Creative Direction
For the last 5 years I worked as the Global Creative Director for The House of Marley, an innovative brand co founded with Bob Marley’s family, specializing in eco friendly audio equipment. My goal was to bring joy, energy, attitude, and modern cool to the brand. Working with a talented in house team as well as outside agencies and production companies, I oversaw:
• the navigation through a brand refresh which included new fonts, color pallet, packaging, and website
• the development and creation of all marketing assets for several new products each year
• the direction of all photo and video shoots
• the product packaging for several new products each year
• all in store brand and product displays
Creative Direction
SOL Republic wanted a fresh look when launching their Soundtrack Pro and Amps Air + models. Instead of the moody, black treatment used in the companies past, I wanted to create something clean and fresh with a nod to the future tech that SOL Republics products are known for. I did create lifestyle assets in the more traditional, gritty look for their social needs.
Photography by Will Mathieu
Creative Direction
As the original Creative Director for Marley Natural™, Bob Marley's official cannabis brand, I was responsible for building a NY team, as well as developing the brand identity and ideology from the ground up. Starting with designing the logo, I oversaw the development of packaging for MN cannabis and MN hemp seed body care, as well as the design and development of MN premium smoking accessories by our in-house team. We also created multiple out-of-home ad campaigns, a 128 page oversized magazine, social media content, branded clothing, and an epic launch party in Los Angeles.
body care photography: David Brandon Geeting
smoking accessories photography: Spencer Higgins
Co Founder / Creative Direction/ Art Direction/ Graphic Design/ Coffee Maker/ Janitor
In 1994 Graphic Havoc, a design and direction studio, was conceived in a small kitchen in Atlanta, GA. Derek Lerner, Randal J. Lane, Peter Rentz, and I had already known each other for some years though Atlanta’s skateboarding and graffiti scene, and through Peter we met Sadek Bazarra. Together we formed a team of like minded creatives that would design, direct, brand, consult, and market for some of the biggest names in the game. Along with client work, we collaborated under the Graphic Havoc name on art installations from NY to Tokyo and back. It was my absolute honor to work with these brilliant minds and learn so much from them along the journey. After 20 years of working together, I decided to spread my wings and try something new. Graphic Havoc is still taking on clients, so check them out if you need something amazing created for your brand.
Video Direction / Camera / Edit
I am always excited to create music videos for Helado Negro. He is one of my favorite people on the planet, and his music is always inspiring.
Videos in order:
• Running
• Come Be Me (Apple Music Exclusive)
• Come Be Me Teasers
• Come Be Me Social Teasers
• Dance Ghost
Documentary Direction / Camera / Edit
I was invited to join the world famous EDM DJ to document his closing set of the Mysteryland Festival in Bethel, NY (on the same grounds as the historic Woodstock Festival of 1969). Arriving in style helped kick off the whirlwind of a night, and after he brought the crowd to it's final frenzy, we choppered back to the city for some early morning waffles.
Director of Photography
Photographer Bjorn Iooss and I created these videos for Vogue Espana as he shot model Taylor Hill for their upcoming January issue.
Art Direction
I got to work with CD and friend Josh Lynne on the JAM Audio rebrand project. Together we created a vibrant color pallet, brand patterns, product names, feature icons and an all around fun spirit to breathe new life into an established brand in a newly saturated market.
Just Add Music.
Logo Design
I was asked by Major League Soccer to create a mark for their Greats Network, an initiative to show appreciation for retired players while keeping them involved with the sport. This mark had to convey respect and work seamlessly with the iconic MLS logo.
Because MLS holds all of their athletes in such high regard, I created a simple, respectful mark based on a pedestal.
Graphic Havoc was asked to participate in an art show curated by Arkitip magazine at alife in NYC. We created huge boxes covered in graphics, graffiti, and hand drawn illustrations that were then carefully placed into alife's large storefront windows like ships in a bottle. We also created limited addition posters, stickers, and skate board wheels thanks to a sponsorship by Etnies.
Director of Photography / Camera / Edit
Photographer Bjorn Iooss and I created this piece for W Korea to serve as a parallel to his still images of McKenna Hellam.
Booth-Clibborn Editions published an oversized, hardcover coffee table book on our (Graphic Havoc) work, showcasing both client and personal projects. It is still in the dewey decimal system at art and design schools around the world.
