https://toddhippensteel.com Todd Hippensteel Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:03:55 +0000 https://toddhippensteel.com en https://toddhippensteel.com/Mac-Miller Tue, 26 May 2020 16:28:09 +0000 Todd Hippensteel https://toddhippensteel.com/Mac-Miller <img width="8000" height="4500" width_o="8000" height_o="4500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4afa9bb75065a92d2270831951469d55f75125940e0b83b14d76328e8b31e3c6/Diver.png" data-mid="74247746" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4afa9bb75065a92d2270831951469d55f75125940e0b83b14d76328e8b31e3c6/Diver.png" /> I was approached by the rapper Mac Miller to use a character I had previously created, the Diver, to feature within a range of media; this character went on to star in several of his music videos, as well as become his social media avatar. Scroll down to check out the range of work we did together. <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e61d6dab348dc816e57eb44977e480ef4be89ef10c58c5267b96e06ae9c33f18/MM_SIG_Header_with_Youtube_Icon.jpg" data-mid="189343073" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e61d6dab348dc816e57eb44977e480ef4be89ef10c58c5267b96e06ae9c33f18/MM_SIG_Header_with_Youtube_Icon.jpg" />The first of two videos featuring the Diver for the fifth anniversary of Mac’s album Swimming, “So It Goes” concludes with the Diver rising from the abyss and completing its journey to the stars.&nbsp;Directed by Anthony Gaddis and Eric Tilford. Animation by LUXX.TV, Lead Animator: Tim Clapham <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8edab9b355712a9db8bbc40604d7282783481075fddb670c7ede006fdbfe5738/MM_WTU_Header_with_Youtube_Icon.jpg" data-mid="189343074" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8edab9b355712a9db8bbc40604d7282783481075fddb670c7ede006fdbfe5738/MM_WTU_Header_with_Youtube_Icon.jpg" /> The second video featuring the Diver for the fifth anniversary of Mac’s album Swimming, “What’s the Use?” incorporates the Diver, skinned in a beautiful range of textures, into a lush pattern of Mac-related objects.&nbsp;Directed by Anthony Gaddis and Eric Tilford.&nbsp;Animation by LUTCH.TV, Lead Animator: Jon Lutjens <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/019136d48071768e983d8fafc6d4c337cb6d16310624e3544b4609a10ff261db/MM_CBTE_Header_with_Youtube_Icon.jpg" data-mid="72536217" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/019136d48071768e983d8fafc6d4c337cb6d16310624e3544b4609a10ff261db/MM_CBTE_Header_with_Youtube_Icon.jpg" /> The first of my collaborations with Mac, “Come Back to Earth” introduced the Diver character within the abyss of the psyche.&nbsp;Directed by Anthony Gaddis and Eric Tilford.&nbsp;Animation by LUXX.TV, Lead Animator: Tim Clapham. <img width="3840" height="2160" width_o="3840" height_o="2160" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/19a11a8a50995a337189800117386bee27b35ad82e8d18a0ad94a9f7ed48ebb5/MM_Header_with_Youtube_Icon.jpg" data-mid="72534235" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/19a11a8a50995a337189800117386bee27b35ad82e8d18a0ad94a9f7ed48ebb5/MM_Header_with_Youtube_Icon.jpg" />I was honored to have contributed the Diver character for Mac’s first posthumous release. “Good News” features the Diver on an extraplanetary odyssey beyond the stars. Directed by Anthony Gaddis and Eric Tilford.