Irregular thoughts and ramblings of a graphic designer

TALK THAT TALK!

2011-11-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

Unashamedly grinding my way through Rihannas latest album, released today! Talk That Talk is a lot more funky and slightly grimier and more hip hop than her previous work. Jay Z features on the single Talk that Talk, listen Above, her massively overplayed 'We Found Love' is another great hit, produced by Calvin Harris. *****

Stripey Cats Dot Com

2011-11-17T10:24:00.000-08:00

www.Stripeycats.com

On a recent trip to see relatives in the Lake District, I was browsing through there Post office shop in Boot, which they have run for 10 years. On a routine browse of there various goods I came across a card selection by graphic designer Jonathan Crosby. These cards are simple illustrations of animals with goggly eyes stuck onto the card, and they work brilliantly. My aunt and uncle proceeded to tell me about Jonathan, a graphic designer recently graduated and living in the North. He had set up the business on his own and gathered clients himself by walking into small and large business all over the country.

In the post this week I got a birthday card, sure enough when I opened the envelope there inside was a shy elephant staring out at me with 'birthday wishes' signed by my aunt and uncle. I think its so commendable for someone fresh out of education to have the charisma and get-up to go for it and start a business. Jonathan's success is an inspiration to me, and a reminder that the idea doesn't have to be extraordinary, you just have to see it through...

CANIMATION / Victoria Edmonds

2011-11-14T09:09:00.000-08:00

Canimation Recruitment Video from Red Bull Canimation on Vimeo.

Here is my uni friend's entry for the Canimation. Everytime it's viewed that counts as a vote, so get watching!

"This is my entry for the Redbull Canimation competition 2011. A Knight that resembles Pingu fights a dragon with the magic of Redbull. (please watch all the way till the end for the twist).

Big thanks to my flatmates Conor Shaw and Joey Fitz who did the sound effects."

1) Click this link Here!

2) Search 'dragon'

3) Watch the animation

LUUMC Hoody Design

2011-11-08T10:39:00.000-08:00

My hoody design ideas for the Leeds University Union Mountaineering Club, which I have been a part of for 3 years now. Hopefully one of mine will be picked by the committee. This is my favourite out of my designs, showing the 4 types of climbers in silhouette form: Trad Climber, Sport Climber, Winter climber and Boulderer.

We Need To Talk About Kevin

2011-11-03T10:52:00.000-07:00

The screen adaptation of Lionel Shivers Bestseller 'We need to talk about Kevin' shocked viewers at the Cannes Film Festival this year and continues to do so. This morning after watching the film last night at Hyde Park Picture House I was still left deep in thought, attempting to analyse the meaning within the film and restore the equilibrium in my troubled after-thoughts.

The film itself is reminiscent of the Columbine Massacre and the terrifying ordeal that the high school suffered when a psychotic teenager took a gun into school.

'We need to talk about Kevin' is a creepy and horrifying story of a boy who commits an evil massacre at his high school and how the Mother copes after the event. The film fades between past, present and future depicting life before the birth, raising the troubling toddler to a cruel teenager and lastly how Eva (Mother) deals with the guilt after the massacre. The films overall theme is a debate between nature and nuture, and a struggle to place blame and guilt on the characters. Is Kevin a product of his environment? or is his cruel nature predestined? Kevin (Ezra Millar) is supremely dark and cruel, chilling you to the core with his acts of mallace and articualted evil, though these acts never take away from the strange attraction you have to this magnetic and deeply possessed character.

Despite the sadness of the massacre, the film itself focuses more on the relationship between the son and mother, leaving you disturbed yet fascinated. I personally recommend this film though not without warning, don't expect to have your mind quietly restored at the climax of the film. It leaves a mesmerizing shadow over you that you will remember for days. Why did Kevin commit the acts he did? A question that he cannot even answer at the films bitter ending when answering his mother 'I used to think I knew...'

How does a mind become that of a psychotic socio-path?

* * * * *

The Epiphany

2011-11-02T08:32:00.001-07:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More photography

A book I created in Uni showcasing a poem written by me on the theme of time, accompanied by illustrative photographs. Finally found a way to upload publications online using the website Issuu.

