A short history of me

  • 2003: Dipped a toe into computer science II at the university. Dropped out real quick. Switched to communications design – a much better fit. 
  • 2003: Started freelancing as an illustrator. That never really stopped.
  • 2009: Graduated Dipl. Kommunikationsdesigner from HBK Saar. I illustrated Joanna Newsom’s song “Monkey & Bear” as propaganda posters.
  • 2011 – 2021: I explored leadership roles on the visual side of the games industry: concept artist, art director, team lead, creative advisor, talent scout, design director.
  • 2010s – 2020s: Taught design and concept art in various schools. I like sharing stuff and had the opportunity to do so there.
  • 2025 april – august: Selling strawberries, ’cause before starting university was the best time to try something completely different.
  • 2025: Let’s try the magic reset button in real life: started a dual study program in career guidance (Beratung für Bildung, Beschäftigung und Beruf – HdbA Schwerin, Agentur für Arbeit Berlin Süd
  • 2025 december: I quit the dual study program.
  • 2026: I guess it’s back to freelance

Currently

I’m always going through books, albums, and other things – here’s what stuck lately:

  • 20241010

  • 20241009

    I really like The Crow Hill Company’s “Imperial Electric Piano”. I built the soundscape but had trouble coming to an end with it. I tried crafting a melody, or a clear(er) chord progression on top, but it destroyed the atmosphere for me. Until I decided to just end it on a few chords played on the Imperial Electric Piano. That instrument can stand on it’s own easily. Now it feels right to me.

  • 20241007

  • 20240919

  • 20240917

  • 20240916

  • Jazzanova – Live Streaming Session

  • House of Protection, Doug Hammond

    Two very different musical discoveries on one morning

    First: House of Protection

    Electric Gorillaboyz. Lots of energy, great workout song to get fired up on, distortion, metal riffs, great combination of sounds, super tight drums (though another song I listened to from them has more interesting drum sections).

    Second: Doug Hammond

    And now to the polar opposide. Smooth as silk jazz. I opened the bandcamp frontpage and, as I often do, I just click on a thumbnail of something that was recently bought. I hit play without knowing anything beforehand, other than that someone had just bought the album. Time flew past. I worked and found myself regularly pausing just for a moment to enjoy the music, and then continued. It’s fantastic. I immediately played through the whole album a second time and then bought the album for myself. I feel a small smile of contentment when listening to this album. It’s a small joy, a ray of sunshine. Love it.

    https://doughammond.bandcamp.com/album/its-born

  • 20240910

    Geez, I’m a bit out of practice with something loose and cartoony.
    The book series I’m currently reading in the evening is a bit dark, I felt like I had to find the time to doodle something lighthearted for balance.

  • 20240904

    A friend mentioned that for his liking the last track didn’t have enough tonal variety. I tried to do better with this one. But now my wife says it’s too much.

    Also check this youtube-channel if you like piano, patterns, syncopation and other stuff. Most of what I do is directly inspired (if not just lifted) from Chris’ channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/@ImpliedMusic

    Example: