Born and raised in California's Bay Area, Phil Mamuyac is a Concept Artist and Illustrator who has recently relocated to Brooklyn, New York City. Currently working on Sims3 for Electronic Arts, he's a graduate and former instructor of the San Jose State University (California) Illustration/Animation program. He's never bored—all he needs is a pen and a napkin or old receipt and he's at home (doodling, that is). Phil misses good Mexican food and Jack in the Box's chicken sandwiches and 2-for-99 cent taco deal; however, he has found (temporary?) comfort in Cuban food and NY deli sandwiches.
Do you think there is a definite look and feel of each party. A Democratic campaign looks vastly different than a Republican campaign, yes...no, and why? What are the similarities and/or differences?
I do think there are differences and similarities. Just from websites alone: yes, right off the bat, both party's sites look the same. They have your standard masthead, menus, pictures, etc. As of Thursday evening (July 3rd), the Republican site's main colors are red, gray, and black; the Democrats' the standard American red, white and blue. (As far as organization of sites goes, that's a whole other issue.)
However, on the Republican site's main scrolling pictures highlight wrong-doings of Obama--the first 3 of the 5 anyway. The Democratic party's main picture? An American flag with the overlaying text: Happy Independence Day Weekend. Very contrasting "headlines." If I were an uneducated voter--and to some degree, I still am--I think the color scheme and accusatory headlines of the Republican sites wouldn't appeal to me as much as the welcoming, familiar air of the Democratic site.
We are hearing a lot about change. Change is a buzz word that parallels in both parties. How would you graphically present change? Would you have different solutions for either candidate, and why?
I think Norman Rockwell's "The Right to Know" painting put it best: http://vwt.d2g.com:8081/rockwell_right_to_know.jpg.
Who do you think you could actually have a drink with? Which of the two would you like to get to know better on a genuine level?
I'd like to have a good discussion with both candidates and see where they truly stand on issues, behind closed doors and not in front of the media. I'd wanna see how they really feel about the state of our nation. Put all the special interests, money, glitz and glamour, smoke and mirrors aside...I'd want to (for lack of a better term) "shoot the sh*t".
Lets take a look at McCain and Obama as individuals. Does either present himself to be the next president. What is it that we look for in a President as in attributes? How does that translate into graphics?
I think the attributes we look for in the next president are strength in leadership--they will, obviously, be leading a nation, poise--how they keep it together in the spotlight while speaking to and representing the people, resiliency--how they react and adjust to obstacles in their way. We also hope and expect the next president to be helpful to us and cater to our particular needs. In this sense, I believe this is where graphically, the candidates try to connect: pictures a politician kissing a baby, holding hands with their spouse after a victory speech, visiting a local car factory--I believe the acts themselves are a visual suggestion that: "Yes, I can relate to the common American citizen." Graphically, naturally they want to be straight forward, uncluttered, easily legible.
When watching McCains "Heros" video he uses a smokey graphic throughout the video...what are you thoughts on this?
I think the smoke is meant to represent the individual. As they go through life, their path is apparent but is shaped by the people around them--the "Heroes that are right in front of us", the ones that are not necessarily famous but --the unseen air that pushes and pulls them with their influence, example...their way of living.
The Obama and Obey poster has been circulating the net for some time. What is your overall sentiment on this poster? The poster may resemble a bit of the Constructivism movement, why do you think Obey might have chose this movement and this direction?
I think the fact that the posters which these were based on were created in a period of revolution and by a people that demanded change is no mistake. The high contrast--albeit patriotic--and intense colors demand that the people actively take notice. Yes, one can easily call it "propaganda" but in essence, it's iconic nature lends itself to discussion and debate--this iDR roundtable discussion being an example the Constructivism Movement
What do you think their logos are suggesting? Please give your overall thoughts.
McCain's logo: the star points to his association with the military. One star, plain and simple, centered. It suggests strength and is reinforced by the sans serif font which implies a heaviness (like "I'm staying here.") an unmoveable mass, here for the long run. And a low-contrast striped motif in the dark background subtly bringing the theme back to the American people.
Obama's logo: the "pancake" to McCain's "waffle" logo. More curves and serif suggest a casualness about him--a certain approachability, a lightness. The main "O" suggests a sunrise of a new day while implementing the flag's colors.
Logo sidenote: I also just noticed, being an Illustrator, that the logo typefaces themselves could actually be caricatures of the candidates themselves--at least the way I think of them...
