#cd #media #books #packaging #monogram

A new design element for Emrill’s identity is born and here to stay to give a different kind of approach to future clientele. “The Emrill monogram”. An element that brings new design opportunity and creates higher pitch of standard. This new design is not meant to replace Emrill’s corporate brand identity but only an element which is answering to the requirements of my own in-house clients.

This monogram was custom-made to present the company to an upscale business. A business which has been successful in rebranding their own after bringing their business here in the middle east, The New York University in Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.

The image below shows the construction of the monogram.

A color palette that complements NYU’s identity.

The slipcase has UV spotting on the black monogram while the black area where the white logo has matte finish. White logo is layered with UV as well.

The following images will explain itself.

“My artwork is a reflection of myself. Every details and every flaws. I’m a perfectionist although I can’t perfect and control the quality of my  job done because of the people that contributes and influence my work.”

The work in progress.

Some of the images specially the fancy ones are taken by our in-house photographer named Teddy. I took advantage of his awesome photography skills. I didn’t asked for a really good one but this guy is a professional, he only settle for the best shots. A kind of people that I would love to work with.

Blogpost by John Robert Ramos

One doesn’t just simply let his/her employer know all his/her skills and capabilities. One has to have his secret weapon to be able to outplay the competition. Specially when you are a multi-talented graphic designer (ehem!).

It is actually normal for some graphic designer to possess multiple design skills apart from their specialization and sometimes they excel more with their extra curricular activities like fine arts, photography, fashion, interior design, product, packaging, animation, web, 3d, architecture, audio and a lot more to mention. They can be just anything they want because they are freaking shapeshifting artist.

So why you should not tell them all that you can do? Because they will abuse you and use you up the the last drop of your blood for the same amount of salary you are getting instead of outsourcing it from external agency. I’ve seen a job description from some job sourcing website here in Dubai for a graphic designer wanting them to be good in 3D, Autocad, Adobe suites, web design, php, css, xhtml, will do brochure, flyers, etc. and I am like “are you kidding me!” very good job head honchos! You must know that 3D skills itself is almost ones specialized profession already and you don’t get all in one head. If you need someone to do 3d rendering for your architecture firm you need a “3D renderer” alone. If you need someone to design a website you need a “web designer”. For developing program for your e-commerce web site you need “web developers”. And just in case you found a multi-skilled designer with proven portfolio you must consider offering a very good compensation.

Alright, that is just my introduction. Here is why you are here. A proposed exhibition stand design for a fictional real estate company.

I named this project “Oasis” as it reflect luxury living in the middle east with culture and technology combined. See the brief animation below.

The desert sand, water (blue tiles), plants, traditional patterns and accents are used to signify culture. Modern architecture and minimalism are implied to show innovation for todays real estate. It is an elevated 120 square meters with 2 levels made for Cityscape exhibition in the UAE.

“One does not just simply steal an artwork!”

So if you found this design to an expo its either means that I successfully sold it to them or stolen from me. I mentioned that this project is fictional but not for long because I actually presented it to a company which has not came back to me yet. I’m afraid that “Oasis” stand design might be stolen from me.

iPads will be utilize to present available properties.

Please contact me if you are interested to buy this stand design for the coming Cityscape Dubai 2013.

Posted by: John Robert Ramos, All image used belongs to me.

Along with writers, clients, and other creative people who decide on what the content or message should be, graphic designers make the content look appealing to the client’s audience. Graphic designers are the people who design the magazines, product labels, shopping bags, websites, cereal boxes, newspapers, logos, stationery, books, movie posters, billboards, and millions of other things that we see many times every day.

IS GRAPHIC DESIGN FUN?

Absolutely. If you’re good at art, and like working with words, type, illustrations and images, you’ll probably enjoy graphic design.

Graphic design is work, so is it always fun? Not always. The work can be tedious (like when you have to create 45 charts in Adobe Illustrator). Plus, if you are getting paid, you are working for someone else and it’s your job to keep your boss or client happy. That means that most clients and bosses will want to have some say in what the project looks like. Here’s a great video showing a somewhat extreme example. Thanks to YouTube poster, TheMimeographer.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO BE A GRAPHIC DESIGNER?

Most graphic designers have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design (BFA/GD). This is a four-year program available at many colleges and universities. There are two-year and certificate programs, but most employers will expect a BFA/GD.

You should enjoy creating things. You should be good in Art and “have a good eye.”

You should be able to pay attention to detail and being good in grammar and spelling is a huge asset.

WHAT SOFTWARE DO GRAPHIC DESIGNER USE?

