This way, I removed the shadows so that it would only display the highlights in green.

Band merch artist details fonts and styles

Finally, I added the band’s name at the top of the design in a tall serif style type. Because of the deep sea theme, I used a vintage font that I felt could easily be found on a pirate ship flag. Perhaps one might even find it emblazoned on a buried treasure map. In fact, it is the very same font that has been used by Major League Baseball team the Pittsburgh Pirates in the past, MLB Tuscan.

I began by first setting the word “ANALOG” at the top in the turquoise hue. Then, I continued by reversing out the word “APOSTLES” so that it would read in black over the green water background. Therefore, it makes the best use possible of the negative space of the shirt itself. It creates the illusion of a three color design. This way, it still remains legible as part of the name of the band, while adding some depth to the overall design. Do you get the dad joke that I was making there? Depth? Water? I am a father who has a young son, so silly puns are my forte’.

Not sure what the world’s coolest guy Fred is doing here, but the shirt looks good on him.

You need a professional band shirt design of your own

Way back in 1999, I was a student at Murray State University studying Art, with an emphasis on Graphic Design. During that time, I started up my own freelance graphic design business right from my dorm room. I have been playing the guitar and singing in independent bands all around Kentucky since 1997. Over the years, I have combined my two passions many times.

I have made designing music merchandise for bands one of my specialties. In fact, it’s one of my favorite things to do. Networking with other musicians has taught me a lot about this print graphic design genre. This art was a callback to our most recent independent EP “The Other Side of the Sea”, which I also designed the layout for. Some players prefer more literal, music based interpretations in their merch designs instead.

Every band or artist needs to sell physical merchandise at their shows. If you want to successfully grow your fanbase, you must have some quality merch items on your table. Buttons, stickers, CDs, refrigerator magnets, and can koozies are great ideas.

One of the most effective ways for music fans to support their favorite local artists is wearing their shirts wherever they go. An eye catching apparel design can start up conversations with both friends and strangers alike. Subsequently, this investment would make a great way to help spread the word about your own brand.

Contact me for your own band shirt design or musician shirt art

Do you need a band merch artist? Let’s work together to find your perfect fit. Contact me today if your indie band or record label needs a rad shirt design of your very own!

Hiram Grooming Co.

Lexington, KY

I created this can label design for my friend Jeremiah’s “3rd Degree” beard balm. He needed both a logo design and packaging design for his new business venture Hiram Grooming Co. Each of his products is all natural, vegan, organic, fair trade, and handmade “to make good men look better”. His can labels required a clean, simple black and white layout with a short turnaround, so naturally he gave me a call.

Can label design story

The finished product!

Jeremiah had initially sketched up a layout for me in Microsoft Publisher. I redesigned it in Adobe Illustrator with cleaner imagery and upgraded fonts as he had requested. Just as he did with his logo, Jeremiah provided some vintage masonic art to recreate.  The coffin imagery was from an old drawing featured in The Freemason’s Manual. It of course represents mortality, as well as craftsmanship, with the hammer and shovel tools. I cleaned up the image and then redrew it as a vector graphic in Illustrator.

I also redrew another low resolution banner graphic that is often found in traditional masonic imagery. The three tenets of “Strength, Wisdom, Beauty” are a perfect fit for a men’s hair care product. The milgrain border ties all of the elements together with a touch of class. Usually for packaging design work, I tend to stick with just one or two fonts. However, in this case, I used a variety of vintage fonts throughout the label design. I then laid them out in the same style as many Victorian era products and ads. The result is a classic design indicative of a salve that a true renaissance man can appreciate.

Contact me for your can label design

Do you manufacture your own grooming or healthcare products? Do they come in cans or tubes? You need the perfect packaging design to appeal to your customer base. Contact me to get the ball rolling!

Christopher Sprankle

Sprankle also used the design on a drink koozie.

Franklin, TN

I made this parody shirt design for the Tennessee based country music singer Christopher Sprankle. When Chris moved to Lexington, KY, his manager contacted me for a two color shirt art. She sent me a favorite photo of Chris’s dog Grizzly, since he is popular with Chris’s rabid Instagram followers. Then she sent a photo of a rusty can of Grizzly brand smokeless tobacco to incorporate.

First of all, I mocked up the word “Sprankle” in place of the Grizzly logo. Since the logo is a hand drawn design, rather than a commercial font, I had to draw up the grunge text manually.

After that, I simplified the photo of Grizzly in Photoshop into a black and white image, then I further contrasted it in Adobe Illustrator to finish the effect.

Topping off the parody shirt design

Photo of Grizzly the dog used for the parody shirt design.

Because I had a few more elements left to work with, I made a few suggestions. The client loved every one of my ideas, so we ran with them. First, I reworded “Long Cut Wintergreen” to Sprankle’s hometown Franklin, TN. I also improvised “American Country Music” instead of “American Snuff Co”.

Finally, I wanted to use “Est. 1903” from the original oval text, so I decided to change it to to Sprankle’s birth year of 1994. I added in some grunge around the edges since the design needed a weathered feel. In the end, Sprankle’s fans loved it, so I guess you could call it a smash hit.

See the photo I started with on the right, then follow Chris’s music on Instagram here.

