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John Carlson Design
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Top Rope Mexican-Style Lager

Beer can design and illustration for Top Rope Mexican-Style lager. Top Rope is part of the family of canned beers for The Post Brewing Company, located in Lafayette, Colorado.

Howdy Beer

Original can and logo design for the Howdy Beer brand for The Post Brewing Company.

The approach was to create an iconic beer can design that showcases Howdy Beer’s classic pilsner roots, and “Western” approachability.

Townie IPA

Beer can design for Townie IPA by The Post Brewing Company in Lafayette, Colorado. For the “Townie” van illustration, I worked with the brewmaster on the creative direction. We wanted something fun that represents this Easy Drinkin’, aromatic, hop balanced IPA.

I included one of my watercolor sketches for the van illustration.

Ol' Zippy Premium American Ale

Beer can design for The Post Brewing Company. The can design name and use of a squirrel were suggestions by the brewmaster. The color palette and design were meant to reflect the zippiness of this refreshing American ale.

Chela Vida

Beer can design and illustration for Chela Vida Mexican lager.

Crabtree Brewing Company’s take on the always popular and refreshing Mexican lager.

Even though skulls and skeletons are ever present in this category. I leaned in and created this skull illustration inspired by classic Day of the Dead artwork.

Happy Times Malt Liquor

Beer label design for The Post Brewing Company. Hop bursted malt liquor with a hop kick to it. The label design suggests those happy times ahead enjoying a Happy Times Malt Liquor with your friends.

Headless Horseman Seasonal Beer

Beer can design for Crabtree Brewing Company's Headless Horseman seasonal beer.

For the design, I illustrated the horseman, riding the infamous blue mustang sculpture "Blucifer." Blucifer is the giant blue horse sculpture that greets travelers visiting the Denver International Airport. I included my original ink drawing for the label too.

Beerley Pilsner

Beer can design for Crabtree Brewing Company in Greeley, Colorado.

Crabtree Brewing Company is a long time established Greeley Brewery. In addition to the can design, I also created the name “Beerley.” I thought naming the beer, Beerley is a whimsical way for Crabtree Brewing to claim its Greeley, Colorado roots.

The naming, the design, and color palette all place this genuine Czech pilsner as an authentically local beer.

Sourdelic Sour Ale

Can and logo design for the Sourdelic, sour ale beer series for Crabtree Brewing Company in Greeley, Colorado.

Howdy Bandana

Western style bandana design for the Howdy Beer brand.

Howdy Beer Logo

Logo design for Howdy Beer “Western Pilsner.” Originally brewed by The Post Brewing Company in Lafayette, Colorado.

The Post Brewing Company Logo Design

Logo design for The Post Brewing Company. The shape I used for the logo was designed to represent the shape of a beer barrel or keg.

Atropos Imperial IPA

Beer label design and illustration for Fate Brewing Company. The Atropos Imperial IPA label design is one of a number of label and can designs created for the Fate Brewing Company. Each design would represent one of the three regional Goddesses representing the fates or destinies of mankind. In Greek mythology, Atropos “cut the thread” of mortal souls.

Laimas Kölsh Style Ale

Beer can design and illustration for Fate Brewing Company. The Laimas can design is one of a number of label and can designs created for the Fate Brewing Company. Each design would represent one of the three regional Goddesses representing the fates or destinies of mankind. In Baltic mythology, Laimas makes final decision on an individual's fate.

Post Baseball Cap

Retail merchandise design for The Post Brewing Company.

Ski Tan Hoppy Red Lager

In-store poster design and illustration for The Post Brewing Company.

You Do You

Design and illustration for the “You Do You” fruited sour beer series by The Post Chicken and Beer brand.

Denver Nuggets Art Showcase

On April 6th, 2024 the Denver Nuggets had their first ever art showcase. Me and five other local artists were chosen to be guests at the Nuggets game. Here’s the series of prints I created that were displayed at the game. In a nod to the rich Denver Nuggets history, the theme of my prints were a new take on the classic Nuggets mascot, Maxie the Miner.

Go Wild Chili Lime Crunch

Logo design, art direction, package design and illustration for Made in Nature’s Go Wild snack brand. The Go Wild line of wholesome snacks comes in savory and sweet flavors.

Taste of Philly Logo Design

Logo design for Taste of Philly cheesesteaks. Various Colorado locations.

