Blog Champagne with Ben Krantz

This is the book I made to house my work for the A&F internship a few weeks back. My actual designs are a few posts below, but this is the housing unit for them.

A while back I was presented with a possible scholarship opportunitiy through Leo Burnett in Chicago. I was to submit 8-12 pieces of work and have them contained in a box, which would be picked up a few days later. There weren’t any other guidlines other than this. All I knew is, “Possible free money and my work in front of some amazing people?! I’ve got to do something awesome and stand out!”

My plan was to build my own customized box for my work. I had never made anything like this before, but I had a good idea of what I wanted and how I wanted the viewer to be presented with my work.

My favorite part is the lid because I made an etched copper plate which reads, “Ben Krantz, Art Director|Designer.” I think its a great touch and I’ve wanted to try etching copper for a while. Once you open the box my hand made business card and resume are on the sub lid, which you then take off and see the mounted work on 8.5×11’s.

Abercrombie & Fitch came to Portfolio Center about a week ago and presented some students with a possible internship opportunity. We spent the day learning the techniques A&F uses to design their clothing and the actual production process for their apparel. After this we were given the assignment of designing a 6 sku package that contains two designs from each “bucket:” 2 Logo, 2 Icon and 2 Heritage shirts which were then handed in the following week. A&F will choose the top 4 students based on their designs and present them with the paid internship for the fall or spring quarter. Here are my designs.

Here’s some work I’ve done over the past 3 quarters at Portfolio Center. I wanted to put some work up for people to see. The website will be coming soon.

Adrian Frutiger Type Poster

Yuengling Beer Packaging

Volcom Snowboarding Print Ad

Volcom Skateboarding Print Ad

Volcom Surfing Print Ad

Bob Marley Ipod Print Ad

Margaret Thatcher Logo: Color & B/W

Margaret Thatcher Stationary Suite

Lost Boardshorts Flash Banner Ad

Alan Jackson CD Box Set Packaging: “Weathered, But Never Beaten”

Alan Jackson CD Box Set “Weathered, But Never Beaten”

Kraft Print Ad 1

Kraft Print Ad 2

Kraft Print Ad 3

A Few Layout Pages For My Comic Book Before Text

Vibe Tree Concert Poster

*Photography by Joe Martinez

Writing will resume shortly. I’ve been on vacation…

Well my web site for GolfPunk Magazine is complete and it was quite an experience. This was a British golf magazine which was basically a Maxim Magazine about golf. The main focus was on girls, but it had some golf information and then fashion.

It certainly wasn’t the easiest project I’ve done and reflecting on my completed work there are so many other routes I would have taken with the same objectives for the magazine. The idea was to keep the magazine as the “main feature” and have the web site be like the extras on a DVD. That was completed, but the style, layout and look I finished with don’t feel right anymore. I’m chalking this up as an my first experience in web design and next time I’ll lock it up. My criticalness and impatience can’t look at this web site any longer, but here are a few of the pages.

Home Page


Bunker Babes


Niblicks


Players Lounge

TOP PROPS!

1. Nessie The Loch Ness Monster: Spotted! When I was a kid I had a fierce, terrifying image in my mind of this nasty water terrorist. I grew up in fear that he somehow would swim to the Maine coast and eat me while I was swimming. My parents told me it wasn’t true and he doesn’t exist. Well apparently my parents are liars and if they loved me they would have been a little more concerned. But seriously, Nessie is a cool guy and fresh out of rehab and ready for some public appearances. The publicity in the 80’s actually drove him into seclusion where he spent a long battle with addictions to various drugs such as heroin, meth, cocaine and black ripple. Now he’s cleaned up and a devout Catholic.

2. Belly Button Rings! Not always a fan and not always flattering on your babies mama, but I saw some rings last weekend that gave me a new outlook on life. A sexy stomach with a nice belly button ring is like some slick rims on a brand new Mercedes.

3. Beer Coozies! I prefer a red Solo cup for my brew dogs, but when I’m doing the sipping thing, give me my red foam coozie. Keeps the beer ice cold and its fun to say soft and sensual like, “Cooooooozie.”

