Designers Society

The Designers Society goes abroad!

2010-08-05T05:13:00.000-07:00

Slight delay in updating the blog but we finally get back on track!

In February this year I invited Justus Oehler of Pentagram, Berlin to visit Plymouth and the Designers Society as the first lecture of the new academic year in October. Due to no longer being Chairperson at that time he invited myself and a select few to visit his studio in Berlin for a week at the start of July.

Having already visited the Pentagram office in London where Domenic Lippa discussed the past, present and future of Pentagram our expectations were high. It was refreshing however to have a completely different presentation, not focused on Pentagram and its achievements but this time about Justus’ own thoughts on the design landscape with a focus on branding. A really open, honest and friendly man and with such an engaging and interesting talk, let’s hope when he visits Plymouth in October he discusses more of the same!

During our visit we also visited The Typographic Museum (who opened just for us due to being half way through moving location). This was set up by Barbara Dechant, a Graphic Designer, in 2005 and showcases an extraordinary range of collected type ranging from small 30cm display type to 8ft display letters!

We also found some exceptionally large letters just around the corner too!

Whilst in Berlin we toured a number of studios. Alex and Ralph at UV2 showed a variety of their work and discussed the different culture and approach to design within Berlin, with a large amount of their work still trying to overcome the east and west divide.

Daniel and a number of his colleagues at Research Studios discussed the best approach to getting into design studios, the language barrier for an english designer in Berlin and again, the distinct design culture present in Berlin and how it differs to the UK.

Our last stop was with Nadine at Edenspiekermann who discussed their unique structured approach to design. Erik also spared time to come and say hello!

It was really interesting to find out how the German culture affects design.

We also managed to fit in a few touristy elements too and another highlight to the visit was spotting Audi celebrating the new A1 and being given a car to test drive for an hour. Having never driven on the wrong side of the road or left hand drive it was certainly an experience!

One of my favourite inspirational visits was to the Berlin Zoo which houses one of the largest aquariums in Europe. The patterns created by the jellyfish against the UV lighting really inspired me.

In all, a successful visit and gives hope for where the Society will go next year and hopefully open to all! :-)

Ryan Thompson

2010-06-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

One of the first few blog posts I featured was of a designer with a post-it note stuck to his head bringing up the question of how we label ourselves as creatives and is there any definitive way now that the boundaries are blurring.

Having revisited Ryan's work it is something well worth showing. Based in Glasgow, his main emphasis of work follows branding and editorial design. The attention to detail within each piece is fantastic and each mark, each designed logo is almost bordering on a work of art. For example the logo for New Media Scotland.

One of the most impressive achievements is his membership of ISTD (International Society of Typographic Designers). This is not easily achieved!

Explore his website and I hope it inspires you as much as it has for me.

A space for the DS in the degree show exhibition

2010-06-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

We were lucky enough to be given a space to exhibit at the University of Plymouth's Degree show and managed to secure pride of place in the foyer of the main building.

We decided not only to show off some of the range of events we have held to advertise the society to future members and designers; but also the creative talent of our members. We displayed a range of entries from our award winning competition and exhibition held in January based on the members thoughts of 'Plymouth'.

If you get chance to visit, the degree show runs until 24th June 2010 in the Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth.

------

UPDATE 5/08/10:

This university liked the informative side to this exhibition, encouraging students from different creative backgrounds to work together, that it is has ben put back on show until the start of September!

The final event of our first year

2010-06-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

On Monday 14th June local designer Nathan Davis from Tee Design in Tavistock ran a series of portfolio reviews with final year creative students. Nathan also founded and organises the Creative Brkfst networking sessions in Plymouth. These sessions were a huge success for those taking part and it is great to see such passion within the industry.

This was followed by Patrick Baglee running a similar session on Tuesday 15th. Patrick, who works at Navyblue in London, was one of the key influential factors behind forming the society and also our first guest lecturer. It was great that he had the opportunity of both starting and finishing the societies first year. Having seen students work in October he said how surprising it was to see just how far students had progressed, even to the degree of passing on details to fellow creatives in London.

Thus ends the Designers Societies first year of events. Any suggestions for future events or guest speakers welcome!

Jigsaw project under way!

2010-06-20T12:09:00.000-07:00

The space is finally being built on. More images and info will come in due course...

two fantastic photographers.

2010-05-20T21:37:00.000-07:00

No waffle - One word: WOW.

