All About Alan Fore

Biography in Brief
I've been drawing and painting and doing creative things as long as I can remember. I've always loved making things. My fascination with art paid off and after High School, I was offered a scholorship at The Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, OH. It's reputation as one of the top schools of its kind in the country is well earned. I studied there for 4 years and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Illustration.

After school, I moved back to the South Bend, IN area where I freelanced for a bit. I also took a couple of positions at area agencies, assisting in the graphic design departments, increasing my skillset, and doing the occasional illustration.

My first position as a senior member of a design team was with FurnitureFind.com in Buchanan, MI in 1999. In those early days of the internet and e-commerce, we all had alot to learn about web design, and over the next few years, we went through a number of different looks. I also got introduced to basic html web-coding, which I still have occasional opportunities to use today.

My next staff position was at a South Bend non-profit organization called Family & Children's Center. Working with the marketing director there, we revamped alot of the organization's literature and gave all the affiliates a fresh, professional look. I was also responsible for creating and managing websites for Family & Children's Center and all four of their affiliates. It was quite a challenge, and in those couple of years, I learned alot about print work and working within a tight budget.

When FCC went through a change in leadership, I did some more work for FurnitureFind and their new web venture, WineSource.com. In addition to designing all new websites, email promotions, and various other large scale web initiatives for both companies, I was also responsible for the various print pieces and advertising both companies were now producing.

Currently, I am a staff designer at Upside Marketing, a small agency in South Bend, IN. I've never worked with a more talented group of people. At Upside, I'm responsible designing brochures, ads, signage, and all kinds of other print work as well as helping create elements of larger projects, such as photo illustration, concept art and presentations. It's a great place to work and I continue to learn alot.

I've managed to keep a busy freelance schedule through all this as well. Being able to take on smaller jobs, or illustrations is a nice change of pace after working with national brands at Upside. It's the best of both worlds really.

I'm currently accepting commissions for all kinds of design and illustration work including logo and identity design, book cover illustrations, wedding invitation design, brochure design, literature design, web site design and private collector's pieces. If you'd like to discuss the details of an upcoming project to see if I might be right for it, please feel free to call or email.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do you charge?
I generate quotes based on an hourly rate and the amount of time I think it will take for me to complete the job. After I get an idea of the kind of project you have in mind and what it will entail, I can give you a quote right away. Barring changes not covered in our agreement, I stick to the quote I give you.

What kind of jobs do you take?
I have accepted jobs covering the entire spectrum of illustration and design. From logos and identity packets to websites and drawings for collectors. If you need an illustration or design, I'm interested in talking to you about it. I do not, however, accept jobs with an overtly sexual, spiritistic, religious, or political theme.No offense intended. I simply choose not to take jobs with those themes. I'll catch you next time, though.

Are you currently accepting new clients?
Absolutely. Please call or email to discuss the details of your project.

Can you send some samples of your work?
Sure. Just contact me with your mailing address, and I'll send some printed samples your way.

What techniques do you work in?
I can try anything you like, but I have a few techniques I prefer. For color illustrations, I work with a layered technique using acrylics, watercolors, oil washes, and colored pencils on cold press Canson illustration borad. For drawing projects, I'll either work in colored pencils on colored paper or with an Ebony pencil on cold press Bristol Board. For design jobs, I work in Adobe's Creative Suite.

What's your turn-around time?
It depends on the size of your project, my schedule at the time, and your deadline. I'll be more than happy to discuss it with you and try to work something out.