advent calendar – day 8
December 8, 2009
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STAND OUT
Until recently, I spent my days as a graphic designer, working at, what they call, a boutique advertising agency. Last holiday season, whilst I was still employed at said agency, we excercised our yearly, wait-till-the-last-minute-to-figure-out-the-theme-of-our-holiday-card mind melt.
It was beginning to look like, in the interest of time, the old cheap, stock photography route was going to be taken. That is, until one of the other designers and myself finally snapped out of our Thanksgiving-induced tryptophan coma, and shouted, “Wait! If we are supposed to be assisting clients with catchy advertising campaigns and original, clever collateral, shouldn’t we at least take a stab at a semi-interesting, original holiday card? Otherwise, why not just go to Hallmark. Don’t you think?”
We all agreed and commenced brain-storming.
The thing is, when you distill it all down, there are really very few icons that truely symbolize the politically correct, watered down, homogenized “holiday” theme advertising firms crave. That is, there are few that have any whimsey or design potential. However, the one thing all winter holidays have in common is snow. Right? That leaves us with snowflakes, snowy landscape scenes (yawn), snowmen, and…penguins.
Penguins a little too cutesy, you say? A bit overdone these days?
Well, I submit, who is more elegant in a winter wonderland? Who comes complete with their very own, non-rented, formal wear? Why, the penguin, that’s who. And, I could be wrong, but I’m pretty certain, penguins do not subscribe to any sect or creed that might render them offensive as a holiday icon.
It almost has to be penguins.
So, being that my ex-agency’s website, launching soon at the time, bore the tageline “Stand Out” I spent some time trying to tie that idea in with our card design and…well…penguins.
Short story long, the penguin card idea, much like the flightless fowl itself, did not fly, (something about being too cutesy and overdone). But hey, I ended up with this sketch and I am now able to use it months later for my cutesy, overdone Advent Calendar.
Everything happen for a reason, eh?
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Be sure to check out Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6 and Day 7.
advent calendar – day 7
December 7, 2009
ELVES – THE UNSUNG HEROES OF CHRISTMAS
During this holiday season, many of us will be rushing from party to party, slugging down eggnog then carelessly ripping apart painstakingly wrapped presents. Afterwards we will, no doubt, be thanking Santa for all the lovely gifts bestowed upon us, giving him most the credit for the momentary glee we experience as we pile up our newly aquired swag.
Well, before you tear into that last box of See’s candy, I invite you to take a moment. Take a moment to think about the folks who worked tirelessly all year long, well into the wee hours of the morning, the people working behind the scenes making it all possible, the ones really responsible for that silly smile on your face
I’m speaking of course, of the elf.
Elves, the unsung heroes of Christmas. Elves, their voices must be heard. So again, please take a moment. Think of them in their ill fitting, green suits and their pointy little shoes. Think of how their elfin efforts make Mr. Kringle look good. Think of the elves. That’s all they really want – just a moment. A moment of recognition.
A moment of recognition, and maybe an extra cookie set out on the table Christmas Eve night. (They don’t really eat much.)
Thank you, this has been a Public Service Announcement, paid for by E.L.F.S. (Elves Looking for Sympathy.)
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Be sure to check out Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5 and Day 6 !
advent calendar – day 6
December 6, 2009
Sorry about the lack of color… getting a bit behind and thought I’d cut a corner, so no need to get up on your high horse… get it? Hee heee heee … high horse… ho ho ho, haaaaa, get it, a plane, a horse?
Ok, sorry, I never could resist a pun.
Hope y’all are having a wonderful, whimsical, wacky holiday season!
Anyway, be sure to check out Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 and Day 5!
advent calendar-day 5… late
December 6, 2009
advent calendar-day 4
December 4, 2009
A crunchy Santa for your Advent Calendar pleasure… oh and it fits the Illustration Friday theme for this week, as well… sort of… if you squint.
advent calendar-day 3
December 3, 2009
advent calendar-day 2
December 2, 2009
In case you missed yesterday’s, take a look at Day 1.
advent calendar – day 1
December 1, 2009
Welcome to my Advent Calendar, everyone!
Although there are many different, wonderful Winter Festivals to celebrate, explore and embrace, my family celebrates Christmas.
A tradition that has always captured my imagination as a child and still does to this day, is the Advent Calendar. Originally more of a religious article, the Advent Calendar has, in recent years, evolved into a countdown to Christmas Eve for children… of all ages… including me, hee heeee!!!
Sooooo, in keeping with the holiday spirit and in an effort to push myself to draw every day, I’ve decided to post one calendar entry every day until Christmas. That would be 24 posts… count ’em… 24…!
Can she do it? Stop by daily and see… and be sure to click the image to “open” the flap and see what’s inside.
Anywho, my bunny friend here is entangled in Christmas lights in order to squeeze this image into an Illustration Friday post as well. Eh? Eh? Always thinking, right?
So, have a wonderful holiday season, y’all!
sketched out 