Joseph Ford

Amusement Magazine

'Illustrator on steroids'

2010-05-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

Stef Walker, Illustrator by trade, bloody genius is what we would say.

A selection of the DS committee were labelled at the Creative Brkfst earlier this month as 'Designers on steroids'. I would label her as an 'Illustrator on steroids'.

Alongside her current mass of 3rd year university work, Stef has taken part in numerous competitions and exhibitions this year with work being featured in magazines, incorporated as film posters and even used as the 2010 University of Plymouth degree show identity. Did we forget to mention that she even created the promotional gin box packaging the DS gave to Pentagram partner Harry Pearce in January! I give up trying to list what she has accomplished this year.

What a motivated student and something to shout about as an inspiration to all.

Keep an eye on her - soon she will be big and famous!

POST 100!

2010-05-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

We have finally reached post 100 and with this comes the most ingenious use of an apple mac I have ever seen. I think we should post this photo to Apple with the suggestion an ilight-box or something. Well done Iain Rex! What other fantastic uses for an apple product have you got?

A designer to fall in love with...

2010-05-18T21:49:00.000-07:00

Never noticed the website of one of our 3rd year graphic communication students before and I wish I had! Adam works with a variety of media and has a very distinctive and original style. Keep an eye on him! We will be!

Jigsaw Project3

2010-05-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

We have just been informed that the 'Jigsaw' site is being presented to the Lord Mayor of Plymouth on the 22nd of May. Not having been able to get in touch with the council on the matter to find out the final design there is always the suspicion on how the site will get from this to a finished piece similar to any of the designs shown in just over a week...

----------------------------------

Update:

You wondered why the council were avoiding us... well heres the reason.

The site is just going to be left as a green parkland space. How exciting and revolutionary and lots of good design time well spent. However, a good brief set and some fantastic designs put forward. See more of these on our flickr site.

Design and Discovery

2010-05-13T18:17:00.001-07:00

Fantastic lecture just watched from David Carson on design. Need a laugh? Watch this.

2010-05-10T05:31:00.000-07:00

www.bookcoverarchive.com

Hey guys I just found this website whilst doing some research and its got some great book covers on it, so go have a gander :)

David Pearson

Jamie Keenan

Jacob Covey

Lizz xx

Celebrate 1 year of the Designers Society

2010-05-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

A celebration of the last year of the society.

A small selection of event posters showing a range of what we have been doing. Designed by our in house promotion team, Damian, Faye, Luke and Phil (with the Si Scott poster designed by Mella and Catkin).

Also featuring our collection of gin packaging designed by a range of creative students given to lecturers as a thank you for dedicating a day of their time to us and the members.

'The Genius of Design'

2010-05-08T07:26:00.000-07:00

Convenient how weeks after showing the film 'Objectified' that the BBC are showing 'The Genius of Design'.

The first episode follows industrial and product design but later episodes will reach across all areas of design. Worth keeping an eye on and watching. It shows on BBC 2, each friday at 7pm.

You can watch episode one here.

2010-05-08T06:48:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I was working late at night, saw a designers work and just knew I had to share this with the world. Luckily, as chair of the Designers Society I could.

On 5 May 2010 Si Scott, the world famous illustrator, came to present to the Designers Society. An incredibly talented creative; his insight into the realities of work produced and the way the creative industry really is was really great to hear.

One of the other benefits to leading the Designers Society is being able to spend a large amount of time talking directly to these creatives and Si is one of those really passionate individuals who's work shines out above the rest. What a genuine and friendly guy to be around and most definitely stay in touch!

'Designers on Steroids'

2010-05-07T18:49:00.001-07:00

It seems 2009/10 is the year Devon got creative and joined up with the rest of the country. Not only has the Designers Society grown and matured into something beyond my wildest dreams (and keep an eye on it as the plans I have set in motion for next year are going to be amazing) but 'Designed in Devon' has re-established itself as a leading south west networking group, Createxe has been formed by Michael Greenland and now Creative Brkfst has been formed by Nathan Davis of Tee-Design in Tavistock.

It was nice to find this was in part inspired by what we are doing at the society leading Patrick's influence in full circle back into the industry.

Anyway-

Today was the first Creative Brkfst and it was a huge success, selling all tickets. Michael Greenland presented a short lecture followed by a mammoth networking session with some amazing contacts made. Really gives inspiration that Devon is fast becoming the place to be for creative individuals!! (See photos of event)

Creative Brkfst runs every first friday of the month and worth visiting to see what they are about.

