Kevin Messer

UI Work

2011-08-15T12:47:00.001-07:00

I've been doing websites and UI work since I was about 15. I minored in graphic design, and found a nice marriage of my skills as I transitioned into game design many years ago. Here are some samples of my work (credit to Casey Scott for the tank image):

These are from Mobile Battles: Modern Warefare for iOS (unreleased). I worked closely with the team to create a look that was simple to navigate, easy to read, and conveyed the future/modern style of the game.

The Fish Barrel

2007-03-05T16:14:00.000-08:00

Been busy with work and moving and such...although I do participate in semi-weekly art challenges with some friends and coworkers...you can check out The Fish Barrel here: http://thefishbarrel.blogspot.com/

Mignario

2006-08-28T19:45:00.000-07:00

Been pretty busy with various work projects, but here's something I can finally show. This was part of an art test for a potential job - the challenge was to take Mario, and redesign him in an illustration using another artist's style. So here he is, in Mike Mignola's style (of Hellboy fame). I think it turned out to be a pretty fun image, although I would have liked more time to really flesh it out and fully capture Mignola's style. The deadline was pretty rough though, and you've got know when to call it done.

Storyboards

2006-05-16T22:53:00.000-07:00

A short story about the surprising twists love can take.

John Henry

2006-05-15T16:11:00.000-07:00

My latest project involved doing designs for the old folktale "John Henry." We were lucky enough to have Shannon Jeffries (art director on Madagascar) from Dreamworks come in and give feedback. Originally I was aiming for an Enrique Fernandez-esque style, but it was later decided that Doug Fraser's style would compliment the subject matter more effectively. I actually liked the style change, as studying the varying styles not only helped to better understand those talented artists, but helped me to branch out of my comfort zone. I'm pretty happy with the results.

Revised Sea Creature

2006-04-29T19:06:00.000-07:00

I'd been wanting to go back into this sea creature painting for awhile, and today I finally had the time and motivation. After getting feedback on it and just looking at it for the past few months, the main task was to redo the the eye and mouth. It just wasn't working right before...a little too humanistic and goofy. The new one seems to convey that old, mammoth creature feeling better.

The Caladrius

2006-04-01T19:12:00.000-08:00

My latest involved doing concept work for a mythical creature called a "caladrius." I also needed to create a trainer for the creature, so I went with the woman seen above.

The basic story involves the once beautiful woman coming down with a fatal skin disease. Since the caladrius has the power to heal the sick, the woman is racing against time to have the caladrius suck the sickness from her body. For those the caladrius deems unable to help, however, it turns it's back to them...showing the symbolic skull pattern on its back. Desperate to cheat death and regain her former beauty, the woman is searching for any way possible to trick the caladrius into taking her disease.

Sea Creatures From Another Dimension

2006-04-01T18:55:00.000-08:00

Venetian Pickpockets and More

2006-04-01T18:33:00.000-08:00

Black-Footed Ferrets

2006-04-01T18:26:00.000-08:00