4. Vacation! I ordered my tickets to go back home and I’m excited! I can’t wait to lie on the beach, hang out with the gang, sleep in, watch movies and think about nothing. I can’t wait!

5. Ice Cream Cake! I made it last Sunday. What else is there really to say other than DELICIOUS! People doubted my prowess in the kitchen, but the Mona Lisa of ice cream cakes was made by yours truly and it was incredible. Too bad you missed it!

TOP SLOP!

1. Bad Teeth! “Attention Dr.Snaggle Tooth could you please report to the dentist office. It seems your shark teeth are frightening the children again. Teeth are important to many of us. Others not so much. I appreciate a good grill and am thankful that my parents got me braces so I don’t look British. Pearly whites don’t always come natural, but it’s like real estate: “Always a great investment.”

2. Swearing In Front Of Kids! We aren’t on the high seas. We aren’t in the hockey locker room and this isn’t Richard Pryor’s standup comedy. Have some class in front of these young, easily impressionable minds. Your conversation is rated R and your audience is rated G.

3. Hiccups! It’s always bad timing with them. They are annoying, awkward and how do you get rid of them? “Stand on your head. Hold your breath. Pinch your thigh while waving your left hand in the northeast direction. Have someone scare you.” The list goes on, yet the mystery remains on how to defeat this weirdness. Can someone just give me the science behind a hiccup because I don’t get where they even come from and why.

4. School Related All Nighters! I hate them. I woke up Wednesday morning at 8am and have been up straight for the past 38 hours. It’s crazy, but true. It was all for a big time, last minute presentation. Our team over delivered and locked it up, but wow! We all saw sides of each other that are best left behind and forgotten. Sweet dreams…

5. Low Self Esteem! There are all kinds of different examples, but I always hate those who make everything in life a competition. They have to be the best and are threatened by everything and everyone! No, one single person can be great at every aspect in life and it’s sad when someone is threatened by the talents in others. Its nothing to compete against, just something to model yourself towards or look up to. Let that be a drop of knowleadge to you.

TOP PROPS!

1. Rob & Big’s New Season! It’s back and funnier than ever! My favorite duo has me laughing again as always Tuesday’s at 10:30 pm. You also can’t forget the skateboarding, bulldog “Meaty”… and the craziest new addition “Mini Horse!” I seriously have to get my own show!

2. Sundresses! Mmmm… mmmm…mmmm… mmmm… I love Southern weather!

3. Throwing TV’s Out Windows! I don’t condone it, but it sure is freakin’ fun! It’s soothing and I dare say therapeutic. It’s really simple too. Step 1: Unplug TV from outlet. Step 2: Pick up TV and walk out to balcony or somewhere high up from the ground. (The anticipation of the TV falling is crucial!) Step 3: I do a 3 count, and then toss! SMASH!!! The explosion, the flashing light! What a rush! The best part is how it never gets old and you always get a great laugh out of throwing one!

4. Drinking Champagne On Private Jets! So I’m already loving my white, leather recliner with plenty of leg room, no crying babies and a clear view to my right of SportsCenter on what I guessed to be a 32″ plasma TV. This plane was all kinds of tricked out! Everything imaginable… It reeked of riches, elegance and… marijuana, but I knew I was on the right flight when the stewardess Stephanie came around and asked if I would like a glass of Louis Roederer Cristal! “Yes please.” Cheers…to life and love!

5. Wave Runners! Vrrrrroooom! I haven’t been on one or had that much fun since back in the day! I used to be notorious for my death defying craziness and extreme good looks with my hair wet. The water wasn’t quite choppy enough for my favorite tricks, but being able to go 55 mph, get a little air and do a few weak 180’s on water is always a good time. I’m still limping after a week so it’s proof that my outting was a success!

TOP SLOP!

