Mike Olaski » Print Design

Da Vinci Project Fundraiser Poster

Mike — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:07:42 +0000

This poster was created for the Da Vinci Project – One of the entries into the $10 million Ansari X Prize – a race to be the first organization that could put a man into space and a return flight within 30 days. The contest was won by SpaceShipOne, and this poster was never used. I do however love the play on the Da Vinci vesuvian man and the shape of the ships compartment that would carry their astronaut. A second graphic play was made on the color code of the heat diagram sketched by engineers and the levels of fundraising the poster was create to promote.

Allan Cup Senior Men’s Hockey Championship

Mike — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:00:44 +0000

The Canadian Men’s Senior Hockey Championship Playoff Series is called the Allan Cup. The Allan Cup holds almost as much story as the Stanley Cup in Canada. Well not quite. But the tradition is historic and the battle is hard to win the elusive championship. The Humboldt Indians was an entry into this tournament. Not only did I design the poster, which features one of our players from the East Coast Hockey League, but I also played in the tournament.

Our team, as many in the playoffs, featured ex-professional players from leagues from the NHL to the SJHL. The competition is fierce and although our team was very talented, and experienced, we lost in the first round. We we’re pretty rusty. The man in red on the post is Paul Buczkowski, in an image from when he played in Florida, for the Everblades.

iCare Convention Display

Mike — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:59:13 +0000

This promotional piece was part of a 3-piece Convention Truss graphic display. Shown here, the middle piece was flanked by two complimentary units that made up the whole design. Design elements were created by another designer on staff, but I was responsible for the entire composition of this piece. The biggest challenge was to integrate each component so that it felt as though they belonged to the same message.

Artful Dodger

Mike — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:48:52 +0000

This piece was a part of a series of appetizer promotional cards in business card format. Full bleeds and scaled graphics create impact and recognition.

Motive 8 Promotional Poster

Mike — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:46:06 +0000

Kerry Girling hosts a youth event at the Great Northern River Festival. The Great Northern River Festival is an annual event on the shores of the South Saskatchewan River. Formula 1 Speed Boats come from all over the world to race on our river. This event has grown from a single race into a full fledged festival

My client, Kerry Girling held a rally during this festival. The rally promoted Kerry’s agenda of Positive Lifestyle Choices with our youth. The poster pulls from Kerry’s established identity, creating focal point and hierarchy of information. I often use elements repeatedly in scale. I draw from smaller elements in logos, word-marks and typography to create backgrounds and balance in the piece. Color and contrast are my favorite weapons to create focal point.