Contact me for your parody shirt design

Whether you are a country musician or a Christian bookstore, parody shirt designs can be big sellers. Contact me today for the right fit.

George Thompson

Greenville, KY

I loved working on this book cover art, another in a series of Christian book cover design. I created it for Western Kentucky pastor and author George E. Thompson. George is one of the first humans I remember knowing. My parents often took me to his home as a youth, and I attended preschool with his daughter in my small Kentucky hometown. Being his book cover designer really brought our relationship full circle.

Lessons on Gifts and Giving compiles a series of brief thoughts about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The New Testament books of the Holy Bible describe these gifts in great detail. At the time George commissioned me, I was not doing as much print work as I would have liked. Plus, my family are voracious readers, enjoying a variety of topics. Because of these particular reasons, it was truly a privilege for me to create this religious guide’s artwork.

Book cover art – front cover fonts and colors

George gave me a lot of creative freedom for this project. I took a few steps back to ponder how I could properly depict such awe inspiring subject matter. First, I used one of my favorite color combinations, which is blue, orange, and yellow. The bright colors set against the dark background creates a stark contrast. This specific contrast brings the weight and power to the design, which the book’s theme called for.

Also, I jumped at the chance to use one of the many ribbon style fonts that were trendy at the time. This was an appropriate setting, considering that the focal images centered around gift packages. I also made use of the equally trendy Museo Slab font. It spells out the rest of the text content featured in the book’s layout. I set the main titles on the cover over parallel orange ribbon shapes, which rise upward at an angle. This effect makes the ribbons stand out even more. They have a positive, uplifting feel of forward motion.

Focal image and filter effects for Christian book cover design

Completing the front design, a dark and mysterious figure appears in the cover’s background. This mystery man represents the Holy Spirit. The Bible characterizes the Spirit as a comforter, as well as a guide to believers in Christ. The image of Him holding the glowing golden gift package really sums up the main idea of this book’s topic.

I began by selecting the perfect royalty free stock photo for the focal image. In its initial form, it depicted a businessman who is holding a shiny gold gift package. By using the Adobe Photoshop app, I then desaturated it. I followed up by cut the package out from the photo. Next, I separated it into its own layer, situated in the cover’s foreground. I recolored and darkened the background figure blue. After that, I faded him into the black background in order to cement its intriguing appeal.

Graphic design effects and filters for book cover art

Wrapping up the design for this tome’s front cover, I should discuss the effects used in the focal image. Let me clarify that I do not typically make use of very many Photoshop filters in my work. It is easy to overdo effects. Sometimes graphic artists make the mistake of throwing them in haphazardly. Because of this, their work can suffer. This is easy to do, even for seasoned pros. However, I felt that the halftone and glow effects were the appropriate finishing touches. They completed the design in order to convey the spiritual theme of this book.

The ethereal Photoshop filters come together in order to make the glowing golden package pop out. I drove home the spiritual theme on the book’s cover, while still retaining a clean and modern feel.

Book cover art – back cover design story

The quaint wrapped gift boxes on the back cover also reflect the book’s warm and inviting feel. Humble plaid and butcher paper patterns cover the presents. Each of them is wrapped with a tasteful blue ribbon. I faded them into the pale yellow solid background so they would not compete with the text.

The synopsis, as well as the paragraph describing the author’s credentials, are also featured on the back cover. These passages invite both believers and nonbelievers alike to learn about God’s many great gifts to us.

In conclusion, this Christian book cover design was a great opportunity to use my gifts. Specifically, I am referring to creating the perfect graphic design solutions for my clients. I am happy any chance that I get to both honor God with that gift and help a friend with their own passion project at the same time.

Head over to Amazon and pick up your paperback copy of “Lessons on Gifts and Giving”.

Need a book cover designer? Let me design your book cover art

You have finished the long and arduous process of writing the perfect manuscript. After that, you went through the steps of painstakingly editing that content. Finally, your literary labor of love has been completed. Every chapter and every page is now finished. Hold up, you can’t take your book to press just yet! Now you need the right cover design, and it needs to be done precisely to spec by a professional book cover designer. You have completed the hard part, so why not let me make your book cover art easy? I possess the education and experience, as well as the eye for detail to get the job done.

What are you waiting for? Go ahead and contact me today.

Girls Who Code

Murray, KY

I created this retro shirt design for a Murray, Kentucky based programming club. Since the organizer loved my shirt design for her previous group “Women in Computing”, she reached out to me once again. Since she asked for housewives from vintage ads on pink shirts, that design was decidedly more “girly”. This time around, she wanted something less feminine, since there were also males helping with her new group “Girls Who Code”.

She still wanted to continue our previous kitsch art theme, while keeping the “nerd” vibe going. Her only other requirements were for the design to be two ink colors screen printed on navy shirts.  I was happy to comply. I excel at this format because many of my apparel clients stick with only one or two colors. My specs were on paper, so I got to work right away.

Retro shirt design empowers females in technology fields

First, I searched through my vast stock photography catalog. I quickly found a retro photograph of a wind-up robot that would obviously be a perfect fit. The robot’s colors were then simplified down to only cyan blue.

Next, I overlaid it partially on both the white strips and the negative space. Thus, I added just the right amount of contrast.