&nbsp;Animation by LUXX.TV, Lead Animator: Tim Clapham. <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8bd8d5f68d804af13a2163657ebd97f9dd060f3525e821925ff95541c286ac48/Inflatable_Diver.jpg" data-mid="72778088" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8bd8d5f68d804af13a2163657ebd97f9dd060f3525e821925ff95541c286ac48/Inflatable_Diver.jpg" /> Additionally, an inflatable version of the Diver was created for the record release of Mac’s posthumous album Circles. <img width="8000" height="4500" width_o="8000" height_o="4500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f481b77bd8073883ec67be84e1fb1313622efd773fdb2907b9ee6c13381a0f21/MM_Twitter.jpg" data-mid="72512541" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f481b77bd8073883ec67be84e1fb1313622efd773fdb2907b9ee6c13381a0f21/MM_Twitter.jpg" /> The Diver character is used as Mac’s official avatar&nbsp;across all of his social media to this day. <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cc1565ef987876ad2e5217776eb30750195139076bea8e96e09e9eb46c27e994/Diver_Tattoos.jpg" data-mid="139660408" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cc1565ef987876ad2e5217776eb30750195139076bea8e96e09e9eb46c27e994/Diver_Tattoos.jpg" /> What’s been most surprising about this entire experience is the numerous amount of fans that have tattood the character, in all sorts of manifestations, onto themselves - a testimant to Mac’s seminal influence upon, and lasting importance to, his listeners. https://toddhippensteel.com/KatiesPizza Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:03:55 +0000 Todd Hippensteel https://toddhippensteel.com/KatiesPizza I contributed art direction and brand design for&nbsp;Katie's Pizza &amp; Pasta,&nbsp;the acclaimed St. Louis-based Italian restaurant group and artisan food maker, in support of the brand’s growth from local gem to national force. Brand films directed by Anthony Gaddis and The Tilford Brothers, Director of Photography: Christian Weber. Target content directed by Anthony Gaddis, Director of Photography: Andrew Cutraro. Cooked product photography:&nbsp;Tré Parmalee. Packaged product photography: Gregg Goldman.&nbsp;All motion, editing, and color grading: LUTCH <img width="16000" height="9000" width_o="16000" height_o="9000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/294712351466c4e4b8deeff3965c9b813bb980e264fd96d1c7841948d6ace9e0/Katie-s_Brand_Quick_Sheet.png" data-mid="247280448" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/294712351466c4e4b8deeff3965c9b813bb980e264fd96d1c7841948d6ace9e0/Katie-s_Brand_Quick_Sheet.png" /> https://toddhippensteel.com/DOUG Thu, 14 Dec 2023 18:44:56 +0000 Todd Hippensteel https://toddhippensteel.com/DOUG I provided title and end card designs&nbsp;for DOUG’s music video “BUY YOU THE WORLD,” directed by Anthony Gaddis.&nbsp;Additionally, I created a logo for the group that would feature in both the video and across all of their social media channels. Director of Photography: Jason Stamp, Animation by LUTCH.tv, Lead Animator: Jon Lutjens, Shot at Bad Dog Pictures in St. Louis, Missouri, Live-Action Producer: Derek Phillips <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fa318910b9ee320fcb35edaeba344cfec875ec4502a949efe6d90415f50cf494/DOUG_Title_Card.gif" data-mid="199460001" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fa318910b9ee320fcb35edaeba344cfec875ec4502a949efe6d90415f50cf494/DOUG_Title_Card.gif" /> <img width="3000" height="1688" width_o="3000" height_o="1688" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5512d7f2629a242f2023e6f05ae9b8411d09b9d8dc285559a2a9a57cb15f3e35/DOUG_Logos.gif" data-mid="199684113" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5512d7f2629a242f2023e6f05ae9b8411d09b9d8dc285559a2a9a57cb15f3e35/DOUG_Logos.gif" /> https://toddhippensteel.com/Style-Weekly Tue, 13 Feb 2024 19:24:03 +0000 Todd Hippensteel https://toddhippensteel.com/Style-Weekly Under new ownership by VPM, Virginia’s home for public media, the Richmond legacy publication Style Weekly relaunched in December of 2023. Sporting a new logo, visual identity, and website, Style needed to spread the news, and I was tasked with incorporating their updated look into a launch video to drive awareness to both new and longtime readers of the free weekly cultural magazine. Storyboarding, design, illustration, and animation all came into play, resulting in a fun and vibrant spot that delivered upon all of the client’s needs. https://toddhippensteel.com/Bandio Tue, 01 Oct 2024 15:36:07 +0000 Todd