Cory Witt/Graphic Design

New Website Up

2010-05-01T01:07:00.005-05:00

My new website corywitt.com is up! Check it out, and let me know what you think.

Coming Soon...

2010-04-05T14:39:00.001-05:00

Look for these current projects to be posted soon. Photos of the packaging design container below, photos of the book on Stefan Sagmeister, Web Design for a local client, Identity and Web Design for an out-of-state client, CD Packaging and Web Design for an out-of-state client, and identity design for a two local clients... Yes, I am a very busy man at the moment. Be sure to check out my other work in the archive.

Publication Design

2010-04-05T14:20:00.003-05:00

Working with Meredith Corporation, this project was to design a publication including the cover, style sheet, table of contents, and an article with three spreads to communicate to the target market for gardening magazines. Research was done on the market segment indicating a mostly female readership, 45+ years of age, who own their own home. Every aspect of the design of this publication is chosen with that segment in mind, including fonts, sizes, color palette, and layout. The copy, and photos were supplied by Meredith, but were edited and manipulated to fit the concept. Overall, the publication was designed to communicate an elegance that the market would like to achieve with their own backyards, and feedback was very positive.

Technical Illustration

2010-03-29T16:15:00.005-05:00

This tehnical illustration was created in Adobe Illustrator by drawing all outlines and contours with pen tool, then using the gradient mesh tool to render. This is a project from last fall I had yet to post as I wanted to revisit it to fix some color issues. After addressing those I am much happier with the final result. Click below to see larger view.

Brand Identity

2010-03-20T15:57:00.001-05:00

I was commissioned by Bay Area, CA sourcing company RepMatrix to create a logo and map to communicate their identity. This logo was chosen from several options presented for the way it simply and clearly communicates the service the company offers, bringing together manufacturers and sales reps, creating an invaluable networking tool. The map was revised several times in order to create the final map shown, which simply communicates this concept in a larger way for the company's website. See it at www.RepMatrix.com

Business Cards

2010-03-20T15:11:00.007-05:00

This client is a talented local artist and needed a business card for art shows. She does pieces to take to shows and custom commissioned pieces. This design was chosen a simple, straight forward way to communicate her style. Her artwork was incorporated in a unifying way and the contrasting typefaces were chosen to communicate her personality and style. Contact her to speak with her about purchasing pieces or commissioning a custom piece.

Publication Design

2010-03-12T15:55:00.005-06:00

This book was designed as an overview of the life and work of Stefan Sagmeister. Text is self authored and correctly cited. The book necessitated a style that would compliment his, and some of his and my own imagery. I constructed several experimental type compositions seen in snow, flour, cheese puffs and balloons to highlight information from the text while working in a similar style to his own. Hierarchy of information was achieved through size contrast, placement, color, callouts and pull quotes. As the book is an accordian fold, a strong grid system was necessary. The accordian fold construction also made transition points from one page or spread to the next even more important in creating a successful flow throughout the book. The book was then physically printed and constructed. Photos of the finished product will be added soon.

Product Packaging System

2010-03-09T10:04:00.006-06:00

This project was the design of a packaging system and branding system for a line of ice cream. The target market, color scheme, nutrition information all were considered in this design. Target market was women in the 30 to 40 age range, and the concept came from my wife mentioning that ice cream always made her feel better. The font and very clean Swiss style design evolved as a way to communicate the concept to a very time-poor market. Screened in the background of the side labels are things that ice cream can make you feel better about, i.e. headaches, heartaches, sore throats, pregnancy cravings, etc. The result is a no-nonsense minimalist design that get the information across without clutter. The concept also works well at setting the brand apart from the very elaborate and dense packaging of its competitors, allowing it to stand out in the frozen foods aisle. Photos of labels on complete containers coming soon.

