Aaron Draplin Study
For this project I was expected to choose a modern-day designer whose design style I like and create a realistic branding system that mimicked their style. I started the project with some research on Aaron Draplin.
Part One: Where's Your Designer
This project was my introduction to Photoshop. I was expected to create a collage out of my designer’s best works, while learning the basic tools used to edit photos in Photoshop.
My concept for this project was ‘Stay Wild'. I based it around the pro-freelance message that Aaron Draplin shares with his fanbase of young designers. I was inspired by his ‘thick lines’ poster series that explores the simplification of environment, and the retro style he uses in most of his work. I wanted to represent freelance with elements of nature and the wilderness. I also included the van that Aaron is known for driving on his book tour, to suggest the opportunities that being a freelancer can bring.
Part Two: Your Designer's Monogram
This project was my intro to Illustrator. I was expected to create a monogram from my designer’s initials, while replicating their design style. This assignment was supposed to familiarize us with the basic tools of Illustrator.
My concept for this project was to continue the theme of nature from my poster. I based this design on Aaron’s simplistic logo style, that has a flat two-dimensional feeling. I was again inspired by his ‘thick lines’ poster series and the colors within it. I wanted to take organic shapes and simplify them into clean geometric lines.
I really enjoyed this project and had a good time creating my best sketches in Illustrator. I had a lot of ideas, but decided to go with a variation of one of my first designs. I added some of the forms from ‘thick lines’ to help me solidify my concept of nature.
My final design ended up using the abstract triangles of a pine tree to create the negative space of the A, with a sun rising behind it. I created the D by outlining the mark with a line that would match the stem width of the A.
Part 3: Your Designer's Book Jacket
This project was my first-time using InDesign, which made it a lot more difficult. We were expected to create a book jacket for a biography of our designer. I learned the basics of InDesign and have gotten a lot more comfortable with it since.
My concept for this project was similar to the ‘stay wild’ concept from my poster design. I wanted to equate the freedom that having a career in freelance can entail, with the freedom that is experienced in nature. I was inspired by one of Aaron’s designs for the ‘All Tiny Creatures’ CD case. I wanted to use the style of layering from my poster design and create a more consistent look to the forms.
I wanted to continue the theme of nature in this design, but I also wanted to tried using more organic forms. This was my first concept for the cover. I think that this would have looked good filling the cover, but it would not have fit with Aaron’s style or the rest of my project.
I tried to create an environment by repeating simple shapes and using color. These represent trees, mountains, and a sunrise. I think that the bright colors match Aaron’s style and attract attention to the cover.
This project was created for a class project, with no affiliation to Draplin Design Co. or any other brand.
All images, logos, products, videos, and other copyrights or trademarks featured, mentioned, or referred to within the project are the property of Draplin Design Co. and other brands. The use of the trade name, copyright, or trademark in my student portfolio for identification and reference purposes only and does not imply any association with the copyright or trademark holder of their product or brand. My work is not affiliated, associated, authorized, maintained, sponsored, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with these copyright or trademark holders. Draplin Design Co. and all other brands shown do not sponsor or endorse any of the shown work. I declare no affiliation, sponsorship, nor any partnerships with any copyright or trademark holders.