GUM Magazine

2011-11-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More 2011

Glasgow University Magazine is an excellent little publication, very well put together in a clean-cut, professional style. Good use of photography and illustration to accompany the articles. I particularly like the illustration on the cover by Andy King. Check out 'Volunteering Ethics' by a friend Judy Barrett for her take on volunteering in the 21st century, inspired by her own recent stint in Malawi.

Coldplay: Mylo Xyloto

2011-10-31T05:56:00.000-07:00

Brand new effort by Coldplay, there Fith studio album 'Mylo Xyloto' is named for it's 'schizophrenic' style of music, where there is no constant style. Martin says Mylo Xyloto was inspired by 1970s New York graffiti and the Nazi-resistance movement known as the White Rose. To accompany the music Coldplay use a graffiti style album cover with big, blocky outlined lettering. I think this album / cover is a big positive statement by Coldplay. The music video for first single 'Paradise' is a quirky and magic, filmed in London and Cape Town.

LEEDS STUDENT APP

2011-10-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

DOWNLOAD HERE

After months of gathering content and tweaking data the Leeds Student App has be launched on itunes and you can download it for your Iphones right now by following the link. Leeds Student App is a useful app for students new to the city of Leeds. It lets you know where all the campuses and schools are within both the University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan. It also tells you where the parks, gyms, sports fields, pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants did I mention pubs? For now every business listed uses the loci of where you are to display the distance to the business. It also lets you know basic information and contact details as well as a link to the website. Over the next few months we will be monitoring the usage of the app and updating it. When we have a significant amount of users, we are hoping to start offering businesses a premium listing for a fee. This premium listing would include an image, description and give the business the opportunity to message the user of the Iphone information on offers, events and promotions. For now, watch this space...

DOWNLOAD HERE

Ilkley Art Trail

2011-10-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

First week of the Ilkley Art Trail is in flow following a great launch evening and hours of blood, sweat and tears designing the brochure for the trail. I hope the weather picks up and that the next 2 weeks create a real buzz around the artists and creativity in Ilkley. Please have a look at the brochure which I have already recieved a lot of great feedback on, particularly on how professional and thought out it is.

Ilkley Art Trail Brochure

Ilkley Art Trail Blog

Ilkley Art Trail Website

Damien Hirst Exhibition @ Leeds Art Gallery

2011-09-07T16:56:00.000-07:00

'Away from the flock'

Went to see Damien Hirst's exhibition today in Leeds. Damien Hirst studied at Leeds College of Art before going on to become an internationally renowned artist. Death is a central theme in Hirst's works, and he became famous for setting animals whole and dissected in formaldehyde solution. The Leeds exhibition had Hirst's 'Away from the flock' lamb set in the solution in a glass and steel container. It was amazing to see the dead animal up-close, perfectly preserved and almost in motion. I thought it was amazing that the fibres from the sheep's coat still stood up, curly and life-like. Other thought provoking pieces included 'the anatomy of an angel' a victorian-like monument with transgressed areas of her body revealing her human organs beneath her perfectly white exterior. 'Aniline / Chloropicin' was a huge canvas with a female and male skull image created with UV ink and charcoal.

'the anatomy of an angel'

'Aniline / Chloropicin'

Another room was made up as a replica of Hirst's Pharmacy bar/restaurant that was opened in London 1998. Hirst took the theme of a pharmacy and blended it into the dining & drinking experience of a restaurant. My favourite part of the Pharmacy room was the wallpaper, made up of hundreds of pharmaceuticals printed onto wallpaper with phrases from the Bible, the huge light-boxes of close-up pills as a bar table were also quite unusual. It was fascinating to see interior design be so freely manipulated to convey a particular theme and feel.

'Pharmaceutical Wallpaper'

One Sixth Of Tommy

2011-09-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine introduced me to her 19 year old sister's band, One Sixth Of Tommy this young all girl group haling from Birmingham write and sing there own stuff, which is rare for a band these days especially of such young age. There first album 'Your in my head' was only released in August and has already received strong support in the music scene. The album is amazing and full of melodic acoustic riffs and heartfelt, original lyrics. They have a very light, quirky sound thats harmonic and lovely to listen to. Here is a cover they recorded of Fleetwood Mac's dreams, a song I have been obsessing over recently, and I think OSOT have created a beautiful alternative version.

