MightyMunch

Alexandra Mcqueen = Amazing

2011-08-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

Inspired by absolutely everything around him he took creativity to another level.

Check out some of his catwalks >>>>here<<<< worth the watch youl be amazed

Alexander McQueen. Spring summer 1999 from sugarandsashabaskerville on Vimeo.

Barbie not so innocent

2011-08-24T09:31:00.000-07:00

Ken finds some hard truths about Barbie from Greenpeace on Vimeo.

Great campaign for imporatant message- made for Greenpeace its called "project honeymoon" and theres a whole website behind it. check it out >>>here!

McLOL

2011-08-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

Status Stash

2011-07-11T07:45:00.000-07:00

I always have a "misc" folder on my desktop where I store cool/funny/random/thoughtful things

The other day I actually started to look through it and I noticed I've got an overflow of interesting facebook posts/tweets stored up, I think I'm going to start an official collection.

File>>New Folder>>>Status Stash

I want to look back in a year and see what gems i find

Heres a few I found deserved to be in the stash

Nobody likes you when your 23

2011-07-11T07:08:00.000-07:00

Which why I'm thankful to be 22

This blog needs a major reboot as do I

I feel my health needs a kickstart and what better way than with a detox...to illustrate how I've been feeling is the very talented illustrator/artist/designer Stephen Cheetham some very tasty stuff to check out, witty, original, quirky GO SEE http://www.stephencheetham.com

Out of Hours

2011-04-11T07:58:00.000-07:00

For creative minds in or around Wolverhampton this Thursday an exciting opportunity has arisen! Design studios Barnbrook and We make art are showcasing their work. Don't miss out!!!

Here are the details of the event>>>> Light House

Perfectly Timed Photos

2011-03-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

And its exactly that!

If you want a little giggle to yourself there some funny shots captured and a lot of random others.

Check out more here<<<

wordmark.it

2011-03-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

Swiped from the w210 blog a marvellous tool for finding the perfect font, it lets you previews all the fonts in any text you want, very handy!! Be a fool to not check it out>> wordmark.it

Submarine

2011-03-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

A new film by Richard Ayoade aka the handsome geek from the I.T crowd, previews look funny and the poster looks even better!!!>>>

Converse & Foot Locker Tape Art

2011-01-19T08:53:00.000-08:00

127 hours

2011-01-17T04:16:00.000-08:00

Last week i went to see the film 127hours based on the true story of a Aron Ralston...great work from Danny Boyle and James Franco played the role perfectly. Its definitely a film worth going to watch, youl be far from bored! Here's the interesting poster for the film, loving how it resembles an hour glass.

Mission to the edge of Space

2011-01-03T11:04:00.000-08:00

pretty ballsy stuff!!!

Red Bull Stratos will see the world's greatest BASE jumper, Felix Baumgartner, rise to more than 36,500m (120,000 feet) in a stratospheric balloon and make a freefall jump back to the earth at supersonic speed before parachuting to the ground.

trillion dollar campaign

2011-01-03T10:45:00.000-08:00

although it was set up back in 2009...just so worthy of going up, very effective work from TBWA, check them out as well, i promise it'l be worth your while.

nice viral

2011-01-03T10:15:00.000-08:00

Stunning short film

2010-11-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

Im slightly obsessed with the sea, but i think anyone can enjoy this short film, some really beautiful shots captured. Great work!

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

Happy November

2010-11-01T05:30:00.000-07:00

More daily facts at >learn something new<

Halloween

2010-11-01T04:58:00.000-07:00

I know Halloween was yesterday but I didn't get round to posting this halloween treat, the scariest music video to my viewing, enjoy!!!

Thrush

2010-10-26T06:05:00.000-07:00

Created by Gabriel Bisset-Smith and winner of the Vimeo Festival Narrative Award. A very interesting/thoughtful video, i especially like the way he talks about photographs in todays world. There is even more fantastic work over on the Vimeo website, look >here<

Thrush from Gabriel Bisset-Smith on Vimeo.

