Oh so beautiful..

I found this on http://thingsorganizedneatly.tumblr.com/ and absolutely fell in love with it! I could watch it all day! The constant burst of colour is fantastic! 

I am not usually into this sort of thing but I found this fascinatingly beautiful! 

I am quite a big fan of creating "out of the ordinary" design from mundane objects. The FdA is all about lateral thinking and stretching the boundaries. Nothing is ever too mundane!! Perhaps that's why I love it so much! It just puts that "extra" right in front of that "ordinary"!!

Hello again!

I haven't written on this blog for quite a while! Uni and work have proven to be quite time consuming. 

I plan to document some of my stuff a little more regularly now. 

This past term in uni, we had a crazy big project! "The A-Z project" began as a summer project and ended in December. We began with 26 words for each letter of the alphabet. Our task was to  undertake individual research and participate in sign-up workshops to develop a set of portfolio pieces that demonstrate our interests, opinions and ambitions in communication design. We were to conduct further research into each of our chosen 26 words. We were encouraged to try to unravel and get to grips with the meaning and potential of our words. We were also expected to research into contemporary and historical practice, be it within design or otherwise. The final outcomes would be a reflection of one of many words we had chosen to develop. 

I really enjoyed doing this project.

Awe...facial expressions...russian dolls...shadows on the table...shadows...documentation of shadows... 

Below are some of the images I created through the use of shadows.

Manipulating the images and editing the colour distorts the concept of awe and eeriness. 

 

 

 

This is how I imagine these series of images would be presented. I tried out different formats but I felt that each image needed it's own space in order to do itself justice! 

"No man is an island"

"The Art of Looking Sideways"

This piece of design is quite eye catching and very visually pleasing. It is very plain but striking because of it's nature. The eye is drawn to the top left hand corner and is naturally intrigued to read the content. It reads: "No man is an Island entire of itself, every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main" - John Donne

This is a very well known quote and I feel that I can relate to it well. Any quote can be understood on a personal or specific level. Being in a design environment, I feel that this relates to all of us. At the moment we are all trying to complete our Final Major Project. Sometimes we feel like we are trying to do it alone. This is far from the truth. We are all inspired by each other. Sometimes we don't even realise it but things we say or do can have a big effect on other people. All we need to do to realise that this quote is true is look around and realise that we are all in it together. Besides, just take a look at your bibliography, mine is full of sources that I have been inspired by, I could never have done it alone. 

Evian-Naive

I came across this image in The Art of Looking Sideways. It stood out because of it’s texture. It gives off the feeling of genuineness and physicality.  

I think that this piece of design is very clever. The letters were cut of a cardboard box containing Evian water. Due to the successful branding of Evian bottled water, it is clear that this is a manipulation of the original logo. The logo is universally recognised and therefore this piece of design is very open to personal interpretation.

Vernacular Typography

 To be absolutely honest, I wasn't exactly sure what vernacular typography was until this workshop! It turned out to be pretty cool! We were told to take imagery that represented elephant and castle and to make typefaces out of the things we found! 

I began messing around with a brick wall and a couple of letters from a shopfront. When I got home I began getting really creative but I'm afraid I'm not going to spoil the surprise! I'll post it after we hand in the books! 

This typeface was drawn by a colleague of mine. I really like it's realness and how it really did portray the area well. 

Repeat Patterns Workshop

I came away from this workshop feeling really inspired! It was really nice to come away with a new technique that was so physical and not computer based. At the beginning of the workshop, I was a bit dismissive but wrongly so! Although My actual outcome wasn't all that thought through and was quite rough, it is a technique that is open to numerous options and one is able to broaden their creativity. 

Below is a photograph of some work of a colleague of mine. I am a particular fan of his illustration. It shows attention to detail and is quirky in a very creative way!

I began by using some very stereotypical London icons. In hindsight, even though I was supposed to be concentrating on attention to detail, I do light the rough look of my pattern.

Language and Words

This patchwork banner that uses buttons to communicate a message was hanging in a park near Bournemouth during the easter break. It was a a directional sign pointing passers by to the direction of fair where the theme involved language and words. The Designer used a cautionary word to represent our outer selves, the hard facade we apply within life and combined this with the sensitivity of textiles techniques of patchwork and beading.  It spoke about the importance of language and the integral role that words play in every aspect of life. Analysing language and altering the context of words is a big part of graphic design. We always have to be conscious of what we are writing and how it will be perceived. For this reason, I really liked this topical idea.

'My Life' Board Game

During this workshop we were given the opportunity to create our own board games using our own experiences in London as our inspiration. It was very interesting from a creative point of view how every person has their own experiences and as a result perceives London very differently which also meant each board game was vastly different due to the way London was represented.