Being a good software user is important, but it’s not as important as being a creative thinker. That said, the most common software used in the graphic design industry is listed below. There are applications other than the ones below, but these are the industry standards.

Page Layout – For creating brochures, flyers, books, reports, etc. These two applications are in direct competition with each other. Quark came first but the industry favorite has become InDesign. InDesign is my strong preference.

• Adobe InDesign
• QuarkXpress

Illustration – For creating logos, charts, icons, or almost any kind of vector-based illustration.

• Adobe Illustrator

Photos and Images – For working with any kind of pixel-based image like photos or scanned hand-drawn artwork.

• Adobe Photoshop

Website Design - For creating and working with websites.

• Adobe Dreamweaver

MAC OR PC?

Simple answer, Mac.

WHO DOES A GRAPHIC DESIGNER WORK FOR?

Graphic designers usually work one of three ways:

1. Graphic designers can work for themselves and find their own clients. This is a freelance graphic designer. Freelance graphic designers may rent office space, or most often, work from a room in their home. Many freelance designers specialize in one area such as real estate or health care. Others are generalists and have many different types of clients.
2. Some graphic designers work for a company that has quite a bit of graphic design needs, but not so much that they would need an army of designers. This is an in-house graphic designer. An in-house designer might work for a company that makes lighting fixtures. So the designer spends all of his or her time designing projects about the company’s lighting fixtures.
3. Other graphic designers work for a graphic design firm. A graphic design firm may employ just a few designers or many designers. This kind of job is a good place to start out because the environment is usually creative and stimulating, you don’t have to worry about getting your own clients, and you can learn a lot.

ASSOCIATIONS AND RESOURCES

There are many local, regional and national organizations for graphic designers. Many have a level especially for students. Below are three large national associations.

American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA) - A wonderful organization with tons of resources ranging from technical to inspirational, student to business owner. The AIGA has 66 chapters and more than 20,000 members. The AIGA holds annual conferences and competitions around the country. There is an especially useful section for students on their website.

Art Directors Club (ADC) - The ADC is the premier organization for integrated media and the first international creative collective of its kind. Founded in New York in 1920, the ADC is a self-funding, not-for-profit membership organization that celebrates and inspires creative excellence, connecting creative visual communications professionals from around the world.

Graphic Artists Guild - The Graphic Artists Guild is a national union of illustrators, designers, web creators, production artists, surface designers and other creatives who have come together to pursue common goals, share their experience, raise industry standards, and improve the ability of visual creators to achieve satisfying and rewarding careers.

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Repost from http://rivergraphics.net/resources-tutorials/so-you-want-to-be-a-graphic-designer/

Blog post by John Robert Ramos.

All images are taken using iPhone/iPad and processed by Instagram.

Poems are owned by the mentioned authors.

Photography is the single most important element of most advertising campaigns. While copywriters may spend hours producing an eye-catching headline and copy that well introduce the product/brand, it’s the image that first attracts the viewer. It’s also the last thing the viewer usually remembers after turning the page.

It is now photography vs illustration in the world of advertising. As they say picture is worth a thousand words, in advertising a picture must explain or at least directly reflect the brand/product in a full impact.

Here, I am sharing my previous in-house job showcasing the use of photography in advertising.

Emrill Energy Launching Ad. Artwork designed by John Robert Ramos, Marketing Manager & Copywriting by Eman Gholami with Sandra Essa as Marketing Associate.

The launching of Emrill Energy at the Big5 FM Expo, Dubai World Trade Centre

Original image

Blog post by John Robert Ramos. We own copyright for images used.

Water Is Life video using the Twitter hashtag #Firstworldproblems to highlight the gap between the haves and the have nots is one of the most innovative charity campaigns to hit YouTube.

Lines such as a ‘I hate it when my phone charger won’t reach my bed’ and ‘I hate it when my house is so big I need two wireless routers’ are read out by Haitians, most of whom live on less than a dollar a day.

This video is a slap on my face every time I complain when I cannot find organic baby carrot available or every time I express my hate for PC at work. What else do we hate which are not real problems?

Advertising Agency: DDB, New York, USA
Chief Creative Officer: Matt Eastwood
Executive Creative Director: Menno Kluin
Head of Production: Ed Zazzera
Producer: Lindsey Hutter
Copywriter: Frank Cartagena
Art Director: Sam Shepherd
Director/Editor: Alec Helm
Designer: Juan Carlos Pagan
Motion Graphics: Gina Lin
Music: In The Groove Music

It’s one of the first campaigns that is trying to “reverse-trend” a popular hashtag and has been watched millions of times in just five days.Water Is Life has reported a rise in donations and advertising company DDB, which made the video, has been widely praised for its hard-hitting campaign.

