An Eye on the Forest

I occasionally sit-down and create a "Portfolio Cheat-Sheet" as shown above. A single page of various cropped thumbnails of my design/illustration/product work that will usually accompany a resumé or go to a client for a quick visual reference.

I've never really been a designer that focused on one style or genre (perhaps supporting my abject obscurity), but find inspiration in variance. If you poke around this blog a bit, you'll see I have worked in a variety of industries that are seemingly quite disparate.

Because of the variety of projects, I find it a good exercise to thumbnail the work to gauge where I am leaning stylistically at a given moment. Work that has just been completed, mixed with the past helps me to see the "common threads" as well as where I may want to go next.

Cropping the images, aside from just arousing inquiry, helps to keep anyone from focusing too much on what the object is verses "reading" the visual "feel". In other words... something like not focusing on the trees, but to see the forest more clearly.

-rm

Contrast

We debuted the Gibson and Bolling line at BazaarBizzare in Los Angeles in December of 2006. For anyone who does not know this show, "BazBiz" is a craft show/market featuring unique products created by a wide variety of LA area artists and designers. The event has a distinct cutting edge that you don't see often in the traditional gift market. As the name of the show implies, you could find everything from the completely bizzare to completely charming.

At the time we joined the show, the skull-and-cross-bones trend that had always been a staple theme in shows like BazBiz, had strongly infiltrated the middle and high-end markets. We created the G+B product line to approach the "edge" but with a sophistication that could be flexible enough to live in different markets.

With that in mind, the branding for G+B was designed to be elegantly neutral. I focused on black and white, subtly retro/modern typography, humbled slightly by the kraft paper texture/color. Demonstrated by some of the items shown above: (clockwise from top left) Light fixture shade for display features one of the wrapping paper designs converted to black and white, wrapping paper rolls tied with kraft and signature ribbon, hang-tag backer cards, and small silk-screened kraft bag.

The image of the gift wrapped box (above) demonstrates the balance of classic chic and edge that we were shooting for. Velvet ribbon, "diamonds", silver and black... all set an elegant mood for a perfect gift. A second take may reveal the razor wire themed pattern (designed by Helena Mills) to add an irresistible thrill of danger!

Winkin' Santa

Perfect gift tag to add to gifts for good boys and girls. Designed for Gibson and Bolling Christmas 2006.

Winking Santa Gift Tag Design ©2006 Richard Manville

Pixie Parts

Shown here, a couple of the many items for Gibson and Bolling featuring one of my favorite subjects...pixies! As you can see it also satisfied an inch for my other love...stripes.


Christmas card designs Pixie Hats and Pixie Toes ©2006 Richard Manville

Killer Damask

Wrapping Paper Design. Silk-screened gold firearms damask on black. ©2006 Richard Manville

With Every End

A new beginning.

I had departed Mattel back in 2005. I think it's fair to say that following those 7 years, I was more than a little drained. I didn't want to work for anyone or do anything at that point. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do next and inspiration was lower than low.

In an effort to "get back on the horse" I had gone on a few interviews. Honestly, I have to say in amused retrospect, that it's no wonder I didn't get those jobs. My talent and skills would have been perfect for the positions and had it been a different time I would have loved the opportunity. However, I just couldn't have been less interested and Lord knows it must have shown.

I had changed. My old goals and aspirations suddenly were no longer there. I had to rethink where I was going and what I really wanted to do. But before I was ever going to solve that monumental challenge I needed to just do something.

Back to basics! Design something, make something, sell something.

My friend Helena Mills and I put together Gibson and Bolling. She and I had worked together at Michel & Co/Punch Studio and shared a love for paper, printing, and graphic design.

G+B was all about fine gift paper products...handmade cards, gift enclosures, silk-screened wrapping papers. It was tactile, hands-on and satisfied a need to create. G+B was put on hold in early 2007 in order to pursue other projects. I can't say when or if it will be revived but either way it was a delight to work on and the most perfect therapy!