Burak Canpolat

2010-10-26T03:44:00.000-07:00

A self taught multimedia designer from Switzerland, who has some really eye catching stuff, and has worked with some big clients such as Audi and Pepsi. There is a whole site full of some lovely work, see it >here<

POCKO

2010-10-25T03:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a site to keep bookmarked, a site full of talents and upcoming artists/designers/illustrators.
There is plenty of work to keep your attention or get you inspired so be sure to take a peak >here<

Chris Henley

2010-10-25T03:00:00.000-07:00

In and amongst the blogosphere I came across a great freelance designer Chris Henley, he has some really interesting work and is definitely worth a check out. Do it now>here<

I ran here today

2010-10-25T02:45:00.000-07:00

Interesting/stunning stuff check it out >here<

Buried

2010-10-25T02:21:00.000-07:00

You've probably seen the trailer for Ryan Reynolds new film, Buried, looks like a thrilling film, but even better are the posters that advertise it. Each poster has a different style, but perhaps thats intended nonetheless the posters are pretty good!

Mash Creative

2010-10-22T03:48:00.000-07:00

I have a whole folder of inspiration I used during my projects whilst at Uni so I thought I would show and tell. This lovely calendar, created in an independent design studio called Mash creative, based in London, there's plenty more treats on their website check them out >here<

Snow White & the APPLE Macbook cover

2010-10-20T11:49:00.001-07:00

Marvellous Ad

2010-10-11T04:48:00.000-07:00

What a wicked ad for Tipexx...and just when you think over it keeps going, just marvellous!

João Oliveira

2010-09-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

A very talented designer and illustrator, definitely worth checking him out. Lots of stunning piece. Do it here<

Snap Happy

2010-09-08T04:01:00.001-07:00

After visiting Amsterdam Malia and India all this summer i took a some pics i've uploaded them on flickr you can check them out here<

I have to say going to Malia with a bunch of my friends on pretty much a drunken holiday then going to the middle of nowhere in a little village in India was a complete culture shock. In Greece i was cut off from civilization because I was intoxicated for the majority and in India I was cut off from civilization simply becuase i was in the middle of nowhere.

I have to admit i did miss the internet, at first it was liberating not waking up and checking my emails but after a while i did just get bored without it. Where i stayed in India wasn't like New Delhi or Bombay the big cities which are developed. The nearest city to me was Navsari a very busy, dusty, polluted, poverty stricken place. Although the litter filled streets where barefoot children begged for money didn't seem to effect anyone, that was the way of life there and they just got on with it.It was just another day at work for them. One I do miss about India though, is the sunsets, every night would be new show.

New Blood

2010-09-07T04:03:00.000-07:00

Top news I have been featured on the D&AD website university network.
Check it out here, some great work from my old class mates too!. Do it here<<<

Long time no speak

2010-09-06T14:20:00.000-07:00

Wow it has been a while since i updated.

Ive been holiday in the sun for the majority! but the last few months has not just been sun sea and sand, they have seen the end of my university life and my return to Wolverhampton from Cardiff. And now i shall be blogging as a graduate, a graphic communicator. So watch this space there will be lots of juicy graphic beauts coming your way.

Do yoga!!!

2010-04-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

Great business card idea from yoga company Yoga One. Business cards are an inexpensive marketing tool, but they often overlooked and tucked away amongst the stash of receipts in your wallet. But this original design makes a great impression, simple, original idea which will make you look twice.

All Saints shop display

2010-04-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

I was walking through town and my attention was grabbed by the fantastic All Saints shop front display. The whole window was filled with antique sewing machines. Of course I couldn't go in since i can't afford any of the lovely clothes they sell, but it definitely made me stop and stare. Very effective shop front, wonderful site!

Cover Design

2010-04-16T04:51:00.000-07:00

I really like this cover design I found over at yayeveryday. It's a really simple design yet it works so well...like so much graphic design out there. The creator has more great illustrations over on his flickr, take a look, lots of interesting and unusual work.Do it here<
If you take a look at all of his collections there some great poster too. These are my favs.

Lego Table

2010-04-16T04:18:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic table! Made by Abgc architecture. The table consists of 22,742 pieces clicked together with traditional lego construction techniques (no glue). It sits on a polished Stainless Steel square hollow section structure built by B.A. Engineering of Prussia St and is topped with a 10mm sheet of toughened glass manufactured by Action Glass.

Also view the viral below...showing the making of, looks like greta fun!

Lego Table - abgc from abgc-android on Vimeo.

Take a look at their website to see more, here.

PechaKucha

2010-04-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

During the Easter holidays I attending the PechaKucha event in Cardiff. PechaKucha 20x20 is a simple presentation format where you show 20 images, each for 20 seconds. The images forward automatically and you talk along to the images. All the presentations were great, Francis Daly one of my fellow course mates did a very insightful presentation on his trip to Malaysia, which has made me want to go traveling even more so.

