I
hope
you
enjoy
browsing
this
online
portfolio.
It
represents
years
of
achievement,
produced
by
me
as
either
a
freelancer
or
as
a
paid
on-staff
creative
at
various
companies
throughout
the
Central
New York area.
Diversification
remains
the
key
to
my
successful
artist
career.
While
drawing
dynamic
comic
book
imagery
is
undoubtedly
my
forté
and
first
love,
I’ve
never
wanted
the
simple
label
of
“that
cartoonist
guy”.
The
work
included
here
is
intended
to
demonstrate
my
many
interests
and
skills
throughout a wide spectrum of applications.
Ad
agencies,
publishers,
industrial
manufacturers,
and
screenprinting
companies
are
among
my
most
common
clients.
With
over
35
years
of
experience,
I
know
how
to
successfully
meet
every
client’s
unique
needs,
delivering
high
quality
products
often
within
very
strict
deadlines
and
budgets. I enjoy working both independently and within a team environment.
Do
you
have
a
new
project
that
I
could
assist
with,
or
perhaps
an
open
company
position
I
could
fill?
I
am
always
here
to
help!
Please,
feel
free
to
contact
me
anytime.
You
will
not
be
disappointed! Thank you. :-)
Hello, and welcome to my website! My name is Rodney Frendak, and
I’m a professional Illustrator and Graphic Designer. In 1995, I officially
launched Rocket Studios, derived from “Rocket”, a nickname given to
me by fellow motocross bike riders and neighborhood friends from
my youth. Well, the name stuck, so Rocket Studios was the
obvious choice to call my freelance business.
A Little About Me
2
I hope you enjoy browsing this online portfolio. It represents years
of achievement, produced by me as either a freelancer or as a paid
on-staff creative at various companies throughout the Central New
York area.
Diversification remains the key to my successful artist career.
While drawing dynamic comic book imagery is undoubtedly my
forté and first love, I’ve never wanted the simple label of “that
cartoonist guy”. The work included here is intended to
demonstrate my many interests and skills throughout a wide
spectrum of applications.
Ad agencies, publishers, industrial manufacturers, and
screenprinting companies are among my most common clients.
With over 35 years of experience, I know how to successfully meet
every client’s unique needs, delivering high quality products often
within very strict deadlines and budgets. I enjoy working both
independently and within a team environment.
Do you have a new project that I could assist with, or perhaps an
open company position I could fill? I am always here to help!
Please, feel free to contact me anytime. You will not be
disappointed! Thank you. :-)
Hello, and welcome to my website!
I’m Rodney Frendak, a professional
Illustrator and Graphic Designer.
In 1995, I officially launched Rocket
Studios, derived from “Rocket”,
a nickname given to me by fellow
motocross bike riders and neighborhood
friends from my youth. Well, that name
stuck, so Rocket Studios was the obvious
choice to call my freelance business.
A Little About Me
Unlike sterile mechanical drawings, my renderings of buildings and smaller structures are meant to offer a more personal, whimsical interpretation of each subject.
Architectural Renderings
3
Unlike sterile mechanical drawings, my renderings of buildings and
smaller structures are meant to offer a more personal, whimsical
interpretation of each subject.
Architectural Renderings
Like a logo, an iconic character helps to identify a business, organization, event, school, or product. I really enjoy creating these unique kind of images.
Character Design - Page 1
4
Like a logo, an iconic character helps to identify a business,
organization, event, school, or product. I really enjoy creating
these unique kind of images.
Character Design - Page 1
Like a logo, an iconic character helps to identify a business, organization, event, school, or product. I really enjoy creating these unique kind of images.
Character Design - Page 2
5
Like a logo, an iconic character helps to identify a business,
organization, event, school, or product. I really enjoy creating
these unique kind of images.
Character Design - Page 2
This series of front and back renderings were created as guidelines for manufacturing
plushies merchandise sold at themed marathon running events throughout the US.
Character Design - Page 3
6
This series of front and back renderings were created as
guidelines for manufacturing plushies merchandise sold
at themed marathon running events throughout the US.
