This project was concieved as a way to contextualize the monolythic architecture, subtly introducing the notion of art (without using an artwork). Legible from the exterior walkways, and leading people into the de Young Museum with welcoming messaging, the warm metallic and the cool slate gray ground the viewer and counterbalance their place in a lush park landscape.

Long before earning commercial and critical accolades for his work with Emigre magazine, Levi’s, Gus Van Sant, and Todd Oldham, Bay Area graphic designer Tom Bonauro could be observed in the night clubs of California’s new wave and fledgling punk scenes during the late 1970s and early 1980s, clubs such as San Francisco’s Fab Mab, and the Masque in Los Angeles. The first non-audio project from Vague Absolutes, this book compiles polaroids captured by the artist during that wonderfully-seedy era of West Coast decadence and audacious self-expression. 56 pages, Printed by Brown Printing in Portland, Oregon.

Posh futurism. Using this theme we interperated a collection artwork to create an energetic, dimentional shape. The contrast of light hitting metallic foil with a solid uncoated purple background creates the illution of motion. The conservative, brand typography lays the base for clear messaging amungst the intensity. Printing and foil stamping by Oscar Printing in San Francisco, California.

Oakland band Sterile Mind’s music is discribed as ripping hardcore complimented by thoughtful songwriting, unorthodox arrangements and dripping-with-contempt lyrics. The design for their nine song EP Lift the Mask used the distopian language of oxidized paper, cut and paste, with a dash of military issued gray landscapes. Printed and assembled by Pirates Press in Oakland, California.

Members just wanna have fun! The use of colorful blocking for a friendly, approachable Spring/Summer collateral set let’s people know they are welcome to have a great time at the Asian Art Museum. This seasonal campain pushed the AAM’s visual brand to a new joyful expression.