It was really interesting to watch how each presenter handled the 20 seconds per slide rule, there was no space for rambling, it forces you to be to the point. I think it's great way to present anything. Next time I have to do a pitch or present some work I'm definately going to keep in mind the 20 seconds rule, it definitely eliminates all the bullshit you use to make up the time.

Each person presented something in their own way, some were very funny, Mabb Jones finished the event with a witty poem about America, a perfect end to a great night. It's worth taking a look at some of the presentations. Do it here.

Here are the presenters that I particularly enjoyed:

Nick Clark "Creative Technique"

Prof. Dave Crow "Virtual Handicraft"

Francis Daly "Fortune favours the brave"

Gerry Whelan "9 things about the Danes"

Michael Johnson "1+1 =3"

D&AD

2010-04-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

The Body Shop

From the D&AD briefs I choose the Body shop brief. It was to create a campaign to reinstate them as the original pioneers of ethical beauty. My idea is based on honesty and ethics, I wanted to take the audience back to what the Body Shop is all about. From when I was younger I would always think of the Body Shop as free from animal testing, pure, natural cosmetics. Therefore my take on the brief was to re-establish their routes, focusing on no animal testing and a light-hearted tone to fit in with their existing image, I have used idioms for a hard hitting message behind the more nonchalant style. Also I came to a decision to use “Still”, to remind the audience that the Body Shop have always been ethical.

The whole campaign was based on no monkey business. I wanted the audience to understand that at the Body Shop there is no messing around, just natural beauty products and I felt “no monkey business” fits this idea very well. Alongside the posters, there is a range of merchandise dedicated to raising awareness and funds to help animals across the world. To promote this there would be a talent/magic show in town centres. The message behind this, is to suggest that magic and tricks belong only on stage and not at the Body Shop, who produce all their cosmetics using natural ingredients and ethical methods.

During the tutorial feedback, the issue of what is a campaign arose, the majority of the course used posters as their main form of promotion, and with no other form of promotion do the posters qualify as a campaign. No. From this rookie error, I came to a clear definition of what a campaign is,

COORDINATED SERIES OF LINKED COMMUNICATION BROADCAST USUALLY THROUGH SEVERAL MEDIA CHANNELS THAT:
1. focus on a common theme and a brand or product (or multiples)
2. are directed at a particular segment of the population - targeted audience
3. are aimed at achieving a specific objective, such as awareness or market share or a specific action.

Basically a campaign is a concept that can run across all media outlets, and can last up to several months. With posters alone, my work did not illustrate a campaign, however with the extended, “no monkey business” promotions it can be seen to work across more than just posters. This is a valuable lesson learnt.

Overall, my outcome for the brief I feel works well, but it could be further strengthened, by using something more original than a poster to promote the Body Shops message. Perhaps a magazine insert or mobile phone screensaver would work better. I feel I could alter some of the copy by using, for example “no rabbits, no hats”, instead of “not pulling rabbits out of hats”, this could enhance the message making it more direct. I found this project challenging and insightful, I had a range of tutors give me feedback on my work, all of which was very different. This is not a bad thing, it just shows us how the audience of whom we create our work for is important. Also that whenever creating work to make sure the message is clear and no matter how many we say this; we must always check back to the brief and then check it again.

Alex Varanese

2010-04-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

You should really check out the amazing work of Alex Varanese. This guy loves to use the colour red, but the colour never gets boring. He has some really beautiful work and uses red in such dynamic ways. Take a look here, his site has a nice about me section too.

Creative Meaning

2010-04-15T07:34:00.000-07:00

This project was slightly different to what I have been used to on the course. Non-commercial and unrestricted, it was an opportunity to investigate any everyday site and gather research to create something original portraying something interesting about it. I choose to investigate the cash point ATM outside HSBC bank, simply because it’s something everyone uses without thinking about, especially us students.

To begin my research I attempted to observe the site. I aimed to get some data of usage, both day and night, but this was not the easiest thing to do, since lurking around a cash point is going to look pretty dodgy. Therefore trying to get photographs was also restrictive, on one of my attempts with a friend didn’t impress the HSBC lady. In the end I did manage to get round it, the outcome of my piece was a book, based on Cash point Etiquette. (see part above)

This project was one where I came across so many hiccups, second project into the year and I had forgotten so many little things that are so very important. One main one was printing, remembering to use the same percentage of black throughout is very important. Working on a screen for so much time, one often forgets about how something is going to look like when it’s actually in your hands. Luckily my mistakes were corrected as I had left myself an extra day to print, this is always important to do. Sometimes no matter how precise in designing on the computer you are, even if you check every unturned stone, during print something can always go wrong, which ruins the end result. From this project I learnt that the quality of the outcome is very valuable, the difference from before I had corrected my mistakes to after made a huge difference.

