Last year I designed a poster series inspired by Dexter. My artwork was so well received, that Showtime invited me to make a guest appearance on the show! You can see me above, searching the crime scene with a flashlight.
I also walk behind Deb and Laguerta in the hallway of the police department. Don’t blink. It was such a fun experience to be a part of the show. When I designed the prints, I never imagined that they would land me a part on the program. So cool.
I even got to pal around with Dexter himself, aka Michael C. Hall – who was cool enough to customize my outgoing voicemail greeting. Which you can listen to below.
The poster series that I created for Dexter was inspired by mid-century modern design and particularly the work of Saul Bass – who developed both static graphics as well as animated title sequences. I’ve always wanted to design a title sequence, so it seemed like this would be a good opportunity. I collaborated with my friends at Fashion Buddha to create an alternative title sequence for Dexter using the artwork that I developed for the posters. This is what I imagine the Dexter title sequence might look like if the show had aired in the 60′s.
Ty!! This is beyond AMAZING!! Very “Avengers” in its feel. I especially like the chopped up body, dropper of blood & the floating body bags. (On second thought, I think you’re totally corrupting your mother-in-law!)
- Karen Griffin+ 9.20.11 | 7:27 am
Brilliant work! I wouldn’t be surprised to see these on Dexter, very nicely done!
One of my favorite things you’ve ever created…it’s so good! So proud and happy for you.
- Rhea Mattson+ 9.20.11 | 10:59 am
It was great the first time I saw it, and it’s still great now! Awesome stuff my friend. I’m with Beckey…it almost makes me want to watch the show. Almost. :)
- Jeff+ 9.20.11 | 11:13 am
[...] & Via Mattson Creative Rate this: Share this:TwitterLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. [...]
This is incredible! By combining your beautiful posters and channeling Saul Bass, you’ve created an opening sequence that really captures the show’s essence. Well done!
This is so badass! Shotime needs to use this! I usually fast forward through the intro but I’d watch this everytime :). Great job! Bought your Lost posters now I’m going to have to collect these ;)
- Matt Weber+ 9.20.11 | 4:20 pm
[...] Groovy! The video is based on a series of posters Mattson created, which you can see at his site. Link -Thanks, [...]
After so many seasons they need a new opening. Here’s to hoping! Great work Ty.
The shape of that drip of blood at the end looks strangely like Vahalla Studios logo. A shout out for all the great poster work. If so, very very nice.
[...] Ty Mattson constructed an alternate show intro for the Showtime series Dexter that is reminiscent of Saul Bass’ movie titles from the ’60s. Groovy! The video is based on a series of posters Mattson created, which you can see here. [...]
WOW!!! The show is nuts to not use this for their title sequence. Really insightful and creative!
- Ann Griffith+ 9.21.11 | 10:44 am
Once again Ty, you’ve given me another piece of awesome work to watch till 4am! I’ve always seen Saul Bass in your work, but now, its really come to life! Amazing work as always!
As a huge fan of Dexter, I have to say I can’t see SHO ditching Digital Kitchen’s stellar and perfect tongue-in-cheek title sequence any time soon, but I’d love love LOVE to see this used on the DVD releases, along with the brilliant mock-up artwork you created for same; their DVD packaging leaves a LOT to be desired!
Hat tip, sir. Everything you do continues to delight me. Now I think it’s time I got my five Ty Mattson Dexter posters framed…
- Ginger+ 9.21.11 | 2:21 pm
[...] based the sequence on some posters he put together for the show. You can see them here and the title sequence is [...]
[...] I imagine the Dexter title sequence might look like if the show had aired in the 60?s — via Mattson | Creative This entry was posted in Art, Entertainment. Bookmark the permalink. ← Type 9 / Zero [...]
[...] Mattson collaborated with Fashion Buddha to create the short video for Dexter’s below. “The poster series that I created for Dexter was inspired by mid-century modern design and particularly the work of Saul Bass – who developed both static graphics as well as animated title sequences. I’ve always wanted to design a title sequence, so it seemed like this would be a good opportunity,” he states on his Blog here. [...]