Poster Series

2010-02-08T14:45:00.004-06:00

This project required the creation of a series of two posters. The concept was a visual interpretation of design influences. The posters were to work well in relation to each other and address the same concept. One of the biggest influences in my life, and spilling over into my design work, is the trips I have taken to Peru. Poverty like we have never experienced in the US is the daily routine of millions all over the world. I hope to make a positive difference in my life, and that influences how I approach design. Thank you to my friend Karen Sage, for the authorized use of several images. All other images are my own and copyrighted.

Editorial Layout Design

2010-02-08T14:41:00.002-06:00

For this project three editorial layouts were created using specified grids and an assigned article. One of the four articles was to use typography only and no image of any kind. The first layout was to be a two page spread using a two/four grid, that is a grid with two columns, which could be subdivided into four columns. The second layout was to be a spread using a three/six grid, and the third was to use an experimental self-designed grid. This experimental layout allowed the freedom of multiple spreads. I chose to use a modular grid for more creative freedom and developed a concept which would pull from the understanding CMYK process as a common language among designers. Each of the four spreads used flat color in one of the four colors. Each spread then incorporated a group of boxes including all four colors as a wayfinding device and unifying element.

Des Moines Art Center Lichtenstein Opening Announcement

2010-01-08T22:14:00.005-06:00

This Project introduced possibilities for variation using typographic elements. All plates were to be 7x7" and use only type, limited to one typeface. Only use of placement or proximity was to be used in the first plate, size variation in the second plate, size and weight variation in the third. The fourth plate allowed for the use of visual punctuation (no imagery) along with the variations explored in the first three. Three variations on this final plate are shown.

Systems Design

2009-12-21T16:42:00.008-06:00

This project allowed the use of letterforms and abstractions taken directly from letterforms only. The project consisted of the design of six distinct compositions using a grid system to make each side of each of the compositions capable of working successfully when paired with any side of any other composition. The result is a system of designs that work together in a way that transition points make it possible for sides to work together in multiple patterns, useful in brochure, publication, textile and web design formats. This project also required either nine or sixteen physical cubes to be printed and made from the designs, then at least twenty pattern studies submitted with the cubes. I had no problem submitting twice that amount. Below are photos of the cubes and a few of the patterns.

Type-Image Hierarchy

2009-12-15T09:34:00.016-06:00

This project was a study in the relationship between typography and images in communicating a concept through composition and type vs. image dominance. We were required to choose a cliche and use our image and type to communicate our concept. I chose to take my cliche 'i am not my brother's keeper' out of context in order to make a statement about materialism and responsibility. Plate One was required to be type only; Plate Two, image dominant and type subdominant; Plate Three, type dominant and image subdominant; and Plate Four, type-image fusion, neither type nor text being dominant, balancing all elements.

Heartfield Book Cover Design

2009-12-15T09:31:00.005-06:00

This project asked me to create a dust jacket/book cover for a book about a designer or design movement. I chose German artist John Heartfield, famous for his photomontage work before and during WWII, strongly criticizing the rise of the Nazi Party and Adolf Hitler, a dangerous stand to take at his time and place in history. I worked in a style similar to Heartfield's to create a completely new composition using elements from Heartfield's works. The result depicts a small, but defiant Heartfield standing up to the Nazi Machine represented by a monstrous, terrifying Adolf Hitler.

Book Design

2009-11-28T14:50:00.021-06:00

This project was the creation of a book, to communicate a concept visually and verbally, using a combination of found text, self-authored text, and self generated photography and imagery. The layout was completed in Adobe InDesign. My concept is aging. With the final design the book was required to be printed and bound for review. Here is the physical bound copy followed by each designed spread.

uHelp Ad Campaign

2009-11-28T13:24:00.006-06:00

This communications project involved the creation of a brand and advertising strategy. With the strategy an ad was composed to reach the target audience with special consideration given to the rhetorical situation, contextual distribution, cultural production, and critical consumption. The non-profit uHelp was created as an organization that exists to unite University students and their surrounding communities to aid refugees through volunteer work and donations. The final product was unveiled in a multi-media presentation.