Out of the box, onto the floor

Something to think about when designing your stage is the fact that all surfaces are an opportunity to make a visual graphic statement and create atmosphere. Case and point – I recently worked on a couple of stages that took advantage of the stage floor to complete the visual graphic package. The more recent one was for Nickelback. Working with the stage designer, we illustrated his vision so that the floor surface worked seamlessly with the custom CNC cut drum and guitar risers, the video graphics, and even the base drum head graphics. The end result created a seamless continuity between horizontal and vertical surfaces and made the overall visual impact, once their fans entered the venue, unforgettable. Obviously the people in the lower and upper tiers were able to enjoy this effort more so than the people on the floor, but those fans are always in greater number in a venue, thus, the effort is well worth it.

Recent project. Retouch and get more mileage out of a piece of art.

Recently I was asked if I could help a band get “more mileage” out of their CD cover art. What do I mean by “more mileage?” In a nutshell, the cover art was a hand painted piece. The band name and title of the CD had been hand painted and integrated into the art as one flat piece. The challenge was, they wanted to use the CD art on a backdrop for their tour. The backdrop was 20′x 30′. As we all know, CD covers are square and, this piece had the title of the cd worked into the artwork so the text had to be extracted from the background and the elements, that you once had to imagine behind the text, had to be painted and “not” look like an afterthought. Using natural brushes and a few other tricks, I was able to extract the letters from the background, digitally hand paint the imagined graphic elements that would have been behind the text, extend the hand painted treatment to the left and right so that the art was now a rectangle and deliver a new digital piece. The band had print ready art for their backdrop within 48 hours, just in time for a video shoot.

Full Proof Aspect Ratio and Resolution-

I love what I do, and I honestly can’t think of anything I’d rather be involved in than creating graphics for shows of all kinds. Many of the projects that come in for production are already created and technically ready for press. My job is to take a look at the structure of the files that are going to press. I check to make sure the art has enough data (ie: resolution so that it prints properly). I check for aspects like file format, color mode and last but not least document set up.

Document set up, in simplest terms, is the deciding factor that dictates if you’ll get a 30′x20′ backdrop if that’s what you want. Lately I’ve found that some designers are struggling with proper file set up .This may be caused by the fact that many graphic programs and computers have limits on document sizes and amount of data that they will push through. This said, a method I’ve found, that has not failed me, is to set up my art at 1/4 scale. If you desire a 20′x30′ backdrop for instance, set up your file (photoshop) 90″ x 60″ at 300 PPI-(pixels per inch)- This will give us a perfect 20′x30′-75ppi file to work with (at size) and a backdrop that will print perfectly.

I’m using 75ppi as an example of a good minimum resolution. You can give your files more resolution if your computer system will handle it. I’ve found that 150 ppi at size is the most you should ever need to assign to any art file for it to print well.

I hope this helps.

Leader of the pack

Downtown for the Holidays.

So you want to create your own downtown scene and make it either quaint or edgy, uptown or downtown, back alley or main street. This is not a problem.

We recently created a downtown scene for a theater group in Deadwood S.D. for their Christmas show, and the end result was impressive. The objective was to make a believable looking street in Downtown Deadwood. The problem was they needed stores and shops that are not necessarily in the same proximity to appear on the backdrop as if they where actually there.

Using several provided digital assets, we created the new custom street digitally, complete with window decorations, snow, wreaths and the like to make the audience feel like they where standing in the actual street days before Christmas.

The end product was not only believable, but it put you in the mood for the holidays at first glance.

Denim? done’em

In the United States today, and maybe across the world, nothing is more beloved than a good pair of jeans. That emotional attachment can be used on a grand scale on a backdrop, without having to rip up the entire crew’s wardrobe to make it happen. Why not use digital denim?

Illustrated or photographically rendered denim can be created to whatever custom color or texture, stone wash or weathered style that fits your needs. Illustrated seams and rivets can be added to add accents in just any way your heart desires. Actual rips and tears can be added to areas to reveal back graphics or add a glow of light.

It’s all about capturing the essence of the artist and emotion at your show.

Urban fabric graphics-

Sometimes you want your show to convey an urban edge. Nitty Gritty, concrete and steel, graffiti and decay. Attitude! I recently designed just such a graphic for a touring band. Using several concrete photographic assets, I created a 40′ wall that looked like it was straight out of south Detroit.

We added the band name in chipped paint like it had seen seven years of rain and snow. The thing that I think would put it over the top would be to have custom cut graffiti letters sewn to sharks tooth scrim and drop down over the wall like the logo and wall had been tagged.

The power of the progressive unveil. Something to think about when planning your show.

Architecturally speaking (Creative Juice)

Something that is often overlooked today when in the throws of the creative process is the use and/or influence of architecture. I am lucky enough to have lived near Detroit for the last twenty plus years. I know to the rest of the world Detroit has a less than desirable status but I can tell you the people are great and the old architecture is second to none from a creative standpoint.

My point here is to take a look around you at the architecture near you. It’s often overlooked or taken for granted yet it standsthere in all its glory and history, either grand and opulent or rundown, burned out and beaten down, you can find beauty and creative juice right in front of you if you look.

Take a look at the backdrop we did for Flogging Molly for example. A grand old building in Detroit with busted windows makes an awesome digitally printed backdrop. (http://www.sewwhatinc.com/graphic_design.php)

What is Steampunk? (Creative Juice)

According to Wikipedia, “It involves a setting where steam power is still widely used- usually Victorian era Britain- that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy.” Many times you’ll see the use of futuristic machines made of brass and copper, dials and gauges and cogs that make the impossible seem likely or at least somewhat possible.

I bring it up today because I think the fantasy quality of it allows for amazing creative opportunities in a stage setting. The use of printed backdrops on a grand scale with real world brass, dials and gauges on your stage can make your audience gape in awe of your next production. Just some creative juice if you’re struggling. (see header graphics here for an example- http://www.sewwhatinc.com/graphic_design.php  

Image resolution and quality

It’s the time of year when Holiday shows are ramping up. Sets are being developed, designed and produced. I’ve worked on a couple of shows lately creating winter downtown areas complete with decorations like ribbons, wreaths, decorated trees and the like using supplied photographic assets. The one thing I’ve run into lately that I felt some people needed help with is understanding the importance of starting any design project with the highest quality imagery you can get your hands on. If you’re creating the design in house using photographic assets and assembling them to create a desired look, it will help you in the long run if you either shoot or have shot the desired photos. You can also use a stock photo house that sells royalty free high res images. Some photo houses now allow you to download up to 25 images a day for a nominal cost. Resolution, quality and image size add up to a better quality printed piece from us, and will enhance the production quality of your show.