[...] 60s inspired animated take on the the opening title sequence by Ty Mattson. There’s also a series of posters that he based the animation off [...]
OMG !! I thought I loved the posters, but this title sequence is just even better !! They should really use it for sure ! (getting tired of the mosquitos and blood-oranges :)
/deep bow
So…after Lost finished I started to get into Dexter…and I have to say, I’m a big fan! I was so inspired that I decided to create one poster design for each season – highlighting the iconic moments from the show. This idea took a little longer than I thought but I love how they turned out. Let me know what you think!
Leave a comment and let me know if you’d be interested in these prints. Thinking about doing a limited edition. Follow me on Twitter or check back to the blog and I will let you know when we make them available. Thanks!
UPDATE 10/8: THESE PRINTS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON ON THE SHOWTIME WEBSITE!!! Details to come!
Rachel Nicole, just left a comment on this post mentioning the potential for this art as DVD packaging. I thought it was a great idea, so I mocked up this concept. How cool would this be as a collector’s edition?
the ultimate tribute of one of my fav tv shows ever!
- Stef+ 10.7.10 | 1:50 am
Definately would buy these if they were prints! Maybe do a package price for all of them? Either way, would love to have these hanging up at my apartment.
Oh I would DEFINITELY be interested in these prints! It would be great if you could buy them individually, or have a package deal where you can get them all together. They’re AWESOME!
- Lenore+ 10.7.10 | 10:53 am
These are absolutely amazing! I would love to own everyone of these!
- Tim+ 10.7.10 | 12:02 pm
I love ALL of them! What great work! I’d def buy one!
Are these going to be in a large print format? That would be great, I’d love to have all 4!
- Natalia+ 10.7.10 | 2:09 pm
Would love these as individual posters!
The only thing I think could’ve changed, to make some symmetry between every pic (and as a poster), would be to change the first pic from the ‘We <3 Dexter' to Dexter as the other ones.
Might just be me tho. But The pictures are awesome. Summarizes the seasons perfectly!
Brings back some great memories. Looking forward to see more of your work!
- Matt+ 10.7.10 | 2:17 pm
Aw yeah! I’d get these for sure.
- Wilson+ 10.7.10 | 2:20 pm
I <3 Desxter 2!
Amazing prints!
- MBRC+ 10.7.10 | 2:44 pm
I want…. Make it happen… but make a package deal for all 4… if they are $25 each im not in for all… do buy 4 get one free… then im in…
- Brian+ 10.7.10 | 3:27 pm
I would definitely but them, they have are amazing and classy.
- Chris+ 10.7.10 | 3:46 pm
Definitely interested. But like some people already said, make it a package deal. These are amazing!
- McKenna+ 10.7.10 | 4:31 pm
do it! yes please! they’re amazing :)
- Marcela+ 10.7.10 | 4:34 pm
These are brilliant; you are brilliant. I am most definitely interested. I would love them! I’m thinking movie poster size (24×36) would look amazing on my walls! *fingers crossed*
These are amazing. Just what I was looking for – a classy, interesting poster that reminds me of my favorite show, but isn’t just a big picture of the actors’ faces. I want one (or all four)!
- Arielle+ 10.7.10 | 4:53 pm
I would definitely buy these!!
- Kristina+ 10.7.10 | 5:53 pm
My mom and I just got into the show last season when we had a free year of Showtime. Now we purchased the channel and are obsessed with the show! You need to sell these!
- Julie+ 10.7.10 | 7:00 pm
Uhhhh, these just made my day. Screen these and I’ll buy em. Great job!
Just for balance . . . meh. I haven’t seen the programme, though.
- Helical Scratch+ 10.12.10 | 7:48 am
Love it!
- Jilles Mermans+ 10.12.10 | 8:14 am
My husband and I are BIG TIME Fans of Dexter. So much so we were even inclined to bring season 3 DVDs with us on our Honeymoon! Sad, so so sad. Just finished watching season 4 and can’t stop thinking about it. These posters are fantastic great POST!