The video of Michael Greenland's presentation can be found here. and it is worth listening to even if we can't see anything on screen!

Andy Warhol

2010-05-04T17:01:00.000-07:00

New programme on the BBC about andy Warhol, the pop artist we know for pieces such as the 'campbell soup cans'

Documentary called:

Modern Masters - Andy Warhol

The first in a four-part series exploring the life and works of the 20th century's most important artists: Matisse; Picasso; Dali and Warhol.

Andy Warhol

Click here to watch (Until end of May 2010)

Because Jake said I have to prove I can blog

2010-05-04T11:48:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody :)

Anyone reading this who has not done so already, please take the time to vote for my wee logo design for the men's basketball re-brand competition, just join the group and like photo 2 of 5:

simple as :)

Thanks everyone!

Rosi Digne-Malcolm

Good book!

2010-05-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

Wicked book by Jonathan Barnbrook - Barnbrook Bible

An Award!!

2010-04-30T15:39:00.000-07:00

Last night was the University of Plymouth Student Union awards where the designers society won two awards!

1. 'Best Society Event'. This was when Harry Pearce from Pentagram came down to visit in January and present a lecture enticing designers and students from across the south west and also then afterwards opening an exhibition of students work which resulted in a work placement for one of the students and gave us the opportunity of working alongside the council on the Jigsaw project!

2. 'Best New Society of the Year' Not only this but I won an award too for 'Contribution to Societies' for all the hard work that has been done establishing the society and making such a great start. It is coming up to the time when I should hand over to my replacement and it will be very sad to see it go out of my grasp, but I know it will be in fantastic hands and strive towards bigger and better goals!

Meet the designer who made the road signs... on top gear?

2010-04-28T17:05:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Ryan Martin who pointed this out. Seems interesting but I think could have been better if it hadnt been Captain Slow presenting :D Interesting though...

Opinion

2010-04-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

I know it is looked well on design organisations taking an opinion and the Designers Society should be no different. I am as yet unsure what to make of this film that was introduced to me last night.

It does not have a clear purpose, there is obviously a message but unclear at exactly what it is. I understand it has already been banned from Youtube but should vimeo do the same? So there is freedom of speech. Fine. I may not care as much if only I knew what the purpose of this film is.

If you are ginger, now is a good time to look away.

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

Jigsaw Project

2010-04-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

In collaboration with the 'Plymouth City Council' and 'Groundworks' the Designers Society has been working on the 'Jigsaw project' and what goes into the space between Roland Levinsky building and Drakes Circus shopping centre. Work doesn't seem to have much urgency at present but little by little changes are happening and today they rolled on some grass bundles! Soon start to take shape I hope.

Film Afternoon

2010-04-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

What members ask for is what they get.

In a recent questionnaire it was highlighted that people wanted to watch design documentaries. We mixed 'Objectified' with the film '300' (to provide a bit of fun in too) and it provided a very successful afternoon away from the torment of coursework (and I learned a few things and got inspiration at the same time too!)

What other events would people like to see?

Public Face of Power

2010-04-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

A little late on the update but last week we had a lecture on Eastern European Propaganda. This brought one of our best turnouts yet and it goes to show how little we know about the subject. Not only has eastern europe recently come out of censorship, but it seems we are still in it. We are taught about British and American design, but what about other cultures?

Perhaps this is a way to go for the society in embracing the need for other cultures. What next - Korean/chinese?

The video is available to watch on our website

Favourite logo

2010-04-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

Came across this in my old archives. No idea who did it, no idea where I found it, but it is just beautiful.

A few bits that inspire me :)

2010-04-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

Christopher Wool

Hannah Hoch

Vaughan Oliver

Postsecret

Chuck Palahnuik

Lizz xx

Business Cards

2010-04-10T18:22:00.000-07:00

Came across this article which details just how important it is for students to have their own business cards and start networking. Give it a read and get on with making your own! Don't leave it until you graduate!

I dare you to...

2010-04-07T08:41:00.000-07:00

How far do you go to show your love for a brand?

How far could you be dared to go?

Tango have linked up with bragster.com to dare its loyal customers to go to extremes to show love for what they drink and then upload the videos. Pretty cool when you see what some of the people are doing not just for tango but all across the website! What a great site to have a laugh at people and take part yourself at some amazing stunts and activities!

Grand Designs

2010-04-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Toucan Marketing for pointing this one out, Grand Designs Live will be in London between 1-9 May this summer.

