Hi, I'm Nick Abbondandolo, a graphic designer based out of Westlake Village, CA. I have nearly 10 years experience in digital art and design, and six and a half years in the sign industry. I studied advertising and design in high school which inspired me to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in graphic design at The New England Institute of Art. Soon after graduating college in 2007, I was hired as a lead production artist at Design Communications LTD. in South Boston Massachusetts. DCL is a company that specializes in the construction and management of wayfinding programs, architectural elements and environmental graphics. After two wonderful years at DCL, I moved across the country and now reside in the Los Angeles area. I look forward to immersing myself in the design community here in California, and I am eager to work on unique and creative projects. Please take a look at my work below and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you are interested in any of my services. Thanks for stopping by!


The Internet, travel, new technologies, nature, meeting
& conversing with new people, cinema, recycling/reuse,
organization, signs and sunny warm weather.

I like building things and experimenting with different
materials and medias (silk screening, paints, vinyl, and
wood to name a few). I like getting my hands dirty and
using tools; everything from X-Actos to table saws.

Jon F. Merz is a published author from the Boston area. He hired me to create his personal website, jonfmerz.net. After the successful creation of THEFIXER.TV (see project below), I was excited to work on another website for him. Jon wanted a place where he could incorporate all of his social networking outlets into one place. His personal blog, Twitter and Facebook page are his direct connections to his fans and friends, so I made sure those sites were linked into jonfmerz.net. Joomla Content Management was used to allow Jon to add and edit content on his own.

Dissimplines: Website Design/Development, Digital Photography,
Joomla CMS, Copywriting

The Fixer is a independent television show created by Jon F. Merz. For this project Jon wanted to create an informative, yet eye-catching website where he could direct fans and potential investors. Because The Fixer is an independent project, Jon and his business partner had to meet with dozens of private investors interested in funding the project; thefixer.tv was an important tool used within those meetings. The website has numerous sections outlining the characters, plot and other aspects of the show. Also included are photo and video sections to help give the franchise a visual identity while it is still in the pre-production stages. The original site I made is no longer active - however a redesign is in the process.

Dissimplines: Website and Message Board Design/Development, Digital Photography, Copywriting, Brand Enhancement (logo designed by others)

For this project I was hired to create a website that updates and functions like a blog. A Content Management System was used to allow for easy, client controlled site updates and content modification. Another aspect I had to consider was the constantly changing project spotlight pages. Every few months a new sponsor would be displayed on the site, so all of the content had to be seamlessly added, but at the same time not require a complete redesign. This project has been placed on hold, so the live links are still private. In the meantime check out the screen shots above.

Dissimplines: Website Design/Development, Joomla CMS, Brand
Enhancement (logo designed by others)

TrueXotics.com is the brainchild of snake collector and life-long reptile lover Marc Busby. For this project the client wanted a functional, yet visually unique website to standout in the crowd of other snake enthusiast sites. Aside from the visual aspects of the site, Marc wanted a place to post all of his knowledge and experience relating to the Emerald Tree Boa. Future plans for the site include an online store and a message board for all kinds of snake related discussion.

Dissimplines: Website Design/Development, Brand Enhancement
(logo designed by others)

The Fixer is an independent TV series based in Boston. The show is about a vampire secret agent by the name of Lawson who carries out various missions to ensure the "balance" between humans and blood-drinkers. The series pilot is slated to be released mid-2010. In the meantime, I was hired to create print and web promotional posters to create buzz for the project. Keep an eye (or fang) out for The Fixer on your TV screen this coming year!

Dissimplines: Digital Imagery, Digital Photography, Typography

Plus Move is an electronica two-piece band with a growing reputation. They asked me to create the artwork for their EP "2099", which was released by New York City based Expansion Team Records. The members of Plus Move came up with an interesting backstory for their music which involved a sphinx shaped time machine and an evil villain by the name of "Boss". I had a great time illustrating their vision, and they were very happy with the end result. 2099 is available on iTunes.

Dissimplines: Digital Illustration, Vector Artwork, Typography

Trajan is one of my favorite typefaces, so I was excited to create a specimen book for it back when I was in college. After doing some research I learned of the origin and story behind Carol Twombly's creation. The typeface was based on ancient Roman scriptures on Emperor Trajan's Column. I then proceeded to build Rome in a day using letters and numbers.

Dissimplines: Vector Artwork, Typography

TrueXotics wanted a brochure to place on the counter of the New England Reptile Zoo/Pet Store. For this project the client wanted to create an easy to read instructional guide that would also promote the TrueXotics collection. The design is simple and clean because it only used a single ink color which was printed on a green specialty paper.

