Marvel
Enteratinment
The next step for Mazz was the application of these design principals
to an industry long known for its creativity and its unique place as
a truly American art form, comics. The art form which was traditionally
printed on very poor paper-stocks, and using horrendous production values
was emerging from a dark age. Due in large part to the efforts of industry
veterans, the business of comics was rapidly changing. Extensive efforts
had been made to experiment with new paper-stocks, and move the production
of these four-color icons into an emerging digital age.
Due to the design efforts of Vito Incorvaia, Neal Pozner, Richard Bruning,
Georg Brewer, and an enormous list of others, comics were coming of
age. Into this mix, Mazz pursued the goal of quality design and effective
digital production. “Moving the mountain,” as it was referred
to was a substantial feat. Comics had an ingrained method of production
and Mazz soon found that design was not enough, new vendors needed to
be sought who understood the complexities of digital design. Incorporating
the highest quality reproduction for line art, and the art of digital
painting with crisp quality results were key elements that Mazz sought
to bring to his work.
Sawyer
Studios
This
lead to seeking like-minded individuals who were also experimenting
in the art form, people who were willing to push the art form to new
heights. Mazz found these alliances outside of the large corporate structures.
People like Arnold Sawyer, Michel Le, Brian Haberlin, Bob Conway, Mitch
Waxman and Joseph Michael Linsner.
Harris
Publications
After a to brief freelance period with Arnie Sawyer Studios, Mazz pursued
an art direction position with Harris Publications. Lured by the enormous
history of the Warren library of characters, Mazz sought to increase
Harris' corporate identity and branding, create a digital workflow,
and drastically increase the quality of their production. In less than
two years, Mazz was promoted to Creative Director with the added responsibilities
of creating new publishing formats including researching new paper-stocks,
binding, embossing and diverse printers. Within Harris Publications,
Mazz found like-minded individuals notably associate publisher, Jonathan
Rheingold and promotions manager, Yoshi Aino. Under this creative force,
a new renaissance of quality along with innovative new products flourished.
Harris Publications diversified into statues, posters, trading cards,
novellas, fine-art prints, postcards, exclusive membership products,
and even a live-action movie.
DialogueWorks/
Clarion Marketing
At
DialogueWorks, Mazz had the good fortune to work with the award-winning
design team of Chris Noury and Jeff Ostroth. Here Mazz refined his understanding
of direct mail and used his now 10 years of digital production techniques
to integrate new concepts and technology improving already high standards
and efficiency. The Adobe Acrobat File transfer system was implemented
to better meet the needs of our clients, reduce costs and turn around
time. A vastly improved archive system was implemented to create a user-friendly
environment for creative and pre-press staff. Extensive training was
used to train users in high-end retouching techniques. Qualitative hands
on testing techniques were developed for potential new employees in
the areas of pre-press, retouching, and proofreading. During the slowing
economic environment of 2001, the parent company of DialogueWorks underwent
a political upheaval. A division abruptly left leaving a financial void.
The financial void was filled by plugging the hole with Clarion's New
York office and moving them to Connecticut's facility. Unable to endure
the 6 hour commute, Mazz found himself with a new mission.
The
Future...
What
does the future hold for Mark Mazz and MazzStudio? To pursue his goal
of quality design with a new breed of companies utilizing like-minded
ideals and the strength of will to accomplish them.