A great place to go to get inspiration from a range of interiors, product design, architecture, sustainable design and technology. As creatives, with the gaps between disciplines becoming ever narrower, we can be inspired by anything. This is a great place to go to view some of the leading ideas! Sooner you book a ticket (between £10-13 the cheaper it is!)

The dreaded creative block...

2010-04-07T03:26:00.000-07:00

One thing we are always fighting against is the 'creative block'. Sitting there trying to come up with an idea can sometimes be the hardest thing to do. The great thing is we are not along in this.

Scott Hansen recently asked a bunch of creatives how they tackle this all to familiar problem and great to see so many responses on the blog, from society friends like Si Scott and Airside studios to Eric Speikermann. Take a peek and maybe it will even help you out!

Propaganda

2010-04-07T03:18:00.000-07:00

In what would seem a response to our upcoming lecture on Eastern European Propaganda posters on the 19th, I have found a great link for North Korean propaganda. Not a huge collection but shows how different the illustrative style is. Now all I need is a link to great british work!!

2010-03-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

The photos of the new committee for 2010/11 has finally arrived!! This merry crew will be taking over from the current bunch in October and lead the society onwards and upwards to a brighter future for Plymouth's creative culture!

Dare night social

2010-03-26T18:40:00.000-07:00

On 18th March we had a 'dare night' social with dares ranging from climb a tree to wrap yourself in toilet roll - and worse ones than that too! it was a great team event and good for mixing people from different years and creative disciplines. Lots of new friends made and what a success! Best social yet! well done guys!

A good range of the images can be seen on our facebook group for the event.

Society of the Month!!!

2010-03-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

We have been recognised for all that we do for students with an award! How exciting! We are UPSU's Society of the Month for March.

Special thanks to Barbara Hocking, Emily Morris and Clare Thrower for nominating us for the award.

Lets hope we can continue to make you guys proud.

Michael Greenland Lecture

2010-03-21T04:51:00.000-07:00

Michael Greenland from Greenland Studio's came across to Plymouth from Exmouth to run a series of portfolio reviews and a lecture. Great inspiration with some good advice too. Great to see a one-man-band can do so well and gives us all something to aspire to. Thanks Michael and everyone who came along!

Recent Graduates lecture

2010-03-06T13:09:00.000-08:00

The Designers Society hosted a recent graduates lecture on the 3rd March 2010. This was an amazing lecture not only because it ran so smoothly but also because of the advice given. What a great networking opportunity for all and I think we made two fantastic new friends!

tree carvings...

2010-03-06T13:07:00.000-08:00

This is a tree on the Limpopo river in Africa. It is amazing to see the ornate carvings covering it. Doesn't it just make you want to go over there and explore what else is on it!!

one of the best short films I have seen...

2010-02-27T03:47:00.001-08:00

I remember this coming out about a year and a half ago and it was one of the best short films I had seen in a long time. Even at that point I had to share it around. Communication can be so simple yet effective. Watch and see what you think.

2010-02-24T09:53:00.000-08:00

4 Designers Conference, 22-23rd February.

Not only did we hear many top exciting designers speak about their experiences in design, but I also arranged for the society to visit the Pentagram office in London where Domenic Lippa met us to talk us through the history of Pentagram and show us around the office. What a great break away it was :-)

Thank you Pentagram!

creative director at 16...

2010-01-10T13:11:00.000-08:00

I saw this link on formfiftyfive and I had to post it up for you. What a crazy world we live in. Saad Moosajee is a self-taught illustrator and at JUST the age of 16 he’s a Creative Director at slashThree. And what amazing wonderful work it is too!

Back to creativity...

2010-01-09T10:21:00.000-08:00

I logged on today to the blog and looked down the posts - and wow - nothing really that design related.

I found this guy a few days ago and it strikes me that maybe some of the best designers are those with an illustrative mind. It seems they produce some of the most interesting visuals. Why do we have to just stick to our single discipline. thats what this society is all about right - introducing us to other areas of design?

Take a look anyway, Jay Fletcher has some fantastic design work and illustrations alongside online and branding too.

how creative could you snow sculptures/snowmen be?

2010-01-08T16:59:00.000-08:00

Submit your pictures of your snowmen and lets feature them up here. How creative can you be. These are the best ones I have seen so far. Hopefully we can get a series of images going :-)

See what others around the world have been up to...