I hate it when other people in the office really uses loud ringtone with an awful annoying tune.

Here is another one.

I hate that my favorite Krispe Kreme makes me fat and I have to stop eating chicken which is causing my pimples.

Ok, we have to stop hating now and start helping the underprivileged. Visit http://www.waterislife.com and contribute to help solve real problem at least one step at a time.

Post by John Robert Ramos. Videos and images used are not mine. Do we have a problem with that?

Photos below are mostly taken with the use of my HTC mobile phone and iPad 3 with 5 megapixels processed by Instagram.

So here are my selected collections from 2012.

Meet Sandra

All images used are owned by John Robert Ramos.

Cinemagraphs are still photographs in which a minor and repeated movement occurs. Cinemagraphs, which are usually published in an animated GIF format, can give the illusion that the viewer is watching a video.

They are commonly produced by taking a series of photographs or a video recording, and, using image editing software, compositing the photographs or the video frames into a seamless loop of sequential frames, often using the animated GIF file format in such a manner that motion in part of the subject between exposures (for example, a person’s dangling leg) is perceived as a repeating or continued motion, in contrast with the stillness of the rest of the image.

The term “cinemagraph” was coined by U.S. photographers Kevin Burg and Jamie Beck, who used the technique to animate their fashion and news photographs beginning in early 2011.

click on the image to see the light moves

Cinemagraphs posted above are all created by John Robert Ramos.

Below are few samples of beautiful cinemagraphs from http://cinemagraphs.com

Take me out tonight where there’s music and there’s people and they’re young and alive

I never never want to go home because I haven’t got one anymore

I want to see people and I want to see life. Driving in your car oh, please don’t drop me home

And if a double-decker bus crashes into us, to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die

And if a ten-ton truck kills the both of us to die by your side well, the pleasure – the privilege is mine

Oh, There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out. There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out

Play the video below to hear the music from “The Smiths”

PHOTOGRAPHY

Here are the unobstructed photographs of Sheikh Zayed Road I took with my Canon 550D. Nothing so special, no photoshop adjustment at all.

the view right in front of my flat

Sheikh Zayed Road by dusk

Sheikh Zayed Road by dusk

Sheikh Zayed Road at night bound to Rashidiya

Sheikh Zayed road at night and me

Featured Music, Video & Lyrics are from The Smiths. All pictures here are taken by myself and all my properties.

No more stylish furnitures, no more eclectic interiors, no more seasonal branding or sale campaign, no more retail point-of-sale and no more InsideOut subscriptions. As of September 5, 2012, I started working with Emrill Services as the only in-house graphic designer leaving Q Home Decor after 2 years and 2 months and Rocket Internet (namshidotcom) for only 3 months.

That was three different companies, two residence visa cancellation, two residence visa application and three emirates id in one year.

Joining a small crazy team of Marketing Department here comes their new Mad Men wearing trousers and bow ties that’s driving the normal employee nuts over my colorful style.

So what is the new role here? Nothing new at all. I am the same graphic designer supporting the marketing team with all ATL and BTL collaterals. Only this time no luxury furnitures, no witty copywriting and no runway fashion. Emrill Services is the leading Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates and that’s a fact. See that swagger above? Yes we are claiming that title. FYI, Emrill is a product of EMAAR and Al Futtaim-Carillion here in the UAE.

Here I am sharing my very first big event project that happend on November 2012. The Big 5 Expo that was held at Dubai World Trade Centre for 4 days.

Above: That is the whole stand. We were the eye candy of the event being bold and colorful in sophisticated way. But you cannot blame me for all the fabulousness alone. The team has very high standards.

Above: Behind me are two different services. The launching of Emrill Energy and Emrill Facilities Management. I made the layout design for both.

Above: Brochures and catalogues are created and redesigned by the team for the event. Last minute printing.

Above: We are all surprised by the arrival of that Solar panel occupying a huge space in our platform. But no, the stand is not powered by the solar panel.

Above: Me and Victoria, one of the busy organiser.

Above: Emrill Newsletter designed by myself.

Images below are from the Press Conference and Annual Dinner organized by the team.

Above: That was the last time I saw my stylus (i’m holding) that is now gone after that press conference.

Above: Press Conference for the launching of our new service Emrill Energy Powered by Crowley Carbon. Guess what? I conceptualized the branding of Emrill Energy. Roll-up and Pop-up banner are designed by myself, copywriting are done by the marketing gals.

