Design Resources Added

ARCHON Creative Design continually strives to be your full-service graphic design firm, and the best clients are well informed before we even start your project. To help with that, we’ve assembled a list of excellent graphic design resources for clients and fellow designers, which we’ve added to the sidebar. We’ll be adding to this list as time goes on, so be sure to stop by regularly!

Tragedy at Virginia Tech

I sat dumbstruck yesterday as the details unfolded surrounding the brutal slayings of 32 Virginia Tech students and faculty members. Blacksburg and VT hold a special place in my heart… I spent 7 years there with work and college, I met my wife there, I made scores of lasting friendships from the fellow students and co-workers I met there, I fell in love with the mountains there and had some of the best years of my life in Blacksburg. Every time the death toll went up on CNN, it was like a physical blow, kind of like a little slice of 911 again.

I’m not trying to be dramatic, but I can’t help but think now, will the University ever be the same? What could drive an individual to commit such senseless and ugly acts of violence? It sure got the country’s attention… and maybe that was the gunman’s intention, but it sure is a sick and sad way to do so. Every fellow alumni I’ve spoken to feels the same mixture of sadness, rage and helplessness I do.

My thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the families of the victims… for those of you who may be inclined to do so, please consider donating to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund.

- Matthew Tice, Owner/Lead Designer, ARCHON Creative Design

Janua Coeli Website

We’re happy to announce that the Janua Coeli Cancer Foundation website is up and running just in time for the grand opening of the Cancer Foundation Retreat. We’re really excited to be involved with this project, and such a noble cause. If you’re not from the area or familiar with the foundation, please visit the website and maybe even make a donation of time or money if you’re inclined to do so.

We know, of course, no website is never actually “finished”, and have plenty of plans for the future… especially making the For The Kids section of the site more fun and interactive. As soon as the families start coming in this summer, we’ll also have plenty of new pictures available on the Virtual Tour section as well.

Owner’s Choice Coming Soon!

Our recent project with Z-man Games has come to fruition… Owner’s Choice is currently at the printers and is scheduled for a Late May/Early June release. Check out their website for details on the game and pricing.

Nature’s Revenge II

This third piece I call Nature’s Revenge II. The original painting is acrylic on canvas with texturing created by thick layering of paint and Liquid Nails. The artists for the associated poetry/lyrics (which truly inspired the work), Skinny Puppy, have just released their thirteenth album, Mythmaker this past January.

–

weather turning towards a storm
broken down road continue on coexistance
imitating paradise unlike any seen moist
has been dancing crazy overcast ash grey
wording constantly pushing pulling pushes away
drew back a rusty knife guilt ladle pour
it understand i burn inside how to get out
of here how do you get out of this
natures revenge nature cage craving wonder
the worth of it scream at the top of your lungs
so many times tried not to wonder

Skinny Puppy © 2007
from Too Dark Park
( Nettwerk Records 1990 )

–

I’ve also got some wallpaper downloads of the Nature’s Revenge II painting:

800×600 | 1024×768 | 1280×1024 | 1600×1200

Hope you enjoy!

Whoa! …has something changed?

Why yes it has… I’m glad you asked. Welcome to the ARCHON Creative weblog! While Darkside Studios will remain for any comic book and game related work, ARCHON will be the new face of our graphic design services. Hope you like the new look, and since I’ve been a bit remiss in updated the blog lately, I’ve got some ARCHON inspired wallpaper downloads of the Adrift in the Ether painting:

800×600 | 1024×768 | 1280×1024 | 1600×1200

Hope you enjoy!

Rage

This second piece I call Rage. The original painting is acrylic on canvas. The artists for the associated poetry/lyrics, Chevelle, are currently getting ready for the release of their fourth studio album in April, Vena Sera.

–

…This change, he won’t contain, Slip away, to clear your mind.
When asked, who made it show, The truth, he gives in to most.

So lay down, the threat is real, When his sight goes red again…

Chevelle © 2007
from Wonder What’s Next
( Epic Records 2002 )

Adrift in the Ether

Darkside Studios offers many services in the graphic arts, but my background is in the fine arts. Periodically, I’d like to share some of my “other” works with you, the reader, as a little thank you for stopping by. This first piece I call Adrift in the Ether. I’ve included a piece of inspirational poetry, which doesn’t necessarily describe the work, but explores it much more eloquently than I ever could. The original painting is acrylic on canvas. The poet, Thomas A Clark is still alive, and living in Scotland.

–

in the half-light of dusk
after the day has prepared
hard surfaces for inspection
before the night has plunged
things back into themselves
there is a settlement in which
the external and the internal are
continuous with the evening air
if you are alone at the edge
of shadows you are not alone
the hours of light shine in you
with a compacted energy that
also burns in tree and stone
partly revealed and partly veiled

Thomas A Clark © 2006
from The Path to the Sea ( Arc Publications 2006 )

Life in the Smokies

As a way of expressing just why exacly we’ve relocated to this part of the country, I’m going to try to post photos of life in the region whenever I can. I’ll try to have new content at least once a week… thumbnails of the latest photos will appear in the sidebar. Enjoy!

Welcome Back!

After a short hiatus due to some web host issues, we’re back in business. 

2006 was a crazy and exciting year for me (and Darkside Studios). Although I’ve worked as a professional designer since 1994, Darkside Studios hasn’t been an official business entity until this year. Since the company’s inception we’ve relocated several hundred miles from the DC/Baltimore area to the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. While life in the mountains is beautiful and inspiring, it also presents its own unique set of challenges (like dial-up connectivity), which I’m working through. Thank you to all of you who were so patient during the down time of the move.

Despite any trials and tribulations and the craziness of the holidays now past, life is good. I wanted to take a minute to say thank you to all my clients for their business this past year, and hope we’ll have the opportunity to work together in 2007.

Stop in every once in a while for news and updates on our current jobs!