I enjoyed working on this project, but looking back now I feel like I could have pushed my ideas a lot further. My book starts off very innovative and interesting, but towards the end it becomes repetitive and the audience begin to lose interest, as do I. From this experience I know I have to always start off thinking big, wild and out there, this project was about pushing the boundaries and I know this is always said but you do just have to think outside the box.

Foot Envy

2010-04-15T07:13:00.000-07:00

I just love watching great adverts and here's another one from Skoda. What a great idea, your left foot will envy your right. Simply clever it is!

2010-04-14T09:10:00.001-07:00

The Link was the first project of my final year and the first proper team project I have worked on. The task was to come with a visual identity and brand extensions for an upcoming youth centre in Newcastle. Working on the project was very much a rollercoaster of highs and lows, coming up with the initial logo was challenging in terms of creating something that was readable and legible yet something the whole group liked. The end logo (see above) we came up with works well it has a buzzy, energized feel, which is what the youth centre is all about. The whole outcome was good; the one thing I feel we could have improved on was to push our initial design further across the brand in a more original and interesting way.

One of the main things I have taken away from this project is teamwork. The group was made up of people that I have never worked with, let alone talk to before. So it was a good opportunity to see how I worked under such circumstances. Overall, I think when in a group one of the main factors is compromise. There will always be disagreements on how something should look or done and it is being able to meet in the middle without risking the quality of the design that is important. I know once I get creating on whatever it is, I like to give my opinion and what was difficult and I think in any group dynamics, is being able to have an opinion yet get it across in the right way. In my feedback it was written, “It’s good to give your opinion to others and they welcome it – but it take practice to do it diplomatically without being too harsh.” This is not saying that I was too harsh, just something that one should consider, I think this is spot on, opinions are always welcomed its just how you voice them.

Throughout the 4 week project, I also learnt a lot about myself. In a group you will divide tasks upon each person and when under a tight deadline you all trust one another to complete the task. A lot of time I found I needed to have more confidence in my own decisions. Although working in a group means you make decisions together. It also means you have to have confidence in decisions you make on behalf of the group. I found myself always asking fellow members if what I had completed was up to scratch, and it’s not that their say is not valuable but that I needed the confidence to just go with it, especially when what I had done was fine. I find the following statement particularly apt here, “When in a team, work to your strengths. When alone, work on your weaknesses.” When your in a team there is lots of creative brains and if we all focused on our negative attributes the outcome would not be what it could be if we all focus on what we are good at. Therefore it is important to remember what your good at not what you’re not so good at.

Overall, the Link project taught me very much in terms of branding, taking a brief, the working method, team work and presenting. Pitching you ideas, I feel is just as important as the work itself, you need to sell it. For presenting any work you just to practice and to know everything about your idea and why you made the decisions you made. I really enjoyed working in a team I actually prefer it. I found the Link project an extremely valuable experience and have been able to take a lot away from it.

House Industries

2010-04-14T07:28:00.000-07:00

Recently I came across a brilliant site, House Industries, they are very well known for their typefaces, and their site if full of the beautiful typography they produce. It just makes me want to sit and be creative with fonts, they have a link to receive a freebie booklet of their delightful typography, its worth getting one, even the envelope it comes in has a beautiful ampersand print on it and its packed full of great new fonts. I've provided a sneak peak above, now go get your own here.

Work Experience at Hoffi

2010-04-14T05:58:00.000-07:00

Hoffi is an award winning design business situated in Cardiff Bay. A small company that work on company branding and brand communication projects. When previously working on the Link project, my group were introduced to Hoffi to aid with the development of our ideas. As I became familiar with the company, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to get some work experience with a great company.

Before I set the date for my work experience, Julian one of team asked that I come in and talk through my portfolio. This alone I found was a great opportunity to show someone my work and talk about it. From entering the Hoffi building, waiting in reception, walking to the studio, I was able to get a feel of what it might be like on a real interview. It is definitely important, to be friendly and make conversation, no one likes an arkward silence. Showing my portfolio and talking through my ideas was fairly informal and casual, it was good practice for me to explain my design choices to someone who hasn’t seen my work before. From this experience I have learnt you need that you must:

KNOW YOUR WORK. Any projects that you decide to show, make sure you know them from inside out, down to the very last details. The last thing you want is to not know the typeface name of a font you used for the galley text when your asked. Rationalize all the work in your portfolio, that always helps answer possible questions you may be asked.

