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I want to work for you. Teachers, peers and mentors have told me that the idea of the “all-around” designer is a myth. I acknowledge this opinion and am aware that it can take a lifetime to master one art alone. Regardless, until this point in my life and in my education, my focus has been everything. School, jobs, freelance and my curious spirit have propelled me to explore not only new mediums for creative expression, but also myself.

Though this personal evolution, I have discovered where my true strengths and interests lie. As I emerge from this profoundly transformational period, nothing would provide me with more happiness and fulfillment then to focus and invest my passion in to the world I love. My hope is that you will recognize my continuing pattern of exponential growth and begin to imagine what I can add to TAXI.

Pick me up?

HELLO,

C H R I S B R O W N

The New Halifax is an event and concert promotional business supported by a complimentary music blog. I co-founded The New Halifax in 2010 to showcase and promote both local and international music and culture.

My principal objective initially was to develop cost effective strategies for building brand awareness and community engagement with our online presences. Marketing and branding strategies were designed to exploit a thoughtful crosscut of online, print and guerilla market tactics. The New Halifax has grown in terms of popularity and profitability to become the leading reference centre for local music and related events in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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THE NEWHALIFAX

O N G O I N G T H E N E W H F X . C O MBRANDINGART DIRECTIONADVERTISINGINTERACTIVE

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Unique vehicles were rented and transformed into rolling promotional bill boards and used to shuttle performers and promoters.

Promotional merchandise was designed and distributed to local trend-setters around the city.

After the logo was finalized, it was applied to a wide range of print materials.

The website was designed to utilize a simple CMS to allow efficient editing capabilities for multiple authors.

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P R O J E C T D E T A I L S

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T H E N E W H A L I F A X

“The website served as the foundation for the project; from here, the brand grew up and out.”

Ideal Bikes is a retail store in Halifax that sells and services used bicycles. They approached me about developing an advertising campaign to launch in the Fall 2012. Working closely with the store’s management, I developed a marketing plan including a situational analysis and an evaluation of their target markets.

After reviewing options on multiple promotional strategies, a decision was taken to develop an innovative multi-layered digital campaign. The goal was not to promote the bike shop, but instead to promote the idea of urban biking. As interest levels rose, Ideal Bikes would become the centerpiece ofthe regional cycling community.

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IDEAL BIKES

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The microsite leveraged a playful aesthetic and interactive YouTube integration to provide exciting and dynamic experience.

The microsite was presented to the client as a precursor to the app release.

Prerecorded helmet-cam videos were used to provide a fast paced, “choose-your-own adventure” virtual tour.

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“The first step was to re-position its public perception with a vibrant new logo

and colour scheme.”

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P R O J E C T D E T A I L SI D E A L B I K E S

The guerilla campaign was presented to the client as a way to physically engage with the target demographic.

By scanning this checkpoint they immediately begin recording their travel time to their destination; the race begins!

The user can use the app to look up “checkpoints” along their daily route.

Upon receiving their time, they can compete using integrated social media streams that drive traffic to the Ideal Bikes microsite.

“Challenge Yourself, Literally! Interactive bike rack signage was installed around the city. These provided physical checkpoints for the urban cycling app.”

The Algaexchange was the culmination of an four month research project on the subject of biofuels. The objective was to design a product and event awareness campaign that would drive international bio-fuel industry players to a hypothetical biofuel summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil at which could be showcased a promising new bio-fuel technology developed by the Nova Scotia-based biotech firm, Ocean Nutrition.

I branded the hypothetical summit the Algaexchange and explored options for a communication strategy designed to persuade industry participants to attend the event. I wanted potential attendees to receive something too compelling and engaging to ignore. The communication tool also needed to engage the recipient and provide them a simple path to commitment and registration.

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ALGAEXH ANGE

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6 W E E K SBRANDINGART DIRECTIONPRODUCTRESEARCH

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P R O J E C T D E T A I L S

Data visualizations were created to illustrate important research findings.

03The final concept was illustrated and presented to the client for approval.

