Hangnail Productions Web and Graphic Design

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The Online Portfolio of AJ Hauser

Website Examples

Personal Projects

"The Tree" - FOR SALE: CONTACT ME FOR INFORMATION ON USING THIS ARTWORK

the tree artwork image

This piece was created at 300 dpi high resolution and features a faded image of a young girl on a swing in the sky. This girl could either be left in place and used on a CD cover or flyer, but she could also be easily replaced with a picture of a company/band logo or group picture.

I think the most interesting elements in this piece are the sky with the multitude of setting suns (or stars), and the tree which depicts an element of strong solitude with an uplifting but isolated overall feel.

"Fix" - FOR SALE: CONTACT ME FOR INFORMATION ON USING THIS ARTWORK

fix artwork image

Created at 300 dpi high resolution, this piece is meant to convey the business world "fix": money. I was going to fill the syringes with dollar signs but figured the meaning would then become to literal and rob the viewer of making their own interpretation... even though I just explained what I intended it to be.

I hope that this will be snatched up by a band because it would make a great CD cover, and the rest of the layout art could be created accordingly with the same theme.

"Shut Up" - FOR SALE: CONTACT ME FOR INFORMATION ON USING THIS ARTWORK

shut up artwork image

Also created at 300 dpi high resolution, this would be excellent for product with a darker vibe. My brother came to me one night and said "I want a picture of myself with snake skin", so I took it a step further and made it look as if his own skin were breaking away to reveal the scales beneath.

The title "Shut Up" simply comes from me being crabby that evening... not with him, just in general.

"Skeye" - FOR SALE: CONTACT ME FOR INFORMATION ON USING THIS ARTWORK

skeye artwork image

Created at 300 dpi high resolution, this piece shows someone looking at some sort of catastrophe, which can be seen reflected in the eye. In this example it is a small house being devastated by a tornado, but could be easily swapped out for an image of your choice.

Again, this would make an excellent CD cover (in my humble opinion), and I hope someone picks it up for just that. The rest of the layout art could then be created accordingly with the same theme.

"Elegy" - FOR SALE: CONTACT ME FOR INFORMATION ON USING THIS ARTWORK

elegy artwork image

This 300 dpi high resolution image was created to emphasize the feeling of seclusion that comes with mourning the death of a loved one. Although these events we all experience make us feel small in the grand scheme of things, or cause us to question our own mortality, there is great strength to be found in a simple embrace.

There are times in life when we have to be strong, or put on a false air of silent confidence for the sake of our loved ones. Yet chances are that unbeknownst to us, these same loved ones have at one point done the same.

"They Were Here" - FOR SALE: CONTACT ME FOR INFORMATION ON USING THIS ARTWORK

they were here artwork image

This piece was created at 300 dpi high resolution and features a very interesting sky that appears to have either calmed from some violent event, or is getting ready to erupt with... well, some other violent event! It is hard to see in this small image but the branches in the bottom right are actually encased in ice that has started to melt but frozen again, resulting in an almost ethereal glow.

This art could be used to create a very appealing CD layout or website.

Flyers and Handouts

Hooked Show Flyer

hooked show flyer

CD Release Flyer

god size hate cd release

CD Release Flyer

castrofate cd release

ACOFP Flyer

acofp flyer

IVCL Newsletter

illinois valley citizens for life newsletter

AnAkA Show Flyer

anaka show flyer number 1

AnAkA Show Flyer

anaka show flyer number 2

Hex Parade Flyer

hex parade show flyer

Castrofate Flyer

castrofate show flyer number 1

Castrofate Flyer

castrofate show flyer number 2

CD Artwork

Castrofate: Cataclysmic Insanity

Click Here to see the full layout enlarged

cd art for castrofate

Created in 2008, this art follows the theme of the disc "Cataclysmic Insanity", a concept album that tells a story of stellar proportions. Spaceships, space beasts and asteroids - just pure metal.

I was especially pleased with this disc, which is a recreation of many 80's Metallica discs that were converted from tape, which I made from scratch (the disc design - not the tapes).

Fever Jack: Get The Hell Out

Click Here to see the full layout enlarged

cd art for fever jack

Fever Jack is an Italian band with a very impressive résumé and following that asked me to create their album art, as well as press 1,000 copies. The CD is a hard-hitting, straight ahead rocker that I genuinely enjoy, and I am very proud of both the final product, and the fact that they chose me to help bring this excellent project to its final stage.

Angher: Hidden Truth

cd art for angher

This is the artwork for Angher's latest release. Their roster includes Greg Korniluk, a professional recording artist known for his work with Apocalyptica, Angher, the Paris Opera and numerous movie soundtracks.

The band needed 1,000 copies in a CD/DVD (double disc) slimline case. Done deal! This is a great looking, great sounding release all around, and I was proud to be a part of it.

Midwest Nailgun Records: Volume 3

cd art for mnr volume 3

The third MNR release features a more straight ahead cover design. I was going for a simple and interesting layout that would catch the viewers eye and cause nearby bulls to charge (because the red... never mind).

In certain cases simple can be better, but let me stress, "in certain cases".

Midwest Nailgun Records: Volume 2

cd art for mnr volume 2

This is the artwork from the second installment of the Midwest Nailgun Series. It is slightly darker in both theme and color scheme. This time the disc is a more simple 2-color (black and white) design, but I think it adds a certain element of class to the otherwise disturbing cover art.

Midwest Nailgun Records: Volume 1

cd art for mnr volume 1

A while back I began my second major project under the name of Midwest Nailgun Records. What we do is strive to give bands an outlet that helps grant some extra exposure. We gather up bands that are interested in taking part in a professional grade production and help them distribute and sell it within their means. This was the first CD Layout I designed, and I am still very happy with the final result. The disc itself is especially striking, featuring 5-color offset printing.

Castrofate: Awakening of the Beast

cd art for castrofate

One of the first layouts I designed professionally. The cover skull and logo were actually created before I came onboard by an amazing artist named Mattias Noren. I then took the logo and edited it for the disc face and created the additional layout artwork.

Hooked: Play What You Feel

cd art for hooked

Hooked is a Massachusetts based band that recently signed a 2-CD deal. This art was created from a concept that John (the drummer) and I thought up on the phone one day. As you can see the theme here is very "water based", and the 2-color CD features ripples and reflected text. The band had the logo when they started working with me, so I took and recreated it, giving it a more shiny, metallic look.

Business and Band Logos

logo for rough crossing

Logo created for the Illinois based metal band Rough Crossing.

logo for illinois valley roof cleaning

Logo created for Illinois Valley Roof Cleaning. This can be seen on their business cards and work truck. (Did I mention I also design business cards?)

logo for hopetrack

This logo was created for the HopeTrack, a product designed to aid cancer patients.

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