BE CONFIDENT. If your not happy with your work don’t show it, even if you don’t like a paticualr piece they might love it . And even if they don’t if you show you are passionate about your work, you will come across as a passionate worker.

For my week at Hoffi I was given my own work station amongst the 4 other members of the team. The studio was small and intimate, a contrast to my previous experience in Dubai, you couldn’t really get up and have a wonder round. Whilst there I worked on 3 different imaginary briefs they had been set, where only mock ups were needed. The week started off slow, the team worked hard individually on their work, mid-week is where it picked up. We worked as team generating ideas, giving critical opinions and making decisions. This was my favourite part, I soon felt open to the teams valuable opinions and to give critical ones myself. I then worked with Elin to produce mock ups, which involved collating imagery, typefaces, layouts. A final outcome wasn’t important for this particular brief, just that we had an idea and a feel for what the outcome could look like. Of course working in Wales you get a lot of Welsh orientated briefs, which is just what I was working on, they consisted of promoting Wales as a holiday resort, encourging students to speak more Welsh and to generate ideas for a brochure to promote Wales as a centre for investment and trade. (see the pictures below for some of the ideas we began to generate.)

Although only a week, I found this experience greatly insightful. It was completely different to Dubai, as I was working beside only 4 others. It was an intimate, tightly bound team and if you are to work in such small proximities, not getting along with each other just wouldn’t work. As the week went on, I really got to know the team and I enjoyed working with them, going for lunch on the final day I was able to get to know them even better and I felt I really fitted in. On the work side of things, the briefs I worked on were not the most interesting. However this will always be the way, there will always be some briefs which you are more excited by than others. Despite this, I was given the opportunity to get a feel for what working for a small company is like. Personally, I think if you get along with the team your working beside and doing the type of design you enjoy, this scale of company would be great fun to work for in the future. I would just like to give a big thank you to Julian and the Hoffi team would were very helpful and all lovely people to meet. Take a look at their website, they have some fantastic branding work. Do it here<

The ‘Rioquanted’ ad

2010-03-03T01:34:00.000-08:00

Print ads created for the local restaurant hangout and haunt, The Rio. Saw this on the ChangetheThought blog, not much about where and who created it, but its blog worthy, yet another simple, clever design.

Greed is over if u want less.

2010-03-03T01:23:00.000-08:00

Great Litho print i found over at Changethe Thought.

Glass Harp

2010-03-01T01:00:00.000-08:00

SKODA SUPERB GLASS HARP from Sehsucht™ on Vimeo.

A magnificent advert by Leagas Delaney Hamburg for Scoda in Germany

Procrastination

2010-02-27T11:28:00.000-08:00

My student set project is exploring the concept of time and procrastination. Here's a wonderful animation by Johnny Kelly, sums it up perfectly.

Nice Tee Design

2010-02-21T03:19:00.001-08:00

Talking of t-shirts...heres one i just really like

Tea Shirts

2010-02-21T02:53:00.000-08:00

Funny Hanger Tea Concept by Soon Mo Kang.

Fantastic Typography from Craig Ward

2010-02-20T07:55:00.000-08:00

I love this typography, i discovered it whilst browsing through This is Duty (great design blog) some really great work, there's even more tasty type here.

Andy Allen

2010-02-20T07:42:00.001-08:00

A clever branding concept from a recently graduated graphic designer Andy Allen. This idea expands on Marks and Spencer's by creating a sub brand 'S&M' which plays on the seductive and appealing visual language M&S has.
There is more fantastic work on his site, take a look here.

From the Pocket

2010-02-20T07:20:00.000-08:00

A really nice collection of photagraphs from a Chicago-based photographer, Jeremy Edwards. The FROM THE POCKET project features iPhone Photography (iphoneography), all of the images were captured using iPhone cameras and processed using various iPhone photography applications only. See more fantastic photographs here.
This makes me want an iphone even more, its amazing what someone is able to capture with their mobile phone.

Happy Birthday Photoshop

2010-02-19T13:25:00.000-08:00

Today is Photoshops turns 20! same age as me. Just think where we'd be without it!

Jamboree

2010-02-19T11:20:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday morning it was the CSAD Jamboree , where guest speakers come to share their experiences with us, speakers included Eleanor Glover, Owen Lloyd and Price James. It was very insightful to listen to what they had to say.