1. Not Finishing Your Beer! “Hey, come on in!” You’re a guest in my house, so put your feet up, relax, have a beer and hang out. That’s how it starts and then later the next day I’m cleaning up the place and… “What the…?! This beer is opened, but…full!?!? This one too…what the *$#%!?!?” Taking beer and not finishing it is like a father walking out on his family. No one forced him into it and now he knows he has a responsibility and commitment that you don’t walk away from. What kind of sick people live in this world?

2. MDA’s! Mysterious Drinking Accidents. Wake up, bathroom; look in the mirror and… bruises all over my arms, one on my leg and huge scratches on my chest. Figuring out what happened that night would be equivalent to finding out where in the world Carmen Sandiego really is!

3. Pregnant Teens! Someone stop this madness! Sixteen-year-old girls shouldn’t be having babies. These kids can’t even take care of themselves and what? Their boyfriend-ish, guy thing is going to support them? He got cut from his junior varsity basketball team, failed freshman English AGAIN and the only thing he’s good at is cleaning out the bong water and connecting a DVD player to a TV set. Scrambled eggs are better than fertilized eggs when you’re in high school!

4. Animals Shedding! I hate fur everywhere! I can’t wear dark colors, my shoe treads get clogged with fur and it somehow it always ends up on my face. It’s a giant disaster zone and all thanks to a 15 pound Boston Terrier. Even better is that his owner doesn’t know how to vacuum and he’s a 25 year-old human. Sad.

5. Wasps! Have you ever been stung by a wasp? It’s terrible! I keep seeing these reddish brown ones and they look fierce. Once I was moving furniture up a fire escape for a friend and I razzed up a wasp nest that was built under the top step. I was stung multiple times. My eyes swelled shut and my hand became about the size of a softball. Rememberance of that day still sends shivers down my spine.

TOP PROPS!

1. Pool Time! Our pool has a jigsaw like shape, plenty of chairs, shade if you want it, no kids, lots of bikini’s and plenty of ice cold brew dogs. Count it!

2. Bud Light 36 Packs! Is Anheuser-Busch serious? Yes! My prayers have finally been answered! I’ve always felt a 30 pack was a little weak and insufficient, but now… 6 more beers and I’m ready to party! Get the cooler and ice!

3. Moe’s Chicken Club Quesadilla! It’s back after 3 months and better than ever! Finally ol’ Moe realized how furious I’ve been over the last couple months because of the horrific black balling he’s given me. I love that quesadilla and it makes me a better man. I forgive you and thank you.

4. Clean Apartment! Gimme’ some knuckle, lock it and put the chain on it! Yeah baby! This place is spotless! We scrubbed, dusted, vacuumed and polished this ugly duckling right back into the beautiful swan it deserves to be. High five Erik we rule!

5. Golf! Did you say it’s boring? Wow!? If you don’t like to be outside in beautiful weather with friends, smoking stogies, drinking some brews, laughing, riding around in a golf cart and swinging a stick then maybe you’re boring.

TOP SLOP!

1. Sweating Profusely and Not Wearing Deodorant! I’m glad that summer heat isn’t even in full force yet and people are sweating and stinking up my daily life. Before I handed the lady at the counter my credit card, she’s stretching out and like a poisonous gas my nostrils are invaded by B.O!!! I cringed in fear and almost threw up! Not only that, as she’s reaching for my credit card what slides down her arm from underneath her shirt? Yes, a massive flood of slimy, sticky perspiration! Her sweaty B.O. practically sprayed me in the eyes like a garden hose. Thinking back on that gruesome day makes me queesy.

2. Popped Collars! Do people not know how stupid this is? The guy who said this was a style and really fashionable actually made a public statement a few years back saying how it was all a huge public prank. He even apologized because people actually believed him and still pop their collars thinking they are coolest people alive. Don’t people know popped collars are out and tight rolled jeans are back in?

3. Atlanta Transportation! How bad does it suck? No, seriously! I’m glad this city wasn’t rebuilt with an actual plan in mind or some sort of directional grid. That would have made things way to easy to get from point A to point B. Now I’ll just sit in traffic for a few hours and average 1 mile per 10 minutes. Awesome.

