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Brien O'Keefe

Graphic Design

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Collection: 91.1 fm WTSC

Freelance, Logo

I was an active member of Clarkson’s student-run radio station from 2008-2011. During that time I served on their executive board, DJ’d three shows (including a daily morning show) and produced various designs for shirts, posters and ads. I had very little experience in graphic design when I started, and working for them taught me the value of personal and pro bono projects. I learned to explore new ideas, the value of learning new software and – most importantly – the inspired work that can happen when your skills align with your hobbies and interests.

Some time during my sophomore year, 2010, I was asked to create the annual club t-shirt. At that point in time I’d never used Illustrator and I was nervous about not being able to deliver after I said yes to the project – but I discussed a concept with the eboard and created the following comps.

concept for a series of shirts. each would have a different design. collect them all!
concept for a series of shirts. each would have a different design. collect them all!
concept for a series of shirts. each would have a different design. collect them all!
concept for a series of shirts. each would have a different design. collect them all!
concept for a series of shirts. each would have a different design. collect them all!
concept for a series of shirts. each would have a different design. collect them all!
concept for a series of shirts. each would have a different design. collect them all!
concept for a series of shirts. each would have a different design. collect them all!
concept for a series of shirts. each would have a different design. collect them all!
concept for a series of shirts. each would have a different design. collect them all!
shirt detail
shirt detail
the final shirt
the final shirt

The concept was aimed at students and showed the diversity of our club. New students could staff a remote event, book time in the recording studio, direct music and content on their own shows, or simply listen to the broadcasts and discover new music. There are lots of ways to engage. The final shirt design was simple and effective. It got the point across and the art was popular enough that it was recycled for a sweatshirt a year or two later.

an example of the station's identity system before the rebrand.
an example of the station’s identity system before the rebrand.
merch for "Death To Automation." Also the first t-shirt I ever designed! We printed these at a local screen printing place and handed them out to family and friends.
merch for “Death To Automation.” Also the first t-shirt I ever designed! We printed these at a local screen printing place and handed them out to family and friends.
an early promo piece for "Death To Automation"
an early promo piece for “Death To Automation”
promo art for my vinyl-centric show, "Death To Automation." We would record clips from our broadcast and distribute them as podcasts to family and friends.
promo art for my vinyl-centric show, “Death To Automation.” We would record clips from our broadcast and distribute them as podcasts to family and friends.
promo art for our final broadcast before graduation in 2011: 24 consecutive hours live on-air!
promo art for our final broadcast before graduation in 2011: 24 consecutive hours live on-air!

We updated the brand in 2010 and the students on the executive board designed a new logo, website and identity system. We shifted our design aesthetic from an imposing, austere black-and-white identity to one with more energy and appeal to increase interest and membership in the club.

an example of the new identity
an example of the new identity
an ad that ran on displays around campus early in the semester to target new students
an ad that ran on displays around campus early in the semester to target new students
an ad that ran on displays around campus early in the semester to target new students (alternate)
an ad that ran on displays around campus early in the semester to target new students (alternate)
poster for the wtsc morning show
poster for the wtsc morning show

The station’s call letters, WTSC, are set in a typeface called Punk’s Not Dead. The default was the starting point for the station’s new logotype, but I modified it here and there in my later projects.

process (gif)
process (gif)
detail 1
detail 1
detail 2
detail 2
detail 3
detail 3
a poster with the new logotype from late in 2011. It started as a personal project but I gave it to the station to use for whatever they wanted to put it on - merch, signage, or anything else.
a poster with the new logotype from late in 2011. It started as a personal project but I gave it to the station to use for whatever they wanted to put it on – merch, signage, or anything else.

The messy, imperfect nature of this typeface lends itself well to custom projects and the results fit better tonally with our free-format, student-run programming. When I first started at the station there was an old printing press across the hall that some students would use to make posters and other art to advertise their shows. The new identity nicely references that bit of history and the homemade aesthetic and attitude that was such a part of my time there.

a shirt from 2013 emphasizing the new logo
a shirt from 2013 emphasizing the new logo
a shirt from 2013 emphasizing the new logo
a shirt from 2013 emphasizing the new logo
sticker comps
sticker comps
badge/embroidery concept
badge/embroidery concept
I saw a shirt with these words when I first came to the university, and it sparked my interest in the station. I decided to take the same words, polish up the design, and offer it to them. They liked where I was coming from but went with another idea.
I saw a shirt with these words when I first came to the university, and it sparked my interest in the station. I decided to take the same words, polish up the design, and offer it to them. They liked where I was coming from but went with another idea.
an update to the shirt from 2010 with the new logo and a better-looking pair of headphones
an update to the shirt from 2010 with the new logo and a better-looking pair of headphones

After I received my degree and left the station I continued to offer design work until early 2015. Some were personal projects that I offered to the students and some were commissions.

Contract: Freelance/Pro Bono
Project Type: Various
Client: 91.1 WTSC The Source
Date Completed: 2010–2015
Skills & Software Used: Illustrator, Photoshop

More Projects

  • Collection: 91.1 fm WTSC

    Collection: 91.1 fm WTSC

  • Redesign: Faculty Postcards

    Redesign: Faculty Postcards

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