Agency 396 Publication - Spring 2020

Copyright Š 2020 by Agency 396 All rights reserved. All content and imagery is copyrighted by the original artists.

Printed and bound in the United States of America

by Typecraft, Inc. Designed and published during the COVID-19 quarantine.

A book of memories by Agency 396

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, Agency 396 would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to our instructor and friend, David Mayes, for the continuous support and care. Despite the Coronavirus pandemic affecting aspects of daily life, you were still committed to assist us every step of the way. You have helped us grow as a team and equipped us with knowledge to carry us further into our professional careers. We humbly thank you for all you have done for us and we are fortunate for your hospitality and guidance throughout the semester. We would also like to extend our thanks to all who generously contributed their time, talents, and ideas towards the fourth publication of Agency 396: Nicole Brugman, Cristina Pandol, Chris Do, Stefan Bucher, Tracy Dragoo, Erika Lipkes, Laura Isabel Castellanos, Josh Freeman, John Couch, Amanda Lazzarone, John Clark, Kelli Nagasawa, Mariam Alnahedh, Mika Ventura, Ralph Eurich Patacsil, Kim Senn, Amita Makdani, Hazar Bayindir, May de Castro, Jorge Negrete, Vasundhara Pachisia, Xian Wong, Annmarie Dalton, Levi Brooks, Agnes Pierscieniak, Anastassia Zukova, Caitlin Cordtz, Lara Aposhian, MJ Balvanera, Symrin Chawla, Yazmin Delgado, April Greiman, Garland Kirkpatrick, Saeri Cho Dobson, Rick Griffith and Henri Lucas.

Lastly, we would like to thank Loyola Marymount University and the College of Communication and Fine Arts for helping to cultivate our hearts and minds over the past four years.

Introduction

Agency 396 is a collective of Graphic Design Majors enrolled in David Mayes’ Design Praxis course at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. This book presents a series of memories, in a spectrum of colors, that have shaped the identities within Agency 396. Color meaning and psychology is primarily based on instinct and emotion, meaning the way we feel about color can often be influenced by our subconscious and our history. Each member of Agency 396 was tasked with recalling two memories, matching those memories and their corresponding emotions to two colors, and using those colors to illustrate their memories within the book. For example, a designer with an orange spread likely recalled a memory in the vein of optimism, independence, creativity, adventure or fun; qualities often associated with the color orange. Agency 396 created a bookmark that readers can use to identify the designer of each work, and provided the designers’ artist statements at the end of the book.

These steps were taken in order to preserve the fluidity of the color spectrum. Please enjoy this glimpse into the colorful experiences that have shaped our identities.

“no matter where you are

no matter how far,

i will always be there for you�

SCRANTON THE LEOPARD GECKO

come for the sunset

stay for the stars

MIKEL

ANNIKA

1

3

12

10

13

8

3

8

Artist Statements

Annika Honselaar I am a San Diego born and raised graphic designer who studied in Los Angeles. I have worked for companies such as Pursuits in Food, Sonki Fitness, and NALIP (National Association for Latinx Independent Producers). Fascinated by the capability of color and typography, I am influenced by artists who have mastered these elements. Mary Blair, April Moralba, and Ann Shen are just a few names among these influencers. I strive to learn from others, strengthen my own work with each project, and tailor materials towards the client and their needs.

You will find an explanation of my spread in the piece itself.

Mikel Sodoni I am currently based in Los Angeles and I like to make videos and take photos and do graphic design stuff and make friends.

I work under the artist name Mikel Sodini but my art instagram is @armaisage. It was supposed to be Sage Armani but I couldn’t get the handle. Who is Sage Armani? Well, Sage Armani is a cat and I thought the name was cool.

Clouds: Do you ever just look up at the clouds and lose yourself? I have on multiple occasions.

Foliage: Do you ever just look at a tree or a plant or a bug and lose yourself? I do.

Anita Zheng

Madeline Hogan

I am a graphic designer and artist from Hawaii who graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a BA in Studio Arts and a minor in business. I enjoy using art as an outlet for my emotions and as a form of expression.

Madeline Hogan is a Los Angeles-based designer and artist.

She received a bachelor’s degree in Art History and Studio Arts, with an emphasis in graphic design. References to classic and contemporary works in her own work show a rich appreciation for art and design history – a link between art and commercial sphere. Madeline’s work tends to follow an approach which involves research, experimentation, and problem solving; the goal being simple, and artful design to reach an audience.

The red Pokemon spread represents my childhood love for the game as I used to always play Pokemon after a long week of school.

The purple tarot cards tell a story of the time I got a deck of tarot cards for my birthday and decided to give a reading to my friend. Whether the reading was accurate or not, I’m sure my friend would know.

Orange: Childhood memory of neighborhood orange trees. <0> : Depicts an uncanny scene from a dream I had.

Kate Kamerman I am an artist and designer from Portland, Oregon, but live and work in California as a Los Angeles transplant. Inspired by the people in my life, the outdoors, and adventure, I am building a life around blending those passions with my drawing, painting, and digital design. My goal is to offer new perspectives and change the conversation.

Orange: I would like to ask you, where do you feel free? My answer is this, “Wilderness. The world itself is music.” -Edward Abbey Blue: Calm, content, hopeful. August of 2018 I became very aware you were there, September of 2018 I became even more aware you were gone. It felt as if I was given this thing and then I had to give it back. This blue is that feeling. This particular shade of blue is about being at peace with something I did, but also the difficult road afterwards towards finding this blue.