Character Design - Page 3
Like a logo, an iconic character helps to identify a business, organization, event, school, or product. I really enjoy creating these unique kind of images.
Character Design - Page 4
7
Like a logo, an iconic character helps to identify a business,
organization, event, school, or product. I really enjoy creating
these unique kind of images.
Character Design - Page 4
Like a logo, an iconic character helps to identify a business, organization, event, school, or product. I really enjoy creating these unique kind of images.
Character Design - Page 5
8
Like a logo, an iconic character helps to identify a business,
organization, event, school, or product. I really enjoy creating
these unique kind of images.
Character Design - Page 5
Like a logo, an iconic character helps to identify a business, organization, event, school, or product. I really enjoy creating these unique kind of images.
Character Design - Page 6
9
Like a logo, an iconic character helps to identify a business,
organization, event, school, or product. I really enjoy creating
these unique kind of images.
Character Design - Page 6
Like a logo, an iconic character helps to identify a business, organization, event, school, or product. I really enjoy creating these unique kind of images.
Character Design - Page 7
10
Like a logo, an iconic character helps to identify a business,
organization, event, school, or product. I really enjoy creating
these unique kind of images.
Character Design - Page 7
Shown here are b&w illustrations that I created for a 16 page coloring book, focusing on children with special needs.
I also designed and colored the cover. Captions on each page were typeset by me, based upon a provided script.
Client: Options For Independence - Auburn, NY
Comic Book Imagery - Page 1
11
Shown here are b&w illustrations from a 16 page coloring book that I created,
focusing on children with special needs. I also designed and colored the cover.
Captions on each page were typeset by me, based upon a provided script.
Client: Options For Independence - Auburn, NY
Comic Book Imagery - Page 1
These are images I originally created as line art only, for pages in a children’s coloring book. I later colored them myself using Adobe Photoshop.
Comic Book Imagery - Page 2
12
These are images I originally created as line art only, for pages in
a children’s coloring book. I later colored them myself using
Adobe Photoshop.
Comic Book Imagery - Page 2
TOP ROW:
•
Life-sized sign board illustration for Evans Mills Raceway
•
Poster concept for the New York State Fair
•
Montage image advertisement for Literacy Volunteers of America
•
Character design for a frozen lake scuba diving event
Comic Book Imagery - Page 3
13
BOTTOM ROW:
•
Concept art of Yoda from Star Wars
•
Jacket cover illustration for the young adult book “Blue Avenger Cracks The Code”
•
Concept art for a medieval-themed video game
Bottom, L-R:
•
Audio cassette box cover and
book cover for “Blue Avenger
Cracks The Code”
•
Character design for a frozen
lake scuba diving event
Top, L-R:
•
Life-sized sign - Evans Mills Raceway
•
Poster concept - New York State Fair
•
Montage - Literacy Volunteers of America
Middle, L-R:
•
Video game concept art
•
Concept Art - Yoda from Star Wars
Comic Book Imagery - Page 3
Character design and spread illustration created for a series of magazine ads, featuring Metal Man, the superhero mascot of Englert Metal Roofing, Inc.
Included are his arch enemies Major Havoc, Asphalt, Bombshell, Rot, Rising Costs, and Dam.
Comic Book Imagery - Page 4
14
Character design and spread illustration created for a series of
magazine ads, featuring Metal Man, the superhero mascot of Englert
Metal Roofing, Inc. Included are his arch enemies Rising Costs,
Dam, Rot, Major Havoc, Asphalt, and Bombshell.
Comic Book Imagery - Page 4
Top: Three comic book panel ads created for Englert Metal Roofing, Inc., featuring their superhero mascot Metal Man battling villains that both contractors and laborers loathe.
Bottom: Character and icon designs used in a live video presentation for Xerox Corporation at a Las Vegas, NV COMDEX show.
Comic Book Imagery - Page 5
15
Top: 2 comic book panel ads created for Englert Metal Roofing, Inc., featuring
their superhero mascot Metal Man battling villains that both contractors
and laborers loathe.
