La Vaca Print Market
Spring 2026 - Ongoing
Project Prompt
La Vaca Meat Market was originally created as a final
project for a class assignment.
We were simply asked to consider the experience of holding
and exploring a hand-held printed item and to consider how
this object exist in space. When creating a printed object we
understand that physical labor is utilized, rather once we print
our desired design onto our chosen aspect we challenge the
idea of a printed design being 3D.
Perhaps, one printed onto clothing, or onto a structure.
Although, that artifact is 3D, we don’t consider the design after
it leaves the screen.
For this project I decided to think of ways that I could not only
challenge this perspective, but also be able to share
the love of printing, by being able to distribute my work
to my peers.
Sooo……I present La Vaca Meat Market!
Mediums
Illustrator
Photoshop
Silkscreen
Button Maker
Research
After being given the prompt from my professor I
contemplated a few different ideas which mainly included
building something, which that something was still unclear.
However, I knew I wanted that something to challenge the
prompt and be fun.
Then I recalled a video I saw on the internet about a year ago.
A creator by the name of [Handle here] created a print fish
stand. I was so in awe with this idea. I began rethinking how I
could explore this type of performance.
I started with asking myself what would I even have at my
hypothetical market. Fruit? Candy? Burgers? No, I knew I
needed to get creative. At this point In the thought process I
decided that no matter what I created I would have to buy and
scan the object. That way I was creating all my prints from
scratch. Just how a local shop owner would!
Once I thought about ways to incorporate my Texan and
Mexican roots I realized very quickly that I could recreate a
butcher stand!
Meat Print Process
Once I completed my menus it was time to begin working on
my meat prints!
I went to the grocery store and bought a slab of all 3 meats
I then placed them all on a scanner, except for the steak which I
would take a high quality picture of.
I then converted each image into photoshop and would begin
manipulating each image and splitting into the amount of layers
neccesary so that I could salvage as much detail as possible.
La Vaca Meat Market Grand Opening!
Final scanned images of butcher hats & Buttons I created.
Final scanned images of my shop meat!
Final scanned images of my shop menu.
I really enjoyed the typography being utilized in these posters. The backbone
of this eras poster designs stem from some form of a Gothic Sans Serif usually
paired with a Hand brush script.
In order to make sure my market felt as authentic as possible it was important
that my design extended past the actually prints and that I too was in character.
I researched not only what I should wear but, How products should be placed.
It is important to note that going into this process the more detail and layers I
was willing to put down was going to allow my meat prints to look more realistic.
First test layer to make sure screen runs properly.
Steak scan and layer break down
Chicken scan and layer break down
Branding + Menu Design
I began my project with my shop menu and poster. Using the
inspiration I found on the internet and through books I ended
up creating multiple 2 and 1 layer prints, a 3 layer print and
buttons.
As for La Vaca Meat Markets Overall brand guide I decided to go
with Primarily Red Meat tones as my color palette. As for my
darks I decided on a dark indigo and black.
Pepper sausage scan and layer break down
I am inspired often by thin thin line illustrations so when I saw these little
animals I knew this is the imagery I wanted representing in my project
Implementing my logo and type onto a series of buttons for my peers to take home!
The Logo - Brand Guide
When it came down to my market logo I knew that a logo would
help support my brands overall identity. I contemplated
drawing a pig when I realized a few months ago I sketched
a drawing of a cow for a contest that I loved. This cow would
end up being placed front and center on my apron, and
buttons.
Final Developments
One I developed all my prints the final steps were setting up
my shop. I organized all my prints the way a normal butcher
market would have meat placed.
The last step was putting on my uniform and entering my
Meat Market persona “Beto” - An ode to my grandfather
who was never a butcher, but the most creative man in
my upbringing.
Before and after cow photoshop Manipulation. In order for my drawing to
print well on fabric I would have to thicken the line weights .
My apron I printed on. I only had one shot to get this perfect!
Me with all my prints laid out and in full uniform!