david robinson PORTFOLIO
editorial promotions books packaging
Designers should not just try for good design, but also to design for good. —Milton Glaser
table of contents
intersect concrete individual/community
I am a designer. I love using the visual language to communicate ideas and enjoy the problem solving that comes with creative design. I have a firm belief in the power of design to motivate people, and am convinced that visual expression is a more direct and engaging way of transmitting messages than words alone. I try to listen to the people with whom I’m working on any project so that the design can best serve their needs. With a background in illustration and photography, I like to bring all my skills to bear in a holistic approach to understanding how the design can create an elegant solution. I strive to create thought-provoking messages. Design is most meaningful for me when it is more than simply attractive, when it has lasting impact and positive applications. I try whenever possible to engage in work that is both worthwhile and socially relevant.
dangerous book for boys m&m’s toolkit bbdo action words vagina monologues quiet lights masterworks dvd case mao beer jenny’s story artifactual literacies raw nayland blake
intersect magazine An internationally-attuned magazine aimed at highlighting urban life, focusing on the design, art and cultural of great global cities.
intersect
feature opener and jump
intersect
departments
concrete magazine This project actually evolved out of intersect magazine since I was intrigued by exploring different aspects of the city and this bolder, more aggresive approach took those ideas in a different direction. Concrete expresses a slightly more gritty, street-level view of urban life while still holding onto the notion that cities are dynamic and vital places.
concrete
feature openers and jumps
individual/community monograph A thesis book that visually examines the connection between an individual and their surrounding community. Using the world around me as a case study, I surveyed the people in my life in an attempt to learn more about their interests, background and definitions of community. This data drove a series of infographics, illustrations and photographs, with accompanying text, that explored these relationships in an attempt to better understand how the community influences self-identity. This hand-bound edition was accordion-folded and includes gatefolds and vellum inserts.
individual/community
spreads
individual/community
double gatefold spread
individual/community
city section spreads
individual/community
spreads
individual/community
type studies
individual/community
promotional poster
where will you find your self? Promotional poster designed to raise awareness of the ideas presented in the thesis project.
dangerous book for boys poster This poster was part of the main marketing campaign for the bestselling Dangerous Book for Boys and Daring Book for Girls series. The headlines, photography and illustrations were all designed to reflect the nostalgic tone of the books.
m&m’s toolkit Branding and style guide for M&M’s. Mars wanted to create an entertaining brand guide to reinforce the company’s motto of colorful, chocolate, fun. Using the colors and “spokescandies” as a departure point, we developed five books and four DVD features to keep international divisions on brand message in a playful way. Both the books and DVD case used a spot aqueous coating to highlight the lentils.
m&m’s toolkit
dvd case and spreads
BBDO action words posters A set of 25 posters developed for BBDO’s largest clients. I was asked to create an on-brand visual representation of words that were selected to best reflect the brand outlook of each client. These posters were hung outside the office of the president of BBDO and were also turned into a look-book to help attract new buisness.
vagina monologues poster 3-color screenprint for a New York production of the play. The client wanted something understated but still evocative.
quiet lights series A trio of posters for the Brooklyn-based band. As they are starting to get more recognition and headline shows, a series to highlight the energy and pieces of a rock band seemed appropriate.
quiet lights
posters
masterworks dvd case A set of three illustrated interlocking boxes held together by a die-cut slip case. The box set of DVDs highlights the work of three iconic New York filmmakers—Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee and Woody Allen. The illustrations and colors for each box are designed to reflect the different strata of New York the directors worked within.
masterworks case
dvd case and spreads
mao beer Packaging design for a revolutionary beer. The eight-pack container—as eight is an auspicious number in China—pays homage to Mao’s Long March and the shape of the handle reflects the roof of Tian’an Men gate.
jenny’s story Cover design for an academic book that follows the story of a child who doesn’t fit into the mold of a large urban school. A friend suggested that to get closer to a childlike aesthetic, I should draw everything with my weaker left hand.
artifactual literacies cover Cover design for a book about how we think, learn and tell stories. The book follows the lives of five immigrant families and how the seemingly random objects they carried with them contain personal stories. Luckily I had an old suitcase that seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
raw magazine An oversized magazine that focuses on alternative politics and contemporary culture. Due to the sensitive and subversive nature of the content, each issue is sealed by a belly-band at the point of purchase, making the first interaction of opening the magazine a violent one.
raw
cover detail and insert
nayland blake poster 3-color screenprint for the artist’s lecture. The poster was designed to reference the bleak, stark nature of the artist’s work.
david robinson RESUME Rings represent 1 year. Radii of circles corelate to duration of employment.
UNITED POWER PACKAGING
HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS
graphic designer Beijing, China Created packaging, brochures and branding for Chinese and foreign fashion and food related companies.
designer in ad/promo department New York, NY Designed and illustrated advertisements, catalogs and promotional pieces for all imprints of the publisher.
SHANXI AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY teacher Taigu, Shanxi Prov., China Taught English to students in rural China as part of a two-year fellowship.
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY graphic designer Bronx, NY Exhibit design, sinage and wayfinding for all the New York zoos and aquarium.
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OBERLIN SHANSI special events and communications coordinator Oberlin, OH Created the organizations website, annual reports and collateral materials for its centennial celebration.
347.579.8579 add.ink@gmail.com add-ink.com
7y ear s
SVA
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New York, NY Classes in graphic and editoral design.
BBDO freelance designer New York, NY Pitch work, design and mechanical work for all of BBDO’s clients.
OBERLIN COLLEGE Oberlin, OH BA in Biology minor in Studio Art GPA: 3.71