Artist Profile: Danny-O'

Little-known fact: I didn't get my derby start in Utah. I first got started in derby with the Quad City Rollers in Davenport, Iowa. They had been around for about nine months when I finally got the courage to start skating with them. They were a brand new baby league, but about six months after I started I got my job in Utah and shipped out. Now, they're all grown up. I barely know most of the members these days, but I still have massive love for the QCR. One person who has been part of helping the Rollers grow up is Danny-O', a Quad-Cities area graphic artist who has helped shape their image in the past two years. I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) Danny started doing art for them right after I left in January 2008 beginning with a revamp of the logo, and has always impressed me with his attention to detail and massive amounts of creativity. I always love seeing what he's able to come up with next. So, without further ado, Danny tells us about his derby action himself.

Name: Danny O'Leary
Derby name: Danny-O'

Day job: Graphic Designer

How did you get started in roller derby/derby artwork?: Through the wonderful world of MySpace! LOL.
Does anyone use that anymore? Two of the girls from the Quad City Rollers contacted me about maybe doing a logo for the team in 2008. Neither knew the other had contacted me. I caught a couple practices to see what it was all about,. At the time, they needed me and I needed them, and well, that's how "Sassy McNasty" (the logo character) was born.

Any advice for leagues and artists?: Run! Don't get involved with Derby Girls! :)

But seriously, for Leagues: Committees Bad! You cannot design by committees. If there is someone in charge of posters, let them do their job, and relay all that you want through that one person. Too many ideas/emails from multiple people cause all kinds of confusion. (Too many cooks spoil the broth!)  Share your ideas, brainstorming is good, but in the end, trust your artist/designer. Constructive criticism is ok, but work together. And please, give your designer some time to work, you just can't expect great work at the last minute, even though my girls somehow manage it. :)

To designers: Be flexible. Really flexible, oh, and patient.  Learn to work really fast, because you'll never be given enough time. This is a great sport with a lot of really cool people. Get to know the sport and everyone involved. It'll make everything a lot easier and provide all kinds of inspiration. It is a team sport after all. Try and get all the info you need from everyone before you start, though learning how to herd cats may be a better occupational decision.

Where (places and/or websites) do you go for inspiration?: Just about anywhere. A lot depends on the theme. If its a Gangster theme, then use Google images for gangster and see what trips your trigger. I personally like to look at old movie posters. I'll look at what other teams are doing every now and then as well. But mainly, as I said above, I get a lot of inspiration from the girls and people involved with the sport. There are so many people from all walks of life, that the inspiration is endless. 

I joke. But, I Love my derby girls. I've made a lot of friends through working with the team and have always been treated as one of the team or better yet as one of the derby family.



Check out more of his stuff at: mrsolearysdesign.com