HANNA

2011-09-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

The 21st century's answer to Leon, this is a great film with an even better soundtrack, Saoirse Ronan of 'Lovely Bones' stars in this twisted action film about a 16 year old assassin called Hanna. Chemical Brothers have produced the film score and they have done a fantastic job, creating quirky, up beat tracks that juxtapose the violent scenarios that plague Hanna's life. This film is definitely worth a watch, for the exotic film locations (Russia, Morrocco, Spain, America, Berlin) strong cast (Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett playing a character that reeks of pure evil) and of course the music. Below is the trailer and 2 samples of the soundtrack. Enjoy.

TRAILER

SOUNTRACK 01

SOUNDTRACK 02

Long Live the King - Sarah Cowan Illustration

2011-08-30T05:37:00.000-07:00

A friend from secondary school, Sarah Cowan is now a budding illustrator with her brand 'One owl Please'. Here is one of her latest creations hoping to win the competition with Merch Asylum to for 25 screen printed T-shirts. I have already liked the design, you should too! She's even giving away the 25 designs to people that help her win so get Liking.

Micro-fiction competition

2011-08-16T05:29:00.000-07:00

Entered a short story competition today. You had to write 100 words or less inspired by the photograph below. My story is called 'We were one'. Please let me know what you think. If you want to read the other entries go to Stylist.co.uk

We were one

'How long had we waited for this? A moment, that saw the tender collision of elements and emotions. The four of us poised waist-deep in the tepid ocean, lapping ever so boisterously against our skin. Our toes sunk unknowingly into the lost sand, four pairs of eyes gazed from one to another. This was the first time we had been together since the accident. Yet not a word was spoken, and perhaps there were no words. As the sun fought with the clouds to shower us in forgiving light, gentle smiles crept upon our faces. Once again, we were one.'

Crazy English Summer

2011-08-12T15:44:00.000-07:00

I love this song, the lyrics flow beautifully to Zoe's voice along with the soothing melodic track. Its the kind of track I would love to create an animation to. About a tricky summer of love.

Wish I had done that!

2011-08-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

Clever self promoting guerrilla technique by graduate Alec Brownstein. $6 for his dream job... Can't help but feel all the good ideas on how to stand out in a crowd are always taken. Must get my thinking cap on : )

The Ilkley Art Trail

2011-08-06T05:44:00.000-07:00

The logo has finally been designed by myself for The Ilkley Art Trail, I am also working on the brochure in the background. The website and blog are up and running too and content is being gathered steadily in the background. The first Art Trail in Ilkley is looking up to be a great success thanks to an increasingly busy Lorna Bird!

The City's Beautiful

2011-07-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

I find there is something very therapeutic about travelling particularly whilst listening to music. A journey, be it by car or train can take you through many different landscapes, and cityscapes. Listening to the right music can create a very relaxing and atmospheric journey for you, taking you almost out of reality. I stumbled across this video whilst looking for a song. The track is one of my favourites, an apex remix of London Elektricity's, 'Just One Second'. The song compliments the journey beautifully as he drives through the strangely empty roads of Tokyo City, from 4.15 there is some incredible imagery as the sunrise comes into view, teasing a bold city outline against a perfect blue sky. By filming this he is able to share the journey and memory with the world.

ABSOLUT BLANK

2011-07-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

You may have come across this advert campaign for the Swedish vodka brand 'ABSOLUT'. It is a colourful, edgy campaign linking the brand to a stream of contemporary 21st century artists. It depicts the various versions of style and techniques the artists choose to use to decorate there ABSOLUT blank canvas bottle, filmed in a quirky, editorial fashion that captivates the viewer. This campaign puts ABSOLUT at the forefront for leading edge creativity and is moving the brand into the future. ABSOLUT brand is iconic and timeless, marketing campaigns such as this are what keep the vodka brand firmly and respectively at the front of the market.

The Lovely Bones

2011-07-25T15:32:00.000-07:00

A chilling yet magical story based on the critically acclaimed novel by Alice Sebold, directed by Peter Jackson. Lovely Bones tells the story of a young girl who was murdered and her journey to the afterlife. Whilst coming to terms with her death she watches over her family and murderer from heaven. The film swings between beautifully filmed moments of love, grief and childhood innocence to scenes that make your spine shiver and the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Chilling to the core.

