barnes & noble back-to-campus collection

Working for Working Class Studio, a SCAD based design studio powered by the creative forces of their students, I was given the opportunity to design some items for Barnes & Noble book sellers. I worked along side a small team of my peers to create multiple surface designs that we hoped would be selected for mass production. The competition was stiff but ultimately I had two surface designs selected by the B&N product development team: “Vegas, baby, Vegas” and “Here Comes the Rooster.”

In the spring of 2008, Barnes & Noble flew me to New York City to attend their breakfast preview of their Back-to-Campus product line. It was exciting to see the entire lineup, speak with other artist from SCAD, and discuss our concepts with wholesale buyers.

–

Client: Working Class Studio for Barnes & Noble

Additional Credits: Director of New Product Development: Anna Burgard, Art Director: Devin O’Bryan

To add an extra dimension to the journals and sketchbooks, a spot gloss varnish was added to the exterior to help simulate the shimmering lights of Las Vegas. The sketchbooks measured 8 x 11.25 inches with blank pages. The journals measured 7.5 x 9.75 inches with ruled pages and elastic closure strap.

The “Vegas, baby, Vegas” design was inspired by an early summer, all bachelors’ vacation in Las Vegas. Modern atomic era elements & contrasting varnishes combine to mimic the over-the-top lights that defined the golden area of Sin City. In addition to sketchbooks & journals, Barnes & Noble produced a plastic tumbler using the “Vegas, baby, Vegas” surface design.

“Here Comes the Rooster” was obviously named after that one famous song from that one famous band. Contrary to the song, this depiction is slightly more cheerful. The additional texture of the cover stock compliments the linoleum cut style of the illustration very well. The sketchbooks measured 8 x 11.25 inches with blank pages. The journals measured 7.5 x 9.75 inches with ruled pages and elastic closure strap.