I then laid out the text in mixed “Chicago” and “MT Script” fonts to add to the fun. I tilted both the robot and text section at opposite angles, so I could give the art a little more movement. Therefore, it really jumps out at the viewer instead of a more conventional design.

Finally, no coding related design would be complete without incorporating some ones and zeros. Thus, I had to top it off with a few.

Contact me for your own retro shirt design

If you’re in a technology club looking for a shirt design that stands out? Then contact me today!

Wolfe County Public Library

Campton, KY

This Eastern Kentucky reference center commissioned a library logo design and website package. My clients at Muhlenberg County Public Libraries recommended me. I previously had also provided a logo and website for them.

Traditional style green library logo design

The library board did not request very many specifics at first. They needed a strong, traditional mark incorporating shades of green. Therefore, Wolfe County’s staff chose the tried and true “donut” ring format from my initial mock up sketches. If it’s good enough for Starbucks, then it’s good enough for my clients. I selected the classic and strong Clarendon font to use throughout the library logo design. A serif font such as Clarendon is always a winner in applications like these. After that, I then wrapped the text “Wolfe County Public Library” around around the ring frame. Outline strokes of varying thicknesses in the ring helped give the mark a subtle uptown feel.

The arched ribbon that reads “WCPL” is the focus element, and also suggests a bookmark. The opened book in front of the ribbon creates depth and perspective. A simple “Est’d 1967” in front of the book reminds viewers of the library’s staying power in the community.

Finally, I topped the design off with the green and white mountains sprawling in the background. These elements are a nod to the beautiful mountains and hollers in Eastern Kentucky. WCPL ordered several tweaks and revisions as we went along. In the end, however, the library board were very happy with the finished product. It was time to move on to their website design.

“Book” me to design your library logo design

Are you a public library coordinator? Do you run a small business or nonprofit? Do you need a strong, traditional mark to represent your brand? Contact me today.

George Thompson

Greenville, KY

Here is another book cover graphic design for my old friend George. The author has also been a pastor here in Kentucky for many years. This is a short guide he wrote for growing and strengthening church congregations. As such, I chose to go the literal route with this cover design. Come along with me to the next stop in my journey as a Christian book cover artist.

Christian book cover artist – graphic design story

George liked my idea of juxtaposing a weightlifter along with a shining stained glass window overhead. I simplified the stock photo of the athlete lifting weights to a sepia tone. This makes it a subtle image without completely losing it in the black background, since the stained glass window and the title itself are the main elements. I faded the image of the bench press behind the description on the back of the jacket so the text in front of it is legible.

The title on the front cover has a red grunge frame similar to a rubber stamp. I used the LHF Pilsner Script for the words “Lessons On” for a weighty, vintage feel. “Strengthening the Church” is fittingly set in a strong serif block font. The red and white title pop on the stark black background.

His publisher has very exact standards for formatting. Since that is not his forte, the author requested my help. George entrusted me with the finished format of his original manuscript. I also arranged its indexes to the publisher’s specifications. Buy the book in paperback on Amazon. See also my design for George’s “Lessons on the Lord’s Prayer” cover design.

Hire me for your own book cover graphic design

I truly enjoyed working on this art since physical fitness and spiritual fitness are important to me. I also enjoy visualizing concepts that I am not as familiar with. In some cases you actually can judge a book by its cover!

No matter what your subject matter, I can help you make your work look its best for potential readers. Contact me today.

Iron Will Fitness Studio

Lexington, KY

I designed this fitness logo for a new workout studio startup based here on the South side of Lexington, KY. The owner was up against a tight deadline to open his first location. Luckily for him, tight deadlines are my specialty! I was up for the challenge and we worked closely together to bring his original sketch to life. His mark was ready with time to spare, gracing the signage at his independent gym’s grand opening.

Iron Will Fitness Studio’s logo displayed on their Lexington, KY storefront

Fitness Logo Design for Kentucky Gym Brand

The client provided me with a rough sketch of the Greek mythological figure Sisyphus pushing his fabled boulder up a hill. I thought that was a great representation of building strength through repetition. The original drawing suggested a simplified shadowy figure, so I made the hill a simple “swoosh”, and shaded the boulder with straight black lines.

I chose a modern sans serif and varsity combination to suggest a simple, quick to the point philosophy, while nodding to the athletic clientele. Then I colored the high contrast logo in a black, white, and red combination. You don’t get more clean or powerful than that.

Finally, the simple kettlebell weight silhouette as the negative space in the “O” puts a nice finishing touch on the mark. There is no mistaking that this fitness center is where you go to build strength and become your personal best. The client wanted to keep his options open, so I also provided him with a few other color combinations. As with all of my logos, I Pantone color matched each version. This ensures that the colors display the same, no matter what the application. Find out more about Iron Will Fitness Studio at their website.

Contact me for your own fitness logo design

Are you opening up a new gym? Perhaps you need to rebrand your existing fitness center. Contact me so we can get started.

Muhlenberg County Public Libraries / Thistle Cottage

Greenville, KY

For the second year running, MCPL once again hired me to make their annual Victorian Tea poster design. I started by laying this design out in kiosk size. Then, I resized the art into several smaller formats. Half page newspaper ads were the smallest size.

