Andy Narwhal

The Nutcracker

Hawaii Ballet's "The Nutcracker" has a really great logo they've been using for a few years now. Designed by Wall-to-Wall Studios, it features a brilliant double image (http://www.walltowall.com/news/view/71), which is something I love doing. This was most evident in my TGIF cover for Phantom of the Opera, pictured below.

For "The Nutcracker" cover, I tried the same approach. I don't think it was as strong as the Phantom cover, but I think it was decent enough for a blog post.

Here's the final version with text. It feels more complete with a font on there:

I really think Wall-to-Wall Studios designs are far more superior. Sadly, I only had an hour or two to work on this decent cover. Trying for better next time.

Titanic Illustration

I've never posted a layout package. A special occasion here because I was comically twirling my 19th Century, Irish mustache with such pride ("Mwahahaaa, oh clever me") as I designed the centerpiece for Sunday's Today section. Here's the original illustration below:

It really shows how text and the illustration are sometimes nothing without the other.

All Hail the Moss

Did I inspire Olly Moss with my tribute to Japan: "In It's Shadow"? No! Very hell no! He inspired me. I'm a big fan of his art. And that piece was a shout out to Moss' style and of course Saul Bass (who Moss is inspired by). It was auctioned off for $200, 100% of the proceeds donated to the relief efforts in Japan.

So it wasn't a surprise to see that the first few seconds of this video of "Resistance 3" looked like my tribute art.

It wasn't a surprise at all because Moss designed the "Resistance 3" cover art. All hail the Moss.

Check out the full video below.


Resistance 3 - Follow Capelli from Spov Design + Moving Image on Vimeo.

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Losing a leader in innovation like Steve Jobs to something as horrible as cancer makes me appreciate the things he could have given the world. When something new comes out of Apple that changes up the scene, it'll be under his name, similar to how directors of suspense are compared to Albert Hitchcock. 

Here's to the man who helped define product design in the 2000's. A fitting portrait for a guy who loved typography.

I Am a Designer

Hello. My name is Joe. I am an artist and a designer. I don't bite much. Well, actually I do.