'Ellipsis' User Interface for XBMC Media Center
This User Interface was designed for the application XBMC Media Centre, an open-source media player for multiple platforms. I was able to develop what I consider to be one of the simplest and intuitive interfaces available for XBMC. Incorporating a common 'dock' in every section, with context sensitive options, the user never has to search for hidden options. By listening to user feedback I have also been able to improve my design and functionality. With regular updates that are automatically sent out to users, I can keep the interface fresh and up-to-date.
You can see more of Ellipsis at Team Blackbolt.
Virtual Controller Application GUI Design
I designed the for the 'Virtual Controller' application for Windows. Using common features found on modern-day, media centre remote controls, users are able to test their media centre navigation without having to use a real-world remote control. The application was launched with a selection of colour schemes available to the end user.
'MC360' User Interface for XBMC Media Center
MC360 was a very complicated and lengthy project that I worked on from 2005 to 2007 as part of Team Blackbolt. As Project Leader and lead artist I designed not only all of the graphic elements but also had to oversee the animation and navigational controls throughout the UI. As I was replicating an existing interface design (Xbox 360 Blades Dashboard), we had to adhere to rules already in place in terms of visual style.
The project helped me learn about team work on big jobs, I was co-ordinating 10 people in different countries and time zones at our busiest on various elements of the project. Starting just myself on Dec 29th 2005, we were able to release a first beta release 6 months later to the public on June 6th 2006. We finished our first 1.0 release on February 17th 2007, wrapping over a year of development in our spare time. Our final version featured a complete HD graphical update.
You can find out more about MC360 at Team Blackbolt.
'PlayIt' Flash Media Player UI
The mini-player controls I designed for a yet unreleased media playback application.
'X-Classic' User Interface for XBMC Media Center
This Classic 'skin' for XBMC was my first ever UI project for the XBMC media application. I set out to replicate the look of the original Microsoft Xbox interface with its wireframe, green style. The skin became very popular and was the most downloaded skin on the top XBMC UI website for a long time after its release.
Icon Suite for Ellipsis UI for XBMC
As the 'Ellipsis' UI for XBMC was designed to use visual icons as much as possible, rather than text, I had to design a lot of icons to convey information instead. Above you can see a screenshot from the master file in which I created all the icons in vector format using Illustrator.
Logo & Style Design for 'Crystal Tips' Salon
A local beauty salon hired me to create their entire visual style. This included the colour scheme, fonts and style. I designed signs for various parts of the premises, including an eye-catching sign for the road side.
Keeping a very modern look using circles and rings of varying thicknesses with contemporary floral patterns framing everything, I was able to satisfy the client's needs and meet her 'funky with a touch of class' design brief.
Logo Design for 'Lemontree Software'
I was hired to design a 'fresh, clean, fun' logo for a new starting software company in Wigan. The design brief stated that the logo must be unique and instantly recogniseable.
Logo Design for 'Wrap Worx' Body Shop
A local car-body repair shop commissioned me to design their new logo. They were so happy with the new logo they asked me back to design their website at a later date. I used an American style 'road sign' look at first, using green. It was at the very last minute that with the client's input I switched to a more visually striking yellow and black.
Logo Designs for 'Team Blackbolt'
Starting with just myself with the username 'Blackbolt', I have grown my team into a full online group of creative individuals from all over the world who use our website and resources as a hub to develop and collaborate on their projects. As team founder, I find myself redesigning and updating our style every year. Above are a few examples of our logos over the years.
One day I would like to turn Team Blackbolt into a network for designers for all sorts of user interfaces. You can check the Team Blackbolt website here.
Xbox Live's 'Major Nelson' Podcast Album Art
'Major Nelson' aka Larry Hyrb of Microsoft's Xbox Live development team is a very public figure for the gaming community. He produces a weekly audio podcast that usually spans 2 hours of interviews and competitions. The podcast is hosted on iTunes as well as his own website www.MajorNelson.com. The podcast is downloaded by millions of people and played on all sorts of devices, e.g.: Apple iPods.
After deciding that the current album artwork was out of date, I decided to redesign the album art for Major Nelson to be more modern and visually pleasing. I submitted it to Major Nelson for his approval. He loved it and immediately began using it.
Breast Feeding Group Logo
A friend asked me to create a logo for his partner's 'Breast Feeding' mothers group in Scotland. The logo was a simple two-colour logo which was to be in the classic sign style used in many public information signs, pedestrian signs, etc.
