Muscular Minotaur with glowing green eyes, arrows sticking out of him and a wood shield
This artwork is available for licensing. https://www.flylanddesigns.com/licensing/
Tag Archive for: character design
This fun crazy character design is of a kids brain and eyeballs bursting out of his head.
This image is available for licensing: https://www.flylanddesigns.com/licensing/
Client:
What The Supp
Description:
This was a series of characters I created for a supplement company for their labels, and to advertise the products in Germany.
All the custom characters were created to look hyper-jacked and muscular. Each character reflected the title of each product in a subtle way. I created a minotaur, a pistol-wielding Gorilla in a suit, and a panda drug lord.
Designing The Philadelphia Flyers Mascot, Gritty
Client:
The Philadelphia Flyers
Project
The Philadelphia Flyers, the NHL hockey team, hired me to design the costume for their new mascot, completely from the ground up. They reached out to me because they had liked some edgy mascot artwork I had done for a television commercial by Chick-Fil-A.
The Flyers gave me a lot of freedom with the design. They had previously commissioned some designs, but nothing had hit the mark yet. They told me that the mascot design had to be “someone you’d want to high-five, but not hug.” He had to be fun enough to attract kids and younger fans, yet had to still be tough enough to earn the respect of the tough and gritty Philadelphia fans.
I began the project by sketching over 20 different possible mascots, including, bats, bulls, groundhogs, dragons, tough guys, yetis, and even a flying squirrel.
Once the client saw the sketches, they picked a big dumpy monster I had drawn as the starting point.
Early Gritty concept sketches
Early on, we still hadn’t decided on a name for the mascot. The Marketing team decided on Gritty, which is a perfect fit.
Final Turn-Around Illustration
After we nailed down the foundation of Gritty, the Art Directors and I experimented with many different variations to tweak Gritty’s look.
Working digitally with a Wacom Cintiq tablet, Clip Studio Paint, and Adobe Photoshop, I swapped different details on Gritty, including:
- 10 Different mouths
- With and without shorts
- Wings (a bunch of different kinds)
- Many different fur colors
- …and even a tail!
Once approved, this front, side, and back view of Gritty was submitted to Character Translations Inc. so they could begin work on the costume.
Additional poses for the mascot
Once the concept phase was over, the Flyers hired me to create a series of 10 different poses showing Gritty in action. The different illustrations were to be used primarily for promotion during the rollout.
The mascot illustrations were also used for merch designs sold at the Flyers’ stadium and online – from t-shirts, hockey pucks, sticks, and keychains.
Gritty introduced to the world!
Periodically throughout the process, the Flyers would send me photos of how the costume was coming together, but I usually only saw pieces. It wasn’t until just a few days before the official release that I saw Gritty for the first time. The costume creation team at Character Translations Inc. did an amazing job bringing my drawing to life.
Some of Gritty’s most unique features, such as the googly eyes, and squeaky hands, were added by the creative team at the Flyers. I was just as surprised as everyone else when they were first revealed!
The initial reaction seemed negative at first, and it was a little overwhelming. But the momentum changed very quickly. Within a couple of days, people were sending me fan art they had created of Gritty, and it was clear he had become more than just the mascot for the Flyers: he was now the mascot of the internet!
Client Testimonial:
Thank you again for all your great work throughout the project! Appreciate the quality work, quick turnarounds and accommodating the many changes we sent your way.
–Ben DiCandilo
Philadelphia Flyers, Marketing Manager
Thank you, Flyers!
I owe a large debt of gratitude to the Flyers for making me a part of something so big (and orange!).
Thank you to the Marketing Team – They had great ideas and clear communication.
Thank you to the costume company for their incredible work!
And thank you to the man inside the Gritty suit, who has really brought this two-dimensional drawing to life!
The full story behind the creation of Gritty:
Interview by Mark Brickey on the popular art and design podcast, Adventures in Design
I go into full detail of the process of how I designed Gritty with the Flyers, and how I dealt with the outpouring of reactions to the mascot I helped create, both negative and positive. Adventures in Design is a really great podcast that has interviewed many of the best artists in the industry, so it was an honor to be included!