Eleanor Glover was a former graphic design student turned toy maker turned fine/sculpture artist. She spoke to us about inspiration and how today with internet at our fingertips, inspiration can be secondhand. Her talk concentrated on the importance of where we get inspiration from and how we can use it, she highlighted the importance of getting out there to be inspired by what is around us rather than what we find through a search engine. She makes a very good point, I know as soon as I want to be inspired the first thing I do is to start googling or flicking through a design book. Eleanor said, "Inspiration is making unexpected connection with things...it is something that comes up behind you and surprises you", something to think about.

Another speaker was Price James, a music video director, interesting guy who shared an honest view of his life, he has some really great work including a video for Gossip and one for Shit Disco which you can see above. He is very much someone who believes in having fun and being creative, unafraid to try new things and jump in at the deep end. A very enthusiastic guy who left everyone with a lasting impression. Overall the morning was very insightful.

Truck Alphabet

2010-02-17T07:15:00.000-08:00

interesting alphabet i discovered on found. click on the image to see more clearly.

Seriously Strong!!!

2010-02-16T02:11:00.000-08:00

The mouse trapped is a robotic one so no cruelty to animals...attention grabbin ad...comedy genius! The commercial was created by John Nolan...its a fake commercial hence John Nolans cheese..but very funny idea..great soundtrack too.

Christian Borstlap

2010-02-14T07:21:00.000-08:00

things to learn from Matt Edgar on Vimeo.

I found this on yayeveryday. speaks perfectly! check out the Christian Borstlap here.

Happy Valentines

2010-02-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Witty card from Robert Samuel Hanson. Happy Valentines for tomorrow everyone.

Robert Samuel Hanson

2010-02-09T15:41:00.001-08:00

Has created some a lovely, simple alaphabet piece

Theres more on his site check it out here. lots of simple ideas illustarted in interesting ways.

Paul Rand

2010-02-09T14:04:00.001-08:00

Beautiful wedding stationary

2010-02-09T13:50:00.000-08:00

AMAZING DETAIL!

There is an amazing collection of work from a range of designers over at Graphic Exchange...a site full of lots of great work take a look!

Uni Talks

2010-02-09T13:32:00.000-08:00

In uni this week we've had a a talk from Owen Johnson from See What You Mean and David Worthington who came to speak to us about what they do, design and life after uni. Its been a an eye-opening start to the week, very inspirational. There were two things they said that made a lot of sense:

"Design is communication. Not decoration."
Owen Johnson

"Design is not just about something you learn, it's something inside you"
David Worthington

Boob Slang

2010-02-09T13:28:00.001-08:00

Nice poster from Jennifer Daniel, see more of her delightful pieces here

Anthony Dihile

2010-02-08T07:02:00.000-08:00

Some very attractive posters from Anthony Dihle, lots of his work uses silkscreen, very interesting work take a look here.

Design Surprise

2010-02-07T13:16:00.000-08:00

nice little surprise

Great bottle design

2010-01-26T01:22:00.000-08:00

i know christmas has passed but what a great bottle bottle design! The more you drink the merrier the message.

Can you hear the sirens comin!!!

2010-01-17T06:34:00.000-08:00

The Design Police have made a visual enforcement kit to bring bad design to justice. My personal fav is comic sans is illegal. Download the kit here<

Learn something new every day!

2010-01-17T06:21:00.001-08:00

A lovely little site with funny and interesting facts that you may have never knew, accompanied by cute illustrations. Take a look here, its amazing how much you don't know yet.

Lego Commercial - CLASSIC!!!

2010-01-14T08:03:00.000-08:00

Made in the 1980's and now brought back to life. Just shows how good this clever little stop-motion is. Lego was always one of my fav childhood toys.

Josh Cochran

2010-01-10T07:43:00.000-08:00

Josh Cochran is an illustrator based in America. His work for Dubai Metro works really well to get his message across. The point was to educate the people of Dubai with the various amenities the new trains would provide: women and children only cabins, 100% electric, zero carbon emission, complete wifi coverage Illustrative work in glitzy Dubai is sparse so this was a great ad campaign to introduce this side of design.

Like what you see theres more at joshcochran

Dubai Metro

2010-01-10T07:35:00.000-08:00

09/09/09 was the launch of the metro in Dubai and Saatchi & Saatchi created the ad campaign...take a look at the TVC...some sharp stuff!