02A rigorous visual brainstorming period was initiated to investigate different methods for creating excitement about the event and creatively showcasing the client’s message. for communicating the client’s message

A L G A E X C H A N G E

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“This design project was hugely interdisciplinary. It called on graphic, product, interactive and environmental streams; each stage connected by a firm body of research.”

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Paper and digital models were rapidly constructed and de-constructed until a strong design direction emerged.

The final product form was composed of an exoskeleton and a central core which carried the payload.

When the two components were combined, the strength of the package would be maximized.

P R O J E C T D E T A I L SA L G A E X C H A N G E

“The development of a interesting product package was essential to persuading the recipient to read further.”

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The Wearable Art Show is a local fashion exhibition that NSCAD University has held annually for more than 20 years to raise money for the Nova Scotia Aids Coalition. The event is well recognized by the Canadian fashion and design community. Originally commissioned to design a logo for the show, my work mandate quickly expanded to include the design and development of an entirely new graphic identity and corresponding promotional strategy for the event.

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WEARABLEARTSHOW

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P R O J E C T D E T A I L SW E A R A B L E A R T S H O W

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The new logo was applied to a range of posters and other printed materials for distribution around the city.

Hand letter pressed tickets were designed and produced for event.

Branded registration and release documents were created for participants.

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“The new identity and promotional strategy had a massive impact on ticket sales and continued to crop up in reviews for weeks following the event.”

Electric Zoo is an annual music festival that takes place on Randall’s Island in New York City. While it is an incredible cultural experience, it was inadequately supported by a weak visual identity. The aim of this project was to create a new visual experience that would help elevate it’s international profile.

The first phase of the project was an intensive logo development process. This process yielded a family of three logos, each to be used differently. Following that, a comprehensive brand style guide was created to ensure a disciplined application of the new identity. Lastly, the project moved into the digital field where the goal was to develop an Electric Zoo app that to be used by festival attendees to maximize the quality of their experience.

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ELECTRIC ZOO

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P R O J E C T D E T A I L S

One of the final deliverables; a 78 page brand style guide document that highlighted the effective use of the new brand strategy.

Promotional print materials were also created to show appropriate use of new brand.

Sample stationary was created to illustrate the new brand guidelines.

Spread from style guide showing how to effectively use isometric grid.

E L E C T R I C Z O O

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“The goal was to build a flexible identity platform that could grow and develop over the years as

the festival did.”

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E L E C T R I C Z O O

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P R O J E C T D E T A I L S

In situ image showing potential for social media integration and photo sharing.

The style guide also included proposal for the development of a festival app.

In situ image of proposed “Find-A-Friend” feature within app.

“The goal of the app was to minimize the need for maps, schedules and other print materials and to condense the festival into a dynamic, digital experience.”

The Hugh L Carey Tunnel was formerly known as the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. It connects Brooklyn to Manhattan in New York City. It was given it’s new name just weeks before it was flooded by superstorm Sandy. In the weeks following the recovery, no one knew what by what name the tunnel should be referenced. News broadcasts were calling it: “The Hugh L Carey Tunnel, formerly known as the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel”. The goal of this project was to rebrand the tunnel and develop a strategy to get the people of New York to adopt the new name and drop the old one.

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HUGH L CAREY

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Developing a strong, versatile logo was fundamental to the re-imagining of the Hugh L Carey Tunnel.

Application was thoroughly considered when determining how to apply the new identity on a large scale.

A bold, modern approach was taken to the application of the logo, beginning with corporate stationary.

P R O J E C T D E T A I L S

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“ The first stage was to develop a versatile, custom logotype that would possess the same strength and resilience as the tunnel. It also had to be bold and exciting in order to persuade people to adopt it.”

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The primary campaign used bold, ambiguous facts to pull attention to the new name and what it stands for.

Informational text provides readers a URL to which they can go for more information about the tunnel and its renaming

The curious nature of the headlines draw the viewer to explore the factual details presented discreetly at the base of the image.

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H U G H L C A R E Y

“The main campaign used curiously ambiguous headlines laid over images of water to allude to the tunnel’s discreet position under the East River.”

The secondary campaign would be more visual and less informative. It would take the form of photo-murals.

