Project: Culture Club
Purpose: To talk about culturally relevant subjects through the lens of art
Agency: TPN (internal)
Concept and brand:
Jesús González (Sr.AD) and Kristin Pendelton (ACD/CW)
Series producers:
Jesús González (Sr.AD), Gail Obaseki (Director, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion) and Ethan Wilder (Video & Multimedia Specialist)
Host:
Jesús González (Sr.AD)
Podcast producer:
Jesús González (Sr.AD)
As part of TPN’s (Integer) new DEI initiative, we launched Culture Club — a platform to explore social issues through the lens of art. The idea was to create an open forum where difficult topics could be discussed more easily, using the power of visual storytelling.
The project grew organically within Integer’s culture, blossoming into both an Instagram account and a monthly podcast, which I had the privilege of hosting.
Culture Club has been a true passion project from the start. It’s given me the chance to learn from others, hear unique perspectives, and create a space where art and conversation can intersect. The series continues to evolve, with plans to let others lead the way while staying true to its mission: to discuss culturally relevant subjects through the lens of art.
Project: Radiohead's "Spectre" Fan Edit
Purpose: Learn to edit (on Premier Pro)
Concept and Edit:
Jesús González
This was one of my first top-secret editing missions, and I took it upon myself to do justice to Radiohead’s rejected submission for Spectre (2015), while simultaneously paying tribute to 007’s most iconic villain, Blofeld. With no official music video, the mission was clear: create something that would capture the haunting energy of the song and elevate it to Bond-level intrigue.
I synchronized Thom Yorke’s "From the Basement" performance with moments of Blofeld’s evil genius from every era, with a cheeky Dr. Evil voice cameo at the end for good measure. To enhance the mood, I mixed in ink-in-water footage, adding an abstract yet cinematic feel that tied directly into the Spectre octopus logo — making this video more than just a tribute, but an extension of Bond’s visual language.
Every frame of this project was a learning experience, and while I can’t quite say mission accomplished, I hope this edit does justice to both the melancholic beauty of the track and the legacy of Bond’s most notorious foe.
Sources:
Radiohead's "Spectre"
Tom York "From the Basement" set
"Spectre"
"DIamonds Are Forever"
"You Only Live Twice"
"On Her Majesty's Secret Service"
"Austin Powers"
Project: Mandalorian armor cosplay
Purpose: To combine my love for Star Wars and art. To learn how to sculpt, paint, weather, sodder and sew.
Concept and sculptor:
Jesús González
15 years ago, I built my first Mandalorian armor using a bicycle helmet, plastic signs, and a few found objects. It was a bit rough, but the experience taught me invaluable lessons about craftsmanship.
Fast forward to last year, I decided to tackle the project again — but this time with a more refined approach. I used 3D printed parts for precision, incorporated kitbashed details for the armor and weapons, and focused heavily on weathering and painting techniques. I also ventured into the realm of electronics to add depth and functionality to the cosplay.
With a strict timeline of just three months and a limited budget, I set my sights on debuting the armor at the London Star Wars Celebration convention. The pressure was on, but with a clear plan in place, I dove in headfirst.
I made mistakes along the way — I repainted the helmet several times and experimented with different techniques until I got the weathering just right. One of my proudest achievements was creating a modular helmet system. Using magnets, I could swap props to change the helmet's profile and give the cosplay multiple versions.
The goal was always to tell a story with the armor, and I designed two different “modes” for the convention:
Cyberpunk Mode: This version featured a jacket with a Teotihuacan-inspired spray-painted symbol, layered with faux-leather armor details. I added electronics to the jacket to give it a futuristic, high-tech feel, and paired it with weathered slacks and a hoodie that acted as an under-armor layer. The helmet had a white brim to match the hoodie and tie the look together.
Western Mode: Here, I aimed for a classic rugged aesthetic. I weathered a poncho, adding greebles to give it a Star Wars twist. I repurposed old boots and added canvas layers to give them a “rough-traveler” look. The helmet was kept minimalist, with only a few attachments to evoke a more traditional bounty hunter vibe.
Overall, this project was an incredible learning experience — not just in terms of building the armor, but in storytelling and the craftsmanship that went into each piece. And the convention? Well, that’s a story for another time.