I know recently I have not posted as many creative links for you to follow up. That will get back underway soon. I also want to publish more of our own creative links - if you have a website you want us to showcase for others to see just get in touch :-)

What type are you?

2010-01-08T16:43:00.000-08:00

Type can vary and be incredibly different. It has personality. So what typeface matches you? Pentagram have the answer. Follow four simple questions and you will find out. It also tells you a little about the history and characteristics of that typeface. You will need to use a password - character.

I am Corbusier Stencil. hmmm.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-07T05:53:00.000-08:00

Hi all hope your having a great start to the year. Here's a little new year gift to get your creative juices flowing.

Click here to Create Your Own Calendar

Invite me for a day...

2010-01-07T04:41:00.000-08:00

This is a really random but interesting post. I was invited to join a facebook group today for a girl who is trying to travel the world by asking strangers to 'invite her for a day' to stay in their house. In return she would clean windows, cars, drives, houses, walk dogs, etc.

She is also raising money for charity (aiming to get at least £1000 for 3 different charities) as she goes with people sponsoring her for ever 100 miles she travels or every country she visits.

What she needs our help for is firstly charity money. don't we all. but also to invite your friends to the group and help her travel to different places. The more people who know about the group, the further she can travel.

she wants to prove that "YOU CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS!".

take a look at her website...

Sand Art

2010-01-06T15:46:00.000-08:00

I was sent one of those damn chain-mail things today. However it wasnt just the usual stuff, it was actually something fantastic! Ill quote what the email says... read it before watching. It sounds stupid and really crazy but its actually pretty cool.

This video shows the winner of "Ukraine’s Got Talent", Kseniya Simonova, 24, drawing a series of pictures on an illuminated sand table showing how ordinary people were affected by the German invasion during World War II. The images, projected onto a large screen, moved many in the audience to tears and she won the top prize of about $130,000.00

She begins by creating a scene showing a couple sitting holding hands on a bench under a starry sky, but then warplanes appear and the happy scene is obliterated. It is replaced by a woman’s face crying, but then a baby arrives and the woman smiles again. Once again war returns and Miss Simonova throws the sand into chaos from which a young woman’s face appears. She quickly becomes an old widow, her face wrinkled and sad, before the image turns into a monument to an Unknown Soldier. This outdoor scene becomes framed by a window as if the viewer is looking out on the monument from within a house. In the final scene, a mother and child appear inside and a man standing outside, with his hands pressed against the glass, saying goodbye. The Great Patriotic War, as it is called in Ukraine, resulted in one in four of the population being killed with eight to 11 million deaths out of a population of 42 million.

Kseniya Simonova says:
"I find it difficult enough to create art using paper and pencils or paintbrushes, but using sand and fingers is beyond me. The art, especially when the war is used as the subject matter, even brings some audience members to tears. And there’s surely no bigger compliment."

It is obvious that the war is still a sore subject, even the judges were sniffling. Still, an unusal art form but what a great way of telling a story. What to take from this - experiment with media, you never know what may happen. And try to tell a story with what you do. Finally, let the work show the process of how it is made. You can't fail.

i do start to wonder if anyone ever checks or reads this...

2010-01-06T15:40:00.001-08:00

If you do, and this isn't just a waste, comment and tell us about it! We would love to know if this helps you or gives you inspiration.

Blind Sperm

2010-01-06T03:01:00.001-08:00

Fantastic new advert from Specsavers. One of those really simple ideas I wish I had had.

NOT THAT I SHOULD SHARE THIS WITH YOU BUT...

2010-01-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

It only makes me chance of winning less likely!! :D
This is taken from the Creative Review website.

Stuck for a calendar to brighten up your workspace? Well, Research
Studios has 20 of its brand new 2010 edition to give away...

The studio's 2010 calendar was designed using various patterns, with
each month rendered as an illustration. Neville Brody was one of the
designers working on the project.

If you would like to see one for yourself, just send your name, postal
address and contact number in an email to
calendar2010@researchstudios.com – with the subject "PICK ME" (to
reach them by 6pm on 20 January). Names will be drawn at random
and calendars sent out as priority mail.

Harry Pearce Poster

2010-01-05T08:31:00.000-08:00

Harry Pearce from Pentagram designed a poster for us to advertise his lecture on 19th January. Simple, yet very effective :-) Come along and watch.

We will also be selling signed copies of his recent book 'Conundrums'.

our FIRST exhibition!

2010-01-04T15:21:00.000-08:00

Our first exhibition of YOUR work!