SquareVideo SquareVideo Gritty
Interviews and Press about the creation of Gritty:
Gritty took the world by storm, and I was very fortunate to be part of it. It was really humbling to be interviewed by over 20 news outlets, several of them on camera, and to be a guest on my favorite art podcast, Adventures in Design.
https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/12/24/18145323/gritty-explained-mascot-flyers-meme-leftist
• VOX
https://www.businessinsider.com/artist-behind-gritty-on-marketing-gritty-does-not-go-away-2020-11
• BUSINESS INSIDER
Gritty: How Brian Allen Created The Philadelphia Flyers Hockey Legend
• POP ICON
Gritty is the internet mascot for a world that’s broken in 2018
• CNET
The 15 Best Marketing Stunts, Activations and Odd Creations of 2018
• ADWEEK
Gritty’s First Month: The Heroic Ascendance of a ‘Ghastly Empty-Eyed Muppet’
• NY Times
I Learned to Love Gritty the Terrifying Mascot and So Can You
• USA Today
Flyers Introduce New Orange, Fuzzy Mascot Gritty, Relish Reaction
• ESPN
Gritty, the Flyers’ new mascot, is up to all sorts of shenanigans on his 1st night out
• NBC Sports
Meet Gritty: The Flyers’ New Team Mascot
• 6ABC News
LOOK: New Flyers mascot Gritty dances with Jimmy Fallon, gets punched by Ricky Gervais
• CBS Sports
Philadelphia Flyers’ new mascot, ‘Gritty,’ sparks backlash, calls for euthanization
• Fox News
Gritty, Stuff Of Nightmares, Has Been Officially Welcomed To Philadelphia
• NPR
Gritty: why the Philadelphia Flyers’ new acid trip of a mascot must be stopped
• The Guardian
‘Gritty’, the internet’s most beloved mascot, explained
• SB Nation
TRUE GRITTY, OR HOW A MYSTIFYING NEW NHL MASCOT WON THE INTERNET
• AdAge
Are You In or Out on “Gritty,” the Philadelphia Flyers’ New Googly-Eyed Mascot?
• The Ringer
Few things are more awesome than a samurai in full armor glinting in the moonlight. Very few things. Loved designing the armor on this intense samurai character!
This pre-existing artwork is available for licensing, for most uses.
All of the images are high-resolution, at least 14 inches tall/wide, and are separated from their backgrounds.
Once you purchase a license to an image, I will send you a layered Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator file (depending on the type of artwork), along with a licensing agreement.
I can also modify the images (ie. place them on templates, add your logo, change colors) for an additional fee.
All text can be modified.
Available for licensing here: https://www.flylanddesigns.com/licensing/
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Client:
Activision, Call of Duty
Description:
I was hired to create a series of illustrations for Activision’s Call of Duty Zombies video game used during a promotional campaign they ran on social media during the game’s launch.
One of my favorite projects ever, for a series I’ve been a huge fan of. The clients wanted their different iconic zombie characters in their new 80s themed zombie shooter illustrated using my style, which was hugely flattering. Each illustration was used on Activision’s social media during the countdown to the release of the game. The illustrations were drawn in a way to encourage fans of the game to insert their photos behind the zombies so it appeared like they were being attacked.
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Client:
Boy Scouts of America
Description:
I was thrilled recently to work with Boy Scouts of America illustrating their Bear, Wolf, and Tiger mascots for a catalog that went out to all troops nationwide. We created illustrations that blended real studio photos of kids in Boy Scouts gear, and drawn into a comic book background. The marketing team hired me to reinvent the existing mascot illustrations in my own style. I was a Cub Scout long ago, so it was a lot of fun to leave a little mark on the organization.
Check out more of my Mascot designs here.
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Copyright © 2016 by Brian Allen
Client:
Joe Graham
Description:
A series of character designs I created for an adventure/strategy card game for a developer. I had a grand old time working on this – all of the characters were a bit extreme and over-the-top, so it fit my style well. We also created the card design and other moving parts of the game as well.
Check out more of my Mascot designs here.
Character mascot design I created of Zeus wielding a lightning bolt.
© Brian Allen 2016
Client:
Bogardpress
Description:
Concept art characters I created for a book publisher, taking characters we had already created, and outfitting them for exploring the undersea depths! The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
Client Testimonial:
Everyone was very happy with what you have done. Very impressed.
