New AI-Focused Juxtapoz Ads for the Academy of Art University

Here are two new AI-centric ads that are featured in Juxtapoz Magazine for the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. I art directed and generated both AI images via Midjourney.

Perhaps the school’s website says it best: “At Academy of Art University, we believe that the key to harnessing the power of generative AI lies in understanding both its possibilities and ethical uses. Without the input and guidance of a trained artist, AI-generated content is second-rate. When paired with an artist’s guiding vision, however, AI offers unprecedented opportunities for creative exploration, rapid prototyping, and 21st-century employment.”

CD: Jana Memel | Writer: John Parsons

OIFF POSTER TAKES A GRAPHIS 2025 GOLD AWARD

I learned today that last year’s Orcas Island Film Festival poster has received a 2025 Graphis Poster Gold Award. Donna Laslo and Carl Spence were Co-Creative Directors along with myself. We’re thrilled.

The OIFF takes place on a rugged and beautiful 57-square mile rock in the San Juan Islands of Washington state. The 6,000 year-round residents are collectively intelligent, creative, literate, self-entertaining, and empathetic. Those qualities make for a fascinating community that chooses to live on this less-than-accessible (no bridges/only ferries and commuter planes) island. Our hope was that we could convey that quirky sense of place and spirit best through Midjourney's AI capability. The creative result was a poster featuring a mysterious projector of sorts deep in one of the island's dense fir forest. Quirky? In spades.

OIFF POSTER WINS A 2024 GRAPHIS DESIGN SILVER

I’m pleased to announce that the Orcas Island Film Festival 2022 poster has been honored with a Silver Award in the 2024 Graphic Design Annual. I share Creative Director credits with the brilliant Donna Laslo and Carl Spence. The photographer is Jovana Rikalo.

Orcas Island, WA, about an hour and a half north of Seattle, is a quiet and pristine environment where film lovers can wander, reflect and digest films as well as enjoy the quaint village of Eastsound and its restaurants, bars, and shops. Screening over 30 incredible films over the course of five days in three venues, the festival allows attendees to immerse themselves in stories from around the world that will inspire, inform and entertain. Films at the Orcas Island Film Festival are, "the crème de la crème of the first-tier festival circuit," says Charles Mudede, Film/Art critic from The Stranger.

BTO CARDS FEATURED IN SELF-PROMO COLLECTION

I'm thrilled that my cards from my past Better Than One partnership with writer John Parsons are included in Craig Welsh's just published Design/Portfolio: Self promotion at its best (the cards were also featured in the Communication Arts Typography 2).

Featuring a curated collection of approximately 300 exquisite designs, along with essays from designers in the field about the essence and importance of a good portfolio design, Rockport Publishers' Design/Portfolio contains mini-workshops that dissect several featured projects and highlight the effectiveness of exceptional design treatments from around the world.

Illustration is by Jack Unruh:  http://www.jackunruh.com/ 

Printing by Norman Clayton/Classic Letterpress: http://www.classicletterpress.biz/ 

Photography by Carter Dow: http://www.carterdow.com

Buy the book at: http://www.qbookshop.com/products/210770/9781592538409/Design-Portfolio.html