Thistle Cottage holds their annual Victorian Tea in downtown Greenville, Kentucky. The party is a Victorian themed event where both mothers and daughters dress up and enjoy a traditional tea party. It is a popular event where families can go back to experience a simpler time in history that their ancestors once knew. The air of nostalgia brings little girls’ tea parties to life. Servers and staff also dress in period attire. An elegant event such as this called for an equally classy poster design.

Victorian Tea Poster Design in Kentucky

I really enjoy sifting through vintage Victorian ads. Obviously, I patterned this poster design after them. I started with the featured black and white illustration of the mother and daughter characters. The poster’s background is dressed in a “shabby chic wallpaper” pattern with the drab colors that were fashionable in that era.

My favorite feature of any good Victorian ad is the variety of fonts and dingbats in use. Artists seem to always use a dozen fonts in any given piece. It looks like the advertiser aimed to use as many fonts as possible in one space. These warped font styles often remind me of the circus. It’s as if the carnival barker pulled double duty and was also hired to design the poster layout. Both the teapot and pointing finger ornaments give the composition an old time “over the top” feel. Step right up!

Contact Me For Your Victorian Tea Poster Design

Are you hosting a retro event? Contact me today for your own poster design!

George Thompson

Greenville, KY

George Thompson is a pastor in my hometown in Western Kentucky, and is one of the first humans I can remember knowing. George has authored several books on theology and travel. He approached me to reimagine his Lord’s Prayer book cover design for a reprint a new publisher was releasing.

I actually formatted his manuscript for their size and specifications, making a few minor edits, in addition to designing the jacket art. Read about the beginning of my journey as a Christian book designer.

Lord’s Prayer Book Cover Design Story

First, I set out to create a graphic design for this dust jacket with other classic devotionals in mind. Purple is a color which is often regarded as a spiritual color. This dates back to its rarity in Biblical times. Therefore, I created the cover’s background in pink and purple hues.

I then applied a blur filter to a royalty free stock image to complete the effect. Later, I enhanced the light elements of the image to suggest glowing rays of light peeking out of clouds.

The light centers on the book’s cover, in order to highlight the familiar “praying hands” pen and ink illustration. These give it a celestial feel. I focused on typography to create a high end feel for this volume.

The book’s title colors are deep purple gradients. This creates contrast against the lighter background. I set the words “LESSONS ON THE” in a classy sans serif font with extra spacing to justify its width over the words “LORD’S PRAYER”. I typed them in a tall, condensed specialty font that exudes class. Finally, I added a white “shadow” behind the text to give it a little more depth.

Christian book designer for independent authors

Whether or not your subject matter is Christian or religious in nature, I am your man. You should choose me since I love helping authors complement their work with vibrant imagery. Contact me today to get started.

The Rough Customers

Lexington, KY

Pick it up! The Rough Customers are Lexington, KY’s only third wave ska band – as far as we know! In 2014, my band at the time Analog Apostles performed with them and Nashville, TN soul rockers Ravenhill. Ravenhill made a tour stop in Lexington at the Sidecar, next door to Al’s Bar. The Rough Customers’ live show is all about fun, and that’s the vibe I was going for with this concert poster design.

Large format concert poster design

The featured photo of the classic pin-up girl and phonograph was given a “washed out” effect, which I made by reducing the colors using Adobe Illustrator. I then added the hypnotizing bright blue swirl in the background to enhance the kitsch factor. I lettered the bands’ names in a watermelon red using the retro “Badaboom” font, since it always signals good times. Additionally, I used the “Cherry Cream Soda” font for the other text, completing the poster’s vintage 50s feel. Finally, I added a QR code to the concert poster design so that potential concert goers could RSVP to the event on Facebook by scanning the poster with their smartphones.

The Rough Customers never disappoint when they take the stage, and always draw a big crowd. This show was definitely no different, since we filled the small room to capacity. I would like to think that my eye catching design helped with that aspect. I always design and print my 11×17″ posters to promote shows and other events that I put together. The large format gives me more canvas to play with. It is also more eye catching than a letter sized flyer when hung in store windows.

Hire me to create your concert poster design

Are you a musician or band needing a concert poster design? Contact me!

Year of October

Nashville, TN

Year of October is a blues rock band based in Nashville, TN. I designed this 11×17″ concert poster art for a show with my band at the time Analog Apostles. The gig took place at the now defunct Natasha’s Bistro and Bar here in Lexington, KY. I had a lot of fun incorporating both of my loves, graphic design and music, into this composition.

Concert poster art design story

I themed the poster around a vintage Fender silverface tube guitar amp, which is similar to the ’78 Fender Twin Reverb I once owned. First of all, I replaced the Fender logo over the speaker grill cloth with AA’s “A” insignia. I added a shiny chrome effect and embossed it to mimic the original element. I also Photoshopped out the blue amp model name, and then replaced it with the words “Rockin’ Show” in a similar font. Guitar gearheads appreciated the attention to detail I added to this concert poster art.

As for the text, I used a sans serif font in turquoise for the band names, while choosing a fat script colored orange for the other information. The band name titles are colored similar to the amp name, and also use the same font. I “underlined” both bands’ names with sets of unrolled guitar cables. The orange script almost has a neon signage feel.

Finally, I overlaid a set of vacuum tubes on top of the amp schematic drawing in the background. I changed their colors to black and white to make the colors in the forefront pop. Because of this, these images come together to make the perfect background arrangement. I almost hid them in effect, but if you take the time to examine them, they really add to the whole package.

