#FlashbackFriday: Let It Bleed

The SF Bay Guardian's Music + Food issue was the first SFBG cover shoot I had fully conceptualized, planned, directed and styled after the transition period with former art director Mirissa Neff had ended, and I'm still really proud of it.

The shoot itself was chaotic yet creative, with photographer Matthew Reamer and myself troubleshooting late at night, in real time at his Mission studio to make sure we had the right setup with the right props to best reflect a modern, San Francisco-focused version of the Rolling Stones' Let It Bleed album cover... 

It was definitely my first time running and directing a shoot, and I had a lot to learn. Looking back now, I would have kicked myself for not having sketched out how I wanted everything to look —even if we in the moment decided to stray from the plan, as some of the best work often does. 

But the creative energy and on-the-spot design and construction was so inspiring, and made me realize exactly how much I was going to love this new job.

Walking home after the shoot, after having selected the final photos that would be on the cover and also printed inside with the article, slice of late-night pizza in hand, is still the moment that epitomizes satisfaction for me.

(But yes, the pizza was a leftover prop from the shoot... and yes, I guess that's at least a little bit gross.)

Death is not the end

Yesterday, on the morning after we sent the SF Bay Guardian's 40th annual Best of the Bay issue to press, staff were informed that the 48-year-old alternative weekly — "raising hell since 1966" — would be shut down effective immediately.

There's still a lot to process. Many things, including how to handle the paper's storied archives —online and in print — still need to be sorted out between the owners, the staff and the community. 

I'm sad, obviously. But I'm glad that the SF Bay Guardian's last issue (at least in this incarnation) is a great one. 

Publisher/Executive Editor Marke B. and I worked with local legend Jeremy Fish for this year's Best of the Bay artwork. Fish being Fish, I gave him very little art direction aside from the issue's theme (ironically Día de los Muertos, more on that below) and the four categories in which we give awards (City Living, Food+Drink, Arts+Entertainment, and Shopping). Per usual, Fish killed it, making this not only one of the most exciting issues I've worked on, but one of the easiest covers I've ever produced.

The Best of the Bay issue hits stands today, so go to your nearest SFBG newsstand, pick up a copy, admire Jeremy Fish's insane talent, and read about all of the reasons why we love San Francisco and the Bay Area. See Fish's artwork below, and scroll to the bottom to check out the entire paper on ISSUU.

I'll end with some all too relevant words from Marke B.'s introduction to Best of the Bay, on why we chose Día de los Muertos as this year's theme:

Lately when it comes to the Bay Area, "change" has been the dominant subject of conversation — especially in terms of what's been lost in arts, industry, creative types, and overall freak factor. But change can be a great positive motivator, and in celebrating the things no longer with us, we keep their spirits alive — and at the ready to help us embrace new beginnings.

Scroll through the entire 40th annual Best of the Bay edition, the SF Bay Guardian's last issue:

Ai Weiwei

With space specifically set aside for art, a relatively low page count, and stories that were generally turned in on time, I was afforded some extra time to think about my layouts for this week's issue — a rare luxury!

I'm especially happy with the Ai Weiwei spread (pages 28-29) and the beginning of the Music section (pages 20-21).

For the piece on Ai Weiwei's @Large exhibition on Alcatraz, we were able to send photographer Nassime Addi to The Rock to preview and photograph the exhibition, which made for fantastic interior art, as well as an online slideshow.

Flip through the issue below (check out those layouts!) or read the individual articles online here.

Pedaling and feasting

SF Bay Guardian editor Steven T. Jones spent much of his vacation this year biking and camping along the California coast, and wrote about it for our current Feast Issue.

Despite my crippling fear of biking with car traffic, he made the trip sound irresistible. I would love to try his route — or at least a portion of it — someday when I'm a little braver. Read his article here.

To accompany the piece, I created an infographic map that shows 12 of his most memorable meals along the coast. Check it out below.