Cheshire Fire & Rescue - Student Campaign
While working at Intent Design I created the artwork for a student campaign for Cheshire Fire & Rescue. A company was sponsoring Cheshire Fire and Rescue with free smoke alarms. The campaign was to be provocative using the term 'Before you pull tonight, get protection' referring to the drunken nature of the start of a lot of fires involving students. Several designs where created, but only one was chosen and used on Banners all over Cheshire, beer mats in pubs, pin badges and T-Shirts.
Cheshire Fire's fleet of 22 Vauxhall Corsa's received a vinyl graphic 'wrap' with the design also to help promote the campaign while on the road. The project involved tight deadlines and I was liaising with various print houses throughout the project to ensure we met our deadline, which we did.
All images are copyright of Intent Design Ltd.
Childrens Clothing Store Brand Design & Shop Fit - Bimbi Pazzi
A local businessman employed the services of Intent Design to help design, manufacture and fit an entire Italian children's clothing store. I planned to work on several design ideas and present these to the client, but upon seeing mocks of my first design he loved it immediately and so I continued on in that direction.
The design was to be welcoming in a fun way, so I created several graffiti style drawings in a kids style using a chalk-drawn look and we fitted the interior of the shop with several walls featuring this design. The literature, carrying bags and advertisments for the store also featured the same design style throughout.
All images are copyright of Intent Design Ltd.
'Refresh Carpet Upholstery' Logo Design & Van Graphics
Another fun project I completed while working with Intent Design was for a carpet and upholstery cleaning service. The client required a fresh and striking design that would be easy to remember and stand out on a white van. I went through various designs and while the client didn't chose my favourite (the top right logo featured here), their colour scheme choice was to my liking however.
The final vehicle graphics looked very striking using a very vivid selection of blues that where easily visible from a long distance away from the van.
All images are copyright of Intent Design Ltd.
'Everything Dinosaur' Vehicle Graphics Design
Possibly my favourite project with Intent Design, I created a design for 'Dinosaur' van for a learning materials supplier. The brief stated that the vehicle needed to be scary! I decided the best way to do this would be to have a T-Rex plastered all over it, especially on the rear of the vehicle, to scare the vehicle behind!
After finalising the design, I printed and overseen the application process which took only a day with the team of skilled applicators. When the van is in natural light, the oranges really glow and pop. The only downside to the project was that we had to cover the design with lettering and logos on all sides. I also enjoyed the simple addition of the torn metal claw marks.
All images are copyright of Intent Design Ltd.
Logo & Literature Design for 'Crystal Tips' Beauty Salon
Taking the visuals from the signage that I created for the Crystal Tips Beauty Salon, I was hired again to create a selection of post cards, price lists and business cards for printing.
Brand Design for 'The Big Label' Stores
One of the final projects I worked on with Intent Design was to create a brand identity for a chain of discount goods stores called The Big Labels. I created several designs including variations amongst these designs using colours and shapes. My favourite design was always the red (top right) design.
All images are copyright of Intent Design Ltd.
White Cell :: Website Design
The idea behind this design was to reflect the idea behind white blood cells, the 'police' of the body, with the shield look of the site as a whole and with the hints of blood red used for the navigation bar. I designed the icon to be distinct and just a little bit different to typical web developers vector style logos.
Unfortunately White Cell Design is no longer unavailable.
Team Blackbolt :: Website Design
Team Blackbolt is a hobbiest design team run by a friend and I. We specialise in the creation of user interfaces. I created the website design and the coding was done by Peter Tribe. The aim was to have a site that was as adaptable as possible, we've added sections like forums and beta program pages seamlessly in the past and removed them just as quickly. We can hold an infinite number of projects with clever scalability in the way we present our links.
You can visit Team Blackbolt by clicking here.
Aspire Home Improvements :: Website Design
The client came to me with a rough colour scheme and logo designed. Their brief entailed a 5 page website with a gallery, blog and large splash images. By incorporating the splash image into every page, I was able to create a more professional look and carry a theme that helps each page feel more familiar. I also helped fine-tune the colour scheme with the client, opting for a charcoal look instead of a full black and yellow.
You can visit Aspire Home Improvements by clicking here.
CDCovers.cc :: Website Design
The client, whose website is visited by millions of users every week, required a design with more colour. Working with the client I was able to redesign their entire visual feel with new sections and a new layout.
You can visit CDCovers.cc by clicking here.
Wrap Worx :: Website Design
This was a simple static multi-page website that was used to promote the services available from a local small business. The website was never fully fledged out and therefore remained in its current state.
You can visit Wrap Worx by clicking here.
