This is my Weekly Design Inspiration, this is a space where I share some design work that has either inspired me or caught my attention for its execution or concept. The things I feature on here can include (but not limited to) branding, web design, app design, illustration, typography, video games or anything that shows creativity in a unique way.
I first came across Dan Mumford’s artwork when I began listening to the band A Day To Remember and more specifically, the album Homesick, which Mumford created the artwork for. I remember being intrigued by the detailed, mysterious nature of the artwork and wanting to know more about its origins. With the 10 year anniversary of both this great album and it’s artwork I thought I would cover a handful of my favourite pieces by Dan Mumford from over the years.
Dan Mumford’s work has sprawled across many themes and industries including music, movies, video games, TV and animation. One thing that remains consistent is the quality and level of detail Dan manages to pack into his work. His work is immediately identifiable by the use of texture, limited colour pallets, strong use of foreground, mid-ground and background focus and of course the amount of exquisite details. Dan manages to balance highly complex backgrounds and surroundings with strong compositional techniques that help emphasise the main focus of a piece, be it a character or landmark. In using varying shades and tones for the foreground, mid-ground and background Dan builds a scene where the focus is drawn to wherever he needs it. This is extremely important to get right in artworks so busy and jam packed with details.
It’s clear that Dan has an ability to create highly detailed pieces that capture the nature and atmosphere of the subject matter, where this is really well presented is in his Futurama pieces. This piece, although being set in a cartoon with simple colouring and low levels of detail, Dan has managed to capture the style of the show and add his spin to it while maintaining the design elements from the source material that make it recognisable.
Mumford has created many prints, posters and album artwork for some of the biggest bands in the world. I’ve already mentioned A Day To Remember as one of these but Dan’s portfolio also includes the likes of Iron Maiden, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Blink-182 and Biffy Clyro. So some heavy hitters. Each piece is unique and stunning, it’s no wonder such amazing bands would want an artist of this talent producing collateral they are putting their name on.
The last piece I want to highlight was created for Harry Potter and is part of a 3 piece (triptych) set. This artwork is based on a scene from The Chamber of Secrets and it encapsulates the scene perfectly and uses clever compositional techniques to draw the viewer around the page. Harry is the darkest part of the page so you are drawn to his (the glasses being stark white is a really nice touch) and the Basilisk wrapping around the scene helps frame the piece with the addition of the cave walls. Then there’s a beam of light that is coming right down the middle of the piece that is highlighting the face statue in the background (which in closer inspection houses Voldemort/Tom Riddle) and then works its way down to make a spot of light at the end of Harry’s Sword. This piece is a perfect example of good composition executed in a unique and stylish way and it embodies all the good things about Dan Mumford’s art.
If you haven’t checked out Dan’s portfolio you should go and have a look as each piece is an absolute masterpiece.
What Have I Been Listening To This Week?
Newton Faulkner - Don't Leave Me Waiting
I've been a big fan of Newton for some years now and with the announcement of a greatest hits album coming out in March with new music including covers it's got me very excited and the few tracks that have come out on the lead up to the release are as good as ever!
Honorable Mentions
As part of my Weekly Design Inspiration I also like to share some bits and pieces that I have seen which have inspired me in the last week. I have captioned each image with some info and relevant links so you can find out more.
New Frame Plus is a Youtube channel that focuses on the beauty of video game animation. Dan, the presenter, coming from a background of professional level animation in the video game and movie industry really knows his stuff and breaks it down into easy to consume chunks. My favourite video to date is the one exploring the animation of Overwatch called How Overwatch Conveys Character in First Person - New Frame Plus, it's definitely worth a watch if you're interested in game development or animation in general.
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