james mcneill portfolio

1 Rubik’s Cube 2 Charge Typeface

3 Your opinion Matters 4 J3 Snowboards

5 Jusu Energy Drink

6 Vibram Minimalist Cleat 7 American Rugby League

8 Gaslight Anthem: Night

9 Surf Caddy App

5 Jusu Energy Drink

10 Hartford Whalers

Rubik’s CubeOverview

Since the 1980’s the Rubik’s Cube has been one

of the most recognizable puzzle games in the world.

Some may say it is outdated, or boring, but it

actually the perfect device to bring with you as

you are on the go; It is small, light, and portable.

It doesn’t even make any disruptive sounds that

could cause you problems in certain public settings.

Challenge

The problem we face is that the Rubik’s Cube has

clearly been lost in the clutter of all the Gameboys,

and smart phones, and PSPs of today.

Solution

The solution I used to resolve this issue, was to

literally put the game back into the hands of

the user. By placing the cube in a plyer’s hands

and utilizing a first person perspective give the

user sense of how the game would or could

appear in their everyday life. The tag line “Play.

Even when you shouldn’t” then reinforces the

idea of how addicting the game actually is. This

Promotional campaign includes three single page

print advertisements, one two-page spread, a

social networking tool, and one content unique

advertising tool concept.

1

Double Truck Print Advertisement

McNeill Graphic DesignSingle Page Print Advertisement

Single Page Print Advertisement

Twitter Account- Tweet videos of your best times to win weekly giveaways.

McNeill Graphic DesignPromotional Partnership with Nissan, that will enable a marketing team to travel to college campuses and other special events.

Charge TypefaceOverview

Charge, is a Red Dot Awarded product concept

for a battery design that is rechargeable by the

twisting of two ends of the battery to create

friction, and in turn creates energy.

Challenge

The idea behind this project was to create a

typeface that could be used by the conceptual

company for their branding, based on the design

of the product to create a cohesive image or

persona for the product.

Solution

Here I utilized the ridge shape depicted in the

product diagram to accent the letter forms and

to also serve as serif shapes on the ends of many

of the letters. I made the letters a wider stance to

accent the idea “power”. This project includes the

design of the typeface itself, and three possible

cases of said font, and one example of how it

could be used in a store advertisement.

2

Various Weights of CHARGE

Standard

Italic

Bold

light

McNeill Graphic DesignStore Display Example

Your Opinion MattersOverview

Your Opinion Matters is a conceptual ad campaign

with the purpose on spreading knowledge and

awareness about the American Presidential

Candidates for the 2012 election. and their views

on popular issues our country is dealing with today.

Challenge

The problem faced in this project is that many

young voters (from 18 - 22) have varying opinions

and beliefs about many subjects, many that by

comparison are insignificant to the ideologies of

the potential next U.S. president, the campaign’s

focus is to encourage these potential voters to

educate themselves on the candidates’ beliefs.

Solution

The solution I chose was to utilize of first person,

where the viewer might identify with the phrases

or sketches in the various “doodles” throughout

the notebook. Also this was accomplished by the

surrounding environments creeping into the photo

and placing the viewer in potentially familiar

setting. This project includes three two page

spreads and a social networking site through

twitter that would enable “followers” to “tweet”

the YOM account and ask questions of the

candidates, and weekly a select few would be

answered back.

3

McNeill Graphic DesignDouble Truck Print Advertisement

McNeill Graphic DesignTwitter Account

4J3 SnowboardsOverview

J3 Snowboards is a conceptual snowboard

company that would be based out of Newbury,

New Hampshire right next to Mount Sunapee.

Challenge

The problem faced in this company design is

creating a logo and brand that models and

represents the culture of the New England

snowboarding community, but also can stand out

of the crowd, in an overly graphic industry.

Solution

To solve this problem I chose to make a sharper

sportier looking logo. Many logos in the industry

are rounded or softer in appearance. The green

and Blue colors featured in the logo are bold yet

still professional looking and match the sharp and

clean styling of the letter forms. Here the logo and

branding style is showcased in a business card,

letterhead and envelope.

S N O W B O A R D S

McNeill Graphic DesignBusiness Card, Letterhead and Envelope

Business Card, Letterhead and Envelope

McNeill Graphic DesignBusiness Card, Letterhead and Envelope

5

Jusu Energy DrinkOverview

Jusu is a concept for a Natural “Energy Drink”,

hailing from Eastern Asia, it would only contain

organic fruit juices and vitamins derived from

natural ingredients rather than chemicals like many

drinks on the market today.

Challenge

The Challenge for Jusu was to create an attractive

logo for the drink, and to create an ad campaign

that grabbed the attention of the potential buyer

without abandoning the natural and organic

stylings and principles of the energy drink.

Solution

For the logo, I utilized a circle, as it represents

wholeness and balance. The Green and gold

represent life and energy through nature. The

JUSU font is representative of the Asian influence

and the Chinese Character means tranquility. This

project features a logo design, three single page

print advertisements, and one store display.

E N E R G Y

N A T U R A L

C - 75M - 30Y- 100K - 0

C - 5.49M - 30Y- 65.49K - 0

McNeill Graphic DesignStore Display

Vibram Minimalist CleatOverview

Vibram is a shoe company based in Italy, they are

most commonly known for being credited with

pioneering the barefoot running movement with

their “Five Finger” line of shoes, which mimics the

exact shape of the foot - toes and all.

