Design influences in ways that words cannot. That's why I do it.
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The High Museum of Art Atlanta currently* has an outdated web design and no smart phone app to engage its visitors. This project was centered around creating a website and an app that are immersive and contemporary.
My design strategy was to create a design that was both distinctly modern and Southern at the same time. The High's distinct architecture and metallic looking facade exude a modernity that isn't found in most of the rest of the city, however, the High finds itself nested in the cultural milieu of the American South. In order to make it distinctly Southern and obviously modern, I created a visual language that relies on typography, technology and texture.
*At the time this project was published, the High's site was certainly outdated. They have since updated their site.Web Design, App Design2011 -
In 2012 Gary Johnson received the most votes of any third party candidate. A successful two term governor of New Mexico, Governor Johnson's 2012 run for the White House was characterized by being the only candidate on the ballot that spent time speaking truthfully and honestly about the issues facing America. His brand however left a lot to be desired.
In the hopes that he makes another run at the White House in 2016, I have created this design study that explores a potential logo that is memorable and captures the key moral value of his philosophy. I have also attempted to assess what I believe will be a key issue in 2016, namely that our nation will be even more divided than it is now and that voters will be looking for a candidate with a unique message that extols unity and liberty. a value we can all rally around. Hence the brand I have begun exploring is based around the idea of Americans Uniting in Liberty. I have utilized a palette that is both traditional and young, distinctly American and clearly diverse.
In creating this project I also have begun exploring responsive layouts under the assumption that by 2016, mobile interaction will be exponentially greater than it is now.Branding, UI/UX, Web Design2013 -
The following video is the intro sequence to a mini-documentary documenting the build of an amplifier. Our goal is to generate interest among guitar enthusiasts for building Ceriatone amp clones by hand.
This project is currently in progress.
All shot with a Canon 5D MKII and EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro
Motion/Art Direction: Jorge Gonzalez
Concept/Copy: Mike HaftelArt Direction, Motion Graphics, Cinematography2011 -
Atlanta is the nation's epicenter for child sex trafficking.
Street Grace is a non-profit dedicated to ending this horrid practice.
Art Direction: Jorge Gonzalez
Illustrated Type: Jessica Gonzalez
Concept/Copy: Mike Haftel
Photography: Mike HaftelArt Direction, Advertising2011 -
In the past 14 months or so I have fallen in love with filming. Timelapse, filming, photography. It's been an immense creative outlet for me and an area of my creative life that has been very fulfilling. Having discovered my love for this in late 2011, my wife and I took a 5000 mile road trip around the country in March of 2012 and we took our 7D and GoPro along to document our experiences. That trip changed my life. I edited together this video and began sharing it with friends in mid April. And in early May I got up one morning to an email informing me that this video had been chosen to be on the Vimeo Staff's curated videos. I was shocked. I learned a huge lesson from this. Your best work, your most meaningful work, is the stuff you create that comes from the deepest part of you. It's the stuff you connect with and create out of the sheer love of creating something you find beautiful.
Canon 7D
50mm 1.4
24-70mm 2.8 LS
Canon Intervalometer
GoPro
Edited and graded in FCPX
Music by M83 tinyurl.com/7gxpxseFilm, Motion Graphics, Photography2013 -
This video was commissioned by Atlanta's Fulton County Government Office of Communications in an effort to educate citizens about the many services that Fulton County provides and to ask them to get involved in making those services more efficient.Motion Graphics, Art Direction2011 -
Commissioned by the Energy Choice Now PAC, this video is a tongue-in-cheek portrayal of how awesome energy duopolies are for the state of Michigan.
Motion/Art Direction: Jorge Gonzalez
Motion/Animation/Illustration: Mike SchwalmMotion Graphics, Illustration, Art Direction2011 -
Unlike Scout Mob and Groupon, PunchPoints —the name given to the app by WelcomeMat— rewards customers for being loyal to businesses in their community. Rather than enticing customers with half-off deals, PunchPoints rewards customers with rewards that are accrued over time by visiting and purchasing goods or services at the business. This helps the business maintain equity in their brand by not becoming a bargain business and customers get to know and love the companies in their communities. It's like a digital punchcard...only awesomer.Graphic Design, Mobile Interface Design2011 -
The Cain Campaign needed a cohesive brand and a simple message. Together, my team, myself and Washington Political Group created a brand centered around the idea of American Renewal. We believed that this was the best direction because of where Americans are now and where Americans want to be. Renewal, we believe, takes our aspirations and gives us the answer that Americans have been looking for: that the best in us can be rediscovered and that we can do better for ourselves in our day to day lives than can a bureaucrat in Washington DC.
We utilized elements from our history by drawing heavily on currency design and its modern manifestations while also looking at traditional Americana, old political ads, the civil rights movement and imagining a future where America is renewed to greatness. This is what we came up with for the website, email newsletters and for Cain’s 999 plan (a poster). The 999 “brand” was also developed by us complete with logo and visual style evident in their print brochures. We also redid a number of pieces of collateral. Oh, and you may have seen the 404 page on Gizmodo (gizmo.do/upp3xd). That was 100% my doing.
*I no longer do any work for the Cain Campaign for philosophical and creative differences.Web Design, Creative Direction, Branding2011 -
48 hour packaging challenge for the Center for Design Studies. We created new packaging for GE light bulbs. Some of the requirements were that the packaging had to be sustainable and economically viable. We also had to create a presentation video. This was ours. Done in 18 hours.
Motion Design: Jorge Gonzalez/Mike SchwalmMotion Graphics, Packaging2011 -
Some logos I've done. Some are for clients and others I did as school projects.Graphic Design2011 -
Ok. You’re probably wondering “what the damn?” This was a school project. I was given two words: gothic and podiatrist. From those two words I had to create a “brand” complete with logo, stationary, photography and a plausible corporate business strategy.
So, I created a brand for a forensic podiatrist. I created a brand by asking the question “if Batman were a forensic podiatrist and not some masked crusader, what would his company look like?” Why Batman? He’s pretty gothic, don’t you think?
Regardless, Damned is what I came up with complete with photography, a logo, stationary and creepiness. Enjoy.
And yes, that is me in the mask and underwear.
Art Direction/Design: Jorge Gonzalez
Photography: Mike HaftelArt Direction, Photography, Design2011 -
This a photo shoot that Mike Haftel and I concepted, and I art directed. Our idea was to create a post-apocalyptic scene of resistance fighters on patrol. We created a robot/monster of sorts too whose glowing eyes can be seen through the smoke. I think these ladies could take it. FYI...the one with the mohawk is my wife. She's hot.
Photography: Mike Haftel
Art Direction: Jorge GonzalezArt Direction, Photography2011