The Ilkley Art Trail

2011-07-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

I am currently designing a leaflet for The Ilkley Art Trail. Set to run during the Ilkley Literature festival it looks to be a great celebration of the creative work of artists around Ilkley. There is a great range of work from felt and paint to jewelry and metal work. The trail has recently recieved press coverage from The Ilkley Gazette, see here.

Times a changin'

2011-07-15T09:46:00.000-07:00

When I was younger I used to be a member of the Harrogate Diving Team, I stopped when my family uprooted and moved to Keswick, The Lake District; a place where there are a many lakes but no diving pools. I remember taking part in a few competitions at the Leeds International Pool, I was always amazed at the architecture of the diving platforms and the lively atmosphere that always filled the grande space. This is why I find it quite disheartening to see the pool is closed down, derelict and un-used. Although this is obviously a great travesty, unavoidable because of the way public funding is going. It's also quite fascinating to see how public space can change through time, physically and emotionally. If you compare the two photos of the pool (in action and closed down) theres something very eerie about the transformation that has taken place. I hope one day the pool is reopened or another diving pool is put in its place, as it would be a great loss for Leeds.

Skye

2011-06-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

Last minute plans with the LUUMC climbing club saw me whisked away to Glen Coe and the magical isles of Skye. What a beautiful place. Favourite memories; staring out towards the coast and glen brittle campsite at midnight with two seals bobbing in towards the rocks, topping out at the top of the Cioch and looking out towards the islands of Rhum, and sat in the local pub till 2am after eating sumptuous scallops, prawns and drinking the local tipple which included downing a glass of Guinness, coke and morgans spiced rum. I also got to meet the lovely bunch of Skye mountain rescuers who were amazing helping out when a club member took a nasty fall :)

Wales

2011-06-12T15:39:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I took my harness, camera and crate of beer and spent an amazing weekend in North Wales. I climbed at Tryfan crag on friday night, another lead for me as well as a few seconds up the beautiful slab, rather similar to Brown slabs at Shepards crag i think. The next day was an all day mission climbing the 1,1100 feet of Idwal crag over S, VS to HS graded rock. Fantastic views and great company. Sunday was more relaxed and was spent at Tremadog on the Christmas Curry route, I climbed this with enjoyment and ease, an improvement on my hungover attempt a year before with Luumc. Overall a great weekend and while Welsh people may scorn at this I never realised how similar the landscape is in North Wales to the Lake district, beautiful green hills and gorgeous crags scattered everywhere. Despite weather forecasts the sun was beaming most of the weekend and I returned home bruised, slightly sun-burnt but completely in my element :)

Took over 300 pictures over the weekend and here are a few of my favorites. I think they sum it up quite well.

Music Videos getting gritty

2011-06-09T04:47:00.000-07:00

Lindy Heymann directed Chase & Status's latest music video for new release 'Time'. Chase and Status aim to produce music videos that challenge the audiences opinion on the times we live in today.This hard hitting miniature drama is all to realistic depicting the toxic relationship of a mother and abusive father in a family, caused by alcohol, and from the viewpoint of the eldest daughter. Very emotional and effective in raising awareness of violence to women and for the charity Refuge.

Animation / Music industry

2011-05-25T15:12:00.000-07:00

Beyonce's performance at Billboard awards for which she won a millenium award was incredible! I think it showed how powerful a performance can be made by syncing physical performance with creative visuals. When I saw chemical brothers live at T in the park 2008 I was in absolute awe at the visuals used to give the music that edge and impact on the audience. Particularly during the 'just get yourself high' performance which used a creepy clown character starting out at the audience and singing the line to them. I remember the audience going mad for it. I think this is only the beginning of the merge between live performances and animation and there is a lot more to come.

Kanye West - All of the Lights

2011-05-14T06:03:00.000-07:00

Boobs, fonts and amazing effects, what more do u need in a hit music video?

Vodka Exorcism

2011-05-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Lauryn Graves, a friend of mine has just created her first electro track using a synthesizer. The lyrics and effects in the song are definitely interesting. Give her a listen, here is her artist page http://www.myspace.com/morgan_distortion

Ed Sheeran - The A Team

2011-05-02T05:34:00.000-07:00

Touching song about the struggles of being homeless. Ed Sheeran writes and sings beautifully, painting a very vivid picture from a different point of view.