Familiar faces in the new video from The Automatic

2009-11-04T01:42:00.000-08:00

My housemates Emma and Hannah recently got asked by a friend in uni to be in The Automatic's new video,(you'll probably remember The Automatic for that "Is it a monster" song) they had to pose sexily for the camera whilst eating burgers and ice cream, not the easiest thing to do seductively, but they pull it off well...the video dosen't really make sense it's a bit random but some nice shots of the girls...take a look!

Spike Jonze skate for Lakai

2009-10-18T12:15:00.000-07:00

mesmerizing!!!!!!!!!

leandro castela

2009-10-18T10:51:00.001-07:00

very cool vector animals from Argentinian illustrator/ designer Leandro Castelao

chema madoz

2009-10-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

some interesting photographs at chema madoz, I love the way this everyday object becames so much more interesting in each environment.

BEAUTIFUL

2009-10-09T15:29:00.000-07:00

Schweppes Burst
BEST COMMERCIAL EVER in my eyes, I've watched it a million times, it's 10,000 frames per second, insane, but so beautiful and the music Cinematic Orchestra- To Build a Home. Great music, great ad!

MTV Staying Alive 2008 Chewing Gum

2009-10-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

Not just because I love Lowe, but simply because this ad is awesome, so touching and really hits home with the message, chewing gum what a great metaphor! Lowe won Gold at Dubai Lynx, very well deserved! Mark Lewis the creative director welldone!! Lots of the cast work at Lowe, Simon, Bianca and Mark the cowboy with a dodgy mustache!

GHADA KHUNJI

2009-09-07T06:53:00.000-07:00

Whilst working at Lowe , the team were invited to GHADA KH UNJI's (very talented photographer) "Cuba" exhibition. Khunji’s photographs are "known for documenting both landscapes and people from all over the world and the inherent dignity of the human element."

This was by far the coolest exhibition I've ever been to. The setting for the exhibition was in a a very funky bar/club in Dubai Marine, with free Cuban cocktails,:D tapas and live Cuban music and dancers, celebrating the best of Cuba. Khunji's photographs were arranged in frames around the venue, the atmosphere was upbeat and social, far from the exhibitions I ever been to

Before the exhibition I'd never heard of Ghada Khunji, but I soon became a fan, take a look at a few photo's from the "Cuba" series, her use of light and dark is really interesting, all of her work has a crisp, bright finish >> there's more on her website >>Ghada Khunji <<

SohoSpooner

2009-09-06T14:40:00.000-07:00

During my ::LOWE:: experience I was set the following project>>>

BACKGROUND >> A wealthy far east consortium has recently brought a piece of real estate in the heart of London's, trendy Soho area. The motion is to create a Asian style F&B outlet.

INFLUENCE >> From 1850 - 1910 the site was a successful brothel in the underground Soho sex industry

TASK >> To create a contemporary brand that is a fusion of Asian style cuisine yet holds the essence of underground sex industry of the 1800's.

MY CONCEPT >> SohoSpooner is a Japanese fusion restaurant, located in Soho - a fashion, funk hub, it has a sexy, inviting appeal, with a modern day twist on food, fusion and sex. It's sensual breezy atmosphere provides the refreshing escape from 'Sohoians', day to day lives, welcoming to an eclectic mix of people. It's diverse look and happy go lucky vibe is perfect for after work nibbles or a casual drinks

OUTCOME >>

I really liked what I came up with, out of all the projects I've done in the past, this was the most fun, I've become a lot more familiar with Illustrator, and understand about all that path shizzle :)
The only thing I need to improve on is my pace, I'm a slow worker and I need to pick it up a bit! I learnt a lot about branding also, and how to apply my design to so many things from bottle openers to letterheads, this all promotes the brand. My sohospooner works really well as a graphic and the style can be adopted in so many ways. I really like my outcome!

Work Experience at ::LOWE:: in Dubai

2009-09-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

Lowe are pretty huge, they are one of the top ten agencies worldwide, so for me to get work experience was one unbelievably lucky opportunity to see how the creative world works.
Take a look at their website: www.lowemena.com/home.htm
They have some very clever, creative ideas, I think you'd be impressed!

I worked on the 11th Floor of the Shatha Tower (above) in Dubai Media City, Media city is the hub for media organizations from: publishing, online media, advertising, production, and broadcasting, a good place to be for a graphic designer. My first day at Lowe was really scary! meeting loads of new people, I had to make sure I wasn't shy and really make an effort to talk to everyone, otherwise no one would give a shit about the little intern.

