Josh Snyder x NO THEFT

 

 

Josh Snyder has been doing Weddings/Portraits for awhile & wanted to redo the presentation of his work. He wanted to stay far away from any modern logo that involved any subtle or blatant suggestion to photography. I was super excited to take on the challenge. After discussing some personal traits of Josh and how he wanted his work to be considered we leaned on the classy turn of the century style. Prior to this final version we were working with a  couple more literal takes on some traits we had narrowed in on. Those traits were : Old baseball logos, Arizona, Old signage. I wanted to share these as well as I'm a fan of 'em. We did end up keeping a minimalistic version of the monogram in the final version. 

Noah Gundersen | ST Paul De Vence | Keving Long X NO THEFT

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I recently was hired by the talents of Noah Gundersen | St Paul De Vence | Kevin Long to do a poster featuring them all. I saw an old picture of a Las Vegas sign that had all this great geometric shapes / great type employed for each artist littered thru out, and in my head I saw this come together. After working on the Oh Dear! album cover my eyes have been open to using much more color, this deff. shows that growth. I wanted to include some close ups on this poster, I feel like each close up could be painted on a canvas in an old sign painter style.

OH DEAR! x NO THEFT

(cover)

I recently had the joy of reconnecting with my friends Jacob, Brandon, & Justin. Garage Voice used to play shows with some of their bands from Tacoma back in the day and now they are all in one band OH DEAR!, pretty exciting. Several things that hit me right away in approaching this design was 1) Their music is colorful so had to rep that 2) they have 2 drummers and how they arrange themselves on stage has almost perfect symmetry, so wanted to have that reflected 3) When I heard the mixes for this self release I kept coming back to the lyrical idea of 'everything I said kept coming back to me' so the whole thoughts of sending out signals / receiving signals / recording signals was born. Working with a jewel case format was new to me, so it allowed for the vision of the record to really expand. VANJA. shot all of the album art and helped me meticulously arrange all the pieces, would not have been possible without her assistance (can't wait for her site to be up so I can refer the world to her) Voila!

Please check out OH DEARS! new release HERE

(back page of insert)

(cd)

(inside tray, cd rests on top)

(back of album)

CRU ISSUE 2

Open publication - Free publishing - More ace hotel

The 2nd Issue of CRU came out last week and it was an incredible humbling exciting process. I want to thank some people who made this issue specifically possible: Mike did some killer interviews, Brian brainstormed hard with me and delivered some great info graphics, Will did a great review on Zeitgeist and I'm stoked to see his words in every issue, Vanja hustled hard with me->proof reading, exporting, arranging deff. wouldn't have happened without her, Jennifer,Kaylyn,& Tina gave me great photos to work with.

I'm excited for Issue 3 that will coming out later this fall, Mike, Brian, & I are already hustling on it.

Take a minute and check the issue out then share!

GV TOUR POSTER x NO THEFT

GV is going on tour! I can't wait to be back in CALI and see some of my other favorite people that don't live in Seattle. I'm specifically looking forward to SAN FRAN + SLO, some amazing shows booked there and amazing peeps. I'm really excited to show these new songs to our friends especially since the last time they saw us we were touring with Freeze & Thaw material. We got a lil more electric since then, hopefully no Bob Dylan thing will happen. ALSO this will be the first time we've toured with THEE organ, so that will be an interesting body building factor to our tour. Patrick & I are doing 2 GV tshirts for this tour! Stoked about that too. What else? OH Blue Bottle in San Fran WILL get raided. Jus sayin'.

Tony Kevin Jr. x NO THEFT

My friend Tony is playing the Tractor Sept. 1st and my other friend Benjamin happens to be on the same bill, it's going to be a great night. When Tony asked me to do a poster for this show I had a defined direction pretty much nailed down, I talked to Tony about it and he told me as long as I can keep it to my simple style to pursue it. Well that kept bouncing in my head and I dropped my original idea and with the word 'simple' I set out on this poster. I wanted no texture, same muted variations on a color, and of course lots of space. I came up with this style, committed to it, and made up a story in my head. I'm excited about this direction and hope to carry on the themes/story into other pieces in the future.

I get to work on a lot of diff. projects and it's always nice to work with someone who trusts you to do something new with their name. Tony is one of a couple peeps who have really let me explore and I'm so thankful!

LOWLANDS

Tom Rorem of Lowlands asked me to do a special poster for their last show with Joel Schuman (an incredible piano player!) I was stoked to work on it and put some ideas i've been having for them down. There's something so classic about Lowlands, they have a great pulse on old America, I wanted to pull that out. So I antiqued it all, old Delivery truck delivering their goods, slight type treatments of the Gaslight era, and threw in a stripe for some motion as a current touch on the old that's in their sound. Don't miss this show!

I really want to screen print this one.

