Brandon Ragnar Johnson is an illustrator and graphic designer based in California. He graduated with honors at the Art Center College in Pasadena, California. The artist moved around much of the west coast of California while growing up, but spent his formative years in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Hence the heavy influence by florescent lights, hard shadows and midcentury design. His work is often some combination of the things he most loves; film noir, fashion illustration, classic cartoons, the great men’s magazine artists, mid century design and architecture, punk rock, monsters and old Las Vegas. On an interview with California Home Design he says this about his work:
“I really love simple, abstract shapes that hint at something organic – shapes that may or not be the silhouette of an animal or a plant, maybe something microscopic like an amoeba. I think a design is most successful when it seems both familiar and completely new at the same time. Being able to accomplish that with just color, form and line is challenging, but when it works, it’s very rewarding.â€
“Mid-century designers were so adept at combining sophistication and humor, and I do my best to strike that same balance in my work. To me, that’s really what makes design appealing rather than rigid and stuffy. I think even the best design can falter when it takes itself too seriously.â€
You can follow the artist on his website, Behance and Instagram. His portfolio can be found here. Â
Images:Â Courtesy of Brandon Ragnar Johnson.
You must be logged in to post a comment.