Claus

Director, Illustrator

CLAUS is the concept, and brand led by Justin C. Harder, whom graduated from Ringling College of Art in 2003. He then returned to his home state of Texas to work at Reel FX Creative Studios where he served as Creative Director, Art Director, Copywriter, Lead Designer, Illustrator, Concept Artist, Editor and Voice-Over Actor.

Justin went solo in late 2010, formed CLAUS, and moved to Los Angeles shortly thereafter. He has been freelancing for some of his favorite commercial studios, including Brand New School, Motion Theory and Blur. CLAUS makes art for commercials, TV shows, bands, apparel, and movies, but also for CLAUS, and also for FUN.

  • Lil’ Italy

    Animated short by CLAUS.

    Justin wrote, created, illustrated, voiced, animated, edited, and directed a short entitled ‘Lil’ Italy’ in 2008. The animated short introduces us to Louie, Donnie, and Freddie, three brothers and grandsons of the Grandfather, the head of the town’s mob underworld. On one hand, The Grandfather wants to raise the kids right, and on another, he wants to make sure they know how to pour a decent set of cement shoes.

  • Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium

    Reel FX was asked to execute the opening title sequence to the film ‘Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium’. Claus designed and art directed the titles, along side Danny Delpurgatorio, to incorporate major themes from the film, alluding to many of the character’s personality traits along the way. The sequence made it onto ‘Forget the film, watch the titles’ and was featured in Stash and Motionographer.

    The Tribe

    Concept character designs for an intellectual property by CLAUS.

    Citi Bank Global

    Citi bank was looking for a new, global take on their brand and came to Brand New School NY to help. I developed a ton of work for this pitch, ranging from hand done organicness, to the geometric work you see here.

    This series follows a client as they become introduced and connected into the world of Citi, showing that a realm of possibilities is available in their ‘Connected Future.’

    Gyro Creative

    Design frames for GYRO Creative’s marketing film.