Awkward sexy magic

For the SF Bay Guardian's annual Sex Issue, arts intern Daniel Bromfield wrote a feature/playlist on awkward songs to give oral to, which was hilarious and amazing. (Read it online here.)

I sent an early copy of the text to illustrator Gracy Henry Pincer, and we came up with this awkward sexy magic:

Layout for the Music section opener in the Bay Guardian's 2014 Sex Issue; illustration by Grace Henry Pincer

My virtual reality is made from cardboard

For the SF Bay Guardian's annual Sex Issue, we decided to base our 2014 cover shoot on our cybersex story, and go with a TRON-esque setup (inspired by Playboy's 2010 tribute) with Virtual Reality headsets, à la Oculus Rift.

We immediately found two perfect models: dominatrixes Maitresse Madeline and Lorelei Lei at Kink.com, which kindly allowed us to stage the photo shoot in Kink's Battlestar Galactica space at the San Francisco Armory. (Sidenote: Kink has the most amazing prop closet I've ever seen!)

And photographer Matthew Reamer took care of the blue and red lighting to perfection.

But I ran into problems finding an Oculus Rift VR headset that would be available during our scheduled photo shoot. After looking at a few VR spoofs online, I decided to make my own with cardboard, goggles, and spray paint:

I think my fake headsets translated pretty well in the final cover:

Guardian photo of Maitresse Madeline (top) and Lorelei Lee by Matthew Reamer

Here's a behind-the-scenes shot from the photo shoot, courtesy of Matthew Reamer:

From left: Maitresse Madeline, Eleanor Bleier, Matthew Reamer, Pony Gold, Lorelei Lee, Brooke Ginnard

Pumping iron + smoking weed

Things I learned on the photo shoot for the SF Bay Guardian's Pot Olympics cover: 

1. The secret to staying young is exercising every day (especially skiing in the winter and hiking and/or playing volleyball in the summer) and smoking weed.

2. With the right equipment, my apartment (specifically the central space connecting my kitchen, living room and bedroom) can be transformed into a photo studio.

3. If you put your energy into doing the things that you love, everything will be OK.

4. Everyone has a cannabis card.

5. My neighbors do not care if the hallway smells like weed for an entire day.

6. Michael Keeney is a fantastic photographer. (But I already knew that.) 

7. Medium is a hell of a show.

Guardian photo of Brad Olsen by Michael Keeney

Read the story here; flip through the full issue here.

Burning Man jumps the shark

As soon as the phrase "Burning Man has jumped the shark" started being thrown around earlier this year, an image of the man on waterskis popped into my head, and I campaigned for SF Bay Guardian editor / Burning Man author Steven T. Jones to write a cover story.

I felt like a collage lent itself really well to the surreal image I had in mind, as well as the basic logistics of the festival itself — people and art appearing in and then eventually disappearing from the desert, leaving no trace.

I scoured a small collection of magazines for a mix of desert and ocean hues, and tore those pages into smaller pieces that focused on color and pattern, leaving behind only a hint of the original image. I then arranged those pieces on my living room floor. Instead of gluing them down for a more manicured look, I let the pieces curl and create depth and shadows.

After photographing the physical collage, I used Photoshop to insert images from Burning Mans past into the desert portion. I also used the software to add a man on skis, and a shark for him to jump over, à la Fonzie. 

Collage using torn magazines, AP file photos, and clip art.

Nude beaches

For the SF Bay Guardian's 40th annual Nude Beaches issue, I decided to transform an iconic nude image — Michelangelo's David — into a nude beachgoing bro.

I used Photoshop to transform the statue into a sand sculpture, and added modern neon props and colorful light leaks resembling an Instagram filter for a cover that's both a humorous allusion to an iconic work of art, and a parody on hipster culture. 

I had SO MUCH FUN transforming iconic works of art in Photoshop ... despite the fact that putting a beer can in David's hand may be one of the most despicable things I've ever done. 

WARNING: Past Nude Beaches cover photos, displayed at the end of this post, contain full-frontal nudity and are not safe for work.