"White lips, pale face
Breathing in snowflakes
Burnt lungs, sour taste
Light's gone, day's end
Struggling to pay rent
Long nights, strange men "

This is Not a W.O.T

2011-04-26T10:08:00.000-07:00

Fellow student's independent project aims to encourage people to enjoy procrastinating and see it as positive, not negative. This blog http://thisnotawot.tumblr.com/ is for anyone to submit what they are doing when they procrastinate. To create an archive and community of productive, notorious procrastinators. This is NOT a waste of time.

Out of this World

2011-03-20T18:52:00.000-07:00

Having a little fun with the photographs I took of the Leeds Fair at night. I think by treating them and layering them up I have created very 'war of the world'-ish psychedelic visuals.

Bright Lights/Dark Nights

2011-03-20T10:55:00.000-07:00

On my late night walks home from uni I have liked watching the deep contrast of the vivid colours of the Fairground against the black sky, it looks particularly surreal glimpsing through the trees of hyde park. So I indulged in my pretentious side and took a couple of photographs on the way home. Some of the rides look alien-like when rotated and treated in photoshop. I love the strength and brightness of the colours, quite garish and magic.

JPC

2011-03-10T04:16:00.000-08:00

Recently designed a logo for a friends record company 'Nozzy-Penguin', He wanted a penguin inhaling a balloon of nos so thats what I created, I am quite pleased with the outcome, it looks attractive, engaging and fun. He chose the purple penguin as the finished logo.

Here is one of his soundcloud set's give him a listen :)

Broken into infinity by JpC Mixes

A Night for Mia

2011-03-08T09:33:00.000-08:00

Ego Mediterranean Restaurant in Heswall is holding a charity night meal for Mia Austin. Mia was just 21 when she suffered a life-changing stroke. Against the odds, Mia did survive, however this has left her paralysed from the neck down, unable to speak or move her limbs - a condition known as Locked-In Syndrome.

I have designed this promotional menu and poster for Ego Restaurant. I figured that subtle pastel colours were appropriate as it is a sensitive subject. I wish Mia all the best and hope the fundraiser is a success. If you can spare any money please make a donation to the paypal account 'Ego Mia Austin Foundation'.

In Mia's words, 'live everyday as if it's your last'.

Smile

2011-02-23T15:09:00.000-08:00

Dissertation in for 31st March - No problem!

2011-02-10T03:23:00.000-08:00

GIRL POWER!!

2011-02-01T04:44:00.000-08:00

Really looking forward to watching the latest documentary related to the representation of women in the media. I have been reading a lot about Jean Kilbourne in relation to my alcohol advertising dissertation and followed her work to this film. It has only just aired at the Sundance Festival in January. Here's the trailer...

The Uniform Project - Sheena Matheiken

2011-01-27T04:50:00.000-08:00

A unique, inspiring idea where people could raise money by wearing ONE dress for a time period. Sheena took on her creative challenge for one whole year. The challenge was to wear the dress but to style it differently everyday, the rules were you weren't allowed to buy anything, but only borrowed, recycled or thrifted items. Its amazing how she manages to work that dress so elegantly and stylishly without purchasing anything and instead raising money for homeless children in India.

A Stroke of Insight

2011-01-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

A fascinating Talk from a brain researcher Jill Bolte who had the rare experience to study her own brain and reach Nirvana when she experienced a stroke caused by a brain haemorrage in the Left side of her brain. This relates to my independent project where I would like to inspire people to shut down there brains and exist as a thing rather than to be so stressed and anxious, wrapped up in our egotistic life revolved around past, present and future. But just to exist...

A Theory of Beauty - Dennis Dutton

2011-01-16T09:48:00.000-08:00

An interesting and well illustrated lecture by Dennis Dutton on his theory of aesthetics. What do we perceive as beautiful. Is beauty ' in the culturally conditioned eye of the beholder?' or does it go deeper than that...

Autonomy

2011-01-14T10:55:00.000-08:00

Short Film Trailer from David Tree on Vimeo.

For my independent project I am investigating the needs of the over-stressed and anxious busy bodys's that the 20th century has created. I will be researching activities and environments that calm and relax people by using escapist ideas such as making the elements of the greater world more accesible for people. Fire, water, earth and air have been proven to have calming properties, when present in landscapes such as waterfalls, a burning fire, wind in the trees of a big forest. How can I create relaxing atmospheres and moments for the people who need it?

