Carlos Vigil
Freelance Illustrator and Graphic Designer
Baltimore, MD, USA
505 977 2477
be.net/CarlosVigil
Born in Albuquerque New Mexico, I'm a freelance graphic designer and illustrator based in Baltimore. In 2003 I moved to the East Coast to attend art school at the Maryland Institute College of Art where I received my Bachelors of Fine Arts in Graphic Design in 2007. Raised on Kool-Aid, LEGOs and Michael Jordan, I am a passionate optimist and want to continue to grow as an artist. My childhood and experiences growing up strongly influence my work.
My number one goal is to have fun while working hard and pushing myself to further develop my skills. I enjoy what I do and I strive to share my experience, knowledge and expertise with my clients. Commercial illustration and graphic design are reciprocal processes which require dedication and clear communication to produce the most exceptional of products.
I take on projects I believe in, aiming to produce well researched, intelligent, thoughtful and quality driven illustration and design. I am inspired by popular culture and current trends, both of which play a significant roles in my style and aesthetic. This is my passion.
My number one goal is to have fun while working hard and pushing myself to further develop my skills. I enjoy what I do and I strive to share my experience, knowledge and expertise with my clients. Commercial illustration and graphic design are reciprocal processes which require dedication and clear communication to produce the most exceptional of products.
I take on projects I believe in, aiming to produce well researched, intelligent, thoughtful and quality driven illustration and design. I am inspired by popular culture and current trends, both of which play a significant roles in my style and aesthetic. This is my passion.
Work Experience
Super Rad Design // SRD
Design Ninja / Owner
Super Rad Design is a one-man-show freelance design studio. I've been independent for 6 years and do this for a living. I find it to be very rewarding and love what I do. If you feel I would be well suited to work with you on your next project please feel free to get in touch.
I've produced work for and collaborated with:
+ Natty Paint // NYC fashion designer
+ Future Islands // popular Baltimore band
+ Dan Deacon & Whartscape // Baltimore celebrity musician & regional music festival
+ Anthony Padilla // Las Vegas comedian
+ Maryland Institute College of Art // a top 5 art school in the US
+ Civilian Soldier Alliance // non-profit resistance movement
+ The Hexagon // arts and performance space
+ Tortacos // family owned and operated Mexican restaurant
+ Chic Communications // public relations firm
+ Maryland Climate Coalition // non-profit clean energy campaign and strategy
I also design graphics for and sell t-shirts under the SRD label. My Krylon Boh design has reached a cult status in Baltimore becoming ubiquitous in the regional t-shirt community.
My typography work has also been published in the critically acclaimed book "Lettering & Type." - Written and designed by Post Typography, this handbook on type design and custom lettering is a smart-but-not-dense guide to creating and bending letters to one's will. (Princeton Architectural Press / 2009)
I've produced work for and collaborated with:
+ Natty Paint // NYC fashion designer
+ Future Islands // popular Baltimore band
+ Dan Deacon & Whartscape // Baltimore celebrity musician & regional music festival
+ Anthony Padilla // Las Vegas comedian
+ Maryland Institute College of Art // a top 5 art school in the US
+ Civilian Soldier Alliance // non-profit resistance movement
+ The Hexagon // arts and performance space
+ Tortacos // family owned and operated Mexican restaurant
+ Chic Communications // public relations firm
+ Maryland Climate Coalition // non-profit clean energy campaign and strategy
I also design graphics for and sell t-shirts under the SRD label. My Krylon Boh design has reached a cult status in Baltimore becoming ubiquitous in the regional t-shirt community.
My typography work has also been published in the critically acclaimed book "Lettering & Type." - Written and designed by Post Typography, this handbook on type design and custom lettering is a smart-but-not-dense guide to creating and bending letters to one's will. (Princeton Architectural Press / 2009)
May 2008
- Present
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Tilt Studio Inc.
Graphic Designer / Stunt Double
As a graphic designer for the Baltimore-based green design and marketing firm Tilt Studio Inc. I worked on a variety of projects for clients seeking an environmentally friendly design firm to enhance their brand image, while providing them with green advertising and marketing solutions. Clients I worked with were both local and national, including SSP America, Kwik Trip Stores, Mercersburg Academy, Chartwells, P. Flanigan & Sons, and others.
June 2007
- April 2008
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Lithexcel Communications
Graphic Designer / Prepress Technician
I worked as an in-house graphic designer in a commercial printhouse providing media for customers throughout the state of New Mexico. Products included a range of promotional design for the University of New Mexico Lobo Soccer, Football, Volleyball and Baseball teams. A highlight was the 2007 NM Museum of Natural History Foundation annual report.
June 2006
- January 2007
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Education
Maryland Institute College Of Art (MICA)
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design / Minor in Art History
August 2003
- May 2007
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Awards
Charmington's
Finalist in local Baltimore coffee shop Charmington's "Design Our Coffee Sleeve" contest - October 2013
2013
Baltimore Magazine
Super Rad Design t-shirt line featured in December 2012 issue of Baltimore Magazine
2012
Urbanite Magazine
Krylon Boh t-shirt design highlighted in July 2012 issue of Urbanite Magazine
2012
Focus Designer
Web design for Tortacos featured as one of the best web designs on the internet
2011
The Hexagon Space
"Hex Your Logo" Contest Winner
201003
Gallery 2219
Original collaborative drawings featured in a one-night-only show
200906
Print Magazine
"The Red Kit: Crisis Management" field guide featured in Print Magazine's Design Annual 2008
2008
Department Of Energy
L-clearance Granted
200407
Skills
Branding Development,
Flash Animation,
Flash Animation,
Font Design,
Graphic Design,
HTML,
Identity,
Illustration,
Illustrator,
Indesign,
Lettering,
Logo Design,
Photoshop,
T-shirt Graphics,
Typography,
Vector Art,
Web Design,
WordPress,
Street Cred
Brent Bartosch // Wagner-Bartosch
"Let’s focus on Carlos outside of his outstanding artistic ability, because that is only one slice of the Carlos Vigil pie.
