Michael Lin - Third Workshop

...Annnnd we're back!

2010-06-02T14:26:00.001-07:00

It would appear that the months of December through May are times when I have other projects and commitments... as a result, poster design gets moved to the back burner. But don't worry; there are projects and ideas simmering.

Since we are now in June, here's the most recent piece; it's an image of a trip to Monterey, specifically, the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Any one who's been there should recognize the Outer Bay Exhibit, which is depicted here.

I would be able to substitute the silhouettes of other people who've been to the aquarium, and want to remember that trip in like fashion.

(Above: The poster; my favorite part being the baby pointing at the fish)

(Above: the images from which the silhouettes were derived)

:: bon 10 anniversaire ::

2009-11-11T22:41:00.000-08:00

This day marks the 10th anniversary of viv&ingrid, a gifts and accessories brand best known for their elegant, yet playful jewelry. You can see for yourself: http://www.vivandingrid.com/ !

I had the pleasure of putting together a poster for them to commemorate the occasion. It was a 'treat,' being able to work with them to create an image that visually celebrated many design aspects of their first 10 years.

Congratulations, Vivian and Ingrid! Bon anniversaire!

Where The Wild Things Are

2009-11-05T01:35:00.000-08:00

I know this blog is all about posters and graphic design, etc... but in other art-making news:

For Halloween, I made my son a Where The Wild Things Are "Max costume" and since my blog needed a good dose of cute, here it is!

I am watching the movie (finally!) this weekend.

A House With A Good Foundation

2009-11-04T21:48:00.000-08:00

The last entry I posted was about a poster I created for Christian Layman Church. Well, it so happens that they just asked me to design a logo (1 color) for green aluminum water bottles they are getting for the participants on the annual trip to Tijuana, Mexico to build houses for some of the impoverished locals.

Typically, the team purchases flats of bottled water; this year, they will use reusable water bottles in efforts of being more environmentally conscious.

The structure on top is representative of the type of 'house' that is built on these trips. It's a very simple dwelling (about a 12' x 14' room), but it makes a big difference compared to no dwelling at all. The house sits a top a foundation of words and sentiment which spur people toward action.

Having made this trip twice myself, I was glad to put together this simple yet meaningful design. And though I won't make the trip this year, maybe I'll get a water bottle?

2009-10-20T22:08:00.000-07:00

This is a poster I did a while back for Christian Laymen Church; they had a project where the kids were fundraising to help the poor in Southeast Asia.

The project helped supply some of the improverished families with farm animals that they can the raise and use to sell or for food. It helped them get going to break the cycle of their poverty. To me, it's similar to micro-lending type programs- but instead, it gives you a cow instead of lending you monies.

Also, the poster was part of a "country fair" theme that was used for the summer. As such, the poster kept a vintage arts & crafts feel, and features a bully bank (rather than a piggy bank) as a symbol for the children's fundraising efforts.

Wedding Invitation

2009-09-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

This was the wedding invitation we designed for Kim and my own wedding. It's been more than 3 years since I put this together, but I think it still looks good.

Sometimes, I put something together and after a short while... all I see are flaws. The stuff that still looks good to me a long time later... that's when I know it was good.

I think there are some slight changes I'd make to this invite, but overall, it's still good. After all these years...

ALL IN!

2009-08-16T15:37:00.000-07:00

I guess if ESPN calls No-Limit Texas Hold'em a sport, then it's a sport... And just as sports fans want all sorts of paraphernalia, so goes poker!

This poster is the first in a series of two created for a client who enjoys hosting poker tournaments at his home. Poster No. 1, shown here, is of the client's former home. (He recently moved) As you may suspect, the image is indeed of his former house.

We chose to do a poster with only 3 colors so that, in addition to producing the poster, it could also be silk-screened on to T-shirts as gifts for the past tournament participants.

I look forward to sharing the next one with you!

Building Homes in TJ

2009-08-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

Over Thanksgiving weekend in 2006, I joined a team from Christian Layman Church on a trip to Tijuana, Mexico to build simple homes for the poor of TJ.

And as these trips often turn out - rather than us going there to provide, we were really the ones who received. We received lessons in gratitude, in simplicity; the moral and ethical obligation for us in the U$A to help those who are less fortunate.

As a reminder to myself, I created this image from one of the photos we took during construcion.

Musings (?)

2009-07-27T00:21:00.000-07:00

I guess if you have a blog, you gotta philosiphize at least once in a while... Here goes!

On 'simple design':
"Good simple is not so simple"

On sketching:
"Draw fast. But draw slow."

