Packaging Design Illustration
Client: City Streetz Graphics
Art Direction: Gil Lopez
About CityStreetz
CityStreetz is a print focused design studio with decades of hands on production experience. They come from the service bureau era, back when making artwork actually printable was the whole job. I have worked with them on various projects, on and off, over many years. The owner, Gil, is an awesome guy and great to collaborate with. CityStreetz started in South Florida and now operates out of Saint Augustine.
About This Project
This was one of my few packaging design projects. The job was a box used for shipping oranges. Not the kind of thing I do every day, which made it interesting.
I drew all the illustrations with graphite on bristol board. Traditional drawing, by hand, on paper. The color was applied digitally after the drawings were done. The reasoning behind that approach was at least partly practical. Doing the color work digitally simplified the spot color separation process for printing. It meant the final art could go through production without extra steps or surprises.
The result was a box that looked hand crafted but printed cleanly and consistently. That balance between handmade and reproducible is sometimes exactly what a project needs.
Your Illustration Project
If you have a need for illustrations similar to this, whether for packaging, print, or any other application, contact me. I have done this work before and I would be glad to do it for you.
(Created using Adobe Illustrator)
WHAT DOES VECTOR ILLUSTRATION MEAN?:
Vector illustration refers to artwork created using vector graphics, a computer-based method that defines images through shapes rather than pixels. Each shape is constructed from points along its edges, known as Bézier points, which control direction, curvature, and other attributes. Unlike pixel based images, vector graphics can be scaled to any size without losing resolution, making them ideal for applications where clarity and flexibility are essential. They are also efficient in file size, since a single shape can be defined with just a few points rather than thousands of individual pixels.
While vector graphics provide the technical framework, the style of the artwork is entirely up to the illustrator. In my work, I often use vibrant, tropical-inspired color palettes, bold shapes, and perspectives influenced by Art Deco and Italian Futurism. These stylistic choices create images that are dynamic, eye-catching, and highly adaptable for both commercial and artistic purposes. Unlike photo-realistic images, vector illustrations can be playful, stylized, or even cartoon-like, making them ideal for maps, signage, logos, and other applications where clarity and visual impact are critical.
By combining the technical advantages of vector graphics with a carefully considered artistic approach, my illustrations provide both precision and personality. Whether used for printed materials, digital media, or large scale installations, vector based artwork offers versatility, scalability, and a distinct, memorable look that engages viewers and supports your visual goals.
To learn more about vector graphics see my post... "What are Bitmap and Vector Graphics"
Vector based art created with Adobe Illustrator can be animated using Adobe After Effects to create motion graphics. To learn more see my After Effects and Premiere Pro Portfolio.
PORTFOLIO SELECTIONS
- Custom illustration & covers: Featuring bespoke illustration, book and magazine covers, hand-drawn maps, and building renderings.
- Fine art & murals: Including one-of-a-kind paintings and drawings, the Custom Halftone Series, and large-scale murals.
- Design & motion media: Covering graphic design, plus video and motion and animated illustration.
- Mapping by application: Tailored maps for marine events, hospitality, waterfront, property, transit, municipal, recreation, and navigation needs.
- Additional creative work: Includes editorial covers, vehicle graphics, concept renderings, and public art.
- Mediums & formats: Ranging from digital vector and isometric projection to traditional paint, line art, GIS-based, aerial-style, and halftone.
- Software expertise: Proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp, InDesign, and Premiere/After Effects for motion.