An Approach to the Resident Graphic Artist at the Pin Fanatic

I am the resident graphic artist at the Pin Fanatic. I delved into the world of graphic arts in 1999 when I began assembling and publishing an independent comic book. Several years later I found a niche in the lapel pins and promotional products field(s) where a whole new set of skills could be applied. Currently I'm at The PinFanatic creating lapel pins for different organizations spanning baseball, business, military and religious organizations, and white-collar criminals. In my free time I play bass in a rock band, The Killer Robots, and produce low budget B movies.

I have found over the years that different skills and thought processes learned in one area of graphic design can be applied to other areas in ways one might not expect. For instance, the dynamism found in the typical comic book panel might inspire the design of a baseball or softball trading pin. You might find a player or mascot rendered in forced perspective swinging a baseball bat and sending a screaming ball into the sky at speeds so great it leaves a trail of fire in its wake. Or the pin may aim for a humorous note such as a blind umpire with a Seeing Eye dog. Every trading pin tells a story, and it's our job at Pin Fanatic tell it in the most concise and vibrant way possible.

One might wonder how one inventive pin design can stand out amongst a sea of colorful and inventive trading pins. There are a number of options that can be added to the pin to make it even more unique. The customer is not limited to just solid glass color fills. Glitter can also be added to the color fill of an epola style pin. A transparent color may be chosen to give the pin more depth. Sometimes one pin is not enough. A second pin can be attached via several methods. The "dangler" method finds an extra pin suspended by a loop at the bottom of the pin. Another pin may be attached by a spring allowing it to bobble back and forth (the "bobble" method). A slot can be cut across the main pin to allow a second "slider" pin to slide across it. Finally, if the pin is big enough (1.75") a mechanism can be attached that allows an LED light to blink on and off.

You can submit your idea for a trading pin to The PinFanatic in any number of ways. If you have no idea what you want, we can put something together based on the name of the team, its mascot and location. We will work with you until you have something you are happy with. If you know exactly what you want you can write out a description, submit a detailed drawing or if you are familiar with a graphics program, design it yourself and send it to us in adobe illustrator format. We accept anything from Rembrandts to stick figures.

We at Pin Fanatic look forward to bringing your custom trading pin ideas to life. Just let us know what you want in your custom pin, and we will make it the best that it can be. It is our pleasure to work WITH you, and we certainly do hope to hear from you in the future.