I'll try not to do this too much.

The Great Outdoors

2009-07-26T17:21:00.001-07:00

Around this time last summer, my wife and I took a week long road trip through Oregon. It was a wonderful week with many scenic moments and great times with friends. Among our various stops was Crater Lake, which I depicted in this poster.

As you may know, Crater Lake formed when a volcano errupted and created a big hole in the ground. (this is the layman's explanation). The small island (Wizard Island) in the middle is what remains of the mountain's top. Over time, the hole filled with water and became a lake. As such, there are no tributaries feeding into or flowing out. This means the water is very still, making it serene and reflective. It's a beautiful place.

Exotic Places

2009-07-21T21:27:00.001-07:00

This poster was done for a client who travelled to Iguazu Falls in Argentina. The image is based on a photo that was taken on the trip.

In my research, I learned a bit about all the different critters that hang out in the rain forrest. The featured included a beetle, a butterfly, a humming bird, a tucan and a coati. What's a coati? Think racoon crossed with monkey.

It's time to get down to business... cards.

2009-07-18T22:10:00.000-07:00

I'm working on some exciting projects that have come up recently! Things are going well, and I hope to have some new graphics and designs to post soon.

That being the case, it seemed like a good idea to actually order some business cards. And, of course I had to design it too. Here's an image of the front. Maybe I'll have reason to give you one...

Autumn in New York

2009-07-15T16:08:00.000-07:00

My wife and I travelled to New York City for our first Anniversary. It was a great trip- and one of the definite highlights was dining at Mario Batali's flagship restaurant- Babbo!

We framed the print and it now hangs in our kitchen.

A Recent Poster

2009-07-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

This is a recent piece that was done recently for a couple who honeymooned in Paris. The treats featured are Macarons, (which they loved) and are delicious! (When done right).

A plug for Masse's in Berkeley, which makes good ones.

Saving the dates of yesteryear.

2009-06-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

It's been fun looking through stuff Imade.

These are the "Save The Date" postcards from my wedding. They were done in a style reminiscent of some David Lance Goines posters I like.

And yea, we made 2 versions. One with roses and the other with gingko:

And, since it was a postcard, here's the back:

I'll post some of the other wedding art next time!

A commissioned work

2009-06-11T21:44:00.000-07:00

Taj Mahal Poster, 2008 32" x 20"

This poster was commissioned by my friend Judy who traveled across India with an organization called Operation Equip India. This group helps provide wheel chairs for disabled adults and children. She wanted to remember this meaningful trip with a poster, and the Taj Mahal is certainly an iconic image of all India.

I take commissions from people who may want their own "vintage styled" poster for their own home or to give as a gift. These images can be used as framed art, or even made smaller and printed on note cards, stationary and the like.

In creating posters such as these for clients, I like to incorporate photos or images taken by the client on their trip. Here, you see the "before" photo:

On the poster, many personalized details have been incorporated; some of these may be small, and therefore difficult to fully appreciate at this scale. There are small icons with the organization's logo. The border details mimic the Taj Mahal's decorative carvings. The text above include the dates of my friend's trip, places she visited, and a passage which sums up the spirit of the trip in helping the poor and disabled.

As an aside, I was surprised that the landscaping- the trees in particular- was not better kept. Note the Stepford-esque trees in the final poster!

Welcome to the Third Workshop.

2009-06-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

For me, art making has always been intertwined with growth and learning.

Around the age of five, I remember watching my uncle sketch the outstretched wings of an eagle pictured in a natural-science book I had. At six, I mixed red paint and orange paint, and yellow, green, blue, and violet. I was rather confused at the resulting brown goop for it bore no resemblance to the spectrum of light I had just learned about. These and the ensuing years of pencil, paint and paper were my first exposures to art.

A second period of my ventures would start during the adolescent years. There was Ms. Miller's studio art class which produced a big shoe and a yellow submarine, among other things. (Perhaps more on that later). And then came my time at Berkeley. I vividly recall the first day of class. It must have been something silly I said because as I finished my question, my professor spit out his coffee in violent laughter. There were also the less humorous and intensely focused long hours of work, debate, training, and critique in the architecture studio. Though, actually, it was funny in the studios too.

But I digress. All of this has brought us to the present day. The next phase in this journey? And you're catching glimpses of it; a busy place where art and life are being created. And for me, a place where art and life are evermore connected. It's the way I see it, anyway. It's the Third Workshop.

This is the first version of the ThirdWorkshop logo.