Contact me to design your concert poster art

Do you have a big show coming up and need poster graphic design that stands out? Contact me today.

Misty Mountain String Band

Louisville, KY

Misty Mountain String Band’s banner design on display at a show.

After designing MMSB’s CD layout for “Went to the Well”, the band returned, asking me to create a large banner design. This three foot by five foot vinyl banner travels with the band and helps the boys look professional when on stage.

Banner design for Kentucky bluegrass and folk band

The affable string band sound describes their sound as “What it sounds like when a banjo smiles.” Similarly, this banner is both warm and inviting. The large banner layout features text and ornaments arranged in a vintage two color “show poster” style. First, I set the stage with a neutral color background with a rough burlap texture. I then mixed the two big, bold fonts for the main title in bright orange.

Afterward, I reversed the words “Misty Mountain” out of a long orange block using a Western style font. This is a divider in the middle of the main title to break the banner design up visually, and it function as ground for the squirrels to stand on. I set the rest of the band’s name in a heavy sans serif style font. I randomly nudged the position of some of the letters in order to give the title the appearance of being manually screen printed by a letterpress such as Nashville’s Hatch Show Print.

After that, I added the band’s requested twin squirrel and banjo line drawings in a bold, dark green. This gives the overall design a natural feel with more weight. Finally, I added some distress to the entire banner design composition using a grunge pattern eraser. How much more bluegrass can you get? The answer is none – none more bluegrass!

Graphics for your concert promotional banner design

Are there big summer music festival bookings in your future? Do you need a large banner design to make your group look more professional on stage? Contact me today to get started!

Wellington Beck Music Group

Nashville, TN

This is another country music compilation for a long running client. During my run with Wellington Beck, I specialized in quick turnaround Photoshop designs for their recordings. This time around, the album features all piano based covers of popular country hits. It is available exclusively as a digital download mp3 album on iTunes and Amazon, as well as other media outlets. Since the word “CORRAL” is featured in the title, I decided I should give it a 19th Century American Old West feel.

Digital download art for country music album

The art features a vintage style mahogany piano in the bottom right. I set the album’s title in a curly Western font, then warped it into a rising shape. I also embossed the text to give the words depth. All the while, I used two different brown tones to bring some variance to the title. The word “PIANO” is larger than the other words, and I emphasized in a darker brown hue. This color echoes the dark shadows in the piano image and ties it all together.

The old timey elements all display on a dirty, distressed parchment paper background. My idea with using this was to mimic the feel of a wanted poster for an 1800s desperado.

Finally, I added a grunge texture overlay to complete the country music piece’s weathered appearance. This gave it the exact style my client was looking for. As usual, I finished the art ahead of the scheduled deadline, and I did not need to make any revisions to it.

Let me design your digital download artwork

Whether or not your genre is country music, I’ve got your art needs covered. I’ll be your Huckleberry. Contact me today for the perfect graphic design to complement your new single or album!

Muhlenberg County Public Libraries

Greenville, KY and Central City, KY

A complete overhaul was in order for my hometown’s outdated library website design. The existing site was rife with errors at the time. It also had a lot of content that was very hard to navigate. The design was unattractive as well. Naturally, MCPL called me in to step in as their new public library web designer.

Public library web designer – project details

I began by bringing their web presence up to date with a clean white design. It features their new logo, which I also designed. Then, I added a colorful image slider, which included relevant, royalty free stock photography. I also reorganized and streamlined their existing navigation menu. It now includes just four main headings with drop down menu items.

Library staff members worked with me to find the best way to simplify and condense the original content. We came together to create a system that staff could easily update by themselves. This is so important for a library website design.

Additionally, the sleek online calendar displays upcoming events. These include happenings such as storytimes and book signings. The website calendar can easily sync with iCal, Google Calendar, and others.

Patrons can access all of the libraries’ online databases in order to check out books and other media. The complete catalog is conveniently at users’ fingertips. It is directly searchable right from the library website design main menu.

I also built a separate mobile version of the site. This enables patrons to keep up with both library branches on the go using their smartphones and tablets. Customers may still access the full catalog and other features with the separate mobile site. This is a complete web solution.

Library Website Design in Kentucky

Check out the site here! Does your business or nonprofit have a large amount of content that needs an update? Perhaps your site is in need of a fresh makeover. I would love to help! Hire me to be your public library web designer.

Muhlenberg County Public Libraries

Greenville and Central City, KY

Back in the year 2013, my home county’s library system contacted me for a huge rebranding project. They called on me to create a new public library logo design and website for them. Back when I was growing up in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, I fondly remember participating in their annual summer reading program each year. I also would often stop in to check out books while I walked home on my way from my school, Greenville Elementary. Because of this, I considered the library logo art project to be a very special honor.

Public library logo design in Kentucky – fonts and Image

First, I created a line drawing based on the iconic county courthouse tower using the Adobe Illustrator application. This building happens to be the largest open belfry anywhere in the United States. The courthouse tower resides right across the street from the Greenville (Harbin Memorial) branch of the public library. MCPL also has a branch situated in Central City, KY.