Hippensteel https://toddhippensteel.com/Bandio Bandio, a public benefit corporation passionate about fostering safer experiences for kids online, tasked me, along with copywriter Kristen Dutton, to create an animated introduction video to inform parents about their new, innovative solution to digital age checks for kids, so they can explore the digital world with age-appropriate content. Art direction, design, and motion all came into play for this simple, informative video. https://toddhippensteel.com/TemperPack Mon, 30 Jun 2025 15:52:33 +0000 Todd Hippensteel https://toddhippensteel.com/TemperPack TemperPack, a sustainable packaging company specializing in perishable food and pharmaceutical shipments, tasked me, along with copywriter Lassiter Stone, to create a series of animated product demos touting the benefits of their newest product: Green Cell Foam. Highly protective and home-compostable, this bio-based insulation can even dissolve down your drain (!). Art direction, design, illustration, and motion all came into play for these quick and informative videos. https://toddhippensteel.com/Verde Tue, 23 May 2023 16:40:48 +0000 Todd Hippensteel https://toddhippensteel.com/Verde Brand identity redesign for Verde, a Latin-owned janitorial services company. Sensing the opportunity to be a leader in their industry, I was asked to refresh their brand by creating something playful, approachable, and cool. Character design, typography, color, and motion all came into play for this complete brand redesign. <img width="8000" height="4500" width_o="8000" height_o="4500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d14649f00b6131d12fb35905e63f66679a66e80c768ebe981c406d2b5eeb9f53/Verde_Website_Materials-04.png" data-mid="179698599" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d14649f00b6131d12fb35905e63f66679a66e80c768ebe981c406d2b5eeb9f53/Verde_Website_Materials-04.png" /> <img width="8001" height="4500" width_o="8001" height_o="4500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/87d9042041e42fbf94df8ab0ee48b8c0444b932cee6375c997a3667fb42be766/Verde_Safety_Sage.png" data-mid="191823035" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/87d9042041e42fbf94df8ab0ee48b8c0444b932cee6375c997a3667fb42be766/Verde_Safety_Sage.png" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a5c5e65092713f5e23c04f774e348b257a1649232d7c3292a4bf556b0fb672f5/Verde_Initial_Build.gif" data-mid="179698675" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a5c5e65092713f5e23c04f774e348b257a1649232d7c3292a4bf556b0fb672f5/Verde_Initial_Build.gif" /> <img width="2200" height="1619" width_o="2200" height_o="1619" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/09a6ae374f52f2373a1d9099968a49ee94f4a593debd6ac1a9a1b2072b7783ed/Verde_Business_Cards.jpg" data-mid="179698579" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/09a6ae374f52f2373a1d9099968a49ee94f4a593debd6ac1a9a1b2072b7783ed/Verde_Business_Cards.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4717ac58c1b19fb3a921e4b47cbfff011a339c2c169e400671592ecab5c6883e/Verde_Vibes.gif" data-mid="179980243" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4717ac58c1b19fb3a921e4b47cbfff011a339c2c169e400671592ecab5c6883e/Verde_Vibes.gif" /> <img width="8001" height="4500" width_o="8001" height_o="4500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/be3af344c6d5da1ef5ea45fcb26d3a946379f49ac01449a7319750470fdfea9d/Verde_Pattern.png" data-mid="179717176" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/be3af344c6d5da1ef5ea45fcb26d3a946379f49ac01449a7319750470fdfea9d/Verde_Pattern.png" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b452010a8be91faadff30f6744c5d0611d76476352810b5678453f55c23d426b/Verde_T_Shirt_and_Hat.jpg" data-mid="179716015" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b452010a8be91faadff30f6744c5d0611d76476352810b5678453f55c23d426b/Verde_T_Shirt_and_Hat.jpg" /> https://toddhippensteel.com/XFL-Shop