The Carl Medley Blog

New Illustration – “Squishy Things”

Carl — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:27:39 +0000

A new illustration I just finished. Actually it is a salvaged drawing I did for a Snowboard contest. When I was looking through some old sketchbooks I found this, minus all the color. I took out some elements and now it’s as good as new. Pretty happy with how it turned out. Looks like one big, squishy, yucky wet mess.

The Brand Gap

Carl — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:08:08 +0000

I borrowed this book from a friend this past summer and not since college have I read something that made so much sense and was so great to read. The Brand Gap: How To Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design, by Marty Neumeier, is very comforting to the ears of someone who has to take direction from clients who really have no clue what their brand is about. It can also be a very insightful read if you are on the business side of the relationship and you are the client making all the decisions. Either way, you need to go get this book and read it. It doesn’t take long. Half the book is imagery and most of the type is set in 12 pt. or something ridiculous like that, so it’s super fast. The reason I liked the book so much is Neumeier breaks down what it means to brand your company. He does it in such a basic, simple manner, you begin to wonder why it is so hard for marketing execs and brand managers to understand what it is they are trying to say. Unfortunately, from my perspective, it has had more success for people on the creative side than on the client side. Regardless, reading this will give you ammunition for that next client presentation because you will understand their brand better than they do.

The Ryde illustration

Carl — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:22:01 +0000

A surf inspired illustration I did recently while I was in Newport Beach, CA. Such a great place to just sit by the boardwalk and people-watch. It can be very relaxing and inspiring at the same time. Enjoy.

My Golden Rules

Carl — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:28:07 +0000

I have a new shirt entry up for voting at Design By Humans. Go check it out and vote if you like.

Adam Koniuszewski

Carl — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 01:07:03 +0000

Great portfolio of design, illustration and art direction from Adam Koniuszewski in the UK. Go check it out.

Business Card Update

Carl — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:11:34 +0000

Big thanks to everyone at Card Observer for featuring my cards on their site. It’s a really cool site that showcases different styles and techniques relating to business cards. Great for inspiration. Go check it out.

Newport Beach This Week

Carl — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:13:09 +0000

I have been on vacation this week in Newport Beach getting some much needed R&R, (that’s twitter language for rest and relaxation), which is why I haven’t been posting much. The surf wasn’t great this morning so I decided to take some photos off the jetty outside of where we’re staying, which is around 32nd street. We’re having a great time and I am getting my creative juices flowing again with all of the awesome surf culture surround me. I’ll try to take some more pics later in the week.

The Biz-nass

Carl — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:25:26 +0000

Recently designed my own business cards, mainly because I didn’t actually have any. I might eventually use this as a basis for a new look for my site, portfolios, etc. The type on the front is set in Palatino and Gill Sans; very clean. Palatino is also knocked out on the back with five different options showcasing small windows of examples of my work. I like them. Now I just have to give them out.

A Documentary Patronus

Carl — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:26:29 +0000

I just watched an amazing documentary titled We Are Wizards. On the surface, it is all about how the Harry Potter series has enthralled readers, but when you get into the movie it is much more than that. You quickly get the idea that this film is more about issues like creativity, intellectual property, being able to just be yourself and the old guard who basically thinks everyone should be the same. This is a really great movie. Yes; if you’re a Harry Potter fan you should watch this movie. You should also watch this movie, however, if you have ever wondered if it’s ok to be different; if it’s ok to do something you love doing simply for that fact; if you have something to say but are afraid of what people might think or the reactions you could get. Not sure how long it will be up, but I saw the movie in full on hulu.

Beautiful/Decay Hoodie

Carl — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:53:55 +0000

Just got my Beautiful/Decay Maya hoodie in done by artist Aya Kato. Can’t wait for the temperature to drop so I can wear it. It’s reversible, too.