Above are examples of two contrasting creative pieces of work. The colours, method, style and ideas behind each board game is so different it is clear to see that the designers perceive London in very separate ways.

Above: My Board game.

I really enjoyed this workshop as it gave me a chance to explore different aspects of creativity and relate them to my personal life. After the workshop I felt that it was important to keep thinking about ways of interlinking the two and continued to think about other ways my perception of my life in london could be represented in a fun and systematic order. 

I found this in a kids magazine and I thought "THAT HAS TO GO ON MY BLOG!". I think it is a great lesson in life! Don't ever settle for average! It is what we call concept challenge.. Whether in science or design, the crazier the idea the better it's potential!! 

Stefan Sagmeister

After writing my VCT essay which involved Stefan Sagmeister, I began to look at some of his other work. He is very possibly the quirkiest designer I have come across in my design career! His creative capacity is unlimited and for him, the sky is literally the limit! Many of us look up to these designers and wonder 'Could I ever be as creative, talented or motivated as that?' I'm not sure I even know the answer. I do know however, that as designers, we all have different expertise, different attributes that we can impart. We can share our inner selves with the outer world and make an impact with the unique talents we have individually been blessed with. 

Typography

After doing the ISTD project, I became much more aware of typography, formats and layouts. This magazine spread caught my eye. The typography is very clean cut and sleek but The layout and design of the page was what made it for me! A few lines, shapes and primary colours really can do the trick! Sometimes we find that we try too hard to think about how to be creative and forget that often the simplest things have the greatest impact and the most aesthetically pleasing! 

Double Take

I found this picture in a magazine recently and thought it was really interesting! Although it is not directly related to graphic design, I do have a certain knack for relating everything back to my life! It's very interesting to see how a quick glance at an image doesn't really leave a lasting effect but when given a few seconds more, the image turns into something wholly different! With a quick flick of a page, the reaction would be something like, "another dress, hmmm nice style" but when gazing upon the beauty of it and granting this outstanding piece of design a tiny bit more time, the reaction turns into "GOSH! THAT DRESS IS MADE OUT OF FOOD!!!!" Aubergine to be precise. I find that this relates to my design eye. A lot of the time, I will be flicking through something "designy" quite mundanely, and quite often I will double take at something I though was simple but n reality turned out to be something so much deeper!!

Darren's layers workshop turned out to be one stressful situation!! The concepts that he taught were really interesting. He spoke about the juxtaposition or overlapping of multiple elements can create an illusion of depth and can create a feeling of profundity or complexity, that one single image would fail to do.

With regards to the actual content of my work above, I always find it fun to make a political statement, even if I'm not quite sure it is I want to state!!! 

There were so many different elements to think about during the workshop. My photoshop skills are quite basic and a lot of the concepts Darren spoke about were quite new to me. I was so focussed on the technical side of the workshop that I managed to forget about my creativity!  I would definitely compare this workshop to the experience I had when I first learn to drive. So focussed on getting the gears right, I would often forget to stop at a red light! I would definitely say that there is room for improvement, which I think is quite a positive outcome!

Mono-printing Workshop

I attended the Mono-printing workshop with Rachel on Tuesday and I found it really interesting! Above is one example of some of the pieces I did. I didn't choose something typically "London". It is however, a British football player. I intend to look into doing a section on sports in my book for the FMP so I found this image to be relevant. I found it intriguing that a simple photographic image can be transformed into something completely different yet very effective in it's own way! 

I decided to experiment with different colours and layers in order to create different meanings and to allow the viewers' perception to be open. 

There are endless possibilities with this method of printing and it is much like a hands on version of the layers workshop! I really enjoyed it and loved getting messy!!

To find out more about Mono-printing, click here.

Framing Workshop

As part of the framing workshop with rachel we explored how framing/cropping can change the meaning or message of an image. It can also change ones perception of an object, place or person. Above are my favourite images. I took a picture of a building reflected in the car. In the first image, I simply framed the building in the reflection. In the second image i have exposed it's context. This really excited me. I began thinking about reflections and hidden messages. I plan to explore what else I could do with reflection in relation to London. 

Interbrand Project

Having just finished the project with Interbrand, I feel very relieved! I do feel, however, very privileged to have worked with them and I gained so much from all the amazing, talented people that we worked with! It was very interesting to see what goes on in the real world of design. What goes on behind the scenes and to see the faces behind a lot of the world famous brands. 


