WORK.by:AMZart

A band like Kill the Fall is not a group known for cheerful tunes — and rightly so, they play some brooding jams. But with the onset of Spring, a dark and dreary design seemed to be too much of a bad thing following Cleveland’s fantastically dismal winter.
So I put a robin in there.

Here are a few teaser images for a soon to be freshly released project entitled Anie; an analog photography based zine that will run the gamut on image subjects and processes.
Long-time collaborator and accidental motivator Scott Meivogel wanted to do a zine that would showcase the ever-growing body of his film work. Despite being the busy fool I am, saying “no” to be apart of this project was out of the question. Scott’s work continues to gain strength and lend new perspectives on the use of film; something that as a result always pushes me to keep my Italian schnoz pressed against the design grindstone. It is our hope that by involving my tenuous design sense, we can produce a publication that people will want to pick up, read and pay for — just hopefully not in that order.

Be sure to get several at one of these fine locations: 
Magcloud (for a limited time) or through us at Aperture (online or in-store) 

If you live in Cleveland, and have any sense of pride for the city you hail from, no doubt a small place in your affectionately bursting heart is reserved for Harvey Pekar. Championed as one of the greatest comic writer’s of our time, he is also Cleveland born n’ bred; a true staple. So much so, a bronze statue stands in the Cleveland Heights Library memorializing his legacy. I even contributed money to the Kickstarter campaign to help realize the piece.

So when the Library asked me to develop a mark for a bookstore in his name, I was flattered and surely willing to help. I wanted to develop a mark that felt in line with Harvey’s work without taking too many liberties from it. The end result is ultimately a chair. A simple piece of furniture that he sat in during library visits (literally every day I’m told), that is both preserved for him as well as inviting to others.

puppy-chow asked: Hey, I'm Mat Marrash's gf. Please to being following you~.

Pleased to be followed!

This… takes a bit of explaining.

Ages ago, a movie entitled True Lies existed. A terrific movie in it’s own right. The Arnolds were in great form — Arnolds meaning Arnold Schwarzeneger, who was both a hardass and somehow funny; the other being Tom Arnold who was just really funny. Jamie Lee Curtis also had a showing (literally) and made us all remember she was a jaw-dropper, just in case any of us forgot her in Trading Places. AND did I mention it has Bill Goddamn Paxton as a used car salesman/poseur spy? Yeah. Go see it. Again.
I digress…

IN THIS FILM, there is a terrorist faction, Crimson Jihad, led by actor Art Malick (also awesome here). The plot is fairly straightforward governator fare BUT the movie is HEAVILY quotable, most from the terror flunkies in this flick.

Fast forward to the past (yep) where I work at a deli with a Lebanese cook — let’s call him Bill. Bill and I bond over quoting and ripping this film endlessly. In honor of our friendship and days lost serving omelets and toast, I presented him with this “design-gag” which not only encompasses and expands upon our in-jokes but also brings to attention that he truly is (here comes the pun) a dynamite guy in the kitchen. 

For Art of the Ornament, a local charity event, I crafted this (not so) little ornament to be auctioned off. Later on I would do an accompanying illustrated piece to go with it, which serves as the cropped out “title” to this poster. Strangely enough, it was light enough to hang and caused no major issues.

Oh, it also hosts the characters of my children’s book series Grobin The Dog masquerading as the cast of Dicken’s Christmas Carol.

This is so late in posting it’s almost early… for next year. A Xmas Ale label designed for a home brewed beer made for a book opening in 2011. Yes, it all makes sense. Single color label due to budget issues ( I was broke ) but the graphics attempted to the yuletide talking.

Long time friend and über-posi trainer Paul “Theo” Theodore has been building an alternative fitness empire from the ground up. His approach is human and accessible. 

Through his classes, Theo began a weekly info-share, using his email roster to send helpful tips and facts, even motivational videos. Yet as the interest grew in these little “hand outs”, he considered doing something more condensed. It was one thing to put the info in front of them, but can we put it in their hands?

The answer is this compact book full of Theo’s approach to leading a cleaner, healthier life through better eating habits and choices. The info is clear, easy to digest, and above ALL — unthreatening. Too many people shy away from overly verbose manuals on health that look more like stereo schematics than they do cooking supplements.

It was our hope to bring forth a pleasant, approachable guide to living well. 

See what Theo’s doing here.

Just in time for Halloween, way the hell after-the-fact in terms of what it was for…

In an age long ago, when men were boys, and boys played questionable music with even more questionable wardrobe choices, punk reigned as king. HowAboutNo was a band that joined that fray. In those turbulent times of spikes and leather jackets, I was a drummer. A drummer for that band. 

Almost a decade after burying something that maybe should have stayed deceased, we shook off the sod, dusted our instruments (and ourselves) and gave our old bones another go ‘round onstage. 

To promote the whole damn thing, we embraced the fact that “punk” was kinda/sorta dead, and by extension we were too. Some ideas are well thought out, crafted and honed. Others spit in your face and you say “thanks”.

Luckily, along with this winning idea for a poster, I had the opportunity to work with the stellar talents of Joshua Lee who shot the hell out of the three of us. And I must say, in the days of HD and Camera Raw, you really get a feel for what eight years does to one’s skin…

Been a minute doing some “real world” work, but how great is it when you can step back into the creative fold? In a massively flattering gesture, Lost Jon and the Ghosts asked me of all people to do their album art. The rules? No tech, all hands and unify the broad scope of these (incredible) songs.