Ferivale

Adobe Portfolio Cat Event Promotion Gala nonprofit fundraiser fund raiser Invitation

Ferivale is a gala celebrating the free spirit of the feral cat. Proceeds support the Trap-Neuter-Release Initiative, a humane solution to managing the feral cat population. Design for the event was inspired by the mysterious character and vagabond lifestyle of the feral cat. Thinking of the feral cat in this way lead me to reference eclectic gypsy motifs in the style.

A detail of the customized typography on the poster.

After pencil concept sketches, I moved to the computer. The process consisted of multiple passes of design with the goal of refining and adding levels of detail. I started by covering the entire poster, from bottom-to-top in a skeleton. Then I moved to start at the bottom again to add a level of detail. Each time I completed a pass, I would take a break from looking at it for a couple of days and return with fresh eyes to do it again. I printed swatches at actual size often to check the desired density of ornament on this oversized poster. Three moments of the design process are captured in the above animation.

I use many advanced techniques in Adobe Illustrator to complete this design including complex appearances, styles, and pattern brushes. Organization best practices were very important to my sanity. I practice what I preach to my students.

Pictured above: The outline view of my in-progress Illustrator file. The tail in the top right of the artboard started as a pattern brush and was then expanded for refinement. You can see the source design elements for my pattern brush in the top left of the pasteboard.

Below: Animation of the die-cut reveal. The VIP invitation features a die-cut sleeve. As the gray striped invitation is removed from the sleeve it reveals the green eyes to the surprise and delight of the guest.