Bottom: Character and icon designs used in a live video presentation
for Xerox Corporation at a Las Vegas, NV COMDEX show.
Comic Book Imagery - Page 5
Top: Amish children, Green Lantern, Skeleton - images created for self-promotion; Superhero - The Image Press - Syracuse, NY. Also used in ads for Boeing Corp. and Girard Equipment, Inc.
Bottom, L-R: Cover illustration for Investment Dealers’ Digest magazine; Einstein - T-shirt design for a school science club; Nick Net - Xerox Corp. at COMDEX; Frankenstein - self-promotion;
The New Blood - movie poster for Fish & Crown Creative - Rochester, NY
Comic Book Imagery - Page 6
16
Top Row: Amish children and Green Lantern - Self-promotion; Superhero -
The Image Press - Syracuse, NY. (Also used in ads for Boeing Corporation
and Girard Equipment, Inc.)
Middle Row: Nick Net - Xerox Corp. at COMDEX; Einstein - T-shirt design for
a school science club.
Bottom Row: Frankenstein and Skeleton - Self-promotion; The New Blood - movie
poster for Fish & Crown Creative - Rochester, NY
Comic Book Imagery - Page 6
Montage focusing on the history of the Buffalo Soldiers in Oklahoma.
Created for use in T-shirt designs and award medals for themed
marathon running events.
Comic Book Imagery - Page 7
17
Montage focusing on the history of the Buffalo Soldiers in Oklahoma. Created for
use in T-shirt designs and award medals for themed marathon running events.
Comic Book Imagery - Page 7
These visual guides were used in setting up live action scenes for taped TV commercials of a major pharmacy store chain.
Direct client: Pinckney Hugo Group in Syracuse, NY
Storyboards - Page 1
18
These visual guides were used in setting up live action scenes
for taped TV commercials of a major pharmacy store chain.
Direct client: Pinckney Hugo Group in Syracuse, NY
Storyboards - Page 1
These visual guides were used in setting up live action scenes for taped TV commercials of a major pharmacy store chain.
Direct client: Pinckney Hugo Group in Syracuse, NY
Storyboards - Page 2
19
These visual guides were used in setting up live action scenes
for taped TV commercials of a major pharmacy store chain.
Direct client: Pinckney Hugo Group in Syracuse, NY
Storyboards - Page 2
These visual guides were used in setting up live action scenes for taped TV commercials of a major pharmacy store chain.
Direct client: Pinckney Hugo Group in Syracuse, NY
Storyboards - Page 3
20
These visual guides were used in setting up live action scenes
for taped TV commercials of a major pharmacy store chain.
Direct client: Pinckney Hugo Group in Syracuse, NY
Storyboards - Page 3
Top, L-R: Environmental poster - created for self-promotion; The Dreamin’ Team - T-shirt design; Multi-tasking student athlete - Weekly Reader Magazine.
Bottom: A series of political cartoons, based on client-submitted concepts and views.
Editorials
21
Top and Middle Left:
Political cartoons, based on client-submitted concepts and views.
Middle Right:
Multi-tasking student athlete - Weekly Reader Magazine
Bottom:
Environmental poster - Self-promotion; The Dreamin’ Team - T-shirt design
Editorials
A sampling of various characters, objects, and scenes. Created using pencil on paper
and colored in Photoshop, or exclusively using Procreate on the iPad.
Sketchbook - Page 1
23
A sampling of various characters, objects, and scenes. Created using
pencil on paper and colored in Photoshop, or exclusively using
Procreate on the iPad.
Sketchbook - Page 1
A sampling of various characters, objects, and scenes. Created using pencil on paper
and colored in Photoshop, or exclusively using Procreate on the iPad.
Sketchbook - Page 2
24
A sampling of various characters, objects, and scenes. Created using
pencil on paper and colored in Photoshop, or exclusively using
Procreate on the iPad.
Sketchbook - Page 2
A sampling of various characters, objects, and scenes. Created using pencil on paper
and colored in Photoshop, or exclusively using Procreate on the iPad.
Sketchbook - Page 3
25
A sampling of various characters, objects, and scenes. Created using
pencil on paper and colored in Photoshop, or exclusively using
Procreate on the iPad.
Sketchbook - Page 3
A sampling of various characters, objects, and scenes. Created using pencil on paper
and colored in Photoshop, or exclusively using Procreate on the iPad.
Sketchbook - Page 4
26
A sampling of various characters, objects, and scenes. Created using
pencil on paper and colored in Photoshop, or exclusively using
Procreate on the iPad.
Sketchbook - Page 4
Vector-based illustrations of products used in high tech, manufacturing, and retail sales industries. Some images shown are further embellished using Adobe Photoshop.
Technical Drawings
27
Vector-based illustrations of products used in the high tech,
manufacturing, and retail industries. Some of the images
shown are further embellished using Adobe Photoshop.
Technical Drawings
Hand-drawn images of a variety of vehicle types, colored and embellished using Adobe Photoshop.
Vehicle Renderings - Page 1
28
Hand-drawn images of a variety of vehicle types, colored and
embellished using Adobe Photoshop.
Vehicle Renderings - Page 1
Hand-drawn images of a variety of vehicle types, colored and embellished using Adobe Photoshop.
Vehicle Renderings - Page 2
29
Hand-drawn images of a variety of vehicle types, colored and
embellished using Adobe Photoshop.
Vehicle Renderings - Page 2
A combination of freehand drawings and computer-generated type and graphics, made for screenprinting. I can also accurately color separate and output designs to film positives.
Apparel Designs - Page 1
30
A combination of freehand drawings and computer-generated
type and graphics, made for screenprinting. Artwork is also
accurately color separated and output to film positives.
Apparel Designs - Page 1
A combination of freehand drawings and computer-generated type and graphics, made for screenprinting. I can also accurately color separate and output designs to film positives.
Apparel Designs - Page 2
31
A combination of freehand drawings and computer-generated
type and graphics, made for screenprinting. Artwork is also
accurately color separated and output to film positives.
Apparel Designs - Page 2
Business Card Designs
32
The work featured here includes logo design and image editing. Also note the contact information shown on each card may not be current and is intended for illustration purposes only.
The work featured here includes logo design and image editing.
Also note the contact information shown on each card may not
be current and is intended for illustration purposes only.
Business Card Designs
These parodies of the NFL were created for my non-profit newsletter, The Broncos Bulletin.
Digital Image Editing - Page 1
33
These parodies of the NFL were created for my non-profit newsletter,
The Broncos Bulletin.
Digital Image Editing - Page 1
These images are political editorials I created for posting on social media.
Digital Image Editing - Page 2
34
These images are political editorials I created for posting on
social media.
Digital Image Editing - Page 2
Top Row: Original Photos
Bottom Row: Digitally Edited
Before and After images created to show how an existing home (left) and a Bed & Breakfast would look with new paint, additions, and alterations.
Digital Image Editing - Page 3
35
Digitally Edited
Original Photos
Before and After images created to show how an existing home (top) and
a Bed & Breakfast would look with new paint, additions, and alterations.
Digital Image Editing - Page 3
A logo is the foremost visual identity of any business, club, sports team, or organization. It must be easy to read at any size and be bold, yet elegant. These are some of my best designs.
36
Logo Design - Page 1
A logo is the foremost visual identity of any business, club, sports
team, or organization. It must be easy to read at any size and be
bold, yet elegant. These are some of my best.
Logo Design - Page 1
A logo is the foremost visual identity of any business, club, sports team, or organization. It must be easy to read at any size and be bold, yet elegant. These are some of my best designs.
37
Logo Design - Page 2
A logo is the foremost visual identity of any business, club, sports
team, or organization. It must be easy to read at any size and be
bold, yet elegant. These are some of my best.
Logo Design - Page 2
Click on this logo
to view an animated
version with audio.
A logo is the foremost visual identity of any business, club, sports team, or organization. It must be easy to read at any size and be bold, yet elegant. These are some of my best designs.
38
Logo Design - Page 3
Click on this logo
to view an animated
version with audio.
A logo is the foremost visual identity of any business, club, sports
team, or organization. It must be easy to read at any size and be
bold, yet elegant. These are some of my best.
Logo Design - Page 3
This video was created for use on a website dedicated to Porsche car enthusiasts. The animation shows the company
logo I designed, comprised of a classic Porsche-style dashboard clock, along with the sequence of lights when starting
the engine. For the audio, I pieced together recordings of the car door opening and closing, the keys being inserted into
the ignition, the engine turning over, and revving up. The sound clips had to be carefully synced with the animation
and flow seamlessly together in order to avoid any noticeable cuts in the editing.
39
Logo Design & Animation
This video was created for use on a website dedicated to Porsche
car enthusiasts. The animation shows the company logo I designed,
comprised of a classic Porsche-style dashboard clock, along with the
sequence of lights when starting the engine. For the audio, I pieced
together recordings of the car door opening and closing, the keys
being inserted into the ignition, the engine turning over, and revving
up. The sound clips had to be carefully synced with the animation
and flow seamlessly together in order to avoid any noticeable cuts
in the editing.
Logo Design Animation
A series of logo designs for a charitable agency serving the needs of families in the Cayuga County area of New York State.
Each version focuses on a specific facet of what the agency offers. I’m honored to be working with this fine organization.
40
Logo Design - Page 4
A series of logo designs for a charitable agency serving the needs
of families in the Cayuga County area of New York State. Each
version focuses on a specific facet of what the agency offers.
I’m honored to be working with this fine organization.
Logo Design - Page 4
Bi-fold brochure for a home cooking instructor. Work includes layout design,
food illustrations, logo design, and caricature.
Mixed Bag - Page 1
41
Bi-fold brochure for a home cooking instructor. Work includes
layout design, food illustrations, logo design, and caricature.
Mixed Bag - Page 1
Package Design for Dewitt Plastics - Auburn, NY. Work includes die-cut and fold lines placement,
company and product logo design, product use instruction vector illustrations, photo editing and
compositing.
Mixed Bag - Page 2
42
Package Design for Dewitt Plastics - Auburn, NY. Work includes
die-cut and fold lines placement, company and product logo design,
product use instruction vector illustrations, photo editing and
compositing.
Mixed Bag - Page 2
Brochure design for Dan Barron Crafts - Skaneateles Falls, NY.
Work includes layout and logo design, plus photo editing.
Mixed Bag - Page 3
43
Brochure design for Dan Barron Crafts - Skaneateles Falls, NY.
Work includes layout and logo design, plus photo editing.
Mixed Bag - Page 3
Direct-printed and assembled coroplast point-of-purchase display, designed to mimic
a race car pit area and hold inside a bag of apples atop the checkerboard floor.
End client: Fowler Farms - Wolcott, NY.
Mixed Bag - Page 4
44
Direct-printed and assembled coroplast point-of-purchase display, designed
to mimic a race car pit area and hold inside a bag of apples atop the checker-
board floor. End client: Fowler Farms - Wolcott, NY.
Mixed Bag - Page 5
Character illustrations used in point-of-purchase displays for Tylenol products.
Direct client: Pinckney Hugo Group - Syracuse, NY
Mixed Bag - Page 6
46
Mixed Bag - Page 6
Character illustrations used in point-of-purchase displays for Tylenol products.
Direct client: Pinckney Hugo Group - Syracuse, NY
Sample page from a pop-up month by month book concept.
Colored pencil and guache paint medium.
Sample page from a pop-up alphabet book concept.
Acrylic paint medium.
Mixed Bag - Page 7
47
Top: Sample page from a pop-up alphabet book concept. Acrylic paint medium.
Bottom: Sample page from a pop-up month by month book concept.
Colored pencil and guache paint medium.
