Mercersburg Cover art

Mercersburg Academy is one of America's premier boarding schools. They publish this magazine for "family and friends" three times a year. The latest issue is dedicated to stories about how the academy is literally a "home" to many students and faculty during the school year. The editor, Lee Owen, asked me to visualize this theme for the cover - and I had a blast sketching out ideas. The winning solution combines the school's logo (and color scheme) with a traditional house - conveying Mercersburg Academy as a peaceful and happy abode. Thanks to Lee for opening the proverbial doors to a really fun assignment.

The cover art was modeled after this logo:

Here's my sketch process, from the final comp to initial thumbnail ideas:

After doing initial thumbnails and revised sketches, this comp was approved to go to finish.

I had fun incorporating the logo and map of the school into these skectches

My clients initial idea was to incorporate the school's logo into a house key - which opens a door.

The cover art was born out of the simple thumbnail on the left.

Thanks for visiting!

Social Media Covered...

I created this alumni magazine cover for Loomis Chaffee, a premier boarding school in Connecticut. The Spring issue focuses on how the Loomis Chaffee community can benefit from utilizing various social media. Art Director Patty Cousins liked this idea of viewing the school's most iconic building through a smart phone. All the kinetic activity in this drawing reminds me of my favorite childhood publication, Mad Magazine!

I always appreciate when clients mail me samples, so thank you Patty!

Here are some cover ideas:

You can see more fun social media illustrations from this story here.