How is that contract with Showtime going to work? Will you get a cut of the sales or did you sell the designs out right? As a design professional I’m always curious about projects that were essentially “spec” work going into full production and how the designer gets compensated.
- Brian+ 10.18.10 | 9:48 am
I would buy these as soon as they came out. They’re absolutely beautiful
[...] Dexter… “Ok. This is just out-of-control! So the Dexter producers are big fans of the posters I designed. I put the artwork on my blog on a Thursday night, and on Friday morning I started [...]
uaauuu these posters are awesome!! *–* I want!! congrats for the job! *–*
- Sixa+ 11.15.10 | 8:35 am
Amazing!! I don’t think I’ve ever seen more creative Dexter fanart, I love how you’ve incorporated every significant piece from each season into their respective posters :] Spectacular work!
When will these be available to buy? I would love the whole poster set for Christmas. I keep checking the Showtime website for them. Please get back to me if you are selling them elsewhere.
These are seriously amazing and I just had to tell you. I’m an aspiring illustrator and when I look at these (as a HUGE Dexter fan myself) they are just spot on and I can’t wait to buy one and hang it on my wall.
[...] fan of the work that California-based Ty Mattson does. Especially his Dexter inspired series of posters. The concept for these posters inspired me in my own ad composite for HBO Canada. This entry [...]
The icons are amazing! Just love that so much thought went into this, inspiration from different art forms is so necessary within the world art, well done, encore!!!
I’m absolutely obsessed with these! Are they going to be sold in postcard sizes as well? I got a copy of the fifth season version with the purchase of the fifth season but I would love to own the other four in the same size!
- Hannah Titony+ 8.22.11 | 2:07 pm
[...] Video stammt von Ty Mason und basiert auf seiner Poster-Serie, die ich mir sofort in die Wohnung hängen würde, wenn denn noch genug Wände frei [...]
[...] schön: Ty Mattson hat sich die Mühe gemacht und das Dexter Intro unter Heranbeziehung seiner Poster-Arbeiten animationstechnisch neu gestaltet: (via NC) [...]
[...] while back designer Ty Mattson created an amazing poster series based on the popular series. The posters were inspired by mid-century modern design and [...]
I have just purchased the set of five for my other half for Christmas. We are both avid Dexter fans, but I wanted to get him something that was unusual, creative, and artistic. After some researching, I found these, and they fit the bill PERFECTLY! They will definitely be the focal point on our wall with their vivid colors and iconic graphics. Congratulations, they are gorgeous.
- Michelle S.+ 12.5.11 | 8:28 pm
These are all fantastic and truly capture the iconic images from each season! I know that you are a huge LOST fan, and am wondering if you have given any thought to doing this type of thing for each of the 6 seasons of LOST?! I bet the imagery you come up with would be epic for posters for each season. Thoughts?
- Franknhc+ 12.25.11 | 6:52 pm
[...] viral with not only designers and Dexter fans abuzz, but Showtime execs had flipped for it too: Mattson had a voicemail from the executive producer. From there, his artwork turned into official Dexter [...]
[...] viral with not only designers and Dexter fans abuzz, but Showtime execs had flipped for it too: Mattson had a voicemail from the executive producer. From there, his artwork turned into official Dexter [...]
When I found out that we were going to have a boy, I started to think about my own childhood and all of the things I loved when I was a kid. So I wanted to design an announcement that celebrated those things and captured that particular idea of boyhood wonder and adventure. I created this illustration and worked with the incredible team at Studio on Fire to have it letterpressed on 220lb. Lettra paper. They did a fantastic job on the printing. It really turned out great. I think it’s safe to say that this is my favorite project of all time. And definitely my favorite client.
This my original rough sketch of the idea.
And this was the actual illustration. I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out.
You can check with Rhea for my whole, long thesis on why I adore the announcement, but basically I said that all I know to say about it is how utterly astonishing it is. Every inch of it. You have outdone yourself. (And you and Rhea outdid yourselves with the son you created this for.) It weighed so much that for a minute I honestly thought you put the announcement on a c.d.
would you list all fonts you used? would love to know! Amazing job!!!!!
- Olive+ 7.26.10 | 1:17 pm
Thanks for all the compliments! I’ve received a few questions about type, so here are the technical specs: This is a 2 color piece, printed on 220lb Lettra. Primary type: Cyclone, Secondary type: Hellenic Wide & Futura
Very cool Ty – congratulations! And what a lucky little guy to have such a beautiful piece of art to announce him to the world. I’m sure he’ll treasure that piece of his baby book.
- Chelsea Morris+ 8.25.10 | 10:36 am
Greatings from Eastern Europe! You make a great design, like it a lot!!!
PS: I would be very greatfull if you can share with me this font, with witch “carlyle” is written:)
[...] Last but certainly not least is Ty Mattson’s birth announcement for his son. Using his considerable illustration skills, he included all his favorite childhood amusements as a frame for the information. It’s a great limited-color-palette design using only three colors. There are more images on Ty Mattson’s site here. [...]
Quick poster design this morning for a benefit concert in Nashville.
[UPDATE]
Thanks to everyone who has commented or emailed. Originally I created this for a friend who was helping to promote a church benefit concert…but honestly I would love to for the art to be used to do as much good as possible, for as many people as possible. So let me look into it to see how we can do that. I will let you know.
[SECOND UPDATE - 5/10/10]
Okay! Again, thanks to everyone who has commented or emailed about this poster. Here’s what I’m going to do. I’d like to donate this art to help with flood relief in the broadest possible way. So instead of printing these myself, or working exclusively with one organization, what I’m going to do is give the art to anyone who wants to use it to raise money. You can create prints, stickers, t-shirts…anything and everything that you think will help.
The only thing that I would ask is that 100% of all proceeds to any of the following charities:
I’ve added some new designs that incorporate the “We Are Nashville” slogan, and some t-shirt designs as well. Originally the design was created to promote a concert. I hope they still use it. I hope Cool People Care create shirts and stickers and sell them on their site. I would love it if Hatch Show Print created some one-of-a-kind posters! If you have a print shop, make posters. If you can make t-shirts, make t-shirts. Feel free to use the art however you want. Feel free to improve it or create different variations…it’s up to you. Just make sure all proceeds to go the charities above.
Nashville is home to some amazingly creative artists. My hope is that my art does the most good for the most people. I can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Love it. I especially enjoy the not completely “clean” look – the scratchy look. (I’m sure there’s a technical graphic designer/artist term for that.)
- Michelle Doerr+ 5.6.10 | 12:48 pm
What concert? I would love to purchase one of these, especially if some of the proceeds go to flood relief.
- Natalie+ 5.6.10 | 1:43 pm
Nice! Reminds me of the quote Design should never say, “Look at me.” It should always say, “Look at this.”
— David Craib
Your work will help bring Nashville the help and attention it needs. For that we thank you!
Agree with the comment of Natalie. This image is now my wallpaper. I hope we can buy it in some form soon. I would have this in my home. Thank you for making it.
I would really love this on a T-shirt!!! If that actually happens email me. Thx Kacy
- Kacy Huntley+ 5.7.10 | 1:53 pm
I third Natalie’s comment! Please make this available, especially if proceeds go towards flood relief!
- Jennifer+ 5.7.10 | 2:20 pm
Would love to purchase one of these! I had just mused earlier that someone should create a lovely poster, with proceeds benefiting recovery. And ta-da!
- susannah+ 5.7.10 | 2:21 pm
Love it! Where can I get one?
- Michael+ 5.7.10 | 2:49 pm
Thanks to everyone who has commented or emailed. Originally I created this for a friend who was helping to promote a church benefit concert…but I would love to for the art to be used to do as much good as possible, for as many people as possible. So let me look into it to see how we can do that. I will let you know.
I would LOVE to buy one of these for our home and our office! I hope it becomes available and helps out some of our victims and relief efforts.
