Evolution “Metal” Design
Client
Evolution Body Piercing
Year
2023
In the fall of 2023, while working for Evolution Body Piercing, Arlo created a selection of illustrations for a fall-winter merchandise run. One of the designs featured was heavily inspired by "heavy metal" aesthetics.
To create this design, Arlo reimagined the Evolution brand’s iconography to resonate with one of its core client demographics. He first drew out the new "Evolution" script above the "Body Piercing" text, which he kept from the original Evolution logo.
On the back of the shirt, he included an illustration of a femme-presenting individual with a much darker aesthetic than the other characters he typically illustrated for the studio. This character featured simpler, large-gauge jewelry. This intentional deviation from the typical depictions of clients and body jewelry seen in Evolution's marketing was designed to connect with clients whose piercing preferences align more with this aesthetic than the styles that include numerous piercings with more delicate, gold, and gemstone-focused jewelry. This approach was also a deliberate nod to the 90s jewelry and modification styles that were popular at the time of Evolution's founding.
Evolution “Southwest” Design
Client
Evolution Body Piercing
Year
2023
One of Arlo’s designs for Evolution’s fall merchandise line was a woodblock print-inspired design. During the fall, Albuquerque experiences its tourist season, highlighted by the Balloon Fiesta at the beginning of October. With the influx of visitors from out of town, Arlo focused on designing art that would appeal to customers looking for souvenirs. This design celebrated New Mexico pride, incorporating the colors of the desert and the local prickly pear cactus.
To align with Evolution's brand and services, the design included cacti that are pierced with body jewelry. The jewelry pierces the cacti intentionally to mimic the traditional use of jewelry in body piercing.
The illustration was featured on both tote bags and keychains with lanyards. The complete, original design was printed on the tote. For the keychain and lanyard, Arlo pulled just one of the cacti in the design to feature on the keychain, modifying the design to include a flower pot and completing the art. For the matching lanyard, he created a pattern comprising different body jewelry pieces featured in the original design.
Evolution “Southwest” Design
Client
Evolution Body Piercing
Year
2023
In the late spring of 2023, Arlo began combining his illustration and graphic design work to create printed marketing materials at Evolution Body Piercing.
His first illustration for Evolution depicts an ethereal person with androgynous features. This is an original character of Arlo's reimagined to be heavily pierced and exemplify the jewelry and piercings that could be acquired at Evolution Body Piercing.
The heavy presence of blue was meant to pair with the natural blues found in the New Mexico desert. After introducing this illustration into the company's marketing, blue became a core brand color paired with the warm earth tones and greens that had long been part of the brand.
This illustration was featured on the Evolution banner, which was included in the studio's 2023 Pride Parade float, and the 15% off coupons, which are used year-round.