JEFE MADE

Driving through a Rocky Mountain downpour recharging my batteries. (July 2015)

Welcome to JEFE MADE, the portfolio site of designer and design educator, Jeff Davis. Jeff "El Jefe" would never realize his first childhood dream to be the world's greatest luchadero. Legend has it, he turned in his mask and tights long ago to save his family's honor and pursue his second dream—to be a designer.
¡BIENVENIDA!

Can designs for Lake Austin Ales, an Austin brewery focused on juicy IPAs. Collaboration with Tom Berno (idea21design.com) and Zack Fuentes

Glassware design for Lake Austin Ales.

Logo art for for Lake Austin Ales merchandise.

Cap design for Lake Austin Ales

Tagline with logo art for Lake Austin Ales

Brand identity for Senator Surfboards owned by James Fulbright. James named his surfboards "Senator" for his great uncle, Senator James Fulbright. Also created and implemented the complete brand identity system, environmental graphics, and all marketing materials.

Commissioned by James Fulbright to created a family of designs for Senator Surfboards, Fulbright Shapes, and Surf Specialties 25th Anniversary. These designs were incorporated into all merchandise (i.e., t-shirts, hoodies, caps) and board graphics sold at Surf Specialties surf shop in Galveston, TX.

Speculative pitch for the

comprehensive redesign of the brand identity, advertising, packaging, and marketing materials for CLIF Energy Bars.

Speculative magazine advertising for CLIF Energy Bars.

Rebrand for Pablo's Coffee Company, Denver, Colorado. Brand identity concept surfaced out of a visualization excercise with the employees and management who envisioned a brand that would be designed in the "Cubist" traditions of Pablo Picasso.

Collaborated with Judson Design Associates and Tom Berno to develop and implement the comprehensive the ‘place-making” (i.e, environmental graphic and way-finding system) for the 100,000 square foot Texas Medical Center Accelerator Incubator complex designed by Gensler Architects, Houston. The project concept was conceived, designed, fabricated, and installed inside of 30-days. The completed project was unveiled to the media on 10/07/14.
Photos: Nick De La Torre

Detail interior photo of the environmental graphics for the 100,000 square foot Texas Medical Center Accelerator Incubator complex designed by Gensler Architects, Houston.
Photos: Nick De La Torre

English Fantasy Football (EFF) Commissioned Jeff Davis it assemble a multidisciplinary team — collaboration with Tom Berno and Sameera Kapila — to develop the comprehensive branding and UX/UI front-end web-based platform for English Fantasy Football. The initial deliverable was a multi-page branding document (i.e. Brand book manuscript). The branding document included product naming, brand positioning, and brand identity. Additional work included market analysis accompanied by a comprehensive design presentation, wire framing demonstrating the UX/UI front-end web-based platform, and companion marketing and promotional materials for the project.

The Architecture of Philip Johnson. (2003). New York: Bullfinch Press. Collaboration with Judson Design Associates to design and produce The Architecture of Philip Johnson. This book follows in photography and essays the distinguished career of one of America’s most famous and successful contemporary architects, Philip Johnson. This 326 page book was collaboration between architectural historian Stephen Fox, Professor, University of Houston, photographer, Richard Payne, AIA, Lecturer, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

Spreadtypes from the book design, The Architecture of Philip Johnson. (2003). New York: Bullfinch Press.

Collaborated with Judson Design Associates to develop and implement the comprehensive brand identity, environmental graphics, way-finding system, and promotional materials for the Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics and Astronomy (MIFPA), Texas A&M University’s flagship institute.

Collaborated with Judson Design, in the comprehensive redesign of the brand identity, advertising, and marketing materials for the Mitchell Historical Properties (MHP) brand four sub-brands of MHP; Hotel Galvez, The Tremont House, The Harbor House, and Pier 21. MHP owns and operates multiple historical properties (i.e., hotels, restaurants, and spas) on Galveston Island, Texas. The scope of services included, the development of 4 sub-brand brand identities. The initial deliverable was a 66-page branding document. The branding document included selected identities that have been refined and incorporated into all advertising, print collateral and marketing materials for MHP, Hotel Galvez, The Tremont House, The Harbor House, and Pier 21.

poster design was one of the 270 winning poster designs published in Good50X70. The purpose of this poster design competition was to bring global attention to the plight of civilian victims trapped in war zones without proper medical attention. This poster design was also part of the international touring exhibition held in the following destinations: M.A.X. Museo, Chiasso, Switzerland; Museo Cambellotti, Latina, Italy; Piazza Ruggiero, Caserta, Italy; Anfiteatro Romano, Aosta, Italy; Piazza Saint Oronzo, Lecce, Italy; United Design Week, Monterrey, Mexico; Piazza Palazzo di Citta’, Turin, Italy

Visitors to the Piazza Palazzo di Citta’, Turin, Italy viewing poster designs from the international touring exhibition. Our Aim is to end the Suffering poster design is third from the left. 

