Johnnie Walker have launched the Jasper Goodall Limited Edition of their famous Black Label whisky. Limited to 1000 hand-signed bottles, the project saw Jasper create his own version of the whisky’s Striding Man logo. On reinterpreting the iconic figure, in use since 1908, Jasper said I knew almost straight away what I wanted to do. I recalled, during a visit to a whisky distillery years ago, the guide telling me how slowly, over time, a small amount of whisky evaporates and escapes the barrel, this is known as the ‘angels’ share’ and I felt that rendering the striding man in ’smoke’ would be the perfect expression of this concept.

You can pictures of the finished product here.

09 September, 2011 - Posted in Art Direction & Design, Illustration, Jasper Goodall | | Permalink

Will Sweeney has just completed the artwork for the latest promo for French electronic act Birdy Nam Nam. The video, which accompanies new song Goin’ In, is centred around a cosmic royal wedding in the land of Nam Nam. The video is Will’s latest for the group since The Parachute Ending, which was nominated as one of the 25 YouTube Play / Guggenheim videos, marking the most exceptional talent in online video. You can see more of Will’s animation work here.

06 September, 2011 - Posted in Art Direction & Design, Illustration, Moving Image, Will Sweeney | | Permalink

Big Active’s Mat Maitland describes his blog - Leopard Tree Dream - as “a crystal ball of record covers from my private collection…”. With frequent and insightful postings, celebrating the eclectic image-making that defined landmark releases by the likes of Grace Jones, Blue Oyster Cult and Vangellis, Mat shares his enthusiasm for an inspirational period of album sleeve design. Enjoy.

Above: GRACE JONES “MUSE” (1979) Art Direction by Grace Jones & Richard Bernstein. Cover art by Richard Bernstein.

05 September, 2011 - Posted in Art Direction & Design, Mat Maitland, Music | | Permalink