Sappi paper company recently hosted the “Get out the vote” button contest on 24-7designheaven.com. The task; create a button that screams, “get out and vote!” I threw two designs together then proceeded to upload both, as the first 100 designers received a free iTunes gift card. I quickly discovered that only one entry would be accepted per designer. “Drats!” I exclaimed as I had uploaded my least favorite of the two (seen above). Still, my iTunes gift card arrived shortly thereafter, and I began downloading feverishly.

I just received word today from Sappi, stating that my design “had been selected from hundreds of entries to potentially be featured on Sappi’s display booth throughout the fall season”. Really, you’re joking?! was my first thought. Pretty cool considering it wasn’t my favorite of the two designs. I was thrilled just to expand my music collection. But the email clearly states “potentially featured” so as for now my feet are firmly planted on the ground. I will update if it makes it through the final selection process.

Disclaimer: For the record, it was NOT my intention to endorse one party over the other. After reading the instruction to the contest, I simply wanted to create a “generic” button that speaks to the issue of voting. Whether you vote Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green or Marijuana party (yes, there actually is a marijuana party) you are voting for a “new direction” which is why I titled it such.

If you’re not familiar with Pandora then I suggest you become acquainted. You tell Pandora a song or artist you like and they only play music similar in style. You can set up multiple “stations”, one for every mood.

They’re currently taking submissions for their second annual poster contest to support Global Giving. Above is my entry. If you like it, you can vote here. While you’re there be sure to check out all the other great entries.

So recently, a fellow designer and I were discussing how we often feel like trained graphical monkeys. Mashing the buttons on our keyboards while the zoo keeper hands us endless edits, and slips a little food down the tube in the wall. The comment was made that all we needed were “monkey bars” over our doors. After that long, uncomfortable pause I asked . . . monkey bars? Which they clarified. What they actually meant to say was “cage bars”, but it was too late . . . my mind had already formed the picture you see here.

But it’s only Wednesday! This is my first ever Illustration Friday project. In case you’re wondering Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday, then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation. I set aside some time this week for the challenge. This is a slight departure for me, I expanded my color pallet a bit and added more detail to the subject (in this case our fearful-saurus). For other samples of my illustrations check out my gallery.

Just wanted to send out a special thanks to CSSElite.com for featuring my site (and the others who picked it up). And thanks to you for stopping by and checking me out. Come back soon, as I’m just putting the finishing touches on a new illo. One I’m pretty happy with.

Cheers!

I sketched this idea out about seven years ago. When I finally got around to working on it, I discovered that the original sketch was lost somewhere between here and the other places I’ve moved since then. This is the “new and improved” version. I tweaked a few things and changed the armor, which was originally more Roman.