He is a professional. He encompasses tremendous artistic ability, business acumen, and organization that made our communications easy and enjoyable.
It can be so difficult to convey your ambitions of design when you are not a designer. Many times there can be a disconnect between the artist and the businessman. Thankfully, Carlos is both of those things. He is patient, articulate, and most importantly he really listens.
If he feels differently on direction, he will professionally convey his position and respectfully argue why he feels that way. If you still feel set in your ways, no problem, he’ll work with you. At least he did for me, I’d like to think I’m special, but really I think that’s his character.
I look forward to working with Carlos again."
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Larissa Johnson // The Maryland Climate Coalition
"The Maryland Climate Coalition hired Carlos to assist us with creating a logo for the Cleaner Power - Brighter Maryland Campaign. We needed something that would incorporate the various types of clean energy options while encapsulating the idea of a brighter future and therefore a brighter Maryland, and his designs did just that.
Carlos was extremely prompt and professional with his delivery of the product and was able to utilize the colors that we had already used with previous Coalition artwork. He was able to blend two different styles and create a brand for the Coalition that is fresh and bright and is quite appealing to the eye.
He is a great artist and was able to adapt to the style, look, and feel of an environmental group quite easily and we will be sure to not only contact him in the future for additional work but also to refer him far and wide because his work is crisp, clean, and fresh!"
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Emily Li Mandri // Natty Paint
“I met Carlos over two years ago at an event where we were both selling t-shirts featuring our designs. I admired his creativity and high quality of work and approached him soon after to design the website for my clothing company. Carlos will work incredibly hard throughout the entire scope of a project, noting the tiniest details in order to ensure our final vision is realized. I continue to be impressed by his honesty, dedication, attention to detail, and clever ideas that he brings forth when we work together.
I highly recommend Carlos for website and design work. He has a clean aesthetic that fuses functionality with sleek clever design. He will undoubtedly create an incredibly effective and attractive design for you. He also has great entrepreneurial ideas and enjoys collaborating with follow designers.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Morgan McLoud // Chic Communications
“Carlos is such a talented designer! He designed business cards for my company and they are truly unique and special. He was always on time, helpful and very informative through the entire process. I give him my highest recommendations!”
"Let’s focus on Carlos outside of his outstanding artistic ability, because that is only one slice of the Carlos Vigil pie.
He is a professional. He encompasses tremendous artistic ability, business acumen, and organization that made our communications easy and enjoyable.
It can be so difficult to convey your ambitions of design when you are not a designer. Many times there can be a disconnect between the artist and the businessman. Thankfully, Carlos is both of those things. He is patient, articulate, and most importantly he really listens.
If he feels differently on direction, he will professionally convey his position and respectfully argue why he feels that way. If you still feel set in your ways, no problem, he’ll work with you. At least he did for me, I’d like to think I’m special, but really I think that’s his character.
I look forward to working with Carlos again."
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Larissa Johnson // The Maryland Climate Coalition
"The Maryland Climate Coalition hired Carlos to assist us with creating a logo for the Cleaner Power - Brighter Maryland Campaign. We needed something that would incorporate the various types of clean energy options while encapsulating the idea of a brighter future and therefore a brighter Maryland, and his designs did just that.
Carlos was extremely prompt and professional with his delivery of the product and was able to utilize the colors that we had already used with previous Coalition artwork. He was able to blend two different styles and create a brand for the Coalition that is fresh and bright and is quite appealing to the eye.
He is a great artist and was able to adapt to the style, look, and feel of an environmental group quite easily and we will be sure to not only contact him in the future for additional work but also to refer him far and wide because his work is crisp, clean, and fresh!"
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Emily Li Mandri // Natty Paint
“I met Carlos over two years ago at an event where we were both selling t-shirts featuring our designs. I admired his creativity and high quality of work and approached him soon after to design the website for my clothing company. Carlos will work incredibly hard throughout the entire scope of a project, noting the tiniest details in order to ensure our final vision is realized. I continue to be impressed by his honesty, dedication, attention to detail, and clever ideas that he brings forth when we work together.
I highly recommend Carlos for website and design work. He has a clean aesthetic that fuses functionality with sleek clever design. He will undoubtedly create an incredibly effective and attractive design for you. He also has great entrepreneurial ideas and enjoys collaborating with follow designers.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Morgan McLoud // Chic Communications
“Carlos is such a talented designer! He designed business cards for my company and they are truly unique and special. He was always on time, helpful and very informative through the entire process. I give him my highest recommendations!”
Let's Go Surfing
behance.net/carlosvigil/frame
facebook.com/SuperRadDesign
dribbble.com/carlosvigil
linkedin.com/in/carlosvigil85
flickr.com/photos/carlosvigil
facebook.com/SuperRadDesign
dribbble.com/carlosvigil
linkedin.com/in/carlosvigil85
flickr.com/photos/carlosvigil