The murals were designed to grab peoples’ attention. The color and logo would form a strong connection to the primary outdoor campaign, which is where viewers will fully receive the more comprehensive message.

The photo-murals would involve a historic image related to the tunnel with an overlay of the corporate color and shorthand logo.

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“The secondary campaign was intended to have mass appeal and to add visual excitement to dull urban areas.”

H U G H L C A R E Y

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Recently, I am seeing increasing demand for the creation of infographics. These dynamic informational visualizations are being embraced as a powerful component of marketing and promotional campaigns across virtually all industries. While some may argue that they are being overused, they remain an undeniably effective exercise in typography, organizational hierarchy, visual thinking.

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INFORMATIONDESIGN

P R O J E C T D E P E N DA N TILLUSTRATORPRODUCTION

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“Rolling With Obama”: a visual inventory of Obama’s motorcade. Part of series created while in New York around the 2012 election.

“CIA Ignographics”; American misconceptions of Canada -visualized.

Instructional workout infographic based on tips given by Michelle Obama during Oprah interview.

“The Beast”; highlights the extraordinary features of the Presidential limo. Part of infographic series on diplomatic vehicles.

“Infographics have been a great way for me to increase my production speed and exercise my skills within the Adobe Suite.”

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OVERXPSR is a brand that I built for my personal photographic services. I photograph concerts, weddings, food, fashion and anything else that gets in front of the camera. After developing a logo for myself, I designed and developed a portfolio website. I also created print materials suited for use before, after and during events. To further aid my promotional efforts, I then created the OVERXPSR Diaries. These are mini portfolios which are released and given to clients after particular shoots.

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OVERXPSR

O N G O I N G OV E R X P S R . C O MBRANDINGART DIRECTIONPHOTOGRAPHYINTERACTIVE

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The website features full bleed images, the latest in responsive web technologies and complete keyboard navigation.

Minimalistic stationary was created to follow the theme of the website.

“OVERXPSR Diaries” are print portfolios created to showcase particular shoots for presentation to clients.

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“My online presence has continued to grow substantially over the past four years as I learn to leverage social media tactics.”

My most recent project was the 2013 “Hire Me” campaign. In anticipation of my rapidly approaching graduation, I took it upon myself to devise a way to get my name out into the working world. My goal was not just to design a resume or a portfolio, but to build an experience that would truly engage people, whether potential employers or not. The campaign was not designed to highlight a particular set of abilities or to justify my suitability for specific position. The goal of the campaign was simply to broadcast my name, who I am and what I’m passionate about. The hope with this approach was that the ideal venue for my abilities would more organically reveal itself.

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H IRE ME

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After the poster was designed, I consulted with several local printers in order to find the most impactful printing technique.

Three hundred copies of the poster were created. The mass production of it allowed for experimentation within it’s application.

The poster was ultimately offset printed using a Pantone fluorescent ink to add a little punch.

Finally, my contact number was stamped in to a text field; left open to account for shifting phone numbers.

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“At the center of the campaign, was the 10 Reasons to Hire Me poster. It’s bold, refined but playful mood set the tone for the entire project.”

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It was of paramount importance to carry a cohesive brand across everything created and to foster an exciting viewing experience.

The actual portfolio was attatched digitally to encourage and ease sharing.

I worked carefully to ensure that all the necessary information was included, without making the entire package dense or dry.

The physical unpacking process was deeply considered to create the most dynamic experience possible.

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“While the poster was used first, to grab the viewer’s interest, most important was the collection of work that would be found within the portfolio.”

P R O J E C T D E T A I L SH I R E M E

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“Mass production of this poster allowed for strategic, guerilla resume-ing. This novel tactic turned up a great response from Halifax community, garnering tweets, mentions and calls.”

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The poster was wheat-pasted in areas surrounding design houses, advertising agencies and other creative outlets.

As the posters are laid out next to each other, the characters start to blend and form a very engaging pattern; almost too curious not to warrant a deeper look.

Although in a legal grey-zone, wheat-pasting was chosen for it’s durability and impact.

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THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERATION