Welcome
Thank you for finding your way to my little piece of the web! This is the online portfolio of Courtney Kays, containing various design work throughout the years, both professional and personal. I have been working professionally since the mid 2000’s and I am always open to new design opportunities.
About
I was born in Landstuhl, Germany, in the early 80’s and grew up as an Air Force military brat mostly living in the south. I quickly learned to enjoy the wonders and variety of the southern lifestyle, the beautiful Gulf of Mexico beaches, and of course the really humid weather.
For as long as I can remember I was always drawing and creating something rather than spending my time with coloring books. I would steal any paper and tape available in the house and let my imagination run wild making my own characters and scenes…and basically grew up as a happy 80's kid.
Attended Savannah College of Art and Design and graduated Cum Laude with a BA in graphic design and an illustration minor in 2005. Interned for Cooking Light magazine at the Southern Progress Corporation (a Time Warner Company). I've had the pleasure to work full-time as an in-house designer for International Expeditions and EBSCO Industries in the Birmingham, Alabama area.
My artistic styles range from technical graphic design to traditional illustration. My technical and traditional background has helped to push my design skills and explore new artistic concepts and techniques.
design
Print:
EBSCO Goes Green logo - Designed for EBSCO's 'Going Green' campaign. The logo was designed for print (brochures and catalogs) and for the web. EBSCO - Corporate Communications - 2007
Drivetime 2008 - CD label designs for EBSCO's Drivetime, a set of audio cds of sports themed sales pitches. EBSCO - Corporate Communications - 2008
EBSCO 2008 Annual Report - A cover design for EBSCO's 2008 Annual report. This was based on the EBSCO Goes Green campaign. EBSCO - Corporate Communications - 2008
Special Edition Winter Travel Brochure - Designed the inside spreads for International Expedition's Winter 2006 brochure. International Expeditions - 2006
Mullet Festival 29th Anniversary Poster - A poster design for Niceville, Florida's annual Mullet Festival. This design was always used on t-shirts and sold at the festival. Meigs Advertising & Design - 2005
Web:
Field Notes E-Newsletter - An E-Newsletter designed for the consumers of International Expeditions. Advertising new destinations packages. International Expeditions - 2007.
Travel Wizard E-Newsletter - An E-Newsletter designed for the consumers of International Expeditions. Adertising travel with both International Expditions and Travel Wizard. International Expeditions - 2007
illustration
Hoo's There? - An illustration I did for my mom, a true bird lover of the family. Colored pencil
Harvest Festival Poster - Designed for the town of Mt Laurel's 7th Annual Harvest festival in Birmingham, Alabama. Adobe Illustrator
Marley and Wilson - A going away present for a fellow designer's two playful pooches. Mixed media
The Kays Residence - A Christmas present for my mom and dad and my first experience illustrating houses. Pen and Ink
F4 Corsair - A gift for my nephew. A poster illustration of an F4 Corsair, a plane my grandfather flew in WWII. Adobe Illustrator
Mad Cow (Editorial Illustrator) - A fake editorial illustration for 'Mad Cow' disease. Mixed media
Neeko and Meeko - A comissioned pet portrait of a pair of very lucky and spoiled scarlet macaws. Mixed media
Cooking Light Santa - Designed for Cooking Light magazine to advertise the Christmas sales. Cooking Light magazine - 2006 - Colored pencil
Polar Bear - A gift for my mom as a birthday gift, one of her favorite animals. Mixed media