Above & Below: Annual Dinner held at Dubai World Trade Centre Club.

I hope all the presentation above leaves you the idea of what I do in my new company.

All photos are my properties.

I might be a little outdated but I couldn’t miss this stylish guys in Suits, tv series.

Sometimes you hear about a new show, catch an episode and then, almost instantly, you’re hooked. It’s annoying to think that there is another tv series that will occupy your vacant time. Sleep late at night because you just can’t wait to finish the whole season you already recorded/downloaded because you knew you’ll find interesting look that you can wear for the next day. USA Network’s hit TV series Suits, which first premiered in the US last June, is one of those shows: it’s a slick, witty, intelligent and stylish legal drama that quickly took my attention.

ABOUT SUITS

Even the best lawyer in New York City can use some help.

While running from a drug deal gone bad, Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), a brilliant young college-dropout, slips into a job interview with one of New York City’s best legal closers, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht). Tired of cookie-cutter law school grads, Harvey takes a gamble by hiring Mike on the spot after he recognizes his raw talent and photographic memory.

Mike and Harvey are a winning team. Even though Mike is a genius, he still has a lot to learn about law. And while Harvey may seem like an emotionless, cold-blooded shark, Mike’s sympathy and concern for their cases and clients will help remind Harvey why he went into law in the first place. Mike’s other allies in the office include the firm’s best paralegal Rachel (Meghan Markle) and Harvey’s no-nonsense assistant Donna (Sarah Rafferty) to help him serve justice.

Proving to be an irrepressible duo and invaluable to the practice, Mike and Harvey must keep their secret from everyone including managing partner Jessica (Gina Torres) and Harvey’s arch nemesis Louis (Rick Hoffman), who seems intent on making Mike’s life as difficult as possible.

From left: Mr Gabriel Macht as hotshot lawyer Harvey Specter and Mr Patrick J Adams as his understudy Mike Ross in Suits

From left: Mr Macht, Ms Gina Torres (who plays Jessica Pearson in Suits) and Mr Adams at the USA Network Upfront event in New York, May 2012

Shop the Look at Mr Porter.com

Blog post by: John Robert Ramos

Images credits: Mr Porter, Suits USA Network & google. Disclaimer: I do not own any images shown to this blogpost, just another fan promoting the mentioned tv series.

Innocence is Bliss. Taking photograph of a child is one of the most difficult… no, because they don’t need to act happy or sad or blissful. It comes naturally with their innocence. It is difficult… yes, when you have to force them to smile for the camera. The trick is make them play and enjoy what they are doing.

This series of photos are taken with consent of her parents for her 7th birthday. I provided all the props, settings, and photography direction.

Photos taken by John Robert Ramos

I love Threadless designs… I love funny t-shirt designs! I only wish that time will come shipping here in the UAE will be more easier, faster and safer. I had troubles claiming my first order. Lost and never received the replacement order. What could be worst? Better luck next time. I wish to get more shirt online but not sure for now.

Why I love Threadless? I’m a designer too! It’s a crowd of creative people when you’re inside their website. Everyone is so creative!

Blog post by: John Robert Ramos

Image of my self are mine of course, Threadless images are from threadless dot com.

Over flowing liquors available. I bet most attendees are after.

“Welcome to the 75th Hunger Games!.. And may the odds be ever in your favor!” -Effie Trinket

I’m currently reading Hunger Games Book 2 and that is how I could describe the previous Splash Autumn/Winter Royale Fashion Show held at Madinat Arena, Jumeirah on September 22, 2012. Just like the people from the Capitol of Panem, flamboyant, glamorous and surreal. And just like Katniss, I find it too much. I made a lot of laugh all night though I am not the kind of person who introduce my self first (I am antisocial), I am the observer who look at everyones face and see the whole event in multiple perspective. It wasn’t boring at all in fact it was extravagant from the red carpet to the late after party.

Scene stealer women wearing the right dress as the main concept. From the Capitol.

The after party

Together with “Postura Style” Rona Katrina

Wearing shirt and blazer from Topman, Demin Bag from Pull&Bear, Printed pants from River Island and Flats from Aldo.

Rona taking my shots

floral & romantic prints

Splash Fashion Royale AW

Splash Fashion Royale AW

Make believe winter wonderland runway

I met this sweet girl who is behind the blog sand and the city dot net

Here comes the sartorial folks… Spike and studs galore!

Studs and beauty

Ushi Sato in studs, golden barbwire crown.. Beyond my imagination.

