Ewwww! Dude, What is On Your Shoe?

Okay, this is the 2nd such rant I’ve put together in the past few days. And once again, it comes to us from the world of sports (please – before we go any further: I am NOT making puns today!! Well, not intentionally, though I am enjoying some of these in the editing phase!). Either (a) the world of sports is far stranger than I suspected from a design perspective, or (b) I have got to occasionally log off my darn computer and actually participate in some ‘movement’ rather than just reading about it all the time.

Anyhose, as seen about the Interweb, it seems that a new (?) company called Gravity Defyer is trying to make its way into the multikajillion dollar sports shoe market. And wouldn’t you know it, in the bravely iconic yet strangely illogical world of logos for said products – including the Nike ‘swoosh’ and the ones those other companies have that I don’t remember right now – they have chosen for their footwear none other than… well, there’s no way to sugar-coat this (again, see note about puns above) – they have chosen, quote, a logo that is none other than a ‘slick seed of life’. That’s right: they have a big SPERM as their logo that also appears in the fontation of their name plate as well!

Well, first of all, I have some issue thinking of any ‘seed of life’ as slick. Call me old-fashioned, but slick is just the kind of thing you associate with hair-care products. Hm, I guess I’m forgetting my ‘Something About Mary’ nostalgia… and no, if you don’t know what I’m talking about here, I will NOT explain it! I also think that multicoloured versions of these little ‘fellas’ is also a bit much, but let’s not bring that up. Oops…

Still, as our extensive research revealed, the CEO of the company insists that this logo is for real, in so far as any logo or better said mission statement stands up to the test of reality without having to rely on heavy prescription drugs. Says Alexander Elnekaveh: "Our logo is deliberate. Our customers feel like they are getting the beginning of a new life when they try our shoes. We are not embarrassed by it."

Ah yes, the beginning of a new life, noting that as with shoes, it does indeed take two to tango! At least without basically ‘dancing’ with yourself (wink wink nudge nudge). Interestingly, though, this is only valid for the sports shoes, as the company’s wide and attractive (?) selection of dress shoes for men and women do NOT feature sperm on them, at least not in the form of a logo. No, instead this abundance of ‘new life’ is based on the shoes’ "Versoshock Trampoline" (and we all know trampolines = bouncy, bouncy fun!!) which looks coincidentally like a bed spring located in the heel of the shoes. But the spring is not just springy! No, it ‘propels you forward, reducing fatigue so you can live a healthier more dynamic life!’ Ah, there’s nothing like a big ol’ seed of life propelling forward to help reduce fatigue. Wait…

Even though the logo has obviously garnished media attention and goofy guffaws from morons such as yours truly, the logo has generated some controversy as well. According to GD, online retailer QVC and catalogue Seventh Avenue refused to carry the shoes because of the logo. Okay. I guess doing what QVC usually does, namely, selling eerily realistic dolls excludes you from carrying shoes covered in sperm symbols. Well, shoot! Rats, did it again…

Epilogue: Gravity Defyer has apparently not yet confirmed whether they will follow in the steps of Nike, Adidas and others in terms of seeking professional athletes to endorse their products. Somehow though, methinks there would be one or two candidates out there that might fit the bill of leaving such a ‘mark’ across the country! Or even Britney Spears. Ewwwww!

Want to Learn More? Try these links: http://gravitydefyer.com/ http://www.businessinsider.com/sperm-athletic-logo-2011-4#ixzz1JtL4fuu9 http://www.sportsgrid.com/media/new-shoe-companys-logo-is-sperm-seriously/

Have You Designed A Demonic Homage Today?

I haven’t posted any ‘art’ (oh ha ha, I crack myself up) in a while, mostly owing to a case of both creative block as well as a nasty sinus infection that has made moving my head around or even using my eyes somewhat painful. So instead, I’ve decided to post a ‘this is the neatest design thingie I saw lately’ type article. Maybe it’ll become a regular occurrence here. Or maybe not.

Seems a couple of days ago, the Arizona State Sun Devils released a new uniform-slash-logo design. Now that wouldn’t usually interest me that much, but the headline in the original YAHOO! article did catch my eye:
Fashion Break: Arizona State helmets drop their demonic homage to Walt Disney

Wow, how many times have we seen design linked to ‘demonic homages’? Well, except for Shepard Fairey’s work?

Well, apparently as the story goes, ASU wanted to upgrade their image because schools like Oregon (yes, Virginia there is an Oregon… it’s ‘somewhere’ out West… we think) and even Texas Christian were getting all the attention owing to their slick, fashionable uniforms… and also a much better ability to actually do well at sports. So as any good institution of higher education would do, they hired someone and paid millions of dollars to redo the logo. The hell with student aid, gotta keep those souvenir sales up!!

As the article then mentioned, there was one ‘major casualty of the redesign’: the previous cartoon Sun Devil himself, Sparky! Although it does seem from these various testosterone-driven poses that Sparky will remain as the mascot.

But here’s the interesting bit: it seems that Sparky – who may or may not have been named after Spartacus (hint: probably not) – was originally designed in the late-1940s by ASU alumni Bert Anthony. And wouldn’t you know it, but ol’ Bert – a former Disney artist that seems to have gotten himself fired for whatever reason (we were too lazy to look it up) – seems to have modeled the Devil after the great Walt D himself as a means of, quote, exacting revenge on his old boss! You’ve got to admit, the Devil does have a moustache ergo… but why this would be considered revenge though is beyond me.