Fri, 05 May 2023 15:09:21 +0000 Todd Hippensteel https://toddhippensteel.com/XFL-Shop Under new ownership by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia, the XFL football league launched in March of 2023 after being shuttered by Covid in 2020. Tasking my friends over at LUTCH to create a broadcast spot to drive fans to their well stocked on-line merch store shop.xfl.com, I was brought into their process to act as design director, helping build and finesse all typographic elements within it. https://toddhippensteel.com/Pure-Fishing Tue, 30 Aug 2022 19:04:56 +0000 Todd Hippensteel https://toddhippensteel.com/Pure-Fishing I provided a range of services, from design, to editing, to motion, for Pure Fishing, a company of fishing brands focused on meeting the needs of modern anglers. Editing and motion design for Penn’s Let The Battle Begin :30 TV spot. <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ada530c36abadc1db1a741188dff9df9a50fb6abd28ccc64cfb155bd6a83a07b/Abu_Garcia_Max_Low_Profile.gif" data-mid="161614980" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ada530c36abadc1db1a741188dff9df9a50fb6abd28ccc64cfb155bd6a83a07b/Abu_Garcia_Max_Low_Profile.gif" />Intro title card motion design for Abu Garcia social posts&nbsp;and short films. <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/58e358d47cf7ac507036988277384a6f62354681b3f1121a67cea8232624e18c/Berkley_The_Deal.gif" data-mid="161616757" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/58e358d47cf7ac507036988277384a6f62354681b3f1121a67cea8232624e18c/Berkley_The_Deal.gif" />Intro title card motion design for Berkley’s Powerbait&nbsp;social posts&nbsp;and short films. <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f7c04f783944482513a1b03ce8ccc5596f4798d4d391ccb4c5c15a983995a015/Penn_End_Logo_Card.gif" data-mid="161619308" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f7c04f783944482513a1b03ce8ccc5596f4798d4d391ccb4c5c15a983995a015/Penn_End_Logo_Card.gif" />Intro title card motion design for Penn&nbsp;social posts and short films. <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cb5b76c5579bde568e7940d2aec406252875df65efeaf0cc043a0217857f5e6b/Hardy_Pattern_Header.jpg" data-mid="151759534" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cb5b76c5579bde568e7940d2aec406252875df65efeaf0cc043a0217857f5e6b/Hardy_Pattern_Header.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/12035ab4af2e4637e30586ca5060fad544028543c4ed9634f55845a3b1f24512/Hardy_Print_Design_1.jpg" data-mid="151759536" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/12035ab4af2e4637e30586ca5060fad544028543c4ed9634f55845a3b1f24512/Hardy_Print_Design_1.jpg" /> <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c5256f072b0899be543a934175e3f81dfc7bd3931e1d125539223df5b96fda6c/Hardy_Print_Design_2.jpg" data-mid="151759537" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c5256f072b0899be543a934175e3f81dfc7bd3931e1d125539223df5b96fda6c/Hardy_Print_Design_2.jpg" /><img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2c187d98ddaeeccf8ad20bc52a67fcd984cadbc78a6602ffb29c6546229605e5/Hardy_Business_Cards.jpg" data-mid="151759532" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2c187d98ddaeeccf8ad20bc52a67fcd984cadbc78a6602ffb29c6546229605e5/Hardy_Business_Cards.jpg" />Visual system for&nbsp;Hardy reels, a fishing company based in Alnwick, England. Tartan patterns, photographic treatments, print design, and stationary were among the needs to convey a sense of history (and luxury), to a classic brand. https://toddhippensteel.com/Tic-Tac Tue, 26 May 2020 17:07:50 +0000 Todd Hippensteel https://toddhippensteel.com/Tic-Tac I provided art direction, design, and storyboarding for Tic Tac’s “Go Little” Campaign, developed to help elevate Tic Tac to its rightful place as a beloved iconic brand, and giving people a real, emotional connection to a powerful product insight: Little is Big.&nbsp;Agency: The Martin Agency