Michael Platte Portfolio
Artist Statement
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I was once asked, “Why do you make art?” I found it very difficult to answer. I reflected on my work, but I was discouraged because I could not immediately see why I created anything. As I studied and pondered, I later found the answer I was looking for, “Art is not for me.” When I was very young I started to write a fantasy novel. My initial goals were selfish, but they changed drastically over the years. The hero of my novel shows bravery in the face of overwhelming odds against him. The way he grips his sword shows his determination. Even I as the author was inspired with courage as I read my own words. I used colored pencils and later made vector illustrations to invoke positive feelings in others based on the imaginary images from my book. For another project I created composite images of Calvin and Hobbes using Adobe Photoshop. I balanced the color and added realistic looking shadows and details to blend the cartoon into reality. For how simple the project was, I had an overwhelmingly positive response from family and friends. What I thought I did only for myself had brought forth the powerful feeling of nostalgia. The images were a reminder of the love of childhood things left behind for the things of the adult world. I am inspired by the words of Gary Larson, the author of the “Far Side” comic strips. He would sit at his desk and gaze out his window at the garden below. He would take notice of the individual leaves, the caterpillars crawling on them, and the spider in his window. What some would call “the little things” he would make a big deal. In the words of Sherlock Holmes, “They are only trifles Watson, but there is nothing more important than the trifles!” I try to keep these things in mind as I create things. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. When I say, “Art is not for me.” I mean it is not how I feel about it, it is what I can have others feel.
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Personal Brand Logo What it is
A vector logo made in Adobe Illustrator
What it was for
A personal brand logo for the author of a fantasy novel
Category
Vector logo design
Description The image is of a serpentine dragon head looping into an infinity symbol. The spines make it unique to look at, while the body utilizes the continuation gestalt principal. It is based on the hero of a fantasy novel and represents near infinite power, as well as a connection to the magical dragons in the world. The hero has this symbol magically placed on his hand as a sign of his power and position. The head and larger back spines were formed with the pen tool. The teeth and spines were shaped with the polygon tool. The body was made with one straight line and manipulated into a lemniscate by use of the Bezier curves
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Silver Sword Productions Logo What it is
Vector logo made in Adobe Illustrator and finished in Adobe Photoshop
What it was for
Mock-up design for a company logo
Category
Vector logo design
Description The image is of a sword from a fantasy novel. It was used as inspiration but is able to be replaced of another sword of a different style and form. Having the sword weave in and out of the second S was a challenge, eventually I finished the project in Adobe Photoshop to put the S over the sword and masked away the center.
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American River Automotive Department Sticker What it is
A vector logo for the American River College automotive department
What it was for
Cut into a vinyl sticker for advertising purposes
Category
Vector logo design
Description I was approached and asked to use Adobe Photoshop to create a flat image of the American River College logo. After some confusion I discovered the intent for the project so I switched to Adobe Illustrator. I outlined the images easily enough with the pen tool as well as the ARC letters. The project was intended to be used on a vinyl cutting machine to make a sticker for the automotive department. I finished the project of my own volition as the client attempted to use something that wouldn’t work. When I was approached the second time I had the project finished and ready for production
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Hero’s Hand
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What it is
Vector Illustration using Adobe Illustrator
What it was for
Graphic cover for a fantasy novel
Category
Digital illustration
Conceptual sketch
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Villain’s Hand
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What it is
Vector Illustration using Adobe Illustrator
What it was for
Graphic cover for a fantasy novel
Category
Digital illustration
Conceptual sketch
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Winter Wonderland
What it was for
Personal artistic expression 14
What it is
Composite image made using Adobe Photoshop
Category
Raster artwork 15
It Could Be Better
What it was for
Personal artistic expression 16
What it is
Composite image made using Adobe Photoshop
Category
Raster artwork 17
Afternoon Adventure
What it was for
Personal artistic expression 18
What it is
Composite image made using Adobe Photoshop
Category
Raster artwork 19
Michael Platte 55555 Auburn, CA, 55555 555-555-5555 mjplatte@gmail.com
Education
- High school diploma Horizon charter school - 2006 - Sierra College Applied Art and Design certificate - 2016
Project Accomplishments
- Vector illustrations for the cover of the fantasy novel “The Light Bearer” - 2015
- Vector logo sticker for the American River College automotive department - 2015 - Completion of a series of works devoted to “Calvin and Hobbes in Adobe Photoshop - 2015
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Punctual On task Uplifting Creative problem-solver Helpful Imaginative Patient
- Adobe CC - Microsoft Word
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Apple/Mac Windows/PC Android/tablet Scanner
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Skills
Software Hardware
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