4. People Who Smoke With The Windows Up! How disgusting is that? Just looking at people doing it makes me start to choke, cough and gag. Basking in your own cancerous fumes looks about as cool as your charred black lungs do under a microscope. Awesome, now you can cover up your scent of 20 cats and cheap perfume with another intoxicating smell…cigarette smoke. Some do say it’s an aphrodisiac…

5. Abandoned Office Buildings! Creepy, frightening and full of the unknown. I helped out some friends of mine with a photo shoot the other day in an abandoned office building. I was honestly never scared, but my senses were alive. Let me tell you that there is nothing like the smell of fresh crack, urine, mildew, blood and rotting flesh. Top it off with some darkness and lots of creaking and we’ve got the next SAW movie. I can’t wait to go back.

Vote for my design titled, “An Essential Element For Life” by B Ganush.

I did a label design for the SIGG Swiss Engineered Water Bottle competition. The painting I used on the label was done by the talented Miss Andrea Berg. Vote for me, give me five stars and do it everyday if you like it. All I can win is water bottles with my design on them so if I get lucky don’t be expecting checks in the mail. Thanks!

TOP PROPS

1. Mothers Day! Moms are the greatest! Once I weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz.’s, lived in a womb and kicked a lot. Then I burst out into the world naked, slimy and crying. Who cleaned me up, gave me cloths and then rocked me to sleep? Yep, that’s right…my Mom! Have a great day and I hope my card arrives on time.
2. House Parties! Throw a bunch of fun, random and crazy people into a house with a keg and lots of liquor and don’t stop until 4am. That’s what its all about. Turn up that music and try to keep up. Otherwise get out of the way because you’re killing my buzz!
3. Summer Concert Season! I love concerts and seeing them outside in great weather is the best! I’ve already got my Arctic Monkeys, 311/Matisyahu, G Love/Slightly Stoopid tickets and I’m ready to keep on buying. Get there early and lets tailgate!
4. Panchos Restaurant! Not to far from my “hacienda” and it has a great deck to sit outside and enjoy the weather. I recommend getting about 5 pitchers of margaritas and then a designated driver. Also, if you see me out send a pitcher to my table and tell me I’m the coolest guy you know. P.S Hold the salt.
5. Fletch! What an awesome movie! Haven’t watched that since I was in like 5th grade. Chevy Chase is hilarious and the 80’s rocked! I’m so excited now that I’m putting on my Jamz, growing a mullet, listening to White Snake, taping “Charles In Charge” and then putting on my ultimate seduction accessory…the SLAP BRACELET! Look out ladies here I come!

TOP SLOP

1. Gas Prices! Whoa! Slow down there Opec! You are out of control right now. You’re like a really, really, really fat, ugly, obese kid who’s all grown up and now has control of all the candy everywhere in the world. You love candy! The taste, the smell and its yours… BUT, you also love money. So now you’re thinking, “I’ve got all this delicious candy and I know others want it and need it, but it’s mine. All mine! Ok, fine, I’ll sell some of it, but each piece costs $3.09! There! I rule!”
2. Match.com Advertisements! Are these girls serious? It was even announced today in class that, “There’s a new Match.com girl and she’s really hot!” What is this? Well, at least these Internet hookers aren’t my daughters.
3. Cutting In Line! I was actually cut in line the other day. I was at the grocery store and it sucked. The new line opens, the girl waves ME in, and then all of a sudden “Houdini” appears out of nowhere in front of me like a freakin’ magic trick. He also had an angry mustache, yellow eyes and looked like a kitten killer. Part of me gets really fired up and I’m scowling. I wanted to say, “Hey man…hey, hey you. You cut me and umm…the line starts behind me so get the *#%$ back there! Instead I took a deep breath and said to myself, “You’re not in a hurry, this guy probably is and you really don’t need to get stabbed today.” Come to find out the cashier says, “Sorry, he’s a total jerk. I used to work at CVS with him and he’s addicted to crack and has rage issues.” Cool. Sounds like a great time. I love taking the high road.
4. Carnies! They’re back! Its that time of the year again when Carnies infest our beautiful country sides and feast on our pockets for their riches. They love to swindle money here, pick a pocket there, fix all the games so you lose and then top off the night by stealing a bunch of babies. Do I hate Carnies? No, but I don’t trust them either. If I got $1 dollar for every time a Carnie tried to pickpocket me I’d be sun bathing rich and naked in the Barbados Islands. I’ve had a few bad experiences with Carnies so I’m left with a bitter taste in my once fair loving mouth. *This statement wasn’t meant to hurt the feelings of any kids who were once stolen by Carnies and then forced into Carnie slavery.
5. The Loop Closing! Your burgers were great! The best blue cheese burger and milkshake combo I’ve had since I moved down here. Now, you close and leave me with what?! Exactly, nothing. You’re so selfish and inconsiderate…that’s it. I’ve had enough and I’m done! This relationship is over.

