“End Discrimination (Killed)” Magazine advertising 2001
“We want to work with people believe that the status quo
James Victore
“Advanced Backstabbing and Mudslinging Techniques” Book Cover 1991
is
a self-taught artist and designer. He was born in 1962 and raised in upstate New York. At an early age, he was inspired by photographs his father had taken while in the Air Force and posters he collected on his travels. He moved to New York City when he was 19 years old. He had dropped out of college and became an apprentice to designer Paul Bacon. He was self taught artist, he learned through his mentors, teachers, and influences like poster designer Henryk Tomaszewski.
and companies who is not enough...”
Contorverisal Work Victore’s studio is the “James Victore Inc.” in Brooklyn, NY. He started his design studio in 1990. In 1992, James Victore created a poster titled “Celebrate Columbus” that portrayed Christopher Columbus as a villain. He hung five thousand prints of this poster around Washington, D.C., and they were later removed by police.
“Celebrate Columbus” Printer Mechanical Cultural Poster
“South Africa Before/After” The New York Times 1995
“I continually strive to make work that is sexy, strong and memorable...”
“Come” Invitation/postcards 6 x 9” 2001
Making it Personal He puts himself into his work making it uniquely his own style. He makes his own hand-lettering and sometimes using it as a form in his work to help tell a story. His type isn’t just there as extra information it becomes interactive with the other elements in his work. Early projects were making book covers with topics of alcoholism, the occult, and how to sell used cars. He began taking small steps towards his rebellious style. He began by using type that was too small and hard to read. He used the wrong imagery to tell stories and signing the front and back covers.
“the few brave ones, both companies and individuals, who risk comfort and safety for a chance at beauty or being able to move someone- they have a potential to gain so much more.”
“Johnny Got his Gun” Book Cover 1991
“You can’t communicate with
“Bunnies” Use a Condom Social Posters Offset 28.75 x 20.25”
“Are You My Father?” New York Times Magazine Cover 1995
everyone, so don’t try.” Showing Opinions James Victore only works with clients who aren’t afraid to use subjects that might make people feel uncomfort-
able. He incorporates his own drawings and handwriting in his designs. He tends to use only black, white, and red for colors in his designs. He uses real issues in his work and voices his opinion even if they are controversial.
“Watching Hands” Poster 2011
Accomplishments His work shows his opinion, “I strive for one thing in my work: to make it personal.” His favorite format to work in is the poster. The subjects he addresses in his work are controversial like racism, the death penalty, unsafe sex, and politics. He has worked for Moet & Chandon, Aveda, Esquire magazine, TIME magazine, Yohji Yamamoto, Bobbi Brown cosmetics, The New York Times, and The School of Visual Arts in New York City. He works as a professor at The School of Visual Arts
“My goal in work, as in life, is to not only think and act creatively, but to be brave.” Vitore believes that a designer can’t make anything of value without express an opinion. He works a lot with posters to get his message across to people. He uses shocking images to get people’s attention and combines images with font to tell the rest of the message. His subjects can be serious with humor and playful images mixed in. He refers to himself as an “independent designer.” Being an independent designer gives him the freedom to make the choices he wants and to work with the kind of people he wants to work with. He strives to make his work personal. He believes that a designer’s work should show their own story, experiences, knowledge, and life in their work. He likes working with people and organizations that are wiling to make statements that are smart, sexy, brave, and powerful.
“Racism” Social Poster Slikscreen 26 x 40” 1993
“Just Say No” Silkscreen 38 x 25” 1999
Bibiliography: Victore, James. Victore, Or, Who Died and Made You Boss? New York: Abrams, 2010. Print. “James Victore Inc.” JamesVictore Inc. Web. 08 Apr. 2013. “Hill Curtis.” Hillman Curtis. Web. 08 Apr. 2013. “Design Notes- Learning to Think with James Victore.” Design Notes- Learning to Think with James Victore. N.p., n.d.Web. 08 Apr. 2013.
Portfolio Center Catalogue w/envelope 1998
Designed By Ashley Hall Composed Paltino and Hand of Sean