Happy Holidays From Hashtags

As you've no-doubt guessed, Hashtags are still here and it doesn't look like they're going anywhere soon. For now, they're here and spreading the festive spirit with their updated, seasonal logo. Courtesy of yours truly who had the privilege of the design work.

The Beards Are Here To Stay

Yesterday marked the tenth anniversary of The Beards and Louder Now's Hayley Smith caught up with them to talk about the last 10 years as well as answering a few questions. Hayley requested a cartoon of the band to commemorate the event and the below is the result of that request.

To see the interview head to: http://loudernowmusic.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/the-beards-beards-beardless-people-and.html

A Homage To The Beginning Of Consoles

So it's been a little while since I put anything on here, that's not to say I've not been hard at work planning numerous works to share with you all, but you know what they say about all good things! In the meantime, to tide you over if you will, for being so patient. A little something, in honour of all of the games consoles that started the trend, not the ones who have kept it going over the past couple of decades, but before that, before me! In homage to them, I create the work you see below. (I'd like to point out that yes I am aware they were not THE most original consoles, I wanted something retro that numerous people could still identify with that will still make them think "that's old").

More Playing With Silhouettes

So if you didn't guess from my post late last month, I've been playing with Silhouettes recently, tricking the minds eye into completing the image itself whilst using mere shapes for the image. This post is another very quick attempt at this. Based on one of my favourite movies, which I still think is not spoken about enough. Well done if you know what it is. I may do more along these lines, I'm currently undecided. Either way you will no doubt find out in the not-to-distant future.

#Hashtags Are Here

Recently in the East Midlands, a band was formed. This would normally be uncommon in any area, bands are formed and broken all the time. But these have been sneaking up on all of us for months, we just didn't realise. The most subtle (and completely illegitimate) advertising campaign ever brought forth the era of the Hashtags! Now you all know what I'm talking about, you can't go on any form of social media without seeing them, word of mouth spread fast! Their plan worked...


If only that were true! In reality, probably based around the phenomenon that is the "hashtag genre" the band was formed. I've had the pleasure of knowing the members for years.. being related to one of them helps with that. With this familiarity, came the opportunity to design the logo for them to get going and introduce themselves to the world. Based on a quick doodle from the band's Bassist (and my brother) Rob Iliffe, the logos has formed which you see here in front of you.

You should definitely go and check these guys out! They've only played a couple of gigs so far but have the talent to go so much further! You don't want to miss out! Just follow the link below to find them.

www.facebook.com/hashtagsgroup

Do NOT Talk About This Post

Okay, so I'm going to break my own title's rule and mention this post. I've gone over a week of not submitting anything to this page, not due to lack of activity but more due to many things being in limbo and others in the works. In the meantime, thought I'd do a quick idea I came up with just to give myself a break from everything else currently going on. If you hadn't guessed by now or don't know me at all then I'll let you in on a little secret, I'm a massive self-proclaimed geek and film nerd. I love comics, graphic novels, games, films of nearly every genre. Below is the result of one of these loves. If you can get what this is from, congratulations, you too are a geek. Okay, so probably not, it is a VERY popular reference used in many variations and I have been less than subtle in the referencing for this piece (in that the name is mentioned in the design.. Twice).

But anyway, I hope you like it, I will continue on my other works and hopefully have something else to share with you all soon.

Silhouettes and Illusion in Artwork

 So this is not exactly what I have been working on this week, but along the lines of ever developing my skills, I've grown to love the use of minimal detail for imagery and the eye completing the picture as well as the use of silhouettes. Here you can see just a taste of what I'm working towards with the two art styles and I will no doubt have many many more of these to come in future along with other styles I'm growing to love.

Extra points will go to those who can tell me in the comments the inspiration for all of these pieces, some obviously much easier than others.

Louder Now. Ever Growing, Ever Changing

I've been graced with a visit from the lovely Hayley Smith this weekend, owner, creator, main entity behind the ever-growing "Louder Now". It's been a really fun filled week, we went to a "Speaking in Shadows" gig in Nuneaton on Friday night and had the privilege of interviewing supporting act "Never Hill". Overall a very good gig, head over to http://loudernowmusic.blogspot.co.uk/ where a full review will be up as of Wednesday 24th.

Along with going to gigs, we have also been working on the new image of Louder Now, the earlier post being an "in progress" appearance until it could be finalised. I can now say that the Louder Now image has officially changed to the sights you see before you. With some input from Hayley herself the new look of Louder Now is ready to go. Above you can see the main logo as well as the image you will find on the Louder Now Facebook page which you should all definitely check out!

Brand New Me

 So as you may have spotted by the giant new banner at the top of the page, I've undergone a re-branding. I felt it was time to have a professional look to all of the work I am going to be producing in the near future (with any luck). The name underwent numerous changes before I finally settled on Darren Iliffe Designs, and even more changes before I settled upon a design I was happy with. Here you can see a glimpse of a handful of the final choices I was left with before making my final choice of brand which you can see below, in case you missed the header, which if so, well done!

Louder Now gets even Louder!

Louder Now have been growing and growing over the last couple of years, thankfully I've been fortunate enough to get approached for not only the re-branding but also for a once in a lifetime Louder Now give away event for which I was asked for two posters for varied social media sites (mentioning no names). Go check it out! You never know, you might win the prize!

http://loudernowmusic.blogspot.co.uk/

As you can tell looking at the designs, there is a strong purple theme still present, but hey, I think it works, and thankfully so does Hayley Smith, the driving force behind Louder Now and hopefully you do as well.

Hopefully this is the first of many projects I'm going to be producing in the near future, keep your eyes peeled for more uploads soon!