GHavisualagency™ is a collective of five whose visual style is assembled from their lives and experiences - everything from fine art, music, graffiti, contemporary design and social theory to the everyday object and situation. Images and descriptions of the work in all media and styles are featured, along with a statement of the agency's philosophy and a look at its past and future.
"Bear with me a little and I will show you for I have yet something to say on God's behalf."
In a solo exhibition at 222 Gallery in Philadelphia, we (Graphic Havoc) took on our largest client : God. The show served as a presentation to re-brand the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, updating both the image and corporate identity of God. The show was presented in 4 phases: Research & Inspiration, Focus Group research, Brand Positioning / Corporate Partnerships, and Logo development.
Video Direction / Camera / Edit
I'm happy to have been asked by Mike & Malc to help produce and direct Major League Soccer's 2015 Don't Cross the Line campaign to fight racism. Together we created a 30 second spot for broadcast, online, and in stadium use. We also created a 15 second "FAN" edit for Instagram, and a 6 second edit for Vine.
Photography
These are selections from a photography project featuring a knockoff Wu Tang necklace a friend brought me from Brazil. I was surprised how many people were willing and eager to represent the Wu, and I was told by the founders of Elemental mag that Inspectah Deck was a fan.
Published in Elemental magazine.
Approx. 120 photo's in all.
Creative & Art Direction
Working with USA network and the Graphic Havoc team, I created the look for USA Network's ad campaign for their coverage and sponsorship of the US Open tennis tournament.
Video Direction / DP / Edit
I sat down with local hero Teddy to talk about bikes and denim.
Creative Direction
For eight seasons, between 2004 and 2008, I was responsible (with the Graphic Havoc team) for the creative direction, content development and design of Triple Five Soul's ad campaigns. Each season's deliverables included ad concept, production and layout, look book design and production, web design, and various peripherals such as promotional CD's and event materials.
Video Direction
Working with EMEHT agency, I developed and directed several videos showcasing different Nike products. Each video had its unique target audience ranging from runners and basketball players, to skateboarders who obsess over the performance of their shoes.
I created this poster for a group exhibition that ran both at PS 1 and the Agnes B store in Soho. It was a simple comment on the importance placed on consumer goods.
Video Direction
I was approached by LEGS to develop the following compilation of short ads in order to set the tone for Diesel's Channel V web experiment.
Graphic Havoc was asked by NY streetwear brand Triple 5 Soul to create original art for a solo show in their gallery showroom on Lafayette st. We created large scale “tape murals” on their windows, large scale graphics for the walls, and customized T5S products. This was back in the good days, when founder Camella Ehlke was still running things and Ben Velez was their marketing director. The next show that T5S would do in this space was with a little known artist named Banksy. For real.
This illustration spread started on my computer as a fun, quick collage collaboration as a reaction to all the slick design we were doing at the time. I just wanted to do something sloppy, with a sense of humor. Unfortunately it became responsible for what was called the Graphic Havoc "look" by clients who would call wanting it. It was fun for a while, but we never wanted to keep doing one thing over and over!
Here's a fun project I did with the Graphic Havoc team. An assortment of items were sent to us by CREAM magazine, and we were asked to use them to record (literally) a bit about our lives and inspirations. Instead, we decided to trade the items with others thus creating an opportunity for spontaneous and unpredictable exchange. A booth was set up at a art/homewear market and each person that took part in the barter received their traded object in a bag with a written explanation of the project to document the transaction. The documentation of the exchange as well as the items we received was included in CREAM magazine's 2nd Anniversary "Life In A Box" project as well as a traveling exhibition of the works. Shown here are the items we received in trade and documentary photos of the event.
INTO THE AIR W/ ———— GHAVA was an art exhibition/installation that took place at W/––– Projects in NYC. I collaborated with Sadek Bazaraa, Randall J. Lane, Derek Lerner, and Peter Rentz to come up with the concept for the show and tediously install the site specific work. Sound design for the instillation was created by Sadek Bazaraa. Limited edition exhibition poster designed by Randall J. Lane.
From point to line to plane, into the air, over time. Four known dimensions. Connection, tension, illumination. A small attempt at an impossible representation.
We at Graphic Havoc were asked to contribute to BIG magazines Technology issue. We proposed to perform and document a series experiments exploring the "man VS. machine" theme.