Garage Voice x NO THEFT

For awhile GV has been scheming on releasing a new site, a site that would be minimal, place high priority on single posts, and relate visually where we are going musically. We also wanted to be able to tell people exactly what we're doing with music and let that brand us, so we put 'GRIT, GOSPEL, & SPIRITUALS'. I also finally found a font I'm happy with to use with Garage Voice for awhile, its an old font used on old records from the 60's, I'm a big fan! So with our visual theme referring to the older nature of where we are going with our music we also decided to throw our names into the mix to match the old vinyl aesthetic of old Jazz/Blues/Gospel records.

After several attempts with genre / color / type, we all agreed on this! Bruce found this great accordion tab feature & did all the back end stuff with our friend Nate True, he's really developed a fine touch for Wordpress stuff, seriously, if you want someone to help redo your site into an easily manageable site, you need to get in touch with Bruce. Here are some screen caps of the site. Make sure to visit too! www.garagevoice.com


We also brought the branding over into our bandcamp, its nice seeing similarity in both aye?

NOAH GUNDERSEN x NO THEFT

Noah Gundersen came to me with a very specific vision. He knew the cover, the back, the cd image. We sat down together and just got it done, a really cool way for me to work with a client. Noah had seen several images that our friend Ben Blood had taken over in Germany, they greatly resonated with him and the his album title 'Family'. I also got to have a sneak peek of this album and I'm SO excited for everyone to hear it in its entirety. Noahs voice is captured so well, his guitar touch featured, Abby's contribution incredibly thoughtful. Noah is back putting his voice where it best belongs, I'm so excited! The release show is Aug. 6 at Columbia City Theatre, last time I checked there still were some tickets left :)



Earlier today I posted an album cover I did for Lower Lights Burning not knowing it wasn't suppose to be public yet. I've taken it down for another day to shine, I'm sorry to LLB for putting it up and sorry to everyone who saw it ahead of time! My bad!

SUMMERTIME

FIRST ISSUE OF CRU!

I'm excited to announce LGC's first online magazine. Brian Lambert of OLD FUN has joined our team to bring his skills to this magazine and other design needs that will come up. Have a looksy! Click on Fullscreen view too.

Open publication - Free publishing - More japan

NO THEFT x SPIRIT WALKER EXPEDITIONS

My friend Kaylyn has worked the past several summers for Spirit Walker Expeditions as a kayak guide + photographer. Several months back she told me she had passed my name to one of the owners of SWE as they were looking into a new logo. After some great conversations over the phone / email we started digging into the project. I wanted one of the main highlights of a kayak trip to be featured (whale spotting) and keep font work reminiscent of old national park wood signs out front of its property. Several versions later + incredible insights from Stephen & Jai we wound down to the above. Working with people who communicate well makes my job a breeze & gets me all the detail I need to do my job right.

I can't wait to get to Alaska and experience one of their tours first hand, have a looksy at what these fine people offer and what you can encounter in Alaska ->HERE

NO THEFT x ARTIST HOME

Artist Home recently started using the logo I designed for them. I can't say enough about the quality of people that run Artist Home. After working with Kevin Sur & Melodie Knight on this project I've come to understand their invaluable contribution to Seattle's fruitful music scene as well as the high standards they have set to run accordingly to.

After understanding Kevins' history of DIY days of being on the road and turning everything into something useful I kept coming back to the safety pin. It represents the punk methods that propelled Kevin into steady work with music, I wanted that to be seen. The above is the final one they chose, but I wanted to show proposed logos as well that I dug, I usually don't do that, but couldn't help myself.

Le Grand Cru x Japan Compilation

Today a special compilation became available on Le Grand Cru's bandcamp. It features a heavy Sea-town roster with songs that haven't been public till this compilation. The proceeds go to Direct Relief and will be put to the use of rebuilding the precious communities of Japan that were hurt during the tsunami.

I'm so proud of the artists who were happy to donate to this album, Kaylyn Messer for her long hours on filming/editing, Vanja for shooting the album cover, & for my partners Mdot & Mark for being the best people to work with.

Japan Compilation, by LE GRAND CRU from LE GRAND CRU on Vimeo.

GET NO THEFT TO INTERLINK CONFERENCE.

(Click to see at full size)

I found out about this incredible design conference 2 days ago ->INTERLINK<-
Being a freelancer has many benefits of freedom, doing what I enjoy for income, working with incredible people. One of the draw backs is an income that is in constant flux. As this conference is very soon I realize that my financial options don't provide enough to get me there. I've come up with 6 pledge levels that each have special perks. The biggest pledges are the best deals I've ever given for clients and the rest have some sweet custom perks that are being created now!

If you are unable to contribute financially, please pass the image along or even post it on your blog, that would help equally! Thank you for your time

NOTHEFTDOM.COM

BORDERLINE TREE WORKS

I just finished branding for Borderline Tree Works last week. Ben Rubinfeld is 100% bonafide arborist. He prunes trees, saps trees, planks trees, shapes trees, preventative cutting of trees, restores trees. He has a degree in all of this, certified to the teeth. It's impressive to meet someone who is this skilled and with something I'm mostly clueless about.

I created 1) Logo 2) Stationary 3) Logo for Truck decal/Work shirts. Check em out.

