Kevin Francis Sweeney

Rare Specimen Design is a boutique graphic design studio specializing in photobook design and production. Our mission is to create rare specimens of design, objects worth keeping that transport stories across time and place. Working directly with photographers and independent publishers, the studio manages the full arc of a book project: image sequencing consultation, interior design and typography, cover design, prepress file preparation, and print management. Six photobooks have been designed and produced in collaboration with BazanPhotos Publishing, with photographers including Ernesto Bazan, Barbara Peacock, Willard Pate, and Giorgio Negro. The studio also provides a broad range of graphic design services for small businesses and nonprofits, including brand identity, logo design, web design, e-commerce, and print materials.

An active fine art documentary photography practice focused on long-term cultural projects. Current and recent bodies of work include a decade-long documentation of New Orleans Mardi Gras culture, Cuba photographed across multiple visits from 2004 to 2018. Work has been exhibited in the United States and internationally. Photography skills are available to select client projects where documentary, editorial, or commercial photography needs aligns with the practice.

Founded as a design studio and darkroom to support freelance graphic design clients and personal photography projects. The Pittsburgh years established the foundation of the current practice. A sustained documentary photography project, Sixteen Sundays: Worshipping the Pittsburgh Steelers, was developed and exhibited multiple times at the Silver Eye Center of Photography. Early Cuba work was recognized with an Emerging Photographers Grant from Pittsburgh Filmmakers in 2005. Taught documentary photography and photobook design workshops at the Silver Eye Center of Photography and Pittsburgh Filmmakers. The documentary workshop, Significant Events: Documenting History, brought students into the field to document President Obama's inauguration and related Martin Luther King Day events in Pittsburgh in 2009. Graphic design services were provided to local businesses and individuals throughout.

Early design leadership role at a New York startup building a suite of web-based tools for educators, responsible for interactive and web design, marketing, advertising, and brand identity at a director level shortly after completing an MFA at the School of Visual Arts.

Production role at one of the pioneering interactive design firms of the 1990s, contributing to web design and digital production for client campaigns during the early years of commercial internet design.

Art direction and graphic design at a New Orleans advertising agency whose clients included the Louisiana Superdome. Responsible for print advertising, brand materials, and campaign production.

Designed and animated graphics for the Superdome's electronic billboard, and developed and produced one of the venue's earliest websites. Provided in-house graphic design across a full range of print materials including press kits, print advertising, sales brochures, and event planning materials.