Vanguard Communications 2002 Christmas Card

      The Vanguard Communications 2002 corporate christmas card was developed, designed and illustrated by Ms. Mann. The beautifully controlled color and exuberant form and energetic line held a humorous note that showed the company's creative and fun personality.

     The cards also included a CD with popular "theme" music from the 1970s to the millennium, which kept the consistent look of the illustration on its label and jewel case.


Step-by-Step

     The process of illustration varies for different illustrators, but as in all projects research, sketching and conceptualization starts the process. Vanguard Communications was looking for a card that expressed the creativity and fun-loving spirit of their workplace.

     After the initial concept of snowmen and the style of illustration were selected, the structure of the piece was laid out. Done in pen on a sketch-pad, this created the base for the inside of the card.

     Then, the illustration was scanned into Photoshop and prepped for the addition of color and texture by making the piece completely black and white.

     Coloring of the background and the hats was then added, as was more space on the left and right sides, to fit the width needed to fill the space and provide room for signatures. Also at this time, a face was added to one of the snowmen to see how it played with the rest of the sceen.

     Once color was laid down, more work in Photoshop took place, with the selection of of employee photos, color correcting them for print.

     Then, the portraits were added to the illustration and a distinguishing characteristic, the carrot nose was illustrated and added to each of the characters. (This addition was almost nixed by the client, but with some discussion, the classic nose was approved and placed on each face, including the office dog.)

     Next, signatures were collected, scanned, color-corrected and placed onto the card (to ease the hand-cramping that might occur with individually signing the many cards).



     With the signatures in place, the inside of the card was done and ready for printing.

     The cover illustration mimicked the rolling hills and trees and interacted with of the humorous line:"Amazing what can happen when you get a bunch of flakes together." The logo of Vanguard Communications was also added to the snow bank, to brand the card.

     Along with the card, Vanguard included a CD of fun, memorable favorites from the owners, including past Christmas hits and TV sitcom songs. The label used one of the illustrated snowmen with a classic face and illustrated snowflakes in the air.

     The cards were a big hit. They were sent to vendors, business associates and friends of Vanguard, and show that illustration can be used in many ways, including branding your company with flare, without compromising quality or possible first impressions.

ILLUSTRATION
   Hotflash Game
   Indian Cultural Stamps
   2001 Christmas Card
   2002 Christmas Card

UNPUBLISHED WORK
   Wine Still Life
   Couch
   Lion
   Confirmation
   Flowers
   Lettering



   Custom Designs

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