Evolution of a cover

The cover for the SF Bay Guardian's Freedom of Information issue, which focused on Aaron Swartz, wasn't fully realized until the interior graphic feature was completed.

We knew we wanted to feature Aaron prominently on the cover, but have the focus be on the achievements and impact of his work. Illustrator Sean Morgan and I went through a few sketches before settling on the use of circular connectors and a thumbprint — two elements recurring throughout the graphic feature — to help connect the feature with the cover cleanly and vibrantly.

Illustration by Sean Morgan

The Saga of Aaron Swartz

Last week's SF Bay Guardian graphic feature on the life and work of Internet activist and icon Aaron Swartz, illustrated by Sean Morgan, reminded me how powerful art can be, and how much of an impact we can have when we think outside the box of traditional storytelling. 

I met Morgan at a CCA Illustration Thesis Review I attended in December, where I was blown away by his black-and-white work ... and the fact that I was frantically searching for someone with exactly his talent to illustrate the SFBG's Candidate X issue — the fictional saga of a political superhero's emergence in San Francisco.

The black-and-white Candidate X was a success, and as soon as I heard the words "political graphic novel" in a planning meeting for the SFBG's annual Freedom of Information issue, I knew Morgan would again be a perfect choice. I was really excited to work with him again — this time in color — and create something impactful, relevant, and just plain fun to read.

Illustrations by Sean Morgan