So as it seems then this long-standing vision of pathetic payback will go the way of the Panda, which although not suited to survive in nature is being supported to this day. The logos will be changed including the pitchfork but somehow the Demon outside will live on in wacky antics and what not. Also, it appears that the University has planned ahead for playing in the hot Arizona sun and wearing black, making sure that the uniforms remain stylish looking even when on fire.

The writer of the original article does go on as well to say there is a bright side, namely the team is no longer bearing the mark of a cartoon that appears to be terrorizing the night dressed only in elaborate yet form-fitting pajamas. Wow, and people wonder why I want to get paid for doing this?

But you know, come to think of it, I wonder if any colleges out there would want me to design a logo based on my old boss? Sleep on it and get back to me on that…

Unusual Suspects

Or What's Wrong With this Picture?

Okay, SERIOUS GOOFING time, I confess!!

However, after

(1) another 'spending spree' for clothes for my daughter (who is growing roughly 1 inch taller every day now it seems) and contributing again to the clever inventors of the you-know-who franchise

plus

(2) helping my on-going insomnia with another 'Family Guy' DVD marathon

it struck me that a lot of our 'favorite' petite and yet - dare I say it - 'round-headed' cartoon favorites REALLY resemble each other.

After putting it to the test in rather 'boring' fashion (read: just creating them 'as-is') I started to play make-up artist who has been hitting the liquor cabinet a little too hard (a long title role but one made famous by Lawrence Peetertinkle).

So after some mixed up ears, eyes, hair styles and clothes, this is what we get.

And to answer your next question, yes I am seeking professional help.

Ciao for now brown cows!!

Hello Kenny

Oh my gosh, you spoofed Kenny!! Okay, if you don't follow or know about 'South Park', you're no doubt lost right now. But hey, not everyone has the same exposure to fine culture as others.

This actually started out much more ambitious than what I ended up with. So, yeah, a lot like marriage and parenthood.

You see, I was going to do several printings, some cut and paste work and even some special coloration. However,

(a) my printer is dying (after less than a year!!!);

(b) my construction paper supply at home has mysteriously depleted; and

(c) my heart's been up in my throat ever since the Japan earthquake hit. So I went ahead and did what I could.

Still, hope you can find it in your hearts to enjoy the silliness! Be good!

Hello Kiddy

Hi Everyone! Back from a wee break and slowly but surely getting the creative juices flowing again!

Ran across an old picture of Ralph Macchio the other day. It's hard to believe that his signature movie 'The Karate Kid' came out in 1984!! I still think though that his best movie was 'Crossroads'. Maybe not so much because of him, but because it was an interesting movie.

Found a couple of great 'fonts' to go with this. The background karate poses are actually from a font called 'Karate Chop', and the 'Karate Kiddy' header is simply called 'Karate'. Yep, don't get more straightforward than that, huh?

Dedicated to DR who is not only a great artist but apparently also a very adept karate dude and soon-to-be dad, too!!

HEY GUYS, help me out! Would appreciate constructive criticsm! Thanks/cheers/merci/haija!!

Little Garfield

Puffington Host, 17. February, 2011

In a surprise move that shook financial markets across the globe, Sanrio – producer and licenser of the global brand ‘Miss Kitty’ – announced today that they had bought full rights for Garfield from creator Jim Davis and the various companies responsible for the iconic, lasagna-loving cat’s licensing and image placement.

When asked about the purchase, Sanrio responded that accessing the reach of the Garfield franchise would enable them to be placed in the ‘daily psyche’ of the comics reading audience. When asked about giving up the Garfield franchise, a source who asked not to be named replied, ‘Well, honestly, it hasn’t been funny in 10 years so really, why not?’

Sanrio will reportedly rename Garfield for local markets as
脂肪とレイジーキャット

pronounced ‘Shibō to reijīkyatto’
or literally ‘fat and lazy cat’. It will feature the new kawaii version of both Garfield and his beloved teddy bear, Pooky, shown here.

Whether or not either Odie or Jon, Garfield’s owner, will appear in the new strip remains to be seen, even though Hollywood insiders are reporting that Lucy Liu has been offered the part of Jon’s girlfriend and Garfield’s veterinarian because, quote, ‘she just really needs the work.’

(btw: had a lot of fun making these. Experimented with some new coloration methods including by hand and with digital 'support'. Japanese background was created first digitally, then hand colored, 'tie-dyed', crumpled up several times and then finally run through a hot laminator! I got the fire out pretty quick this time, too!)

Little Cupid

Editor's Note: we're posting this way tonight because

(1) we've been really slack keeping this blog 'au jour' (which translates literally into 'aw man, today?') and

(2) we intensely dislike the new photo viewing program on Facebook!

And now, tonight's feature:

Okay, maybe I’m not the best person to be asking to make a Valentine’s Card themed pic-o-thingie days. It was either a nod to Pat Benatar or any of the million of songs that include the line ‘Love Hurts’ or similarly painful descriptives.

For some reason, I wanted to combine the heroic toughness of Marvel’s Nick Fury (old white guy, Jack Kirby-like version) with Cupid. Yes, I’ll admit, sometimes the flashbacks are pretty overwhelming. Still, wish me luck, this may – MAY – be one of my last with ‘cheap’ software. We’ll see.

Font for ‘Little Cupid’ is ‘fiolex girls’ and for the bottom bit ‘weekend warrior’.