© G-Link, LLC
"Stardust: A Journey to Remember" is a poetic and enchanting picture book that follows an adventurer named Naledi on an epic journey through inner and outer universes to remember the miracle it is to be alive.
In collaboration with Garrett Brill, my good friend and the author of Stardust, we set out to create our very first children's book, and this is the fruit of our labor. Stardust is self-published, and became possible by launching a very successful Kickstarter Campaign, where we raised an astonishing $26,000 thanks to our gracious community and backers.
As a part of that campaign, which I design the page layout and digital assets for, I also created various rewards for the different tiers of support which included a special edition version of the book, stickers, limited edition posters, character concept cards, and a reflection card deck with interactive prompts that tie into the themes of the book. We also reach our stretch goals and that enabled us to create an animated version of the book which is now available to watch.
© ASU Prep Digital
While working as the Senior Visual Artist for ASU Prep Digital, the creative team responsible for the design, aesthetic, and user experience of their digital curriculum products, we were tasked with creating an experience vision that could be used to guide our curriculum products into the future.
If we could design our courses without technology limitations in the next 5 years, what would we want them to look like?
Under supervision from my Creative Director, Art Directer, and alongside our Senior Motion Designer, we first researched different web experiences, user interfaces, and delivery methods for content. We then took an existing lesson from ASUPD's Earth & Space Science Course and explored how we might create that next-generation curriculum experience, starting with rough storyboards which we pitched. We chose an existing lesson in a live course so that it would be easier to compare the content delivery methods, their effectiveness, engagement factor, etc.
After our concept was approved, we created near-final fidelity graphics and animations to demonstrate our concept. We chose a lesson and approach that highlighted storytelling and characters to help engage users and to create a continuity of experience that we believed would effectively support the content's efficacy.
© Strongmind
This is work I did for a short film themed around video games and what true sportsmanship is really about- a sort of ode to retro arcade games and the various elements of gameplay. It was never finished, unfortunately, and although that breaks my heart a little, one of our main intentions through it was purely to learn and advance our technical and storytelling abilities. That was a major success.
To give some context, this film was set in both an arcade and an imaginative inner arcade cabinet world where the magic of games is created, in a sort of theater production sense. It combined 3d and 2d animation, and required the invention of an actual game, complete with characters and levels.
© Strongmind
PEN | MARKER | PENCIL
Here are some of my favorites from my Inktober series over the years. These continually prove to be a great exercise, not only by allowing me to reconnect with some traditional media, but also in helping me explore and develop a personal style, as well as cultivating a healthy attitude towards learning and growth.
All images © Daniel Fleck
© Strongmind
graphic design | illustration | UI/UX design
This virtual lab was designed to be modular so that different combinations of samples can be equipped, and different combinations of lab stations (each shelf or cubby is a different station where users can use virtual versions of those labs). It was also designed to work in responsive environments.
PERSONAL STUDY
These are my friends and coworkers. I assure you they are stranger in person…
All images © Daniel Fleck
© High Road Productions
I've had the pleasure of attending and designing the map for this home-grown, Flagstaff based festival since 2021, each year making updates to both the style and festival layout each time. This fest is very close to my heart, and for me, making the map is such a great way to participate. Plus, I love me some treasure maps that are intuitive and bring a sense of child-like wonder to the experience. Special thanks to Jerry Rider and High Road Productions for including me and supporting artists through the event and year round.
I also design stickers to gift nearly every year, including some for my own theme camp, Island in the Woods, as well as design several interactive art installations, which in particular is a passion hobby of mine. Come dance with us in the forest.
© 2018 StrongMind
All images © Daniel Fleck
© 2018 StrongMind
© StrongMind
Animated by Brianna Chiu
© 2018 StrongMind
CITIZEN is an allegorical graphic novel retelling several key historic points during the American Revolution.
This is the first of six chapters from CITIZEN, making the complete "book" the equivalent size of a full graphic novel.
CITIZEN was also a key component of our "Civics and Government" course that was awarded a 2016 CODIE Award. StrongMind also used it as promotional material while attending the iNACOL Symposium in 2016.
http://www.siia.net/codie/About-the-Awards/Past-Winners/2016-Winners/Details/nID/61
Credits:
Written by | Nathan McNurlen & Daniel Fleck
Illustration | Daniel Fleck
Text Layout | Brittany Colemen
Educational Content | Casey Davis
Web Development | Logan Fetter
Originally published in 2015 (© FlipSwitch)
Personal exploration.
All images © 2019 Daniel Fleck
© 2018 StrongMind
© Strongmind
Concept for an interactive drag-and-drop solar system activity.