It was amazing to compare the difference between the first years' work and that of the second year. To begin with, I didn't really notice much of a difference. As time went on, I began to realise some subtle differences that really did make the work and presentations that much more amazing. I obviously don't expect to be the world's best designer at this point, but it's phenomenal to see how only one year can make the world of difference! The attention to detail, the decisions made, the design processes and the broadness of thought. The skill and experience that they portrayed whilst presenting their work was really inspiring and I aspire to create and present as well as they did.


It is coming to the end of our second term on the FdA at the LCC. I can't believe how fast it has gone! We are already starting the FMP and the second year is almost in sight! It is very daunting but even more inspiring and motivating than I thought. To see how far I have come in a mere six months gives me more motivation than ever! May the third term go as smoothly as the first two and I wish all my colleagues much luck in the coming, exciting final project of the year! 

Blackberry Advert

I am not a huge fan of Blackberry but I am a huge fan of this advert!! Looking back on the past few months of the FdA, we have learnt and practised various different methods to use in order to generate ideas, including ruling out dominant ideas, considering all factors and the concept challenge. Here however, we can see a simple concept being taken absolutely literally! And it does it's job excellently! Within seconds, the viewer is being given the all important message and it promotes the product effectively. In my opinion, when taken literally, concepts tend to be communicated more easily than concepts portrayed in a profound unfathomable light. For this reason, I think that this advert is spot on with it's intention!

"Quote it"

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana


I came across this quote in "The Art of Looking Sideways". Although this quote was not necessarily meant for designers, I think that it really does apply to us to. It applies to people in all walks of life but as designers, this message rings so true! 


In life, it is great to learn from our mistakes. To analyse a situation, keep it in the past and use it to make a better future. It is the same with our design careers. We are bound to have good pieces of work and in turn, pathetic ones! If we internalise this quote and make sure to remember the positive and negative aspects of the past , we will be sure to succeed as people, relatives, friends and last but not least, designers! 

V&A Shaddow Catchers

I recently went to an exhibition in the V&A called Shadow Catchers. It presented the art of "Cameraless Photography".

"The essence of photography lies in its seemingly magical ability to fix shadows on light-sensitive surfaces. Normally, this requires a camera. Shadow Catchers, however, presents the work of five international contemporary artists - Floris Neusüss, Pierre Cordier, Susan Derges, Garry Fabian Miller and Adam Fuss - who work without a camera. Instead, they create images on photographic paper by casting shadows and manipulating light, or by chemically treating the surface of the paper.

Images made with a camera imply a documentary role. In contrast, camera-less photographs show what has never really existed. They are also always 'an original' because they are not made from a negative. Encountered as fragments, traces, signs, memories or dreams, they leave room for the imagination, transforming the world of objects into a world of visions."

Garry Fabian Miller

'Breathing in the Beech Wood'

In photography as in photosynthesis, light plays a fundamental role in creation. This work was made using beech leaves gathered from late April to early June in the artist's garden on Dartmoor. Each vertical line was printed on one day, with the time period increasing incrementally from one day between the first lines to around two weeks in the later stages. I find this fascinating. It is amazing to see how a series of leaves can symbolise so much. It symbolises nature, and the progression of a natural object due to it's environment and surroundings. This really could relate to us as humans. Naturally, our "strength" and "colours" change according what we do and what we surround ourselves with. There are always ups and downs but we always find that even if we have a down, we will always come back up, like the cycle of the leaf. I imagine that there could b an endless series of these posters showing the ongoing cycle of birth, life and rebirth, starting again with a new strength. This is also a fundamental lesson to us all as designers. We will always have those times when we feel we are failing but ultimately, its the process of nature, waiting for us to rise again and be as great as ever! 

Adam Fuss

'Invocation'

To make this piece, a mother briefly placed her child on a sheet of photographic paper that had been submerged in a tray of shallow water. A flashlight, fired directly at the paper, captured the child's outline as well as ripples in the water. The image is a kind of baptism, but its title, Invocation, suggests an earnest appeal or prayer. This too symbolises that rebirth. 

From this exhibition I have gained a greater appreciation for the art of cameraless photography. I must admit, I did not think I would enjoy it but it turns out that i really did!

To find out more about the exhibition, click here.

State of Mind

I came across this in "The Art of Looking Sideways"

I enjoy it for it's use of colour and creativity but largely because of i's meaning. It is the belief that the mind is more powerful than the body. Or that the mind can overrule it. To me this means that no matter what happens, ones mindset can make it or break it. 

In the past few months at the LCC, I have come to realise that this rings so true. It is particularly relevant to self esteem and confidence in ones work. I don't believe that any balanced designer thinks their work is perfect. There is always room for improvement. I have, however, come to learn that a positive mindset is crucial.

In the past I had a tendency to put myself and my work down and often had a negative view of what I was able to achieve. Recently I have been working on creating a positive attitude because honestly, it is the key to success. 

