Graphics for an 18-Wheeler: New Territory!
March 30, 2016
Soon to appear on a Mack truck doing short to medium hauling in Washington and Oregon is this logo I designed for a long-time client. He is a unique man, and the only person I've ever known to have simultaneous careers as a commercial airline pilot and a medical doctor. What was next on his bucket list? To become a truck driver with his own big rig. And, as an appreciator of applied artwork, his intent was to customize his tractor/trailer. Because most of what I've done for him over the years is custom calligraphic work on paper, it did surprise me that he contacted me to see if I would be interested in his next bucket list foray.
Artwork with the technical qualities that allow it to be reproduced at enormous sizes is best executed as a vector-based image. This I did, using Adobe Illustrator. Still somewhat green in my experience with this software, I did encounter my fair share of learning curves but this was all worthwhile. Originally inspired by a Cuban cigar box graphics, I designed an imaginary tobacco farm on the bay near the Cuban city of Cienfuegos ("one hundred fires"). My client had a lot of say in what is depicted in this image. Everything was drawn within the program except the bottom line of information which is set in a font. The lettering was inspired by the cigar box design from early in the 20th c.