Taste of Philly Poster Series

Design, illustration and copy writing for a set of in-store poster designs for the Taste of Philly cheesesteaks brand.

West End Tavern

Logo design for the West End Tavern, Boulder, Colorado.

West End Tavern Table Sauces

Label designs for The West End Tavern. House Hot Sauce, Carolina BBQ Style and Kansas City BBQ Style. The direction of these hot sauce labels are designed to pair with the authentic BBQ smoked in-house at The West End Tavern.

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

Logo design for Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar - The Fish

Support illustration for Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar. Used for various promotional pieces.

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar - Trash Fish

Social media and support illustrations for the Trash Fish Social. An event sponsored by Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar that highlights lesser known and more sustainable seafoods.

Oyster Month

In-store poster design and illustration for Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar.

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar - Exterior Signage

Large exterior signage design for Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar. Downtown Denver location.

Tuna Chalk

Staff t-shirt graphic and promotional illustration for Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar.

Outlaw Burger Logo

Logo design for the Outlaw Burger brand. Various national locations.

Outlaw Burger Food Wrapper

Design and illustration for a food wrapper pattern for the Outlaw Burger brand. Various national locations.

Season of Hope

In-store seasonal promotional poster designs and illustration for Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Spread the Holiday Shmear

Seasonal “Bagel Bucket” package design and illustration for Einstein Bros. Bagels. The copy, hand typography and whimsical illustrations were created to represent this approachable and fun brand.

Elmo Ponders

Retail calendar illustration for Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Bagels on my mind ...

Gift card design and illustration for Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Twin Lakes General Store & Mercantile

Set of "Circle" graphics for Twin Lakes General Store & Mercantile, Twin Lakes, Colorado. Located between Leadville and Aspen, Twin Lakes General Store has been around for over 100 years. I designed this set of "Mountain Technical" style graphics to be used for retail sale on merchandise and stickers.

Logo Design for Rancho San Dioniso

Silk Plant Based Beverages

Set of infographic illustrations for Danone Food Company. This set of illustrations was part of a promotion promoting plant based products.

Beer Vessels

A set of spot illustrations with various beer vessels.

Visit Boulder (Hiking Boot)

Poster design and illustration. For Retail sale at Art Source International and Poster Scene.

Visit Boulder (Buffalo)

Poster design and illustration. For Retail sale at Art Source International and Poster Scene.

Centro Mexican Kitchen

T-shirt design graphic for Centro Mexican Kitchen. I wanted to design a shirt that works well in-store, plus reps the brand out of store too.

Ol' Zippy Premium

Retail t-shirt for sale for The Post Brewing Company.

Post Fermenter Baseball Cap

Baseball cap design for The Post Brewing Company.

Colorado Chicken

Baseball cap design for The Post Brewing Company.

Buffalo Hat

Small run, self promotional buffalo themed trucker hat.

Colorado Skull Baseball Cap

Self promotional hat design.

Top Rope Mexican-Style Lager

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Howdy Beer

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Townie IPA

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Ol' Zippy Premium American Ale

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Chela Vida

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Happy Times Malt Liquor

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Headless Horseman Seasonal Beer

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Beerley Pilsner

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Sourdelic Sour Ale

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Howdy Bandana

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Howdy Beer Logo

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The Post Brewing Company Logo Design

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Atropos Imperial IPA

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Laimas Kölsh Style Ale

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Ski Tan Hoppy Red Lager

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You Do You

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Denver Nuggets Art Showcase

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Go Wild Chili Lime Crunch

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Taste of Philly Logo Design

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Taste of Philly Poster Series

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West End Tavern

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West End Tavern Table Sauces

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Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

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Jax Fish House Logo Design

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar - The Fish

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Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar - Trash Fish

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Oyster Month

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Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar - Exterior Signage

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Tuna Chalk

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Outlaw Burger Logo

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Outlaw Burger Food Wrapper

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Season of Hope

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Spread the Holiday Shmear

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Elmo Ponders

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Bagels on my mind ...

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Twin Lakes General Store & Mercantile

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Logo Design for Rancho San Dioniso

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Silk Plant Based Beverages

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Beer Vessels

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Visit Boulder (Hiking Boot)

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Visit Boulder (Buffalo)

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Centro Mexican Kitchen

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Ol' Zippy Premium

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Post Fermenter Baseball Cap

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Colorado Chicken

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Buffalo Hat

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Colorado Skull Baseball Cap

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