The NHS are currently investigating new contemporary medicine as supposed to always prescribing pills to patients. Perhaps my final project could be somehting sold to Healthcare as a different option for anxiety/depression based problems.

Here is a trailer for a short film I came across whilst researching escapism/depression. The actual film is just in a youtube link below. I often share the thoughts of the main character in this film. A feeling of living a repetitive, mundane and structured lifestyle with no room for freedom, spontaneity or expression (but I am in the 5 moth stretch of 3rd year university). I can't wait till I have a chance to travel the world and get lost in the wilderness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXfr12ZnUqE

Comments appreciated...

Creatures of the Night

2011-01-02T14:14:00.000-08:00

These are images edited from my trial photographs for a brief at uni. The brief asks us to explore the theme of Parkour through a story and the final product is to be a front cover and 2 double page spreads inspired by http://www.shuftimag.com/ magazines.
I have chosen to explore a concept of a girl discovering these curious creatures of the night and she follows them as the jump and crawl through the city, unknown by the world...

Love my new Fisheye camera

2010-12-21T02:44:00.000-08:00

This was taken in Tignes, The Alps. This was the actual colour of the photograph, no effects have been added. I love the kitsch, retro effect and the vibrance of the colours, awaiting my b+w film to be developed aswell :)

Thought of you

2010-12-06T12:04:00.000-08:00

A very neat animation by Ryan Woodward. Hints of romantics and sadness. I love the sketched characters and the way they dance and move. By keeping the colour palette simple Woodward has created a minimalist yet powerful effect.

Thought of You from Ryan Woodward on Vimeo.

Shufti / VAST Project

2010-12-04T01:51:00.000-08:00

Our latest brief requires us to produce a front page and 2 x double page spreads for 'Shufti' magazine by creative company, Vast. The magazine is released every January and carries a story or theme. Above is short film made of the theme 'Storia de amore' or Love. The intention of the magazine is to be sent to prospective clients, the magazines use photography, copy and typography. This short film is recorded in a very kitsch. romantic style, it is playful and imaginative.

Amelie

2010-12-02T12:36:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite films about an intriguing young woman who finds love and friends in a peculiar way. Even the opening sequence is fantastic, well filmed and playful captivating the curious and innocent nature of the girl

Cirque Du Soleil

2010-11-29T10:01:00.000-08:00

At the moment I am researching for my final Personal Project which will commence in January 2011. I am looking at creating stimulating and engaging experiences for an audience. This may be interactive public art or how a company can inspire and entertain audience, such as the amazing visual effects used for live shows with The Chemical Brothers. The most interesting company I have come across is Cirque Du Soleil. I think this video sums up how incredible, inventive and imaginative the shows are with this canadian based theatre company.

Self promotion

2010-11-29T05:47:00.000-08:00

As the end of my degree approaches I've begun to look at how designers represent themselves in the design world. An important point of contact is business cards, heres a draft business card I have made up for myself. I would like to be represented by my card as individual, colourful, vibrant, creative, playful.

VOINKA

2010-11-14T16:03:00.000-08:00

Whilst doodling with a biro I invented a new evil villain, a cross pig/vampire called Voinka!! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Graffiti snails roaming London

2010-11-08T14:18:00.000-08:00

These flashy snails have had their drab shells given a paint job for nothing – and they didn't even have to move a muscle.
A London artist, known only as Slinkachu, has used the molluscs' shells for a series of designs dubbed 'Inner City Snail – a slow-moving street art project'.
One was given a graffiti-style urban revamp complete with a new name – John – spelt out across its shell. Another had the Tube logo painted on as well as acquiring a couple of unexpected passengers.

Check the snails out on http://www.innercitysnail.blogspot.com/

What a creative and innovative street art project : )

Time project Visuals

2010-11-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

A bit of an experiment with photography & photoshop using one of my favourite quotes by John Lennon

Stop drinking Bottle water!!

2010-10-26T07:18:00.001-07:00

Impressive music artwork

2010-10-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

I like the use of photography, text and layering to give this album cover a dark and ghostly feel. Check the album out too.. especially track 'Mr Mcgee'

Her heads in the sky...

2010-10-25T06:09:00.000-07:00

I like to take pictures of the sky, I love how it morphes and changes throughout the day. I think everyone should look up more :-)

Cannibilism!!?

2010-10-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

I think its extremely clever how companies use the power of shock and the internet to spread a message to the world.