Dissimplines: Vector Artwork, Typography

For this project the Jon F. Merz wanted me to create a stationary package for his branded name. Jon needed business cards for client meetings and book signings. His letterhead and envelope is still occasionally used, even though the majority of information sent via email nowadays. However, stationary seems to be withstanding the test of time.

Dissimplines: Vector Artwork, Digital Imagery, Typography

When The Fixer TV project was in its' infancy, there was an established logo that was used for about two years. After that stretch of time, it was decided that the franchise needed a new look. After successfully creating a couple of posters and a website, I was called in to update The Fixer logo. I wanted to create something memorable yet versatile. The end result was a logo(s) that can be used on everything from TV title screens to websites.

Dissimplines: Vector Artwork, Typography

One of my favorite things to do as a graphic artist is to create logos. It doesn't matter what kind of company or client it is for, I just love creating unique and memorable marks. After sketches and brainstorming, my process always starts by drawing a black logo in vector lines. Once that is established, I add in another color if necessary or other small detail. Take a look at some of the logos I've done recently by navigating through the slide show above.

Dissimplines: Vector Artwork, Typography

This was one of my favorite projects I did back in college. The project brief stated that Levi Jeans wanted a three ad campaign to run in fashion magazines. I chose the ECO Line of jeans which use organic cloth. From there I cut up an old pair of jeans and pinned the pieces to various plants. I then went outside and photographed the plant/jean hybrids. Actually making the items instead of photoshopping them was a nice change of pace, and it still allowed me to be just as creative.

Dissimplines: Digital Imagery, Digital Photography, Copywriting,
Typography

Jones Soda had a design contest which let the consumer come up with the concept. I chose to create a magazine ad for the company, and for my concept I chose the one thing everyone could relate to: the economy. I then worked in the culture of Jones Soda which is heavily embedded in the skate and snowboarding world. In the end, I didn't win the contest, but I was happy with my submission.

Dissimplines: Vector Artwork, Digital Imagery, Copywriting, Typography

This ad won me first place at a gallery show in college. We had to choose an organization, then create a powerful magazine ad using only one image. I choose the National Youth Gang Center, and I incorporate the American flag in for my one image. After the design was submitted, a panel of judges from some of the top design firms in Boston voted me the winner in the advertising design category.

Dissimplines: Digital Imagery, Digital Photography, Copywriting,
Typography

Here is another school project. This was actually one of the first projects I did when I entered college. We basically had to create a fictitious diving magazine, then create a cover design and back cover ad. I decided I wanted to go more illustrative with the front cover because I thought it would be different for a diving magazine. I then made an ad for Fruit Water for the back cover. Don't tell anyone, but I briefly stole my sisters goldfish and put it in the bottle for a few minute to take a photograph. Don't worry, the fish wasn't harmed, he actually enjoyed the lemony flavor, just kidding - it was water from his tank.

Dissimplines: Digital Illustration, Digital Imagery, Digital Photography
Copywriting, Typography

This is a sculpture I did to voice my opinion about war and peace. It won first place in my schools Winter Works Gallery. The signs were made from sheet metal and the street sign post was set in a concrete base. There is a post-it note on the base that has "fix me" written on it, and there is a bolt and screw next to it. This implies that the sign needs to be fixed, but it is hard to do when you cannot touch the art when it is an a gallery. This was done to make people realize that it is a tough battle to end war and promote peace.

Dissimplines: Vector Artwork, Typography, Sign Construction

For this project the teacher in my Environmental Design class got us a real world client to work for; City Year. The objective of the project was to create a wayfinding system for the new City Year headquarters in Boston. All of the students in the class submitted a style guide with different symbol designs for the client. The head of the Creative Department of City Year Boston chose my design. I then became the art director of the project and guided the remaining designs my classmates created.

Dissimplines: Digital Illustration, Vector Artwork,
Art Direction, Typography

Apparel design is another medium I enjoy working within, especially shirt designs. I was fortunate enough to design artwork for two bands that are respected in the music industry. One design was for the rock band CKY, they chose to print my design and then sell the shirts online and on tour. Another shirt design I did was for a Los Angeles based metal band by the name of World Under Blood. After looking at these designs, you can really get a sense of the range of clients I do work for, everything from architecture websites to heavy metal band shirt designs. I don't mind wearing many hats!

Dissimplines: Vector Artwork, Typography

nick.abb@me.com


310-948-0577


nickdissim