After I drew up the focal vector image, I spelled out the words in the main title “Muhlenberg County Public Libraries”. I chose the Museo Slab serif style font. I love this font, since it creates an identity that looks both classic and modern at the same time. A simplified book shape opens up in the foreground in order to provide a tasteful contrast to the architecture portrayed behind it. It avoids the pitfall of potentially making the design too complicated by still not being too obvious or complex.

All of the elements’ weights are distributed evenly. The book’s shape gives the correct emphasis on the text. To give the piece some more variety, I set the words “Public Libraries” in a larger size at the bottom. The words “Muhlenberg County” reverse out of the book shape in white.

Public library logo color scheme and finishing touches

The dark blue and lime green color scheme is strong and eye catching, while still keeping things simple. Depending on the application, I set the background color in either a solid blue, or the gradient fade you see displayed here. As with all of my logo designs, I created a separate, simplified version in black and white. I have always maintained the belief that the best logos can be reduced down to this format. I love going “back home” to Western Kentucky and seeing my work displayed on signage and billboards. The library was such an important part of my childhood growing up in Muhlenberg County. Therefore, it is a good feeling to know that my work represents it to kids growing up there today.

Muhlenberg County Public Libraries Thistle Cottage Logo

Thistle Cottage history and public library logo design colors

Later on in that very same year, MCPL returned to me for a new task. They requested a new variation of my original public library logo design. The new spin on the brand first involved a change in the color scheme. For this particular version, I decided we should incorporate a rustic copper brown and army green combination.

Both of these muted colors combine and hearken back to the heritage of the building represented by the mark. Thistle Cottage is a historic early 20th Century home on 122 South Cherry Street in downtown Greenville, KY. It was built in the year 1912, back when the Western Kentucky coal mining industry was still booming. It is located just around the corner from the Harbin Memorial library branch.

Thistle Cottage was formerly a cultural center that would host touring art exhibits. The city gave it to the public library system in 2013. They then converted it into a museum and art gallery space. MCPL also holds their annual community events there. These events include their Mother’s Day Victorian Tea party in May, along with their Pictures with Santa holiday series.

Thistle Cottage library logo art – fonts and finishing touches

A fun handwriting script font comes together in order to spell out the main title phrase “Thistle Cottage”. Once again, I reversed the title out of the large open book shape in white. Then, I made the book shape a bit taller. This way, it would frame in all of the main title text. I kept the “Muhlenberg County Public Libraries” text intact from the original logo design in this particular variation. Then, I arched it around the courthouse image from the original logo in the copper brown shade. Finally, I recolored the county courthouse in the olive shade of green.

The finished product I provided made the staff at MCPL very happy in the end. While it is obviously associated with the Kentucky public library system, the muted color scheme and classic script give the logo a vintage feel of its own.

Thistle Cottage logo signage gallery

Check out the finished product in print in the photo gallery below. The library features it prominently on the sign in front of the Thistle Cottage building.

“Book” me for your public library logo design!

Are you a library director in the process of launching a brand new library system or branch in your community? Perhaps your own library system has been using the same outdated library logo art for many years. You may very well be in need of an image rebrand! Whatever your situation may be, you should contact me! Everyone in your town will be checking you out! Sorry, for better or worse, I just can’t help myself when it comes to a good pun.

Analog Apostles

Lexington, KY

I designed this CD art for Lexington, KY alternative rock band Analog Apostles‘ debut EP “The Other Side of the Sea”. Since I played lead guitar in the band at the time, it was a no brainer for me to do the artwork. I was also very involved in the music production side.

Ben, the main songwriter and rhythm guitarist, thought of the title long before we recorded the first note. The album name and many of the songs made references to water, so we decided together on a nautical theme.

CD art – setting sail for the high seas

The four panel digipak layout started with an antique style treasure map background. Then, I overlaid a classical pirate ship illustration in brown as the focal point. The “A” monogram mark from the logo I designed was later superimposed onto the ship’s main sail.

After that, I set the band‘s name in an antique “swashbuckling” style font face. The album’s title then materialized in a classic cursive script. I capped off the design with a ghostly image of the band’s “A” icon over the dark blue ocean background in the tray card. Since the record’s theme suggested high adventure, a hint of supernatural mystery put it over the top.

From start to finish, this record truly was a DIY project. We performed every aspect of the production, from the recording process to ordering the album duplication. Ben’s wife Amanda did a great job with the posed band photography. Our fan base fully funded the CD’s production online via Indiegogo, which is a great fundraising tool for artists on a budget.

Hire me to design your CD art

Are you a band or record label currently hoisting the main sails on a new album? Contact me today for a CD layout design that will shiver your fans’ timbers.

Ronald Jenkees

Louisville, KY

This Ronald Jenkees shirt design is one of my biggest hits! RJ is a friend of my old band from Kentucky. If you’ve never heard of him, he is an electronic music prodigy, as well as a YouTube phenom.

RJ is instantly recognizable, squinting in his Coke bottle glasses while wearing an assortment of fedoras and other hats. In his live performance videos, he always encourages viewers to have fun with their music, no matter what their skill level may be. This makes him a kindred soul to me, so I was happy to work up some apparel art for him.

He commissioned a simple shirt design in 2013, which he would release along with a new album. His only request was that I keep the shirt to a simple two to three colors. Since I have a background in screen printing, simple designs are a specialty of mine. He encouraged me to get creative with shirt colors and depictions of him.