The Psychic Panda's Birthday Predictions...

2010-10-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

Quirky Birthday card I bought for a friend. Usually I make cards for people but I couldn't resist this.. like a fortune cookie but using the scratch card concept to create a a bit more interaction and fun : )

How time flies...

2010-10-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

This video makes me a little sad. How time just goes so quickly yet we always live in the present so worried and wrapped up in our everyday problems when on the grande scale of things they don't mean a thing...

A cynical and awesome song about 'Time'

2010-10-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way.
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way.

Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain.
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today.
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.

So you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again.
The sun is the same in a relative way but you're older,
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death.

Every year is getting shorter never seem to find the time.
Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way
The time is gone, the song is over,
Thought I'd something more to say.

Home, home again
I like to be here when I can
And when I come home cold and tired
Its good to warm my bones beside the fire
Far away across the field
The tolling of the iron bell
Calls the faithful to their knees
To hear the softly spoken magic spells.

Time

2010-10-08T08:21:00.000-07:00

Given a new brief called 'picturing time' which requires us to look at 'Time' and how it is represented or thought about. I watched groundhog day for the first time and as well as it being a hilarious film, it poses quite a few questions about time, the importance of it, how it changes and the butterfly effect it can have.

'TWALK'

2010-10-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

A concept I came up with whilst walking to university, which is a good 40 minute walk I thought, seen as time is precious why am I wasting this time walking alone in silence, why dont I talk to some of the other students or people walking along. Ofcourse in this day and age you aren't supposed to talk to people you dont know. So I thought what about a scheme that promoted 'talking' whilst 'walking' where if you were taking part you would wear a bright yellow scarf and this would mean it is fine for people to approach you to talk to. Make new friends, find out something different, talk to someone you maybe never would have, or be an agony aunt for someone. Generally just have a more enjoyable/productive day :)

Advertising on Money!?

2010-10-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

At vodka revolution in newcastle they had a 'round for a pound' night on where you could play by ordering a round of drinks then paying a pound for it to be flipped. If you win heads or tails you get the drinks free. To advertise this night all the pound coins used from the tills were covered in little stickers with a typographic design on them. I though they were pretty neat and a new concept/media base for promotion and advertising.

Lomography

2010-09-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

I dont know if you've heard but Lomography is back baby and its the new craze amongst amateur to professional photographers. The 'fish-eye' look is particularly sort after. The effect that these old cameras give to photos make them original, retro and fun.
I definitely will be buying one for myself soon, or if anyone is looking for gift for my 21st???? Love u all x

Amazing Viral

2010-08-22T16:20:00.000-07:00

The social video service Chatroulette, has been used in a viral marketing campaign for the film, The Last Exorcism.
I think it is a fantastic use of social networking sites and sets the standard for the future of internet marketing.

Little dragon - Scribbled Paper

2010-08-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

Album covers and single cover designs have had to become so versatile now they have to be used on IPODS, youtube videos, CD's, Vinyl... Here is a quirky song and illustration from one of my favorite electronica bands at the moment.
The illustration reminds me of old school retro childrens books and the wide eyed gazes of characters from Japanese animation films such as 'My Neighbour Totoro' and 'Spirited away'

Wacom Cintiq - Gimme Gimme Gimme

2010-08-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

OMG I would Love Love Love one of these, the new wacom cintiq tablet would make my life so much easier!! and at a mere £2000 its a bargain for a skivvy student like me :D

Jasper Goodall

2010-08-16T16:37:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite illustrators is Jasper Goodall. Here are two of his illustrations that I adore, His style is quite erotic and abstract. I love the way he uses a model holding up his illustration to add a 3rd dimension in the 'Poster Girl' image. His vibrant and bold use of colour is something I like to use as a designer.. though in these two images he sticks to two hot pink, black and white.
For his inspiration Jasper uses images from pornography and transforms them into smooth & beautiful illustrations.

Sexy Visuals

2010-07-14T03:33:00.000-07:00

This is a short preview for the new visual-set of andreas astronaut. Visuals especially designed for the urban club. Really fun and psychadelic visuals, would be an amazing experience projected on to a screen for clubbers ; )

Stop-Motion Animation

2010-07-07T08:42:00.000-07:00

I love this stop motion animation, very creative, I can also relate to its content with my dwindling lack of motivation and growing distractions from my resit coursework. Woe is me.....