Below are the cover photos from the past two years, both photographed by Matthew Reamer. (WARNING: NSFW!)

For the 2013 issue, I decided to experiment with nude typography. I gathered a group of friends (and friends of friends) to spell out the word "NUDE" on San Francisco's Baker Beach (the nude-friendly end, obviously), then used Photoshop to superimpose "BEACHES" on the sand below them.

The 2012 issue featured a photo of three people hanging out (literally) (sorry) at Baker Beach. It was the first time in the Guardian's history we were allowed to feature a penis on the cover, and we took full advantage. The cover photo attracted attention from Jezebel, whose online commenters also applauded us for featuring beautiful, real bodies.

Fun fact: The 2012 nude beaches shoot was the first photo shoot I ever coordinated for the SF Bay Guardian.

Photo by Matthew Reamer

Photo by Matthew Reamer

Life and death at SF General

Matthew Fleming makes my job insanely easy.

I literally asked him to do a hospital illustration that conveyed a lot of interconnected activity — ambulances traveling, IVs, beds, nurses, mental health care, bandages — and that would include a big human heart for me to superimpose a headline on.

And then this happened, with no further direction:

Matthew Fleming, you're amazing. Also check out the tech cover he illustrated for me last year.

Vacation rush

I recently returned to work after spending two wonderful weeks in Italy and France. I ate to my heart's content, swam in the Mediterranean, read three books, and drank a lot of wine. But to get to that state of relaxation, I had to frantically work ahead before I left. 

Thankfully someone took over layout and art request duties during my absence, but I didn't want to leave without putting together two covers that would run during my absence.

The first cover (which ran second) was for a story about defining the brogrammer and exploring diversity in tech. Since the article's concept was still developing, I wanted to come up with a cover image that was on-point, but still universal enough to capture the changing direction of the piece. 

Hence: the cloud heads. The cloud-head concept works in three ways: 
1. Most tech workers literally work in the cloud. 
2. Brogrammers have their "heads in the clouds" and are out of touch with most peoples' realities of life in San Francisco.
3. The vast majority of tech workers are white males.

I put the cloud heads in front of a mechanical-looking SF skyline. (Thank you, Photoshop filters.) I think I nailed it.

This next cover, which ran the first week I was gone, was for a replacement story that I ended up putting together at the very last minute. 

We originally planned to run a feature on SF General hospital that week, and I had commissioned a beautiful illustration for the cover far in advance. However, the writer determined that she needed more time for the piece, so it was shelved in favor of a story on Recology's shady practices. (The SF General cover hits stands tomorrow, so stay tuned!)

The Recology story was originally pitched as being purely about compost, and I decided this would be a good opportunity to write on a banana — a growing desire produced by Jason Polan's Instagram feed.

When the piece became more elaborate, I incorporated all waste bins — compost, recycling and garbage — in a background resembling the look of an online game, in order to fit with the story's updated headline.

Good golly, Miss Ronnie

For the SF Bay Guardian's July 2 issue, I used a sassy file photo of Ronnie Spector from the '60s, plus a sassy typography treatment in summery colors for a cover that's both classic and playful ... in addition to showing off Ronnie's (wait for it) sass.

Read Emma Silvers' story on the original bad girl of rock 'n' roll here.

Stamps for Pride

I put together these fantasy stamps of queer icons for the SF Bay Guardian's queer issue.

See the online slideshow version here.

The Identity Project

I love the Identity Project. It's a simple concept: photographs of LGBTQ community members accompanied by a strip of text explaining how they define themselves. But its beautiful, honest black and white portraits pack a powerful punch.

I initially discovered the project on Instagram while Insta-stalking artist Lisa Congdon, who was photographed for the project. (She's the extraordinarily happy, tattooed wife in the layout below, bottom right.) I immediately fell in love with the project, and it's been a happy addition to my photo feed ever since.

