Thoughts on the web, travel & remote working life by Paddy O’Hanlon

New visual identity, the Communications Officer, by Mark Doherty

Written from Girona, Catalonia

I had the privilege of working with the talented artist, Mark Doherty, who created the new visual identity for this site; the Communications Officer.

My brief only stated to create a nomadic character from one of his worlds. The character is not intended to represent me, but more serve as an avatar for this site. There are some commonalities of course; male gender, traveller, laptop being the three most obvious.

Communications Officer, a character created by Mark Doherty

“My work seeks to create alternate worlds in which to satirize our own, allowing us to look at our foibles exaggerated and thus challenge them by laughing at ourselves. Through this framework I build narratives which address such diverse issues as body image, our view of the ‘other’ in society, urban social isolation, and mans conflicted relationship with nature, and society’s newfound adoration of science, celebrity and material wealth, among other things.”

A glimpse into Mark’s Worlds

Human Realm (Maitreya), Realm series, marker and watercolour on MDF, 21x43.5cm
‘Human Realm (Maitreya)’, Realm series, marker and watercolour on MDF, 21cm × 43.5cm
Human Realm (Maitreya), Realm series, marker and watercolour on MDF, 21x43.5cm
‘Deva Realm (Momiji)’, Realm series, marker on MDF, 21cm × 43.5cm
Human Realm (Maitreya), Realm series, marker and watercolour on MDF, 21x43.5cm
‘Naraka Realm (3J)’, Realm series, marker on MDF, 21cm × 43.5cm

Creative Process

Here is the journey from initial concept sketches, character development, underdrawing and colouring to finished drawing.

Character Concepts

Character concept sketch, communications officer
Character concept, radio pirate
Character concept sketch, monk
Character concept, monk
Character concept sketch, Maitreya
Character concept, ‘Maitreya’
Character concept sketch, lady
Character concept, lady
Character concept sketch, communications officer
Character concept, communications officer

Communications Officer Character Development

Character development sketch one, communications officer
Character development one
Character development sketch two, communications officer
Character development two
Character development sketch three, communications officer
Character development three
Communications Officer under-drawing
Under-drawing
Communications Officer colouring
Colouring
Communications Officer, a character created by Mark Doherty
Finished drawing, colour and line

Implementation

Three screenshots of how the character has been implemented in this site's design