A Newsletter from Bradley Hughes

As 2024 comes to a close here soon, I’m looking to start something new and exciting – a newsletter where I can share some work and personal thoughts on a monthly basis with friends, colleagues, and hopefully a rotating cast of new audience members. I thought this would be a fun experiment in trying to connect with people on a deeper level than is possible on social media, and where there might be a more natural stage for discussion, sharing ideas back and forth, and staying connected.

I once was very active on Instagram (for example), and would share my images and thoughts there regularly and felt like people would appreciate/see/hear what I have to say. Those were the glory days. Fast forward to now, and I think my account is relatively static, and I feel buried beneath a mountain of ads and suggested posts. The algorithm isn’t on my side because I don’t post enough, and posting just isn’t much fun anymore in this new social media era.

Here I’ll share work updates, personal triumphs, cool media, book recommendations, inspiring art, outdoorsy things, referrals and recommendations, and lots more. You can follow along at https://bradleyrhughes.substack.com. I hope you enjoy it and subscribe.

New Client: Walker Art Center

Last year I traveled to Minneapolis to attend a family wedding, and since I had some free time between activities, I had to escape and make time for a visit at the Walker Art Center. Museums are a favorite past time of mine when I get an opportunity to visit a city and I have heard so many good things about this particular one. I spent a few hours wandering the sculpture garden and the halls of the exhibits on view, flipping through the beautifully designed books in the museum shop, and sipping coffee at the cafe. I left with a lasting impression that this institution was one of the nicest in the midwest, and the country. I couldn’t wait to get back.

A few months ago, by chance, my mentor and long time friend Matt Owens reached out to me about an opportunity his twin brother Mark had at the Walker (he just happened to be the Design Director, previously unknown to me!). After connecting with Mark and hearing about the longstanding reputable design traditions still in tact at the Walker I was eager and excited to help out on an exciting brand refresh project with the museum. I’m looking forward to sharing more details and imagery from this project soon.

Endless gratitude and thanks to Mark and Matt and the entire team at the Walker for bringing me into the fold and including me in such a rewarding design experience.

Livepeer + OpenAI partnership

Congrats to our client Livepeer on their partnership with OpenAI in their Sora generative video AI model. As generative AI excels our ability to create stunning video through prompts, its exciting to see how Livepeer can contribute its widespread computing network to lower costs an make this technology more accessible worldwide. 

Radical Acceptance Superfan Club Bumper Sticker

Last year we bought an RV and traveled the western states. My son and I collected stickers along the way of all the fun places we went and things we saw. I was inspired by that experience and I wanted to make something small, while paying tribute to an idea that has been with me for a while - the idea that there is a lot in this world we cannot control, and that our attachment to comfort can in itself bring pain. Which coincidentally relates a lot to traveling across the country with small children in a house on wheels. :)

You can purchase the Radical Acceptance Bumper Sticker here.

American Illustration 42 awards for proto.life and Paige Vickers

Congratulations to the very talented Paige Vickers on getting into the American Illustration 42 Annual with this beautiful piece for Psychedelics Offer New Route to Recovery from Eating Disorders. Paige and I worked on this story for proto.life in February of 2022 and this was one of only 393 images selected (there were over 8,000 entries!) to be in the annual. Way to go Paige!

Proto.life Rebrand

Congratulations to the entire proto.life team (formerly NEO.LIFE) on their tranformation with a new name and wordmark. I’m continually excited by this ongoing engagement, and am looking forward to reading more dispatches from the neobiological revolution. Read more on synthetic biology, culture, AI, longevity, medicine, and more here.

New Client: Multiple

I’m excited to be working with this non-profit with an important mission. Multiple is catalyzing risk-takers in the creation of new technologies to better the lives of people with autism.

Judging the Society of Illustrators Annual Competition

I’m so proud and honored to be judging the Society of Illustrators 64 Annual Competition. There is so much great talent out there it’s humbling. Keep up the good work illustrators!

Call for Entries poster illustration by Daniel Salmieri.

Launch of Meta’s Oversight Board

Throughout 2019 and into 2020, I worked with an awesome team of creatives at AKQA on a logo and identity system for a timely and innovative sub-brand at Meta. The Oversight Board website and brand launched late last week, and it’s great to see it out in the real world after much hard work and anticipation. A complete casestudy to come soon. Thanks to Tyler, Charles, Bryan, and Andrew for your collaboration.

Launch of New Moon Doula and Photography Business

I was thrilled to work with Kristen Fortier from New Moon Birth Doula and Photography located in Whitefish, MT. Congratulations to her on the launch of her brand, website, and the beginning of this amazing journey serving her local community of families and birthing women.

Pop-Up Magazine x Uninterrupted Live Show

It was a pleasure working with Pop-Up Magazine and Uninterrupted to create the visuals for Uninterrupted Live, an inspiring evening of athlete storytelling, featuring Jemele Hill, Sue Bird, Jason Collins, Taylor Rooks, and Al Harrington. Many thanks to Pop-Up’s brand studio for the continued collaboration on exciting projects.

Launch of Veradi Verdict Newsletter

Many thanks to Paul Veradittakit for the fun project designing this new logo for Veradi Verdict, a highly trusted and read newsletter on blockchain and cryptocurrency from a leader at Pantera Capital. Congratulations on the continued success of the content and growth of your readership, I can’t wait to keep reading!

Hopelab website featured on SiteInspire

Excited to see the Hopelab website I designed with the team at Landscape featured on SiteInspire. Thanks to the client and Landscape for the meaningful and inspiring work.

Photo by Landscape

New Client: Slack

I’m delighted to continue an ongoing collaboration with the fine folks at Slack in 2019 and beyond, focusing on the development and art direction of content for their blog SlackHQ as well as special growth marketing projects.