-Shawn Blase
Bogardpress
Client:
Pulsafeeder
Description:
I was hired to design and illustrate a series of comic book characters for a promotional series advertising a line of industrial pumps. It was a challenge finding a way to take a piece of industrial equipment and turn it into something that could be used to tell a story. We decided to create a pair of super heroes that used the pumps as tools that transform into things like jetpacks, weapons, and other gadgets. We first explored the idea of having the characters be robots that were actually made from the pumps themselves, but we decided that it would be harder to tell a story this way.
Client:
Bogardpress
Description:
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
Client Testimonial:
Everyone was very happy with what you have done. Very impressed.
-Shawn Blase
Bogardpress
Client:
M.A.S. Productions
Description:
I illustrated this dark detailed illustration of an epic battle between Freddy, Leatherface, Nosferatu, The Excorsist, Frankenstein, Kirk Hammet, Ozzy, Alice Cooper, Corey Taylor, and more for a documentary on the history of Metal and Horror.
I was hired by Producer Mike Schiff of M.A.S. Productions to create an illustration of some of the most iconic figures in horror and heavy metal engaging in an epic battle. The image was used to promote a documentary they produced which explores the history of heavy metal music, horror films, and how the two genres have merged together over time.
The documentary features interviews with Alice Cooper, Kirk Hammett, Corey Taylor, plus a ton of other heavy metal stars, along with huge names in the horror industry. It was so great getting the chance to illustrate these iconic figures, including Freddy, Leatherface, Nosferatu, Ozzy, Alice Cooper, Kirk Hammet, and more. Pieces of the illustration were also used for an animation promoting the documentary.
Client Testimonial:
Incredible job on this. I knew you’d create something amazing , and holy crap is this good.
-Mike Schiff
Mas Productions
See clips from the documentary here:
http://www.metalhorror.com/
Support their Iniegogo campaign:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-history-of-metal-and-horror#/story
Character Design Illustration of horror movie monsters Freddy, Leatherface, Nosferatu, fighting heavy metal starts Kirk Hammet, Ozzy, Alice Cooper.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
Client Testimonial:
Everyone was very happy with what you have done. Very impressed.
-Shawn Blase
Bogardpress
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
I created these concept illustrations of a steampunk family of adventurers for an educational publisher called Bogardpress. The character designs will be used to illustrate their educational materials and lessons. Each year the team uses a different theme and concept to tie their lessons together. I really enjoyed the whole process, from developing the characters in sketches, to coloring and rendering the final versions. I tried to add a bit of style into the characters to keep them from becoming generic. I especially enjoyed creating the robot character.
Click here to see more of my Illustrations.
Check out more of my Mascot designs here.
This is part of a series of mascot character designs I created for Great Dane Graphics. We had a lot of working finding different ways to portray zombies as believeable sports mascots.
Click here to see more of my Dark Illustrations
Check out more of my Mascot designs here.
This is part of a series of mascot character designs I created for Great Dane Graphics. We had a lot of working finding different ways to portray zombies as believeable sports mascots.
Click here to see more of my Dark Illustrations
Check out more of my Mascot designs here.
This is part of a series of mascot character designs I created for Great Dane Graphics. We had a lot of working finding different ways to portray zombies as believeable sports mascots.
Click here to see more of my Dark Illustrations
Check out more of my Mascot designs here.
This a cartoon graphic illustration I created for Great Dane Graphics of a bunch of toys climbing out of a stocking, and a group of penguins building a snowman.
Artwork available for purchase at Great Dane Graphics
Click here to see more of my Illustrations.
Custom poster illustration I created for the Mud Endeavor relay races in Florida. The client wanted a colorful, fun design for the event poster. I came up with the idea of having the contestants actually made of mud, since the particpants are usually covered in mud by the end of the race.
Detail view
Click here to see more of my Illustrations.
Tag Archive for: character design
Product Reviews
Wacom Cintiq Pro 24″ ReviewSeptember 1, 2023 - 12:30 pmProfessional Illustrator Brian Allen reviews the new Wacom Cintiq Pro 24″ (non-touch). I have been using the new Wacom Cintiq Pro 24″ extensively since early April 2018 and I love it! I upgraded from the Wacom Cintiq 24HD, which I used for over 6 years. I had high expectations for this digital drawing tablet and […]