Just came across this blog showing some collage record covers, love the idea for this and the art direction. I suppose this idea could be applied to almost anything, photographs, film, postcards etc.

Spoken in Yorkshire - Craig Oldham 12 in 12

I think we were all really inspired by Craigs talk. What made it really different to some of the other guest lecturers was that he was 'relateable'. Perhaps it's just because hes closer to our age and has had similar experiences to us.

"Rules can be broken but never ignored"

I thought Craigs theories on logical and rational v emotional was very intriguing - and once you get your head around it you can almost draw a faint line to divide different work. I'm not sure you could label different agencies into the two groups as I think it really depends on the client/brand - do they require a logical or emotional approach?
I liked Craig's idea that you should really trust your instincts - a contradiction to what we've all been taught, basically that your first idea's are useless.

"If you don't fail then you're not trying" (my new motto?)

The paper he handed out was almost a duplicate of his presentation but the sarcastic language he uses in the paper and on his blog really put his work into a different context. Using a bit of wit and humor Craig is modest about his work. I like to playful attitude to his design work some of my favorite bits are shown below.







Finally I just noticed on the bottom of his blog he writes...

- No pinching. Unless I say "Oh go on then, just this once." 2009© - brilliant!

ISO50

I came across Scott Hansen's blog on FFFFound, these works really stopped me dead, they are beautifully constructed. I love when images appear out of shadows. Or when the shadow creates the image. They remind me of the James Bond opening credits. Here is his blog with lots more work on...

http://blog.iso50.com/

If eyes are meant for seeing then beauty is its own excuse for being

Hand made by some creative students in the States this video breathes life into the perceived lifeless nature of type. I love this little video put together for an intro for a film festival. It is obvious a great amount of work and care has been put into this piece. See it in full on vimeo...

http://www.vimeo.com/6382511

SHOWstudio

SHOWstudio - Fashion Revolution @ Somerset House

I'd been looking forward to the SHOWstudio exhibition at Somerset house for weeks - a good friend recommended it to me. It was one of the most engaging and interactive exhibitions i'd visited. I thought that the way in which the exhibition had been curated was perfect for the type of work which was being shown. The first room you enter is Nick Knights 'Mirror Room' introducing us to the fashion world and forcing each visitor to confront their reflection. The second room really went for impact. A giant triple figure sculpture of Naomi Campbell stands from floor to ceiling - its huge. The visitor is then allowed to paint onto her body using a small screen at the bottom and a projector transforms this creation (in real time) onto the sculpture. Mine is shown here before/after.Upstairs we can see many of Knights fashion videos the first is a film of designer Alexander McQueen. 'The Bridegroom Stripped Bare' 2002 records McQueens transformation of a bride - his concentration and absorption of the act is incredible his actions of stripping, ripping, cutting and painting are filled with such certainty. It was interesting to read that this was the first ever photo-shoot to be streamed live via webcam.

The next piece which really caught my eye was the 'Picture/Message:Poser' series. Photographer David Weightman disguised hidden cameras within concave mirrors and placed these all in the front rows of the 2004 Paris fashion week. These high-profile victims caught in the act of their vanity.
'Banquet' 2004 was another experimental film project I really loved. A 23-course banquet was cooked by molecular gastronomer Heston Blumenthal. Webcams were positioned above each place-setting and the banquet (all 23 courses) was filmed.

'More Beautiful Women' 2000 was a very confronting piece. A screen about (2x3m) shows a range of beautiful models stand in front of the camera. They are asked to stand and face the camera for two-minutes. It sounds easy but after about twenty seconds the time seems to place very slowly. The models forced to face silence - with no direction, music, styling or backgrounds. Just them in their stripped-down selves.

I thought Gareth Pugh's 'Fash-off' 2006 was daring and exciting. With just a few props (mainly glitter and paint) the designer transformed his own face into many different guises from painting his face black and gilding it with gold foil to becoming a sparkling clown. The piece aimed to 'capture his perspective on sensationalism, glamour and spectacle.''Freedom of Love' 2004 featuring Brad Pitt was a beautifully thought out idea. I remember buying this edition of Vanity Fair back in 2004 because I saw Pitt on the cover and I just loved the Art Direction of the shoot. I hardly ever buy Vanity Fair and I was surprised in the exhibition when this film came on as I'd realised I already had a connection with the final images. The film is of Brad Pitt reciting Andre Bretons poem 'Freedom of Love' the film forces Pitt to face some special scenarios. Pitt was asked to copy his photograph from his passport (this was then enlarged to 3x4m) he was then asked to write over the image and throw paint onto it whilst reciting the poem. The final images are beautifully ironic. They play on the ideas of celebrity and image ad this shoot pushed Pitt to imagine how others see him.
The exhibition was fit-to-burst with so many inspiring projects that brought human nature, personality, poetry, fashion, creativity together. Nick Knight is an innovative and forward thinking fashion specialist he is so much more than just a photographer.