Future Brand

FutureBrand worked with Microsoft across a variety of strategic deliverables. A key focus was bringing rigor to the array of brands and services that were proliferating. This was causing an increase in marketing spend, brand dilution and limited recognition of products due to an ever-expanding portfolio.

FutureBrand determined the strategic role of all these offerings to the Microsoft masterbrand. Once this was done, the portfolio of products and services was completely revised. FutureBrand then created value propositions for each of the key sub-brands to ensure appropriate linkage. The results were significant increases in efficiency, profitability and awareness of key sub-brands.

Microsoft has a very iconic logo. It is recognised worldwide and was created by an extremely wealthy genius! It makes sense then, that Future Brand would be involved in the design process. What amazes me is that there is a huge amount of different services that have been created and in turn graphically designed in order to represent them. There seems to be a linking factor that ties them altogether and makes the brand recognisable no matter what the service is. This ties in with the FdA. I find a lot of the time, when doing spreads or a PDF, that it difficult to find a balance between catching the eye of the reader, not being too repetitive and also being consistent. With Microsoft I find that they have found a balance between consistency and differentiation/lack of repetition. There seems to be a very fine line between the two and it takes a certain skill to master it. wherever you are, wherever you see it, you will always be able to say confidently, "that's Microsoft!"

To see more work by Future Brand, click here.

Blue Marlin

My cousin recently told me that he had worked in a Brand Design Agency called Blue Marlin. I took a look at the website and saw some really beautiful work that I recognised. Sometimes I don't even realise how real Graphic Design is, until I see a piece of work I can relate to after seeing it sitting on the shelf in a shop. 

This design truly portrays the purity that it means to. The blue colour is representative of this serenity. Even the packaging gives off an impression of crystal clarity. It attracts the eye of the buyer with it's creative and innovative and eye-catching design. 

The mineral water and design industry were so enchanted by the new design that it was awarded several awards including the Grand Prix at the 2008 Water Innovation Awards and a Gold at the 2009 Pent-awards.

Here is another example of Graphic Design from Blue Marlin that put me in touch with reality. To think that someone who does what I aspire to do, recreated the design for the most delicious crisps in the world!

This is a true example of successful design. It was created and is up there on every shelf in every food shop! It is recognised and appreciated by all, designer or not. 

This new design, in my opinion is very successful. It is bold yet simple, bright yet sophisticated and has a great use of typography. Each package is clearly part of a set and the rebranded logo stands as an icon on the packaging for all to see, admire and inevitably desire it's contents.  

To see more work from Blue Marlin, click here. 

ISTD Briefing Session

During the briefing session with Paul, we came across this image by an artist, Kay Rosen. This is extremely clever. The bold typeface on an angle and colours together with the ingenious idea of the meaning behind the play on words/colours, creates an eye-catching, striking and altogether wonderful piece of design. 

I took a look at the Artist's website and found a few pieces that I enjoyed. The following is so simple but so clever in it's own right. In general, the viewer of his work feels "Oh that was so obvious! Why didn't I think of that?" The designer has a knack of taking really simple ideas that are right in front of us but something everyone seems to have missed. This shows that even before thinking outside of the box, the things that are hovering under our noses have such great potential that we dismiss so easily! 

To view more work by Kay Rosen, click here. 

On the lookout for Typography!

When I was abroad during the winter break, I came across this billboard (one of many) in a shopping centre in town. There was a collection of billboards advertising the history and existence of Gap. The use of cropped typography in order to create this effect was evident in all the boards. It caught my eye because of the use of monochrome and the white lines separating the images, creating a boxy effect. The colour and style serves their purpose well, portraying the fact that Gap has been around for a while (1969 to be precise!)

ISTD

I was searching for examples of typography that I liked. I began by looking online and I found some really cool stuff! I have never excessively looked for examples of typography before and I am fascinated by the amount of creativity out there. There is a certain uniqueness within every single example that I found. 

I think this piece is really clever. It is funky, easy(ish) to read and full of innovation. It is all the better for the fact that it was created from a few simple circles! 

This typeface, probably created for this piece, portrays the message perfectly. The font is bold, trying to scream out and the smearing portray a sense of discomfort.

This piece of graphic communication also seems to depict the message well. A true sense of serenity can be found within this. It is interesting to see that the letters used have been cut off half way down the middle yet it is still totally legible and comprehensible.

I think this typeface is absolutely brilliant! It is amazing to see how from one single finger print a whole alphabet can be formed. This is a good example of how something seemingly simple can be transformed in to many different things. 

Just like the above pieces of graphic communication, this typeface and layout truly portrays the message well.