Making Graphic Designs for a tie-in book at NBC's "Parks and Recreation"
Book Cover. Did not do this design but, but 260 images inside.
In 2011 I was contacted by NBC to create hundreds of designs for a fictional tie-in book for TV's Parks and Recreation planned by the show's creator, Mike Schur. It was released in October of 2011, and made it to the New York Times best-seller's list for a moment. The same month, An entire episode's storyline was devoted to the book watched by 4 million, episode is entitled Born and Raised, 4th season 2nd episode (see preview link). In August 2012, the LA times announced (click) that the book is a top 3 finalist for the Thurber Prize for Humor.
I grew up watching SNL. Seemed surreal to be working daily with showrunner, and longtime SNL writer Mike Schur on his enthusiastic pet project, and first attempt at publishing.
The Proccess
There were 260 images. When doing the math, that is less than 1.5 hrs per image (doing 70hr weeks). Many were logos created from scratch, personal photos, photos at a found location, others were photos from stock imagery that needed to be modified to accommodate the jokes in text. Real fun part was "Casting" photos to written secondary characters, and modifying those. Since the show takes place in Indiana, I had some of my own photos from 2005 taken in Gary, Indiana when visiting my family at Christmas. Several appear in the book in place of what might of been photos taken in the Valley. I like mixing reality, and pinpoint accuracy with escapism, and try to blend them seamlessly with the main goal being that it belongs there in the scene, as if it always was there. This concept of releasing the book as if it were an actual US city was tried 20 years earlier when the infamous Twin Peaks tv series had done something similar to "Pawnee" with "A Guide to Twin Peaks" (link). I heard "Portlandia" published something similar, after the minor success of this book.
Small sample gallery from "Pawnee: Greatest Town in America....
Working on the Series
A few weeks after the book was completed, I expressed interest in working on the show, if the spot is available. And in July I was asked to come in for 16 episodes until Christmas. There was a highly unusual amount of graphics written directly into the A-storylines regularly. Information was strictly 2nd hand - not well organized despite their importance. Outsiders who seen this block of episodes say that is not a one-person assignment. Sure, but it all got done on time though. Had experience doing throw-and-see-what-sticks Zucker spoof, and that was exciting, likely because it was a super cool first hand think tank - and I work in comedy/spoof well. Same situation with the book. Lots to do, but we were all in the think tank together. Hectic fun. Glad I did the book. Also, it was swell that a high ratio of the work got used in the series constantly, but I think they should look better. Since they were done in moments and written to be that way, they're okay. I don't always need time, but I'll take it.
Storyline about Leslie Knope's co-worker putting too many signs (I made) at her campaign. Even a printed rug.
nother Storyline has Rob Lowe's character recreating the font for the Parks department.
us Design created in 3hrs.
Leslie Knope (Amy Pohler) promoting the book to Homer Simpson (Dan Castenella, playing a NPR type host).
One of dozens and dozens of campaign efforts.
A high amount of close-ups used. Nice, but I thought that was unusual.
Please call Producer Morgan Sackett for a referral regarding this project. I think his feedback will be quick and concise.
(Below - my fictional character in the book - not my idea, but Mike Schur's)
Press links:
