Peek at Perfect Portfolios for Projects

For the latest issue of Computer Arts Projects, I was asked to collate and write content for 4 double page articles, each one focusing on a different kind of portfolio. Spread through the magazine you'll find these contributions, which cover traditional, online, showreel and alternative portfolios.






Thanks to everyone who sent me their work for consideration - there was so much good stuff! Sorry that you couldn't all make it in!

Hole in the Wall

While working for a few weeks at Skive Creative earlier this year I got chance to do some design work on a viral marketing game from Virgin Money called Lose Your Anger. I designed (and animated) the main interface and intro screens, plus provided a few pixels for the backdrop of the game itself. It's all about the frustration you feel when left doodling because you're on hold, listening to Westlife or something equally soul-destroying. The idea is that you type in the name of your bank, and then proceed to demolish it!

Official PS2 magazine illustrations

In the latest issue of Official PS2 magazine in the UK, you'll find 4 of my illustrations. They accompany an article all about fan fiction, where fans of videogames take the characters, and write them into new stories. It was great fun to be able to illustrate some of my favourite game characters in these strange situations.

First up, Dante from Devil May Cry ends up falling for one of his rivals in from the third game. Aaaawww.... how romantic.



Next, The Metal Gear series has long been a favourite of mine, not least for the fantastic artwork that both Yoji Shinkawa, and more recently, Ashley Wood, have produced. So drawing Snake, Raider and Ocelot having a chat over chips and dips at a house-warming party was, despite sounding cheesy, a bit of a dream come true...




On a more serious tip, after Leon from Resident Evil 4 escorts Ashley back to the White House, all is not as it seems...



Finally, Lara Croft somehow ends up in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, and a sugar-based battle is the result. Don't ask me, I didn't write it!

A Breath of Fresh Hair

Below is the piece I submitted to the L'Oreal project, Send you Style. It took a while to create the layer mask for the hair, so I could illustrate the face beneath, but I'm really pleased how this little number turned out. If I do say so myself! Huge thanks to Daz and Dave (who designed the slinky site) for their support.

Snow Fighter II

In the latest issue of Advanced Photoshop, you'll find a tutorial showing how the following piece was created. Inspired by Street Fighter style videogames, it combines illustration, photography and vectors.