Welcome

My name is Eric Slager, and I am a graphic designer living and working in the south suburbs of Chicago. In 2010, I graduated from Trinity Christian College with a BA in graphic design, and have spent the last six years as the art director and designer for a local recycling bin manufacturer.

On top of design, I am heavily involved in local music. Along with playing and performing in a band, I have spent the last few years writing about Midwestern music.

If you're so inclined, you can download a copy of my resumé, and feel free to shoot me an e-mail if you have any other questions, comments, or concerns.

Thanks!

 

 

 

Minimalist Muppets

Minimalist Muppets

I designed this minimalist piece in late 2010 during the anticipation of the most recent Muppet installments, The Muppets. I was fotunate enough to recieve a lot of online love for this piece, and it was featured on hundreds of awesome sites and blogs including The Daily What, Laughing Squid, Lost At E Minor, Flavorwire, College Humor, and Sporcle. For the story behind this piece, check out my original blog post.

Prints of this piece and many requested variations are now available through Imagekind.

Row 1: Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Swedish Chef, Scooter, Waldorf, Statler, Rizzo the Rat

Row 2: Dr. Teeth, Zoot, Sgt. Floyd Pepper, Janice, Animal, Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker

Row 3: Sweetums, Sam the Eagle, Gonzo the Great, Camilla the Chicken, Miss Piggy, Rowlf the Dog

 

 

Midwest Action

Midwest Action! Shirt Design

This design is my contribution to the clothing company turned music blog, Midwest Action. Started by a good friend and fellow graphic designer, Midwest Action is a "music and art blog dedicated to exploring the best of Midwest culture."

Check out Midwest Action! online.

 

 

Vincent Price

11" x 17" Vincent Price Tribute Poster

For the story behind this piece, check out my original blog post. This poster has been featured on many incredible horror-genre sites, including Classic-Horror.com, Basement Screams, HorrorMoviesBlog.com, The Paradise of Horror, & Horror Society.

 

 

As It Is In Heaven

11" x 17" As It Is In Heaven Play Poster

While I attended Trinity Christian College, I was commisioned to make several play posters for the school's theater department. As It Is In Heaven is the story of an 1830's Shaker community in Kentucky that is threatened by the arrival of newcomers claiming to see angels.

 

 

Teresa Sykes

Teresa Sykes Personal Logo

Teresa Sykes is a singer and entertainer based in the suburbs of Chicago. As a performer, your name is your brand, so with this logo we aimed for accessibility and a bit of bold elegance to ensure that the name "Sykes" sticks with you long after the performance.

Check out Teresa's personal website.

 

 

Monsters

Monsters: Home of the Monster Burger Identity

As my college senior project, I decided to create and brand a fast food chain from the ground up. Out of my love for classic horror movies, fast food, and practical design, Monsters was born.The project included everything from branded bags, cups, placemats and soup cups, to a complete hanging menu board, a point-of-sale advertisement, and a carry-out menu.

 

 

Mummy's Wrap

8.5" x 11" Mummy's Wrap POS Advertisement

This is the "Mummy's Wrap" point-of-sale advertisment from the counter of my ficitional fast food chain, Monsters.

 

 

If You Want to Sing Out

If You Want to Sing Out - Harold & Maude Tribute

Inspired by the 1971 Hal Ashby film, Harold & Maude, and Cat Stevens beautiful soundtrack, I created this piece. A reference to the final moments of the film while Harold plays along to Stevens' track, "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out".

 

 

Who is Pepe Silvia

11" x 17" Who is Pepe Silvia Fictional Movie Poster

The poster for the ficitonal crime-thriller is based on an epsiode of the ridiculously funny show, It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia. On a season 4 episode, while two of the main characters, Mac & Charlie, are splitting a minimum wage job sorting mail in order to get health benefits, Charlie's complete illeteracy leads to what might be one of the best moments of the whole series - and the inspiration for this poster.

 

 

Freaks for Geeks

Freaks for Geeks Logo

I play guitar and sing in a rock/hip-hop group called Freaks for Geeks. We envisioned our logo as a sort of "tag" that we could utilize across all media. The final logo, shown above, serves a dual purpose representing both the letters FFG and the musical "sharp" and "flat" signs.

Check out Freaks for Geeks online.

 

 

Take Shelter

11" x 17" Take Shelter Movie Poster

When the trailer for the 2011 drama-thriller Take Shelter first hit the internet, I was so intrigued by it that I could hardly wait for the movie to be released. Based solely on what was shown in the trailer, I designed this poster while I waited for the release.

 

 

Grease

17" x 11" Grease High School Play Poster

This is a poster for the drama department of a local high school who was putting on the play, Grease. Since the poster would be placed around the school, the design was meant to emulate a high school bulletin board. Along with the poster, the play programs were designed to look like yearbooks, and the student t-shirts were created as "Rydell High" gym shirts.

 

 

Dream A Little Dream

8.5" x 11"Dream a Little Dream Poster

This typographic poster was inspired by the absolutely gorgeous "Mama" Cass Elliot song, Dream a Little Dream of Me. The lyrics featured in the poster were taken from the first verse.

 

 

Save the Date

7" x 5" Save the Date Card

Save the Date cards that I designed for my upcoming wedding.

 

 

 

Music Writing

In August 2011, I began writing as the Chicago editor for the national website, The Vinyl District. In June 2013, I left The Vinyl District, and I began writing for Midwestern art and music blog, Midwest Action. You can read some of my favorite pieces below, and a comprehensive list here.

Give it a Spin: "Dove" by Mitch McLaughlin
Article | Midwest Action| February 26, 2014

Drive Out by Carter Hulsey
Article | Midwest Action | February 14, 2014

Midwest Hype – The Midwest Action Interview
Article | Midwest Action | January 3, 2014

The Velcro Lewis Group release Open the Sky at the Empty Bottle – 11/11
Article | Midwest Action | November 8, 2013

Ariada EP by Ariada
Article | Midwest Action | September 27, 2013

TVD Live: The Wombats at Park West, 4/30
Article |The Vinyl District | May 3, 2012

The Right Now release Gets Over You on 4/10, perform in-store at Dusty Groove 4/13
Article | The Vinyl District | April 9, 2012

TVD Recommends: Kevin Hearn at Schubas Tavern, 1/24
Article | The Vinyl District | January 23, 2012

 

 

 

Resumé

For a printable PDF version, click here.

3153 W Park Lane Drive
Merrionette Park, IL 60803
(815) 666-6835
eric.slager@gmail.com
www.ericslager.com

Work History

ClearStream Recycling, Inc.

Palos Heights, IL
January 2008 - Present
Art Director/Graphic Designer - Full time

Responsibilites include the management and execution of general design work on tradeshow materials, mailings, product design, e-marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), basic IT support, and website design and maintenance.

Culvers

Frankfort, IL
January 2005 - January 2008
Shift Manager - Part Time

Responsibilites included customer service, managing crews of up to 10 employees, opening and closing of the restaurant, money counting, and general managerial responsibilities.

Education

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, IL
Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
May 2010

Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Contribute, Adobe
Dreamweaver, Microsoft Office, HTML, DSLR photography, and basic video editing.