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Tag: cyberpunk

  • Crossroads

    neon

    I’ve been working on Phantom Port for a year or so now, on and off.

    This past weekend I vended at FlameCon (which was incredible) and I’ve got another show coming up in September. Admittedly it is not what I had hoped it was. Don’t get me wrong, I do well enough. I’ve met plenty of other vendors who have had far less successful shows than me, but I imagined doing better than I have been.

    I don’t mean for that to sound disparaging to others; I mean that I am fortunate that I can make a profit and not just break even. That said, I know that I haven’t put my all into it. I have a day job. I have other things to do that are far less exciting (like waiting for the AC repair guy to show up, but that’s another story.)

    So I hit a cross roads.

    I could call it and let the anxiety win and attribute to “not being good enough.”

    …or I could step it up.

    I chose the second option. I’m taking a hiatus after the next show to do this thing the way I envisioned it. Like a real art project. Real statement. Real brand. (Okay, that last one sounds very corporate and gross, but you get what I mean.)

    I’m going to take time and focus on putting together more items to sell. New shirts, new keychains, new prints that fit in more thematically, new products altogether, and more. I’m going to redo the presentation of my booth and make it the way I envisioned it, like some kind of cyberpunk black market stall ripped from the rainy streets of Shinjuku in some sci-fi setting.

    There’s this problem with ADHD where you feel like you’ve engaged or started a hobby because you bought the tools. I am tremendously guilty of this. I’m sitting in this moment, right now, where I am talking a lot about doing this revamp.

    I don’t want this to be another checked box on the symptom list.

    Check back in a few months. Let’s see where this goes.

  • ESC will make me God.

    neon

    It’s a Marathon joke, get it?

    I saw this post on YankoDesign.com about a conceptual laptop designed by Braz de Pina. The post was appropriately titled “Colorpunk” — his work having bright blues and yellows that boldly stand out.

    I was disheartened to learn it wasn’t a real laptop as I fell in love with the design immediately. The simple but loud colors reminded me a bit of the aesthetic that Bungie leaned into for the upcoming “Marathon” game. There’s a very minmalist tech theme to the keyboard but with strong color choices — complimentary light blue and strong yellow — as opposed to the typical monochrome palette found in science fiction, tech design, etc.

    I think this sort of aesthetic, or color palette at least, is something I’ve always had a soft spot for. Anyone who knows me knows that my wardrobe is almost entirely black and grey with olive highlights here and there, maybe an occasional pop of dark blue. I’ve got a few fits, however, that don’t quite fit the theme and it feels good to do something different now and again.

    I always loved clean design work, and it’s something I employ in my own pieces. The art of “Marathon” or someone like Braz executes it in a way that feels both retro and futuristic in entirely separate ways. Maybe I need to try some of that myself in my own design work, especially for Phantom Port. I think it’ll suit Ghost Mapping very well.

    Do you have an aesthetic you love that is a bit out of your comfort zone?

    NP:

  • phantom re:port 1

    neon

    “Phantom re:Port” is the name I’ve given to my zine series for Phantom Port (get it?). The first entry being “Ghost Mapping” — a concept I’ve mentioned in other posts.

    Per the Phantom Port instagram account: “Ghost Mapping is a zine by Phantom Port that tells the story of cloaked individuals appearing around a cramped city one summer. The mystery around the individuals unfolds via chat room logs and photos documenting the strange circumstances.”

    I’ve got a lot of fun ideas for it but I don’t want to spoil the fun. Originally it was going to be a part of a larger zine and it wasn’t going to be as long of a story. I started getting very enthusiastic about it and before you know it, Ghost Mapping became it’s own zine.

    I will add that it’s set in a futuristic cyberpunk style setting. I haven’t decided yet if it’s in the Cadence universe that has been the focus of other creative efforts.

    I will also share one other photo, however. The finished version of the “hallway” image I posted on instagram:

    If you’d like some insight into what inspired this project, Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex Season 1 (specifically the Laughing Man arc) is a good place to start. Additionally, Paranoia Agent, especially the opening credits, gave me huge inspiration for the vibes. See for yourself:

    Here’s a fun fact: the video I linked is one of the first anime openings uploaded to youtube.

    Speaking of Phantom Port – I’m putting in an order for lanyards and washi tape soon. Things are finally coming together.

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