Challenge

The Challenge was to concept a design for a

“Five Finger” soccer cleat. Many players enjoy

the control of playing barefoot, so one could say

Vibram was a natural fit. Then create an engaging

and interactive advertisement campaign.

Solution

To meet these needs I focused on the feeling

and tactile advantage a player would receive

playing barefoot, but attacked the problem of

traction and presented the Vibram cleat as the

only obvious solution. Also the interactivity of the

overlaying page again plays on the sense of touch

or “feeling”. The Vibram Cleat campaign includes

an interactive print ad, a web banner ad, and a

mailer.

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Interactive Print Advertisement

McNeill Graphic DesignInteractive Print Advertisement

Web Banner Frame by Frame

McNeill Graphic DesignDirect Mailer- made of weighted plastic

American Rugby leagueOverview

The American Rugby League is a proposed

professional rugby league that would be based

in America. Rugby is a growing sport, much of its

commercial success in the U.S. can be attributed

to it’s physicality and brutal hits.

Challenge

The object set forth was to create a logo for

this foreign sport that would help it fit into the

American culture. Then create a series of ads that

would entice American sport fans.

Solution

To create a logo that would be easily merged into

American sports culture, I utilized a style that is similar

to both the MLB and NBA’s logos. The red and blue

around the white silhouette are very iconic and

traditional. Then to capture the viewer’s eye I used

a stark white background to make the football

equipment and sarcastic headlines pop. The intent

is to capture football fans with the imagery and

then express the physicality of the sport which

would create an interest. This effort includes the

logo design, three single page advertisements, and

one bus stop or street poster advertisement.

7


Trying to keep your figure?

COMING APRIL 7th, RUGBY. SATURDAYS ON

ARL


Worried about messing up your hair?


ARL


Afraid to break a nail?


ARL

McNeill Graphic DesignBus Stop or Street Poster

American Rugby League Law 4 Article 6Players may not wear protective or grip enhancing gloves or mits.

American Rugby League Law 4 Diagram

American Rugby League Law 4 Article 7Players may not wear protective chest, back, or shoulder pads of any form.


American Rugby League Law 4 Article 1Players may not wear protective headgear unless required by physician or trainer.


ARL

American Rugby League Law 4 Article 6Players may not wear protective or grip enhancing gloves or mits.

American Rugby League Law 4 Diagram



American Rugby League Law 4 Article 1Players may not wear protective headgear unless required by physician or trainer.


ARL

Gaslight Anthem: NightOverview

The Gaslight Anthem is an American rock band,

from New Brunswick, New Jersey. Boasting a

modern day sound that echoes past generations

of Rock n’ Roll. They have released three albums

since 2006 and “Night” is the proposed fourth

album to be released.

Challenge

The challenge for this project was to create a

limited edition CD case and special item to be

given away to the first fifty fans at the release show.

Solution

My solution to this problem was to make an album

case made from organic paper. The design of the

case is minimalist in nature, relying mostly on the

star imagery to capture the eye of the buyer. The

special item to be given away is a signed set of

limited edition prints made by the drummer of the

band that comes hidden inside the case. Seen

here is the package itself and the print series.

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Album Case and construction

Glue Tab

Glue Tab

Front

Back First Folds

Second Fold

FrontBackInsideI nside

1 2 3

McNeill Graphic DesignPrints & Album Cover

Prints & Album Cover

McNeill Graphic DesignPrints & Album Cover

9Surf Caddy AppOverview

Surf Caddy is a concept for a smart phone App

that is designed to not only be a surf report App,

but to also be a surfer’s connection to the surf

community through social networking tools, and

up to date location based surf information.

Challenge

The Purposed challenge was to create an App that

provided a service to its users in the form of social

networking, while still follow the basic principles and

theories behind general App design and layout.

Solution

To accomplish this task I set out to create a

visually appealing App based on the combination

of surf styling and golf styling based on the

connotation of service that is inherent with a

Caddy, all while using the tab bar format for

the App. This design concept encompasses the

logo design, App concept, and the basic visual

elements and structure of the App.

McNeill Graphic Designx

10

Hartford Whalers HockeyOverview

The Hartford Whalers were an NHL hockey team

from 1979 to 1997, based in Hartford Connecticut.

The team moved to South Carolina and are now

the Carolina Hurricanes.

Challenge

This project is based off the idea that the team is

returning to Hartford and the challenge that stands

is creating a new logo and complete brand for the

reestablished NHL hockey team, that gives new life

to the franchise and creates an aggressive look.

Solution

To answer this challenge I used the name to create

a new team mascot, that creates a persona and

could be used along with my custom team font.

The colors are inspired by the classic team logo,

but are tweaked to match the ever progressing

look of newer teams in the league. My team

brand design includes A mascot design, a primary

logo design, a secondary logo, ticket layout, and

design concepts for team uniforms and apparel.

McNeill Graphic DesignTickets

Home Jersey

McNeill Graphic DesignAway Jersey

Alternate Jersey

McNeill Graphic DesignApparel

Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another. -Ernest Hemingway

james mcneill portfolio

Documents

page spread

product concept

challengethe idea

product diagram

challengethe problem

battery design

solutionthe solution

candidates beliefs