Mixed Bag - Page 7
Social media ads for a large marathon running event. Used to market and promote screen-printed apparel and award medal designs.
Mixed Bag - Page 8
48
Social media ads for a large marathon running event.
Used to market and promote screen-printed apparel
and award medal designs.
Mixed Bag - Page 8
Featured here are a series of banner designs for a high school football team. Work includes layout of type and graphics, photo masking and compositing.
Signs and Posters - Page 1
50
Featured here are a series of banner designs for a high school football
team. Work includes layout of type and graphics, photo masking and
compositing.
Signs and Posters - Page 1
A series of large format poster designs for Hamblin Pools - Seneca Falls, NY.
Work includes layout and graphics design, plus photo editing.
Signs and Posters - Page 2
51
A series of large format poster designs for Hamblin Pools - Seneca Falls, NY.
Work includes layout and graphics design, plus photo editing.
Signs and Posters - Page 2
A-frame sign designs marking monthly events.
End client: Fingerlakes Mall - Auburn, NY
Signs and Posters - Page 3
52
A-frame sign designs marking monthly events.
End client: Fingerlakes Mall - Auburn, NY
Signs and Posters - Page 3
Inset: Photo illustration showing
sample location of an installed
banner
Photo montage of historical icon Harriet Tubman with overlaying text. Printed on large banners for display at Fingerlakes Mall - Auburn, NY
Signs and Posters - Page 4
53
Photo montage of historical icon Harriet Tubman with overlaying text.
Printed on large banners for display at Fingerlakes Mall - Auburn, NY
Bottom: Photo illustration showing sample location of an installed banner
Signs and Posters - Page 4
Banner, Flyer, and Poster Designs
for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Skaneateles, NY
Signs and Posters - Page 5
54
Banner and Poster Designs
for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Skaneateles, NY
Signs and Posters - Page 5
A series of layouts / photo montages, created for Fingerlakes Mall - Auburn, NY.
The designs were made for printed signs or for use on the mall’s website.
Signs and Posters - Page 6
55
A series of layouts / photo montages, created for Fingerlakes Mall -
Auburn, NY. The designs were made for printed signs or for use on
the mall’s website.
Signs and Posters - Page 6
Lower half calendar provided by the calendar printing company.
Layout for a large format calendar poster. Work involves photo editing
and composition, type design, and graphics design.
Signs and Posters - Page 7
56
Layout for a large format calendar poster. Work involves
photo editing and composition, type design, and graphics design.
Signs and Posters - Page 7
A series of informational ads for an industrial product manufacturer. Work includes creating
the product vector illustration and photo editing. Designed for print and online marketing.
Signs and Posters - Page 8
57
A series of informational ads for an industrial product manufacturer.
Work includes creating the product vector illustration and photo editing.
Designed for print and online marketing.
Signs and Posters - Page 8
Newsletter and product informational flyer designs for
RPM Displays, Inc. - Auburn, NY
Signs and Posters - Page 9
58
Newsletter and product informational flyer designs for
RPM Displays, Inc. - Auburn, NY
Signs and Posters - Page 9
~ Rodney Frendak ~
New work samples and updates
will be added on a regular basis.
I am very proud
to announce the relaunch
of this website!
News
59
~ Rodney Frendak ~
New work samples and updates
will be added on a regular basis.
Additional content is available
when viewing this site on a
larger monitor.
I am very proud
to announce the relaunch
of this website!
News
© 2026 Rodney Frendak / Rocket Studios
Email
(315) 558-4940
iPhone
In need of an experienced, friendly, dependable
Illustrator and Graphic Designer?
Look no further! I am here and at your service!
Please contact me anytime to discuss your project
and to learn how I can be of help!
How To Contact Me
60
© 2026
Rodney Frendak / Rocket Studios
Email
315.558.4940
iPhone
In need of an experienced, friendly,
dependable Illustrator and Graphic
Designer? Please look no further!
I’m here and at your service! Contact
me anytime to discuss your project
and learn how I can be of help!
How To Contact Me