From time to time I do graphic design work. Sometimes it’s profiles for publications; sometimes it’s artwork for model decals (under the Mighty Tiger Motorsports label); sometimes it’s other things. Whatever it is, I do it when there’s a subject that’s obscure enough to be interesting, and compels me enough to research it and do the best job I can turning it into a piece of artwork. My tool of choice is Adobe Illustrator.
I generally do this for the love of the subjects I cover, although for the right amount of money I can be persuaded. Be warned, however, that my rates are probably higher than you’re wanting to pay, and I’m also not the quickest worker. I do these things on my schedule, not necessarily yours. (In case you haven’t figured it out from this website, I have a lot of varied irons in the fire at any given moment.)
Also, please be advised that I don’t have any of these decals available for sale, so please don’t ask if I have any available. I’m not in the retail business. I don’t print these. I’ve tried both things and the hassle didn’t agree with me. I just do the artwork and instructions, and let other folks handle the rest. If the decals are still available, I’ve provided links to where you can buy them.
Below are some samples of what I’ve done.
For years I’ve lamented there’s been no comprehensive, accurate set of decals to build the Ford Galaxies that Fireball Roberts raced during the 1963 and 1964 seasons. After years of research and Illustrator work, these two decal sets were completed and are available from Ace Decals. Between them you can build virtually any of Fireball’s cars, including some rarely-seen variations.
Another massive project involved the recovery helicopters from the Apollo program. “Old 66,” the SH-3 that recovered the first five Apollo lunar missions, had already been covered in two prior decal sets. A lot of research and work went into this one, too. This set – and the two sets for “Old 66” – is available through Starfighter Decals.
For the 2016 IPMS/USA National Convention I designed a decal that covered multiple subjects in various scales: a P-51D (1:48 and 1:72), an F-100D (1:48 and 1:72), an S-2E (1:48), a 1957 Chevy stock car (1:25), and two military vehicles in 1:35, as well as bonus decals in 1:144, 1:200, 1:350 and 1:700. All subjects had a connection to South Carolina or to the name Columbia, the convention’s host city. This decal was given to convention registrants; the leftover sheets went to Sprue Brothers Models, which underwrote the decal. You can buy this sheet there.
Not everything I do is for decals. Here’s a sample of my profile art: my favorite 707 as it appeared when it looked the best (well, in my eyes).