Denim & Fur

Pattern & Prints

Irish and out of the box

and more studs…

over sized bow tie

from the Capitol

i like this guy in suspender and bow tie… he is one of the normal

Pinteresting

another guy from the Capitol

from the Capitol

and hey… I’m one from the district 12

Blog post and images by John Robert Ramos. I hope you don’t mind folks.

Model: Jemmalyn Soriano, Hair & Mua by herself. White lace socks rarely found nowadays. We found it at Ansar Gallery at little girls accessories section. I am the photographer as usual but I am not a photographer note that.

Check the whole look above at mrporter.com

Guys & Gals from Lookbook.nu

Time to get my own from Namshi.com

Blog post by: John Robert Ramos
Image Credit: MrPorter.com and Lookbook.nu. (I do not own these images)

One friday morning. Just me.

Thursday morning, while I’m in between jobs for weeks now (in a good way) for the first time after long months of extreme summer here in Dubai I finally made it to my favorite Mamzar beach where the water is smooth as silk and quiet like a lake. (Yah, I know this beach is unusual, not for surfers but good for swimming lapses and sun worshippers. FYI, Mamzar beach shoreline is manmade. Oh yeh!) So there I went by 8am (because it opens to public by that time) then left after 2 hours to save my self from skin cancer.

I went to shop for a new swim shorts at River Island the night before and there I almost hoard those items on sale. Not proud but I’m a compulsive shopper. Back to River Island, I found great collection of printed swim short that are similar from my another favorite online store Mr Porter.

Short swimming shorts are the trends for men specially the printed designs mostly vintage graphics or patterned.

Here are some collection from Mr Porter:

Dominic Cooper

“Blue is a fail-safe colour when it comes to swim shorts, (close-fitting but not tight; short but not indecent) doesn’t hurt matters either”

Cristiano Ronaldo

Rafael Nadal

Mr. Andrea Pirlo

ROBINSON LES BAINS: OXFORD COURT SHORT-LENGTH JOUY-PRINT SWIM SHORTS, £157.50

ORLEBAR BROWN; Setter Short-Length Printed Swim Shorts, £149

Here are few collection form River Island:

White car print swim shorts with drawstring waist, £25.00

Red stripe swim shorts with drawstring waist and small anchor print, £20.00

White block stripe swim shorts with drawstring waist, £25.00

My short swim shorts doesn’t affect my swimming strokes at all, its perfect.

Pull & Bear canvas barrel bag is also perfect for beach.

Sunglasses from River Island, Straw hat from H&M.

Ripped off sleeves tops from Topman and Patterned short from River Island to complete my get-up.

Blog post by John Robert Ramos.

Image credit: Beach photos are my own shots using my phone camera. Product images are from respective brand web sites pull&bear, mrporter.com and riverisland.com, I don’t take ownership of above celebrity photos.

This is how we spend leisure time, fashion photography. Simple and ordinary settings yet fabulous result. Jemmalyn Soriano, the Diva, my high school friend and almost a family has been shooting ever since. She is my very first photography muse.

I thought of doing more fashion photography as I have a great feeling that one day I will make it as an art director or director of photography in fashion editorials. So I will keep on producing and taking photos.

Photographer: John Robert Ramos

Clothes, Shoes, Accessories, Hair & Make-Up all by her self, Jemmalyn Soriano

Location: Our terrace

I spent my Sunday taking photos of a friend who’s behind “Postura Style” Ms. Rona Kathrina.

“Postura Style is an online fashion boutique based in Dubai. They offer a unique, classic, feminine, edgy collection with quality and affordable prices that you will surely love.”- www.posturastyle.blogspot.com

She is selling her stuff thru Facebook page where you can find her selections of women clothing for now. Her bright collection reflects a classy, chic and very feminine woman. Price ranging from AED 50 to 150.

 We ate Krispe Kreme from the beginning up to end of the day. LOVE!

At first, I didn’t really have a concept for this fun shoot but as we go on finding the right corner of their apartment unit at Dubai Marina’s one of the tallest residential tower, all we’ve got are the heights, the summer wind and the sunlight. Not just proper lighting coming from the daylight but lights brighter than sunshine and I love it. Since I’m a fan of natural lighting photography it always works for me.

Given that I am not a professional photographer but rather an art director, I disregarded all technicalities of well-taken professional photo yet gorgeous photos. Here they go.

Photo by: John Robert Ramos

Model: Rona Kathrina. Hair & Make-up by her self, all clothing and accessories are owned by Kathrina.

Special thanks to her hubby Robin who prepared Tom Yam and the almost Kimchi dish for lunch.

Blog post by none other than myself.

Now, check her fb page!