TOP PROPS

1. Cinco De Mayo! Aye-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi…! I’m not of Mexican decent, but I love celebrating! Get me a margarita with a Corona to chase it down and lets get this party started!
2. Bacon! I love it and over the years and through my enormous amount of research I have discovered that Bacon is genetically written into male code. We all love it and it complements everything! Bacon is to a man as flowers or dancing are to a woman.
3. Dog’s That Can Skateboard! It’s awesome, funny and…HOW? I don’t necessarily understand it, but I love it! This dog Tyson gets me every time. Check out Tyson the Skateboarding Bulldog.
4. Sangria! I make such delicious Sangria that people think I’m from Spain. I’m not. I’m from Maine. I’ll make it for you, you’ll like it and then you’ll be my newest stalker. Rock out with your Sangria out.
5. Cheryl Couris! Some know her, some don’t, but EVERYONE should. Great friend and a creative visionary. One of my favorite Couris complements was given to me a few months back: “You can never be too savvy, too good looking or too creative.” I love it. Put that on my gravestone.

TOP SLOP

1. Springer Spaniels! Listen; don’t get me wrong, I love dogs. I’ve grown up with dogs my whole life and after Smokey died, (RIP Smokes); I’ve never been the same. Not all dogs are a blessing though and the one dog I HATE is the English Springer Spaniel. Why you ask? Well first off, they are notorious for being flea-infested scoundrels. They’re also hyper active, A.D.D psychopaths that destroy lives. When I was a sophomore in high school my girlfriends Spaniel came tearing into the room at 1 million miles an hour and pounced on my testicles so hard that I almost threw up blood. It was like the Tazmanian Devil coming into a church during prayer time. Fortunately, my boys weren’t permanently damaged and the dog died recently.
2. Kroger Brand Paper Plates! Listen, when I woke up I never expected in my wildest dreams what would inevitably happen around 12:30pm on Monday afternoon. I was about to eat the most amazing sandwich ever made with human hands. I’m serious, I don’t mess around. I’m talking about the finest ingredients: carved rotisserie chicken, fresh wheat roll, cheddar cheese, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, lil’ mayo, salt and pepper. So I set this trophy sandwich on a paper plate that was conveniently on the counter, grab my bottle of water make a slight 90 degree turn towards the living room and…BOP! Paper plate folds! DONE! Way to go Kroger, your plates ruined my day.
3. Girls Who Swear! Yes, YOU with your pirate mouth! Your “F Bombs” were dropping everywhere. I find nothing more unattractive than a girl who swears more times in a five-minute conversation than in the entire Goodfella’s and Scarface movies combined. You should get your mouth washed out with soap.
4. Babies In Bars! Congratulations your child will most likely be an alcoholic or have emphysema. That’s truly sad and you make a horrible mother.
5. Greys Anatomy! Ugh…Someone explain to me why this show is considered “great.” I call it torture. It’s lame drama that makes me depressed and annoyed. Meredith is a whimpering crumb bum and Dr.Yang should be up for the award of “Televisions Most Hated Character.” I would rather hang out with Steve Urkel and Fran Drescher for an hour while listening to Celine Dion’s greatest hits album and watching Old Navy commercials nonstop.