When publisher Marke B. put out a call for suggestions for the SF Bay Guardian's Hot Pink List — our annual list of queers we adore — queer femme Sarah Deragon, the photographer behind the Identity Project, was at the top of my list.

But as fate would have it, Sarah missed her plane flight home, missing her Hot Pink List portrait session on the Friday before we went to press. We found a wonderful replacement, but we were all disappointed about not being able to promote the Identity Project in this year's Queer Issue. So when we were hit with a bunch of last-minute ads on Monday and decided to increase the issue's page count, I knew exactly how I wanted to fill that space: with the Identity Project.

With Sarah's permission, we repurposed her already-done Hot Pink List interview, and I collaged her Identity Project portraits (and their labels) together in a layout I had been looking for an excuse to try. And I love how it turned out!

All photos by Sarah Deragon for the Identity Project

See the online version here.

2014 AAN Awards

Today I found out I'm a finalist in the Association of Alternative Newsmedia's 2014 awards for cover design!!! Check me out. 

Below are the three SF Bay Guardian covers I submitted for the entry.

In all of these designs, I relied heavily on physically making (with paper, an X-Acto knife, paint, gemstones) or staging (board-game pieces, my own fist), then photographing the elements and adding some digital touches in Photoshop. 

I haven't seen the other finalists' work (the website has not yet been updated with design submissions), but I'm hoping this hands-on approach gives me an edge.

Send winning vibes my way! (But honestly, I'm super stoked on being a finalist. Still pinching myself!)

Airbnb cover for the SF Bay Guardian, Aug. 7, 2013

Foreclosures cover for the SF Bay Guardian, Sept. 4, 2013

Queer gaming cover for the SF Bay Guardian, Oct. 23, 2013

Elemental Romance

It was hard to go wrong with this photo of Justin Vivian Bond.

The geometric typography treatment, inspired by V's earring, adds a bit of elegant fun. But V's eyes, lips, and outfit are the real stars.

Read the interview here.

Furqan's First Flat Top

Robert Trujillo, the mega-talented local artist I worked with for the SF Bay Guardian's 2013 Best of the Bay issue, is making a children's book! 

Please check out his Kickstarter page, and contribute if you can. 

Cover illustration for the SF Bay Guardian's 2013 Best of the Bay edition by Robert Trujillo

City Living illustration for the SF Bay Guardian's 2013 Best of the Bay edition by Robert Trujillo

Food + Drink illustration for the SF Bay Guardian's 2013 Best of the Bay edition by Robert Trujillo

Arts + Entertainment illustration for the SF Bay Guardian's 2013 Best of the Bay edition by Robert Trujillo

Shopping illustration for the SF Bay Guardian's 2013 Best of the Bay edition by Robert Trujillo

Election teaser

Here's a quick image I made for the SF Bay Guardian's social media channels, which teased its live election coverage June 3. The biggest issue this election was the waterfront, so I wanted that to be prominent. I recycled the water image from our endorsements cover, colored a city outline red and added white text for a patriotic feel.

Clocktails

Bookmark this. Because at some point, you're going to need a drink.

For a larger version, click here.

The treat sheet

I love this cover. It popped out of the stands. It's fun, summery, sweet, and really makes you want an ice cream cone. AND it was easy to make. 

Step 1: Find adorable photo of little girl eating an ice cream cone on your photo subscription service; realize that you have to find a way to use this image.

Step 2: Purchase a delectable ice cream cone from a local company that you want to feature in an upcoming food issue. (In this case, it's two scoops of lemon cookie and strawberry ice creams on a waffle cone from Three Twins — still highly recommended.)

Step 3: Hold cone, and have a partner photograph it.

Step 4: Eat ice cream. (My favorite part.)

Step 5: Use Photoshop to substitute the original boring ice cream cone with a photo of your delicious, locally made, publication-reviewed ice cream.

Step 6: Add a pink background, a snazzy headline font (yes, that's sail), and a subhead in a colorful geometric shape.

Boom!