Diego Velazco I am a graphic designer and visual artist born and raised in Los Angeles. Design oriented person with a drive to find solutions for creative problems. I have a passion for hand drawn type, painting and music. I strive to create the perfect balance of function and beauty.

Sunset to stars: I remember going on a spontaneous trip to Cabo da Roca to see the sunset with two people I just met. We liked it so much that we jumped the fence and layed down next to the cliff to wait for the stars.

Why I stopped buying nice things: Comic book spread of the memories of losing my jewelry I bought myself.

Reilly Gierhart

Jane Estrada

I am a graphic designer, artist, and UX designer from Wisconsin, currently living in Los Angeles. I am passionate about social justice and I believe in designing for the good of the world and spreading positivity through my work.

Jane Estrada is a Los Angeles based graphic designer and illustrator who is very partial to the color periwinkle. She is proud to be a recent graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a BA in Studio Arts and an emphasis in Graphic Design.

When she’s not working on typography or branding projects, she explores ideas of internet humor and creates clean vector illustrations.

Bagels and NPR remembers my drives to school with my father as we listened to NPR and ate bagels with peanut butter.

Scranton depicts my pet leopard gecko who continuously brightens my every day.

Alyssa Reece I am a Los Angeles based Graphic Designer, Photographer, and Multimedia Artist. I’m a recent graduate of Loyola Marymount University, passionate about branding, custom typography, photojournalism, collaboration, and taking on creative challenges. @honeyy.lemon.tea Enamored: This piece explores the memory of the first time I can remember enjoying my own company, an evening out alone at a café.

I learned to be enamored of myself, and in return, I began to find more beauty in the world around me.

7 Years: Some of my most vivid memories of childhood were days at the beach, being tossed around in the waves, dancing and running around the sand. Leaving after a full day of this with sand in my hair and sunkissed skin, dusted with new freckles. Climbing into the back of my mom’s 1999 Chevy Suburban, falling asleep to the Come Away With Me album by Norah Jones, mom singing along.

Hello Duck: My brother started speaking a little later than most kids, he was about 4 years old and the first words I remember saying to me were “Hello, duck.” This was an echo from the children’s cartoon Little Bear.

Broken Camera: I spent a lot of time on a black and white photo print.

It took me hours just to print my grass blades; when I came home I excitedly shared my process and final piece, but my dad seemed less than impressed.

Christian Roman I’m a designer from Honolulu, Hawaii. I originally moved to Los Angeles to pursue a Biology degree, but inadvertently found my true passion in art. I’ve always been a fervently polar fellow, and I feel that my art’s direction has followed suit. I habitually find myself falling down creative rabbit holes in one moment and soaring too close to the sun in the next. Thus, to control this variability, my art tends to seek order and balance.

In my spreads, I hope to communicate this search for unity amongst the often divergent pathways of the human psyche through succinct graphic discord and harmony.

Juliet Gonzalez

Carly Agopian

I am a Graphic Designer and Artist who graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a BA in Studio Arts with an emphasis in Graphic Design. I work under the artist name Peep The Pinky as a freelance designer where I make cute, funky and cool designs. I have a passion for combining bright complementary colors with bold typefaces and creating art that is meaningful and purposeful.

Carly Agopian is a Southern California born artist currently living in Los Angeles. Studying Graphic Design and Art History has peaked an interest in how her past plays apart of documenting her present. These abstracted memories remind her of the magic and beauty in moments of overarching uncertainty. She hopes to capture her take on reality in this ever-changing world; remembering to look closely, as there is always more than meets the eye.

On The Day Of Love is dedicated to my Abuelita who passed away on February 14th, 2020. One of the last things she told me is how she was so happy to have made tamales with everyone in the family. Tulips were her favorite flower.

My Little Sister depicts my role of being an older sister. The quote in the spread is from a poem my little sister wrote to me on valentines day.

Mara Davison I am a Graphic Designer, Photographer, and Creative Director from St. Louis, currently living and designing in Los Angeles.

I received a BA in Studio Arts with an emphasis in Graphic Design from Loyola Marymount University. I have a specialized interest in culture and entertainment, particularly emerging artists and brands. I have a passion for clean, impactful design informed by humor, authenticity, and diverse perspectives.

My orange spread depicts a memory of a happy day filled with adventure, while my purple spread is a memory of a more somber time.

Both memories were part of my college experience, and I appreciate the opportunity for reflection the making of this book has provided.

In these selected pieces, two colors dominate.

The red spread acts as a reminder to have courage. As seen in this spread, we must passionately cut, paste, layer, remove, build, and grow in order to create a whole.

Yellow: A constant reminder of joy and optimism in the vulnerability of yesterday. Personal pasts are remembered how we wish to see them.

This moment was captured and collaged with 35mm film photography and great friends.

Instructor: David Mayes Project Manager: Diego Velazco Color Manager: Annika Honeselaar Cover Design: Madeline Hogan Cover Art: Alyssa Reece Spine Design: Jane Estrada Bookmark Design: Kate Kamerman Typography/Layout: Madeline Hogan, Juliet Gonzalez Copy: Mara Davison, Anita Zheng, Carly Agopian, Diego Velazco Print Preparation: Reilly Gierhart, Mikel Sodini, Juliet Gonzalez, Christian Roman Memory pages designed by members of Agency 396 Paper: Mohawk Everyday Digital 80 lb Text Cover: Mohawk Superfine Eggshell Ultra White 120 lb Cover Press: HP Indigo 7900 and 12000 Printed and Bound at Typecraft, Pasadena, CA. Typeface: Aktiv Grotesk is a grotesque sans-serif typeface released through Dalton Maag in 2010.