Once I settled in, I soon became familiar to the Lowe way of life, everyone was really friendly and helpful, probably because I knew the boss but I'd like to think they liked me a little bit too! During my time there, Mark (shit hot creative director) set me a project, which I'll fill you in on later, whilst working the atmosphere was real easy and laid back, everyone had their own little work station, I'm sure ta busy times it's a lot more hectic and stressing, but the time I spent there it could easily adjust into it.

You could easily get creative, critical opinions on your work, I did a lot of does it look better like this...OR like this. If you ever need to have a time out you could have a play on the skateboard, which was always lying about or wonder into the think tank and bash out some creative ideas whilst playing table footy(see above) very cool, i know!. It was helpful to get more than one opinion from lots of talented designers. I found that the work area was a lot like uni, everyone at the computer, working on their briefs, playing music, talking design/what happened on the weekend!

My time at Lowe taught me that being a graphic designer involved:
> Team work, i always saw g.designers working alongside copywriters to answer a specific briefs.
> LONG hours and hard work! Sometimes I would stay in the office with Mark from 9 till 9. It's not easy!
> SPEED! everyone working at a crazy pace on sometimes more than one project, not fun on a hangover I couldn't even begin to imagine!
> Confidence, if you don't believe in your own work who will.

The PHOTO SHOOT

studio central in AbuDabi

When I started my Lowe experience, they had just finished a major brief therefore I was unable to really get involved in any current work, however a print campaign for, "two four fifty four" (one of Lowe's clients) was being shot and I got to tag along to see the action!

I went to a studio (see above) in Abu dabi not far from Dubai (the studio was just a massive empty building) My mode of transport was a Ferrari! I was in the back. I didn't complain. I think that was the one of most exciting part of the day. Mark told me that shooting was a long process (he wasn't kidding), lots of waiting around for the graphic designers whose purpose was just to give their design opinions and give the okay or not okay on the photo outcomes. I'm not going to lie, shooting isn't crazy fun! However in comparison to sitting at a computer, it's very different, which is a nice change, but since my part was just sort of watching after the first two days I soon got bored and munched on the free food that was there.

Most of the day, sometimes nights, was spent sitting around, since setting up a photo shoot is not as easy as it looks. Getting the dress, lighting, props, model and so many other factors exactly perfect was very time consuming, I have found a new found respect for photographer's (see Ben below) patience and his teams as well who do all the running around! Also a thought, I think depends on what your shooting, I mean if it was an ad for mens aftershave I'm sure I'd be far from bored!

Despite the long days waiting around, I'm really glad I got to see this part of the graphic design role, I never knew that designers got involved in shoots, it was fun for the first day to see them set up the shot and all that photographer talk being thrown about! Its a very far from the Lowe office, it was a good to be not sitting at a computer for a few days, also I got to talk to new people and find out how they got to where they are.

Ben the photographer and his helper man in the background

/\ one of the sets for the shoot

Watching the action, whilst designer, photgrapher, clients, others congregate in the corner to see what it all looks like

One of the models for the shoot, the poor guy had to stare into this lightbulb for ages just so they could get the perfect photo, his poor eyes!
I offer him my sunnies, but I don't think it was the look they were looking for!

DUBAI LIFE

The time I spent in Dubai was amazing, I had so much fun! I could definitely see myself going abroad to work, especially since England isn't the easiest place to get work. I would recommend Dubai to anyone, there are so many expats out there, and you don't have to worry about being able to speak another language, since pretty much everyone speaks English. Although to live out there you need to have a lot of money, and if you don't like hot weather it's probably not your cup of tea, its mega hot out there, especially in summer months, when I was out there it wasn't even summer but I would break out into a sweat just walking to get a taxi!

Dubai as a place is not what I expected, since it is a religious country you would think there would be a lot of restrictions on dress, alcohol, but its quite the opposite, although you are restricted to buying so much alcohol in shops, the places you can go to drink and have a good time are not lacking! The clubs, hotel bars/bars stay open till the early hours every single night, so you have to be careful not to get caught up in all play and no work. For any designer or someone in the design field, Dubai would be a great place to move too, the country is developing very fast and a place like Media City is a great place to really kick off your career.

All in all my Dubai/Lowe experience was amazing and I met some really cool people: Bianca, Simon, Diya, Ed (all above) Cynthia and Shannon to name a few. All of them were great and took me in under their wing, I miss them lots :D and of course Mark the master Lewis;) (top left), who I owe a huge thanks to, he taught me so much from how to use the path tool on photoshop to how the big wide world of graphic design works. Thanks Mark, freakin love you man!