Ronald Jenkees shirt design story

First, I used Boris Black Bloxx for the text, which a thick, wacky font. I decreased the spacing of it in order to add to the fun. Then, I simplified a screen capture from one of Ronald’s Youtube jam videos to create a one color image. Finally, the product displays his vibrant personality while promoting his jaw dropping musical prowess.

This version is the men’s style, which is displayed on an Ice Grey T-shirt with orange and dark grey inks. The design is also available in a grey ladies cut with pink and dark grey ink colors. Order one for yourself here! Then go see him in action on “the YouTubes” here!

Shirt design for musicians and Youtube stars alike

Are you crowdfunding your next album and in need of a shirt design for one of the perks? Do you need merchandise to capitalize on your viral videos that are blowing up on Youtube? Contact me today for the perfect shirt design!

Wellington Beck Music Group

Nashville, TN

The groundbreaking “American Country Hits” series rolled on with the latest installment, Volume 19. Each volume includes both a “Hits” version (covers recorded by studio musicians) and a “Karaoke” version with instrumental tracks only. The karaoke album art design version that I created is pictured above.

Karaoke album art design story

This time out, I decided I should use a deep turquoise background. I blended a mottled grunge pattern that resembled marble into the rich greenish blue color. Then, I created an inner shadow layer effect for it. This effect fades into the background from a light to dark shade.

I also added a bright white burst brush shape located in the center of the artwork. I situated it between the background and the main title logo layers. When I added a glow layer effect to it, it really made it shine. It also caused the main title text to pop off of the screen.

After that, I contrasted the background elements against the main title. This title uses the same logo I created for the previous installments of the series. I set the words in the LHF Boston Truckstyle font. I proceeded to color it with a rusty shade of red, then added both satin and inner shadow effects to the letters. A light golden yellow inside stroke came together with a thicker brown outline in order to complete the title text’s rustic theme.

All of the elements come together to create an outstanding karaoke album art design. This, as well as all of the other installments in the series, is available on many online music retailers. These include Amazon, iTunes, and many others.

Contact me to create your karaoke album art design

Do you own a record label or a digital music publisher? If you need quick turnaround art to accompany your digital music, I am your graphic designer. Contact me today to get started!

Wellington Beck Music Group

Nashville, TN

This is a digital download graphic design for a compilation of many popular country music singles of the day. This series is much like digital albums such as Kidz Bop and NOW! That’s What I Call Music. The collection of songs is exclusively available online via iTunes, Amazon, and other online music outlets.

It is a part of the long running series of cover albums produced by Wellington Beck that I designed art for. Quick turnaround was the name of the game for these projects. I excelled at exceeding my client’s expectations on time, each and every time.

Digital download graphic design for country music single

My client requested me to base the album artwork concept on the hit ABC TV series Nashville. I mimicked the show’s mix of serif and condensed sans serif fonts, as well as the bright pink and grey color scheme. The music publisher also made the request that I incorporate an image of a vintage tube television. I started with these ideas, and then decided to expand on them.

Finally, I incorporated a retro television “test pattern” graphic to complete the image’s layout. Many older listeners and fans of the days when television stations signed off for the night with similar images enjoyed this touch. I made an instant hit with both my client and their listeners.

Hire me for your digital download graphic design

These album art web graphics are among some of my favorite projects. I found it exciting whenever a new assignment would come across my desk.

Are you a music publisher or an artist who needs a quality design created to meet digital retailers’ standards? I am just as passionate about music as I am about top shelf graphic design. Contact me today to get started.

Main Street Costumes

Greenville, KY

The living dead returned, roaming the streets of Western Kentucky for the sequel to 2011’s Zombie Walk event! The previous year’s undead themed charity walk was a huge success. Therefore, Main Street Costumes once again called me for event promotion design. The small town costume shop printed variations of this artwork as eight feet long banners, postcards, and t-shirts.

Since this was the second annual event, I multiplied the featured zombies by two. I felt that the stock image of the purple female zombie was a tad too immodest for a family event, so I photoshopped more clothing to cover her. I also adjusted some proportions of the characters to better fit the space.

Then, I drew the red “2” so that the second event artwork would call back to 1980s slasher film sequels. The brightly colored characters and titles pop off of the stark background. I used the heavyweight Gotham font for the copy. See my work on display in this Youtube commercial for the event:

Screen printed shirt for event promotion design

I rose to the challenge of simplifying the full color poster and card designs to create a three color screen printed shirt. Since my background includes over five years of working in the screen printing industry, it was second nature to me.

My client agreed that we should reduce the art to pink and purple with white highlights. We stuck with the black background for the shirt. Black therefore functions as a de facto fourth color, outlining the words and images, and coloring hair and grunge elements.

Contact me for your own event promotion design

Are you planning a community event such as a costume party, fundraiser, or fun run 5K race? Contact me today! I will bring your vision to life.

Wellington Beck Music Group

Nashville, TN

This country music album art complements a compilation of country singles produced by some longtime regular clients. Wellington Beck produced digital exclusive albums featuring cover versions of songs by popular artists like Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, and others. As with past projects, they gave me a lot of creative “rope” and very few specific guidelines.