You're my favorite waste of time

On Saturday I ventured down to the Holden Gallery to check out the Righton Press Artists Book Fair, I've been a few times and I am always inspired by a visit. I bought this little book by artist Celia Jackson its tiny! but very cute. Sadly I couldn't afford many of the very beautiful paper sculptures which were some of my favorite types of work. Some artists that stood out were Sarah Morpeth and Phiona Richards....



http://www.sarahmorpeth.com/

http://rarenotions.co.uk/

Aeroplane Jelly!

Been wanting to post this up for a while, Its a vintage postcard I picked up in Sydney, I love it!

ohhh puddles

Whilst wandering the puddle ridden streets of Liverpool I found it amazing the colours and reflections in the cobbles. It reminded me of my silence project as I was looking at fragmented memories. I took some images of famous stores with their bright logos shining into the puddles. Parts are clear and others are distorted. These are the best of the bunch.

THE MOST MISERBALE DAY EVER..yet productive

So battling all possible elements wind, rain, cold AND getting lost I finally made it to the TATE in Liverpool. I went over for the D&AD Presidents Lecture - a conversation between Creative Reviews editor Patrick Burgoyne and Michael Wolff.



After a while of wandering I found the Tate - I was much more impressed with the building opposite The Museum of Liverpool! Beautiful even in the rain. I wasn't really impressed by 'Mark Rothko's Seagram murals.' I understood the mood they imposed it was sombre and dark the canvases were the perfect size. However I didn't believe they had any particular quality to them in terms of painting.



Upstairs in the 'DLA Piper series: This is Sculpture' it was much more interesting. A vast variety of works were displayed and I will mention the ones that stood out for me. Jeff Koon's 'Three ball total equilibrium' The Tate had some videos of school children debating the pieces, this being one of them.


Is it really art? I enjoyed Dali's Autumnal cannibalism. It took me a few seconds to take in the image but I was right in there investigating the brush skills the texture of the paint on the canvas, it was compelling.

On the way down I came across this amazing building changing colour, pretty spectacular although no idea what the building was.



As part of the Liverpool Design Festival D&AD had one put on a Presidents Lecture. This conversation between Patrick and Michael was fascinating and totally inspiring. Michael began by telling us "This is not a lecture" "Don't expect answers from me, Don't expect me to be right" Because as soon as you admit you are right and believe you are right - you loose any curiosity and inquisitiveness (attributes all creative thinkers should have.)


Michael's talk was refreshing his thinking simple and radical, rational and risky. When looking for a colour he old us not to head for the pantone book - but to head to the park.

He discussed our cultures structured agreement systems. How awards constrict the Design world. Because we only end up seeing or knowing a great deal about very little. We are told what is good design and shown what that is supposed to look like. Michael quickly explained that boldness can easily transform into arrogance.

When asked how he deals with suits. The example of the policeman was used. In the case of a policeman you shouldn't deal to the uniform you should deal with the human being. As with the Marketing Director you deal with the human and not the job title. Appeal to the human when you are presenting or pitching. Explain the idea don't show it. If you cannot explain the idea using no visuals then you have a good pitch.
"You don't hire the portfolio - you hire the human" a common misconception for graduates when showing their portfolios. Michael backed this up by illustrating Graphic Design as the handle on a suitcase - It must be able to carry the message and its weight.

Review time

Dont worry this is not a picture to symbolize how I feel following my review, its an amazing video I was told I should check out - Didn't realise it was dayvan cowboy, its by Boards of Canada - Love love that song! the links below

Today we had our group review with Mack and Hitch. It was really interesting to see everyone's work and everyone doing completely different things. I believe one of the things missing at the moment is good, constructive peer feedback to go with the tutors feedback.
I'm so glad I have finally got a firm direction to take my Silence brief. I've produced so many experiments which I have enjoyed but recently I just felt it really lacked any good, relevant content which I was passionate about. So........I'm making a film which is a first we'll see how it goes! I'm planning to record an interview I have arranged with a local vet! Should be interesting I just need to arrange the correct equipment and do a quick test run and hopefully get some really good footage!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lEsLcGB7Vo

Ca-Ching!!!

Friday Helen and I ran a little Halloween themed cake sale in the Union and around the studios. We'd like to thank everyone who supported us by popping in or contributing to our stock! namely Rachael, Helen B, Stacie, Sarah B, Jackie + Sarah G! (Hope I didn't miss anyone off!) Thanks guys!
O.K so we may have overcharged you all a little and used some tactical pricing strategies, but we managed to make around £160! I think we did a pretty good job and hopefully its a good contribution to our exhibition fund! It was fun to get creative with producing some tasty, pretty-looking treats!
.........ideas for a mulled wine, mince pie fundraiser are on the cards........watch this space