BACK GROUND TO A VISION COME TRUE

Just over a year ago I took on freelance design full time. I at the time was really struggling. I had been laid off a really great paying job because of an injury, the Christmas Season was challenging to get through because of it, and I was coming back to Seattle with no job.

I cried out to the Lord and He heard my cry.

I was extremely anxious about meeting financial responsibilities & doubtful of being able to make a living while recovering from my injury. I felt directionless, and in that fear, everything seemed overwhelming. The very next day I got an email from my friend Noah Gundersen asking me to do 2 posters for some big shows that were coming up. I poured myself into them. A floodgate had been opened, my frustrations started to reside and my hope was being lifted with this opportunity. After approval and posting all of these I started getting job after job. All of it was word of mouth, I got jobs just when I needed them, just when I had finished a job, just when I would need to send out rent.

The Lord was steadfast and secured me.

Now over a little year later I'm happy to announce my site NOTHEFTDOM.COM ! This site first and foremost is a testament to the Lord's faithfulness. Secondly the support I have received from my musical community and friends has been astounding. I'd like to share a couple names that have made today possible:

Ben Blood: He has been a constant reminder of excellence in his work ethic & communication. He has pushed and prodded me towards today.

Patrick & Bruce: Have been fresh outside eyes , forced me to charge my worth, pushed me to get this site up.

Karli Fairbanks: She is a daily inspiration in her trademark style, amount of work she puts out, and is very giving in her encouragement and support.

Mike Young: My faithful Le Grand Cru partner, he has taught me to live up to my commitments, communicate more effectively, and selflessly told me time & time again that I'd blow up and if I needed to leave LGC he would support me 100% to do so (Ain't gonna happen!)

Paper Astronomer: These kids trusted me to create out of my vision of them time and time again, that trust taught me how to better work with clients and to dig deep into their need.

Vanja: My girl who has made me think long term in my work, firm in my value, and lifted me up when I was despairing.

Dallas: The Web Guru himself who has generously given of his time and input to make this site possible.

Today is the first phase of my site, I have 3 more sections that will be coming shortly and a new blog just for my design work.

Thank you everyone for saying a kind word, asking me to do work for you, sharing my name with other people who needed design needs met, taping posters up, staying up late in my garage printing posters, buying me coffee & food when I couldn't afford it, Thank you!

FLANNEL

Sometimes I cover up the fact that I only wear this Flannel.

SWAP

Sometimes Dallas & I swap glasses, on purpose.

MATCH

Sometimes Tric & I match, not on purpose.

NO THEFT x GV + LION CO.

Garage Voice will be playing our first show in Astoria at the end of this month thanks to our friend Cabell who is in LION CO. This will be my first time in Goonies territory, STOKED! We're going to do more Freeze & Thaw material at this show (+pump organ), a little break from the blues/alt gospel menu we've been pushing as of late. I'm loving this new line art direction I've stumbled on, this piece features a little more of it, click on it to see more detail.

NO THEFT x YOUNG LIONS

Young Lions is a band that doesn't play enough in my opinion, BUT they have a SWELL show coming up at the High Dive! It's an incredible line up (have you seen BJA with his band?!), gonna be hoot n' holla show. Jus sayin'. Brad (drummer of YL) wanted the poster to convey the camaraderie between the bands + have a blue collar feel. I took the colors from an old union card from the 30's that I found, I discovered the font LEAGUE GOTHIC (thanks Karli!), and I discovered some new techniques on accident in Illustrator that allowed me to imitate line art / manual gradient. The blade for rock n' roll edge, the shaking hands for the united effort of the bands, the globe in hopes this kinda thing continues to spread. BLAH.

Come to this show! I'll be there too!

NO THEFT x NORTHWEST BANDS

Jacquee of Northwest Bands asked me to do a poster for their 8 yr anniversary show. I thought of the number 8 and right away saw a log being cut with the falling piece making the 8. The imagery easily fit into the NW legacy of timber kids so I looked no further and pumped it out. I've been using more of my pen lately, I'm wanting to pursue more tangible art outside of the computer to add to my work. This will show in some upcoming pieces I'm currently working on.

Congratulations to Jacquee & NW bands! Hit up this show to see some of my friends celebrate this event!

NO THEFT x SEA FEVER x NOAH GUNDERSEN

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Noah Gundersen asked me to do a screen print for his show with Sea Fever / Pablo Trucker in December. I needed to make a print that could be sold at the show and at the same time promote it. I couldn't find a solution that I liked enough so I made 2 diff. prints. One that is all type based and the other piece strictly for Sea Fever in promotion of their album release of "Go Find Your Love". The diff. type faces together was a breeze and I took some of the hand drawn parts and moved em over to the strictly Sea Fever print. Theme wise I wanted to push old nautical shipping town aesthetics. I used some old type, drew some images from old black & white photos from the 1800's and making the entire print 1 color sealed the deal.

It's great to start the year with new prints, they will first be available at this show! I'm going to be doing more prints this year, branching out with bigger projects/clients, and launching my site (in about 3 weeks!). Here are some close ups: