About Me
Hi! My name is Chris Vetters, and I’ve been working in graphic design since 1992.
I actually started out in the ’80s creating custom paint jobs for cars and trucks. In ’92, I got a Commodore Amiga 2000 computer with NewTek’s Video Toaster components inside. With that I started doing 3D titling for video productions. I’d get the videos and do overlays with it. But the 3D software in it, LightWave 3D, was already being used in television shows, like Babylon 5 and Star Trek, the Next Generation.
In the early ’90s, I bought a Packard Bell DX2-66 with Windows 3.1. I put CorelDRAW 5 on it and started to do page layout, with logo design and business identity packages.
Then came the web. I started designing high graphic content websites that were also small, quick to load, looked great, but didn’t take up much memory or require long downloads. I still do business websites, with e-commerce, stylish layouts, and custom content, and love designing new logos and incorporating complimentary design in page layout and websites.
3D modeling, design, and animation
As I mentioned, I had started doing that with that Commodore, mostly for video titling. photorealistic images had just started to be done, but it took a loooong time to render on those early computers. in ’95 the Packard Bell 486 DX2-66 was quite an upgrade! LightWave had been released for it, and I started doing more complex 3D models and animation, and started doing 3D architectural visualization for architects and interior designers.
All of this has culminated in what I’m doing today, for many types of business clients. The computers are so much faster, so turnaround can be very quick.
Cars
I mentioned doing custom paint jobs for cars. Before I got into computer graphics, I had a custom car shop, restoring old sports cars, and creating custom paint jobs for cars and trucks. I’m a car guy at heart. My folks said that in ’64, when I was only a year old, that my first word was “munna” while pointing my fat baby fingers at the TV with the reveal of the ’64 2/1 Ford Mustang.. .
Since I was 16, I’ve owned over 100 cars, mostly sports cars and performance cars, but a lot of customs and hot rods. Started with a ’71 Torino GT 429 SCJ that I custom painted after building it up. Built the Ferrari Daytona replica used in one of the last episodes of Max Headroom in the ’80s and a Ford 302 powered Mazda RX7. Custom VW Bugs galore, A couple ’63 Mercury Comet S22s, custom mini trucks, and modified BMW E38 7 Series. My current car, that at 62 I’ll never get rid of, is a 2013 MINI Cooper JCW Roadster. 2 seat convertible, turbocharged, 6 speed manual, and a custom painted ghost pearl Union Jack stripes to replace the old black vinyl it came with.
As you can see, it’s a passion for me!
Personal stuff about me
Lastly, I’m originally from the Seattle area, and moved to Baltimore in ’98 to do 3D graphics, modeling, and architectural visualization for the SSA Facilities team of architects and engineers. Shortly after moving here, I met the woman who would be my wife, and we got married in 2001. Donna has been my best friend and mutual support system since then.
Along the way, we have fostered medical needs Scottish Terriers for the group Mid Atlantic Scottish Terrier Education and Rescue (the MASTER logo I made for them is on my Logos page). Currently we have a Scottie we actually adopted from them as a puppy, and healthy. His name is Connor and he’s a joy!
We also got Baxter, the Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) as a companion for Connor. They are about the same age (two now) and were inseparable from the first moment they met. Brothers from a different mother… They wrestle all the time and simply are the best friends ever!
the pizza delivery…
Donna recently brought a new cat into the family. Her name is Bellatrix Lestrange, and she’s a riot. After she met the dogs, she decided they were great to hang around, and Connor taught her to wrestle like he and Baxter did. So she does and it’s hilarious to watch. Afterwards she sleeps with them, though Connor is her favorite.