These experiments included a man racing a car, a man relaying a message to another man with and without the use of a cell phone. The experiments took place in two locations, one being a rural setting, the other in the city of Manhattan. These environments effected the outcome of each experiment and the time and results were recorded.
We (Graphic Havoc) were given a solo exhibit at the 55DSL gallery in New York to show a series of collaborative, large scale paintings. Each painting had a ridiculously pretentious title and were only for sale in exchange for a laundry list of random, unrelated items. A Top Load VCR for instance.
GHava {Press} was a labor of love. We (Graphic Havoc) decided to continue our love with print, a seemingly dying medium, while showcasing the work of artist friends we love. We had opening parties for each book at spaces like Lit (NY), I Heart (NY), Eleven Rivington (NY), and Scout (ATL).
I was asked to contribute to CREAM magazine's Star Wars themed issue.
When approaching a project based on Star Wars, I thought of everything I could dealing with the movies and its huge effect on my childhood. Once I really thought it over I realized that I'm really no longer interested in Star Wars iconography, but I am still intrigued by the themes that run throughout the movies.
I started to focus my thoughts on "the Force". What is it and how do you show it? I thought of love and its various states, nature, and phenomenon. These drawings are abstracted forms of storm systems which, to me, can represent nature's show of Force as well as being metaphors for the various states in relationships between people.
Colored pencil on paper.
Video & Art Direction
When AOL underwent a complete rebranding they commissioned several artists from around the world to create "canvases" that would reveal their new logo. Here is a compilation of the moving canvases I created and directed for the launch of their new identity.
Video Direction
During a long working relationship with Nokia, the Graphic Havoc team and I developed projects ranging from interactive ad campaigns to multiple creative content videos. These videos played in their flagship stores around the world, as well as at Heathrow airport. Slow Emotion is one of these videos. It was created in conjunction with Nokia's Ovi Maps campaign.
Logo Design
I created the logo and type treatment for Mtv's show The 70's House. Once the clean vector based design was finalized, it was implemented by aging it and incorporating it into old television footage for maximum nostalgic effect.
Derek Lerner and I where asked to paint a truck for Island Records showcasing some of their recording artists at the time. Apparently some poor kid drove it cross country.
Video Direction / Camera / Edit
When not residing over the Taco Bell drawing club, Jason Polan is on a mission to draw everyone in Manhattan. It seems crazy, but he might actually succeed.
I worked with the great people at Soludos, who trusted me to come up with some fun video's to promote their collaboration with illustrator Jason Polan. Jason is very shy and initially didn't want to appear on camera at all, but after getting to know each other a little, he relented. He even recorded the VO audio himself using his iPhone. After the project was over, he confessed that he loved the final product.
Video Direction
It has been a privilege to work with Dr. Hayat Sindi, who founded the i2 Institute for Imagination and Ingenuity in order to create an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and social innovation for scientists, technologists and engineers in the Middle East.
I first met Dr. Sindi as she was working to launch i2 in 2012, and then traveled with i2's first class of fellows on their journey to places such as Harvard's innovation lab, MIT's media lab, Pop!Tech, and more.
When Williamsburg Northside School went through a complete brand overhaul and I was commissioned to create several videos that announce the schools new look and attitude. To do this I spent time with the great kids of WNS, capturing moments throughout the school year.
Video Direction/ Camera / Edit
"It's a pop song, so I was thinking, you know, let's get a couple of pretty girls, maybe they're at the beach? You know, keep it upbeat. Keep it light."- Max Decker
"Hey, why do they have trashbags on their heads?!? That's not safe! Don't these girls know fur is murder? Who wears a trashbag on their head to the beach? That just seems unsavory. Is that a hospital gown or something I can buy at American Apparel? They wear bags on their heads AND they smoke?! Eww, was that a giant Coors Light? And they're sharing it? No. Oh shit, they dancing in the streets, they dancin at the gas pump. Twerk white girl twerk!"
- AustinBloggyLimits.com
special thanks to:
The Adrian sisters
Leo Zinder
Video Direction
Bill Pierce is a rad skateboarder. KCDC is a rad skate shop.
The idea behind this video campaign was to film each member of KCDC's team recreating their favorite pro video parts from older video's.
Video Direction
I grew up listening to punk. One minute songs that kicked your ass. Thank god punk's not dead.
edit : Ben Williams
super star : Connie J Merten