Check out the Santa Barbara local ARTISTIKproductions. Awesome graphic designer and does really cool graffiti. Definitely check out the video on his site that shows him creating an awesome canvas sped up and set to music. Click HERE to visit website. Here is his MySpace link as well: LINK

ARTISTIKproductions also designs for the band Iration, which is an awesome group as I’ve mentioned before and one to keep your ear open for. Support local artists!

TOP PROPS

1. My Gram! That’s right! The greatest Grandma in the world celebrated her 75th Birthday this week! Honestly, she looks mid 40’s and has more energy than me. She is the sweetest & kindest woman I have ever met. Gotta love my Gram!

2. Caleb aka. Cocoa Mama Or Little Rob! My little brother got his first job as an operating room technician! Congrats Bubb! He’s great with surgical tools, has steady hands and doesn’t mind seeing bloody & disgusting mangled bodies all day. Advice from your big brother: Don’t sneeze in that mask covering your mouth and hold those flaps of skin really tight.

3. Erik For Being Gone The Whole Weekend! Goodbye E & hello party time. P.S. Thanks for the cinnamon bun and coffee you left me for breakfast.

4. Red Haired Girl At Gym! Hardcore work out was your game and I LIKED it. You also reminded me of Red Fraggle. I didn’t so much like her, but the show “Fraggle Rock.” Now that was a great show! Thanks for the memories! I’ll see you around.

5. Chic-fil-A Cookies & Cream Milkshakes! P.H.E.N.O.M.E.N.A.L. I have nothing else to say.

TOP SLOP

1. Girl In Grocery Store With Your Bluetooth! Everywhere I stepped in Fresh Market you were there! You made a great shopping experience into a nightmare. Not only do you look like a crazy person talking to yourself, but your overuse of the words “like” and “totally” made me think that you were like totally dumb and like totally obnoxious. Do your Laguna Beach impressions on your advanced Bluetooth technology somewhere else.

2. Sweetwater 420 Festival Beer Lines! Oh man, I waited for hours trying to get beers! I LOVE your beer, but not your long lines. I was also thinking that if you had more beer stands that would mean more people could get beer faster. Meaning they could drink more. Meaning at least triple your profits by nights end. Then again I’m no accountant, just a guy with a keen business eye and a thirst that’s never quenched.

3. IHOP! International House of Pancakes is what IHOP technically stands for. What IHOP really stands for is: “International House of Pubes.” Yeah, DISGUSTING! …But there it was. Smiling, shaking and snarling at me right in my face. I’ll never go back…

4. Pepper The Dog! Back on the “Slop?” You bit my boy Joe in the face. Ok, fare enough. We warned him, but Joe is still a good friend and a frequent guest. He was just playing with you. He’s the 3rd person you’ve bit since we’ve gotten your scrawny bag of bones. One more strike and I’ll have to tell you a tale of another dog. His name, “Old Yeller.”

5. The Movie “The Break-Up!” It had some funny parts, but not many. I thought it was going to be a funny movie for some reason. I was wrong. It was serious and their movie relationship never had me convinced from the start. I call it bad casting. Honestly, I would have been cast as a better boyfriend to Jennifer Aniston than Vince Vaughn and when it was time for my line of, “I love you.” I would have meant it.

…Be a door kicker! Yeah, I would no longer touch doorknobs. That’s right. I don’t need your germs. If you don’t open the door for me I’ll kick it open! For serious! Foot up above my head (I’m 6′4) and then smash! I’ll kick the door right off the hinges if I have to. Glass door? SMASH!!! “Sorry, that’s just how I role and now it looks like you might want to get a new glass door. P.S. Mosquito’s are getting in.” That’s what I’d say. I’d never be rude, snotty or become arrogant because of my tremendous wealth. I’d simply become a door kicker. That’s it.