- chelle baldwin+ 5.7.10 | 3:09 pm
Want it. subtle yet perfect. Pictures do speak a thousand words.
- Kathy+ 5.7.10 | 3:13 pm
If the church is unable to get them mass produced for buyers maybe this website could point you in the right direction. They are doing shirts and bumper stickers that say “We are Nashville” Here is the link. http://store.coolpeoplecare.org/collections/cool-deals
- chelle baldwin+ 5.7.10 | 3:13 pm
I don’t live in Nashville but I’ve got my eyes set on a move there in a year. The way the people of Nashville have come together during this hard time is incredible. I would LOVE to have one of these posters. Money to help clean up a place I would love to call home.
Please make this into a shirt. I would rather buy this than the current “We Are Nashville” shirt. I would love to see “We Are Nashville” under this image. Great job.
- Nathan+ 5.7.10 | 3:24 pm
I would also LOVE to buy this in a t-shirt for my whole family. ESPECIALLY if we can work it out to benefit the flood victims….
I would love to buy one of these for my musician husband’s office. Fantastic design and if it goes towards flood relief, even better. Shirts would be awesome too. I love seeing so many talented artists come up with these cool things to help our city. I’m going to have quite a collection when it’s all said and done!!
I am displaced from my home because of the flood and would love to have this hanging when I get things dry, rebuilt and I can finally move back in. Please e-mail if this becomes available for purchase!
- Kelsey+ 5.7.10 | 6:09 pm
Would love to use this on my FB page and blog.
- Mike+ 5.7.10 | 9:37 pm
I live in Mpls and happened to be home in Nashville this last weekend. I would love to buy this poster to display in my underdecorated office. (I also subscribed to your RSS feed – I like your work!)
- christie+ 5.8.10 | 6:25 am
Do it!
- Brad+ 5.8.10 | 6:37 am
Please email if this becomes available in print. Would love to have on a poster and shirt!
- Cory+ 5.8.10 | 6:42 am
Please let me know when/if these become available as tshirts or posters; I’d love to purchase!
LOVE this as is with the love your neighbor below! Such an important message. I would love a shirt if they become available. http://www.ann-mariehensley.com
We will take a bunch of these. We will even put them in our store in Franklin
- Will+ 5.11.10 | 5:03 am
I would LOVE to buy one of these T-shirts! Not sure how to get them printed myself, but I would buy one if I knew someone who was selling. Thanks so much for putting this beautiful design out there!
I live in Nashville, have been for almost 10 years, and have been volunteering the past week when I can. This is the best flood relief art I have seen. Great job Ty.
I would like to purchase a shirt in the aqua blue color of the design with the navy print. Please let me know if this becomes available. Love this design!
- Nicole+ 5.17.10 | 11:25 am
I would LOVE the we are nashville with the guitar as a vinyl decal for my car! Modfugal can you help me with this? hnewy@yahoo.com
- hnewy+ 5.20.10 | 7:05 pm
I want this as a poster it is awesome so does everyone I work with… I would buy it today!
Anita
- anita+ 5.20.10 | 8:24 pm
We have posted tshirts and small tote bags with the Love Your Neighbor design for sale here: http://bit.ly/awzrLo
This my original rough sketch of the idea.
14 Comments view all
[...] so well received, that Showtime invited me to make a guest appearance on the show”. Uh-uhhh, here it is! (behind Deb and [...]
Congrats!
AWESOME.
Love it! Cool to see all you are up to!
awesome.
Nice job Ty! Watched this a few nights ago and definitely missed your Dexter debut…but how cool is that?!
You are an inspiration to all fellow graphic designers. Way to go!
So amazing! What a treat!
That is so awesome! The voicemail is gold.
that is so epic
That is so awesome man. Congrats. Dexter is raddest show on TV.
That is sooooo sweet man! Acting career is in the works!
I’m predicting a speaking role next season!
Ha! “Paging Dexter Morgan. Dexter Morgan, you have a message at the front desk.”