Daniel Brandt | graphic designer | Industrial designerClassic Darkness Book Cover
It is not all that often that you get to design the cover of an anthology in which your work is featured. And then suddenly it happens. In this case I was asked by Darkness Publishing to design a cover for the short story anthology DARKNESS KLASSIKER, which contains reinterpretations by a selection of classic story tales.
The book is the latest in a series of titles with similar themes – based on H.C Andersen stories, the tales of brothers Grimm and also Arabian Nights. So the basic task was simple: keep things similar. But darker. In black and silver.
The design was based on previous illustrations created by Ulrica Edvinsson Sundin. I decided for a slightly more gritty look, and redesigned everything from the basic texture and bevel effect to the ornaments and title. To complete the design, a new cover illustration was also needed.
The tales of this book all have one quite obvious thing in common: All have been reinterpreted by Disney more or less recently. Hence, a certain castle in Florida seemed like a fitting illustration for the cover. To fot the style of the previous covers, however, the style of the illustration must be kept very simplistic – almost childish in character. It took a few tries with the charcoal pens to get it right.
The feedback from Darkness Publishing, reviewers and the authors have been very pleasing so far. I am really looking forward to the finished book. Not the least, to read the rest of the interpretations.
Aeongate updated logo and web design
The label and creative studio AEONGATE was one of my first design projects, starting already around 1995-96 with a simple logo design. Which later evolved into several evolved versions. The last major update was made in 2007 where the logo was based on Daniel Pelavin‘s eminent Art Deco inspired typeface ITC Anna.
I really enjoy that typeface which has a nice retro touch and a pleasant geometric style that suits AEONGATE well. But an update has been long overdue, and the need for both a more modern look and abetter working graphic mark has grown even more apparent with the recent focus on digital services.
To keep true to the geometric ambitions of the original logo, I created a new one with simplified forms, yet with more negative space. Some letters clearly remind of the previous logo for recognition.
The updated webpage of AEONGATE was a suitable test ground for the updated logo and mark where it can be clearly seen to work together with the refurbished web design, complete with fresh image material created especially for the site as part of the graphic profile.
Charcoal sessions
Gave way to the urge to rediscover charcoal painting recently. Far to long since, for sure. Also, the technique was well suited for an ongoing artwork project so it proved to be time well spent.
Sledgehammer – Experimental releases
Two new brews from Sledgehammer Brewing Company where presented at the Great Swedish Beer Festival in Malmö earlier this year. Honky Tonka, a triple cereal porter with tonic beans and the Mystic Godiva English style IPA with experimental hops. Glad to continue working together with this promising brewery to create colourful designs that really catches the eye.
Chaties
Smile inducing chat bots in simplistic 3D-design for a customer project. Quick and easy but yet with character. Created with Adobe Illustrator in black and white for later colour adaptation.