To sit on a cloud...

2010-06-11T03:58:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite futuristic furniture concepts is this cloud seat that through the use of powerful magnets is suspended in the air like a cloud...

Horrific Stationary!!

2010-05-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

13th Street is Germany’s most famous crime and horror channel. The brief was to design a new stationery range that goes along with 13th Street’s positioning. They created bloodthirsty letterheads, envelopes, invoices and CD covers that proved that 13th Street is the horror expert. I love the creative way they have managed to make a simple product such as stationary so 'horrific' - I particularly love the hole punches through the corpse head's eye sockets.. MUHAHAHAHA

Logorama - Short Film

2010-05-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

Logorama from Marc Altshuler - Human Music on Vimeo.

This short film opened the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and has won an award for best animated short film. It is a fantastic use of logo's by giving them a personal character. Logos you expect to be friendly and nice are not... watch out for Ronald McDonald and the Haribo kid!

Where the magic happens...

2010-05-01T06:58:00.000-07:00

This is the desk of fun, despair, hope, excitement, stress, enthusiasm, insanity, sanity and inspiration!

Space Monkey

2010-04-25T05:34:00.000-07:00

Space Monkey from Leo Burnett on Vimeo.

Moving campaign for WWF about our planet and the way it is heading, brilliant use of soundtrack in this video.

Grizzly Greenpeace Campaign

2010-04-19T06:26:00.000-07:00

Rather gruesome but powerful message about the ethics of global giant Nestle. You may never look at Kit Kats the same again!

Insomnia Illustrations

2010-04-18T06:37:00.000-07:00

Just saw the video for Faithless new song recently and I love it. Faithless is still not only defining music in genre but also music videos. The video creates an erotic, sultry and psychedelic animated world. I love the abstract modern illustrations, the bold, contrasting colours and the erotic imagery. Awesome!

At the top is the Single Sleeve, an amazing, vibrant and complex piece of illustration and below that is the video... what do you think?

Pets?

2010-04-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

Dug out the old fish tank from my home in Keswick and brought it through to leeds with me yesterday, was so excited to be able to get some fish again, but once I was at the Pet shop I lost interest, I browsed the tanks and quickly picked 2 lively looking fish one black and gold the other pearl and bright orange. I carried my two pissed off goldfish back home and popped them in the small tank but... instead of happiness, excitement and nostalgia I felt cruel to have yanked these two small animals away from there friends and put them in a small tank. Not just that the fish seem so boring to watch now compared to my childhood memories... Perhaps thats because I already have a californian king snake in my room called Zebady and the house stray Simon Cat-face, the fish don't seem to compare!? Now I just have to resume the battle with my boyfriend about getting a chipmunk as well, I swear to god my room will be like a zoo in a few years time...

Fish are called Chin-Chin and Archie and they are a Gay couple.

AMSTERDAM

2010-04-16T04:44:00.000-07:00

Recently visited Amsterdam for 4 days in Easter break. Had an amazing time, I loved the lively, quirky and dark and dirty qualities of Amsterdam. The variety of travelers, immigrants and locals living there with the endless mystifying canals weaving up and down rows of old modern, neo-classicism and medieval style buildings. Here are a few of my photographs.

Making things

2010-04-16T04:28:00.000-07:00

On a softer note here is the front of a card I made to say 'Congratulations'. I love the freedom when making things for friends and family to experiment hands on with paint, glitter, pens and magazine cuttings. Everyone should try 'make-it-up-as-you-go-along' hand crafts, its very uplifting.

Dont be fooled!

2010-04-16T04:14:00.001-07:00

Starting my new blog with a current issue its the 3 horse race in the upcoming elections between political parties 'Conservatives', 'Labour' and 'Liberal Democrats'. It seems in the Lake District many landowners and farmers are putting up huge 'vote conservative' signs all over the fields leading out of Keswick towards Penrith. After looking at about 7 of the exact same road sign the last one I saw had been spray painted with 'DONT BE FOOLED!' in red. The power of this controversial and free minded vandalism had much more impact on me than the previous 7 road signs and fueled the current battle in my mind between voting Labour and Tory. The words used and the Labour party 'red' colour was a much more powerful message than any of the previous perfectly designed posters. Politics is a funny business...