Country music album art story

I felt that sticking with a base of primary colors and a text focused design would help the art stand out. The client asked me to make the number “50” the most prominent part of this country music album art. Therefore, I set it in a bold red tall serif. I stylized it with a faint inner glow effect and an opaque shadow in order to give it just the right depth.

On the top and bottom, I typed “Country by the Numbers” in a deep blue shade. For these words, I used the Trade Gothic font in a light weight. In keeping with the Old West theme, I then added a rope “lassoing” it the number 50, swooping in from the bottom to grab it. The rope envelopes the number in front and back, creating three dimensions.

Finally, I overlaid the bold and bright artwork with a rusty, sputtered grunge pattern. There is also a faint outline of arrows flying up and to the right. The background also contains some bright beams of light. I was happy that this art successfully blended primary hues with grunge elements and Western themes.

Contact me for your country music album art

Are you an independent country music artist, a record label, or a publisher? Whether you need a print CD art, or a quick turnaround digital art solely for streaming services, I’ve got you covered.  Contact me to get started today.

Main Street Costumes

Greenville, KY

My longtime friends Clint and Lori Cobb built their successful local costume shop Main Street Costumes from the ground up. They bolted onto their successful eBay store with a brick and mortar. It fast became a fixture in my small hometown of Greenville, KY, famous for the giant skull in the window. When they started planning a “Zombie Walk” event to benefit a local charity, Clint and Lori called on me to create a promotional design. They  featured this zombie poster design on 3’x5′ banners, postcards, and t-shirts, as well as other mediums.

Zombie poster design story

I set out to create a feel that was somewhat gory, yet still lighthearted enough for families. First, I began with the stock featured image, a white eyed “walker”. The gruesome figure, complete with green decaying skin, a tattered shirt, and disheveled hair, still needed a little work. I felt that the size of his head was too small. Therefore, I used Adobe Photoshop to adjust it. Additionally, I tweaked a few colors and features before moving on to the rest of the poster.

In order to make the rest of the elements pop against the black background, I used bright colors. The zombie is outlined in a bloody red splatter, and his head juts in front of the event logo to add depth. Bright yellow and orange banners zig zag across the front like caution tape to display the event details. I used a frenetic, handwritten style font to give a comic book feel. The debut event was a huge success, since it drew over 350 costumed “zombies” to Main Street in the heart of Muhlenberg County.

Contact me for your zombie poster design or any other event promotion

Are you holding a zombie or horror themed event? Perhaps a Halloween bash for your local community? Contact me today!

Wellington Beck Music Group

Nashville, TN

My client was very happy with how this collection of country music covers CD art design turned out. The only specific requests the publisher Wellington Beck gave me for the design were to incorporate an old school microphone in the title. As always, they trusted me completely to create a professional, quick turnaround graphic. The latest compilation in their country music series became a huge hit and this design was a big part of that.

Country music covers CD art design story

The name of the project suggests mystery, so I sought to create a scene which was teaming with anonymous silhouettes. I also went for an 80’s Western movie poster feel, which is similar to this one. In the image’s background, horsemen gallop along a ghostly trail set in the smoky sky above a purple and blue mountain range. Perhaps the cowboys in the foreground are searching for some outlaw horse thieves.

Continuing the retro 80’s movie theme, I then spelled “Cowboys” in large, stretched pink script font in the title. In order to give it some shine, I added a gradient effect. Also, I colored the vintage microphone in a deep turquoise so as to complement the main title. It is featured between the words “Under” and “Cover”, which are spelled in a radical, classic block font.

These letters also feature a white to grey gradient and a white shadow to create contrast against the cowboy figures in the foreground. This digital download cover art is like Miami Vice meets Gunsmoke!

Contact me for your covers CD art design

Are you an artist or record label that is planning to release a record of cover songs? There is no need to go undercover for your compilation album art graphic design. Contact me today to get started!

Wellington Beck Music Group

Nashville, TN

I thoroughly enjoyed the time when I worked for Wellington Beck Music Group as a country CD art designer. The Nashville based music publisher sold digital music via Amazon mp3 and iTunes, as well as many other online outlets.

Country CD art designer story

This is a compilation of popular country singles featuring the steer skull mascot from their “American Country Hits” series.

Wellington Beck asked me to recreate a $100 United States dollar bill with the steer skull instead of Benjamin Franklin’s portrait. I desaturated the colors from the original image, then blended it into the oval portrait in the center using Adobe Photoshop.

I was particularly happy with how the texture of the dollar bills turned out. It adds a much needed air of realism. The simulated currency looks like actual crinkled American dollars. The green cowboy hat stamped over the characters spelling out the number “100” also looks great.

A dark brown wood grain patterned table completes the rustic look, which you can expect from a good country CD art designer. The final result turned out to be a huge seller for the digital music publisher, and still is in streaming rotation today. We did not leave any cold, hard cash on the table when it came to this project!

Hire me to be your Country CD art designer

Do you work with a music publisher? Perhaps you own your own independent record label. You may offer digital music, along with traditional physical CDs. You know better than anyone that image is just as important as the music that accompanies it. Instead of trying to do it yourself, or relying on a cut rate, fly by night firm, you should hire a pro with years of experience. Contact me today and put your money where your mouth is!