Collaborated with Judson Design Associates, and Tom Berno to develop and implement the brand identity, advertising, and marketing materials for for Hotel George, College Station, Texas, USA. Hotel George will be the premier luxury hotel, residence and conference property in Central Texas. The scope of services for Hotel George included, the research, design, development, and implementation of not only the Hotel George brand identity, but also the conference facility, residences and three on-site restaurants. The initial deliverable was a multi-page branding document. The branding document included the brand identity and the implementation of the brand to all advertising, print collateral, marketing materials, social media, and Web components. The project is ongoing and in the design refinement phase for advertising, print collateral, marketing materials, social media and website.

Speculative advertising campaign for Hartz Fea and Tick Shampoo. The perfect product/project for a dog and cat lover.

Collaboration with Judson Design Associates to design and produce a series of promotional passport stamps for Continental Airlines, used for international corporate and shareholder communications. These designs were published in: Fishel, C. & Gardner, B. (2010). Logo lounge master series: 3000 animals & mythology logos. (Vol. 2). Beverly, MA: Rockport publishers.

If all designers were lucky enough — as I was — to have a talented and gifted sign painter for a father! Growing up in my father's sign shop gave me a unique perspective on letterforms and typography from an early age. I'm so fortunate to grow up with type.

"Time for the Talk" (24" X 36") hand-lettered practice skin demonstration. Introduced a capstone design course at Texas State University in the foundementals of sign painting.

Sign painters tools — lettering quills and 1-Shot enamel paint.

"Better Call 'Saul'" (24" X 36") hand-lettered practice skin demonstration.

Collaborated with Judson Design Associates to develop and implement the comprehensive 100th Anniversary branding of the Port of Houston in preparation for the celebration of this historic milestone.

We are what we eat— and frankly, I'm concerned about the food we eat. This poster design reflects these concerns about GMO foods. CoRn, (24” X 36”) Poster design selected for exhibition, received a Gold Medal award, and publication in the design annual Graphis Poster (2009, September).

Collaborated with Judson Design Associates in the comprehensive redesign of the brand identity, advertising, and marketing materials for Bell Heights, a contemporary lofts development located in the historic Bell Building in The Heights district. Bell Heights is one of Houston's most progressive residential urban redevelopments.

Collaboration with Judson Design Associates to create the graphic identity system, environmental graphics and all marketing materials for by Midway, a real estate property development and management company in Houston, Texas. The initial deliverable was a multi-page branding document. The branding document included the brand identity and the implementation of the brand to all advertising, print collateral, marketing materials, social media, and Web components. The completed project included brand identity and the implementation of the brand to all advertising, print collateral, marketing materials, social media, and Web components.

Created the theme, “Fresh Squeezed Ideas” (24” X 36”) the 2008 Art Directors Club of Houston (ADCH) Annual show. The show was promoted by a call for entries, an invitation, and poster design. Unfortunately, ADCH closed it doors in 2010 after over a half-century of service to the design discipline. :-(

Fresh Squeezed, poster design was selected for exhibition and received a Gold Medal award, and publication in the design annual Graphis Poster (2010, November).

Collaborated with Judson Design in the comprehensive redesign of the brand identity, advertising, and marketing materials for Doggett Equipment Company, Houston, Texas, USA. Doggett is the premier seller of construction and forestry equipment and in Louisiana and Texas. Doggett sells, services, and rents construction, forestry, agricultural, and industrial equipment. The scope of services for Doggett included, the research, design, development, and implementation of the Doggett brand identity. The initial deliverable was a multi-page branding document. The branding document included the brand identity and the application of the brand to all advertising, print collateral, marketing materials, social media, and Web components. The project is ongoing and in the design refinement phase for advertising, print collateral, marketing materials, social media and website.

Proposed logo design for the South Padre Island Convention are Visitors Bureau.

Collaborated with Tom Berno in the comprehensive band identity of Red Star Fish Bar restaurant concept in Austin, TX. 

Collaborated with Judson Design in the comprehensive redesign of the brand identity, advertising, and marketing materials for Camp Aranzazu. Camp Aranzazu is faith-based camp on the central Texas Gulfcoast dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with chronic illnesses and disabilities by providing unique camping, environmental studies, and retreat experiences to groups with special needs. Camp Aranzazu provides a place where children and adults with physical disabilities, chronic illnesses and terminal diseases may enjoy the independence, fellowship, and adventure that a camping experience provides.

Boardsheet design (60" X 40") for the promotion of Death of a Salesman at the Berrymore Theatre in New York, NY.

Collaborated with Judson Design to developed a unified icon system to visually distinguish Chevron Technology Ventures as a whole corporate entity, while providing a suite of icons that reflect the operations of each individual focus area in a unique and relevant way.

“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing but in doing it."
— Greg Anderson