Kris Willhoite | Graphic Designer | Houston, Spring, Sugarland, the Woodlands Texas

Lights Out Houston 2010…

me — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:08:51 +0000

There’s something fulfilling about designing a poster and seeing the finished product. I imagine it was all that time in my childhood spent staring at posters on the wall, whether at home or at school, staring at the imagery and imagining what I would do differently had I designed it.

That’s one of the cool things about being a graphic designer; whether it’s book covers, t-shirts, posters, magazine layouts, or advertisements – we design the things that others see every day.

The Lost…

me — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:32:09 +0000

“the Lost” is another design I’ve been working on for quite some time. What started as a tentacle grabbing a boom box has, now in it’s 3rd incarnation, finally become something I like.

This design is also up for voting as an iPod Skin at Infectious.

Parting is such sweet sorrow…

me — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:22:02 +0000

Panda Dreams, my winning submission from the Urban Outfitters design competition, is no longer available on the UO website. While I’m not sure about individual stores, it appears as though they won’t be re-stocking them online. Meanwhile, enjoy it if you bought one…if not, enjoy this screen-cap from Urban Outfitters website.

The Great Escape

me — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 03:48:21 +0000

The idea of a circus train – jacked by the animal performers has been bouncing around in my head for quite some time now. It has held various incarnations for the past couple of years as a project I would work on here & there when the mood suited me. I’ve drawn and re-drawn this image dozens of times; each time different, but each time lacking the heart of my initial concept. Finally, with pencil to paper, I started seeing the train – it’s hijackers, and the frantic Ringmaster come to life at long last.
Now what to do with it? I didn’t want if to be “just another shirt design” so I posted the final illustration on Facebook for friends to weight in. The beauty of Social Networking!
The general consensus: Wall Decal!! And I couldn’t agree more!
As of this posting, “The Great Escape” is in active voting on Infectious.
Click the link, cast your vote, and I’ll be waiting with fingers crossed!

Detailed images with the rest of this entry…

Have a drink on me…

me — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:18:04 +0000

Sometimes one opportunity parlays into another; this was the case with Green Bottle. Jimmy and Pat, the creators of Collar Free, were approached by Green Bottle to use some Tee designs on their products.

Long story short: you can now wear “Hibiscus” and drink from it too!

Green Bottle produces stainless steel water bottles that are better for the environment than disposable bottles, and better for your health that plastic sport bottles.

My design “Hibiscus” can be found online and at Whole Foods Markets nationwide.

This design is also available on a Collar Free shirt which Jessica Alba is rumored to own!

I wonder if she’s thirsty?

TKO…

me — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:13:11 +0000

Houston may be known as the Energy Capital of the world, but even Houston goes dark every once in a while.

“Lights Out Houston” started in 2008 as a city-wide commitment to energy efficiency by commercial building owners and their tenants. The goal of the program has expanded to establish a sustained reduction in the use non-essential electricity by all buildings throughout the Greater Houston area.

I’ve been fortunate enough to design posters for both years the event has taken place, which were displayed in the lobbies of participating downtown office buildings.

This years design had two sources of inspiration: neo-propaganda style (such as Shepard Fairey/Obey Giant) and vintage fight posters.

/www.lightsouthouston.com/

The shirt off my back…

me — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:21:49 +0000

I’ve always loved graphic tees & the look of silkscreened designs. That’s probably what brought me into the world of graphic design in the first place.

I’ve also been fortunate enough to hook up with some pretty cool people with very cool companies; one of these companies is Collar Free. Based out of San Diego, Collar Free took the idea of designer-centered contests to the next level with a head-to-head design smack down.

My Collar Free designs are available online at collarfree.com and boutiques nationwide.

My design “Panda Dreams” is available at Urban Outfitters locations nationwide & via their web site.

RENOVATING…

me — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:22:21 +0000

I’ve decided it’s time to move away from my Flash-based site to a more functional Wordpress platform.

Please pardon the interruption.