Past Layouts

This is a layout from last year's Gospel extravaganza.
I created the video commercials (2 total) for the group and shot the talent (Esther) with my good friend Arthur Henley in green screen. The files were great and the shoot was hilarious. I'll post it up also so that you can see the entire package. I also created the doorhangers, tickets, security badges and a VBC (Video Broadcast Commercials) file with the sponsors advertisements that flashed across the screen at the famous "Rock" Family Worship Center in Huntsville, Alabama (see below for video file).









The above past project required logo creation, postcards, business cards, magnetic signs, website, brochures and door hangers. I made additional changes for the company.






"The Great Thing About Design?"
It's really about understanding landscape design. Part 1

Ocie Maddox Jr.
CEO/Creative Director

The great thing about graphics design is that you get a chance to create environments like a landscape designer or landscape architect. Both professions have a lot in common especially when it comes to capturing a particular target audience. When the "bait" is created (the layout) it's taken through a filtering procedure here at OMJ Media Design and then after critical examination the final render is magnificent. I always tell my client(s) to understand that I do not design (or video tape) with "me" or "them" (the client) "in-mind". My aim is to create for the viewing audience. It's the audience that will respond to the event, product or brand because it speaks to them from the "the frontal lobe" not just because of the information that can become to "read-ee". Too much information can loose the audience. When we apply too much information it's like a home that has a beautiful landscape terrain; but too much ornamentation.
In other words, too much information on the advertised layout will take away from the layout.

Less Is Best!
Always remember that in today's society, to say "less is best!" Baby-boomers want to see three things: 1. The environment within the layout. 2. The real story (the message or testimonies from others) and 3. What will I get out of this product or event.

The other great thing about design is that it has it on way of "sticking" with the viewer when layout, composition, color, and rhythm is involved.
Composition and color is liken to an landscape designer that knows about the lay of the land. He will not fight the terrain or the lay of the land or site. He brings visual enhancement to the site by choosing correct visual ornaments(shrubs, flowers trees etc.)that will create visual rhythms and colors that will add expression to the terrain. I know this is true because landscape design is my second "Great" love and was my business for years. Here's a quick tip for you. Always choose no more than 7 color combinations for all layouts. In other words, do not go beyond 7. Sometimes I will only choose 3, 5 or even 7. But never 8. Why? because the viewer will only remember 7 mentally. Our phone numbers are only 7. Why, because someone in telecommunications realized years ago through regional studies; that the resident communicator, could not get instant "recall" from their frontal lobes if they gave to them 8-10 numbers. I have a very hard time remembering my 2 sisters area code(s) in Orlando and Tampa FL... Hey do you know the area code(s) in those two cities?

So remember: Keep the colors simple and limit the numbers of colors between 1-7. My clients always tell me: "Ocie your designs are great and spectacular!" It's that way because I learned a long time ago about the great "sight" principle of color and that is: never fight the terrain(or in this case the layout). Color will always speak to you even on a white piece of paper. Now the only person that could get away with too much color in the landcape of the home was my grandmother. She probably had in her yard over 60 plants (tropical and/or non-tropical) and 20 colors!... and I loved it! (only because she was granny! and she was the best!) She wasn't a designer, just a lover of flowers and of course green and red peppers. But in my home composition, I add splashes of pink, white and purple which will attract a crowd of viewers and could also get me a neighborhood beautifications award!

My graphic designs are featured on sites across the internet and have received design of the week or design of the month awards. These awards will also drive viewers to my clients site and increase their web presence online and beyond. Because I apply the principles landscape design. I am blessed because I can see the vision of the scene before the final render. I also apply these principles to video or internet commercials. It is true that my profession reaches farther than landscaping techniques but it tends to work for me. When I'm doing landscaping I tend to build my room (or flower beds) according to music! I know that sounds strange but it's true. You can find music in whatever vocational occupation that you choose...just look for it!...it's there! because....
The last great thing about great design is Pacing, timing, rhythm and repetition. I call these 4 "The Awesome Foursome" because they can work for you as a unit of one. Let me explain. As a landscape designer, you must draw the layout with precise measurement(s). Your aim is to make sure that all ornaments (flowers, trees, shrubs, outdoor furniture etc.) are created with pacing first, then you will apply timing so that each flower is visually installed within the exact distance from each other which will automatically build the visual rhythm of the land and because of that visual rhythm, repetition (the plants and splash of colors)becomes a dynamic unit already built within the blueprint or layout.
When I design I am applying these great tools to express to the viewer the beauty of design and to present to the target audience that this is your environment! Come on in! Take a look below at this layout that I created for Gary Delance Crockette and the South Central Conference Youth department. All of the above statements were used in this layout. Below the design are 2 new designs that you can click on that I completed last month for Pam Outerbridge Chester and her new herbal drink product called "Catch 22".



In conclusion, whether it's paper medium, interactive cds, websites, or commercials; remember: "The Great Thing About Design" is to design like a Landscape designer or a Landscape Architect (aka asla). Get in the car and visit your city's botanical gardens or pick up a landscape magazine/book and apply these principles to your layouts and I guarantee that you will have a spectacular design that others will respond to.

Until next time keep moving!
Ocie Maddox Jr.







Book Cover designs, postcards and advertisment flyers
*All images on this site are the property of OMJ Media and Design and its customers. These images are not to be duplicated or used for any purpose.