A chat with the artist behind EXP Magazine

A few weeks ago, we brought your attention to EXP Magazine, a thesis-project-turned-Kickstarter-venture from the drawing table of Cory Schmitz. At the time of writing, he has smashed his initial target of ¢3,200 by accumulating $4,747 with still 36 days left to run. Cory kindly made time to answer some of my questions on how he put the project together, what his tutors thought of his decision to base his final project on videogames, his favourite games and his future career plans. The full interview is after the break.

More Megaman Videogame Mini-Minimalism

My subset of Videogame Minimalism illustrations based on the Megaman Robot Masters continues this week with the eight bosses from Megaman 2, my own personal favourite from the NES incarnations of the franchise. In this set we have (clockwise from top left) Airman, Bubbleman, Crashman, Heatman, Flashman, Quickman, Metalman and Woodman. You can see them in greater detail over on the Megaman Videogame Mini-Minimalism Flickr set.

Megaman Videogame Mini-Minimalism

It’s been awhile since I produced some Videogame Minimalism, so I thought I’d share with you the first batch of illustrations I’ve created that are based on the Robot Masters from the Megaman franchise. These lot are all from the very first Megaman game, released in 1987 on the NES. You can view them in all their glory over on the infinitecontinues Flickr page. They are slightly different in style to my other Videogame Minimalism designs; these characters lent themselves well to small head-shots, and so I’ve come up with a new ingenious name for this particular subset – Megaman – Videogame Mini-Minimalism. Clever, huh?! Expect more of these in the not-too-distant future, and let me know what you think of these in the comments or on the Flickr pictures themselves.

EXP Magazine

Seattle-based artist Cory Schmitz is a man after my own heart; he cites his two favourite things as graphic design and videogames. The outcome of these passions is the EXP magazine, the fruit of his labours for the thesis project for his BFA at Cornish College of the Arts. Cory claims that EXP is a one-off piece, but has plans to start a new magazine called The Controller in August/September this year. This from Cory:

The purpose of EXP is to reject the idea that a video game magazine has to be be comprised of reviews and previews of the latest games. It hones in on the gap between game magazines and design magazines, embracing the relationship between video games and artists. A big focus of the magazine is the experience games provide, and how that is a great inspiration for creative people to draw from.

Super Street Fighter IV Typographic Ads

Check out these typographic print ads for the imminent update to the acclaimed beat-’em-up series, Super Street Fighter IV, which combine my two favourite things – videogames and graphic design – to beautiful effect. You can view the full ad after the jump. The others in the set can be viewed on this Capcom Unity blog post; they are well worth a look.

Big, bad Street Fighter bosses join the VM gang

Some mean-looking bosses from Street Fighter IV join the Videogame Minimalism set this week. If you don’t recognise them, they are M. Bison, Balrog and Akuma. Check them out in their full bad-ass glory over on the Street Fighter – Videogame Minimalism set now.

The entire project can be seen here.

Bayonetta and War get the VM treatment

Sassy, deadly Umbra Witch and betrayed Horseman Of The Apocalypse from this year’s biggest blockbusters to date, Bayonetta and Darksiders, get the Videogame Minimalism treatment. Check them out over on the infinitecontinues Flickr page.

Home // PC/Mac

From the outside, videogames are viewed as childish, immature, immaterial. From within the industry, there are accusations of unoriginality, of an endless rehash of the same old ideas. Stephen Lavelle’s ‘Home’ dispels both arguments at a stroke, and offers up a commentary on the nature of life and death itself.

Wario Videogame Minimalism tee now on sale

Mario’s evil namesake is now available to buy as a t-shirt from my MySoti store. Pop along and check him out. Don’t forget to vote on him while you are there!

New Videogame Minimalism T-shirts

Two very well-known brothers from my Videogame Minimalism set are now available to buy as t-shirts. Available in a variety of colours and sizes from my MySoti store now. Pop over and have a look. If you are a member of MySoti, feel free to vote for the designs! More tee designs on their way soon.