It would be easy for us to say give us a piece of work you have done in the past you are proud of. HOWEVER we wanted you to do something fresh, something new, something fantastic. We set a competition brief for you, the creatives, to produce artwork relating to the theme 'Plymouth' which we will exhibit. We are inviting all the design companies in the South West alongside local schools and colleges to come and vote on the work throughout its two week period. There will be a first and second place prize with some cool prizes to be won!

Harry Pearce will be opening the exhibition at its private view after his lecture.

The DS exhibition runs from 20th-28th January in the Sherwell Centre, University of Plymouth.

Camouflage...

2010-01-04T15:08:00.000-08:00

This caught my eye because of how different it is (and how much fun it looks to do). Urban Camouflage are trying to explore peoples identities in spaces. Whatever. I think that the idea is fantastic in doing something to scare people or just be weird and see how people react, both the employees and the customers! I wish they had shown this more, the reactions of people to the unusual and odd, in the videos (isn't that what its meant to be about?). There are several other locations and videos on the website.

All Olympic logos...

2010-01-02T03:10:00.001-08:00

Everyone has an opinion on the 2012 logo and theres no better way of looking at it than comparing it with its predecessors. It's interesting to see how they evolve and the cultural references in them. My favourite is Mexico in '69 which looks far to good for its time, more something which would have been used now. Take a peek and decide which your favourite is...

Best ideas this year...

2009-12-31T10:15:00.000-08:00

Just thought before I went out celebrating with the gang from back home I would say a Happy New Year to all of you. Lets hope 2010 brings some great opportunities for us all.

I also thought id share with you two links, the previous post and this one.

This is one of the best idea's I have seen this year, so simple and yet elegant design work and you just cant believe this product hasn't been developed before!! I fully expect Apple to do something similar this year - They are meant to be at the forefront of cool things right!? Take a peek at the icon magazine review and also at Min-Kyu Choi's own website.

Great resource...

2009-12-31T10:13:00.000-08:00

Hilman Curtis is a guy who goes around and interviews designers. On his website you have a range of videos from Carson to Sagmeister, from Pentagram to Glaser and also a few illustrators too. They are a fantastic resource to see these people talking about their work and their approach to design - think of it as an extension to the society. Check it out.

Our own creative talent...

2009-12-27T07:06:00.001-08:00

I thought it was about time i stopped talking about others we admire and look closer at our own creative talent. For the lecture just gone two third year illustrators designed packaging for our Plymouth Gin presents. Certainly got the designers excited and what a fantastic way to get students work up and out there and on show in a studio in london!

The photo shows the two illustrators Xander Lee (left) and Kate Mowbray (right) standing with Joanna Pierce (middle left) and Mark Lloyd (middle right) who both work for Webb Scarlett deVlam.

Happy Christmas!

2009-12-25T03:04:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would wish you all a fantastic Christmas break.

Thank you for all your support this year in helping us get off the ground. I know from speaking to a few of you how much this has helped and I hope we can continue year after year!

Hope you get all the presents that you want and even though Christmas is fast becoming a load of commercial rubbish (except spending Christmas day with my 3yr old niece does make christmas again!), its a fantastic excuse to spend time with family and friends so enjoy :-)

See you in the new year,

All of us on the DS Committee x x

Snowflake Competition!

2009-12-22T13:23:00.001-08:00

You all remember how to make paper snowflakes right? Well theres a competition online at the moment to do just that, take a photo before the end of Jan and submit that online and then you could win a load of goodies! sounds easy doesn't it! check out the competition and who your up against here. Its a vote system too so just get all your mateys to vote - or comment and say which one is yours and you can have over 100 members voting on your design! how cool is that!!!

Rules of work...

2009-12-22T13:23:00.000-08:00

Something I stole from the graphic exchange website...

When you feel really inspired, drop everything and work! a good idea is often gone the next morning.

Make inspiration a priority. this means that if you have a favorite band, a favorite magazine or a favorite blog you make time for it, guilt free! small breaks for inspiration are always worth it when followed by a good creative workday!

Surround yourself with positive people. find the people in your life who love you AND your work and make you feel really good about what you are doing. avoid negative people during busy work times!

Make friends with other artists you admire. this is a must! friends in your industry will keep your inspired and challenged.

Find a new obsession as often as you need to. Find little things that you can fancy that make your day and cause you to think in a new direction.

Dolls.

2009-12-22T13:20:00.000-08:00

DAHRA (Designers Against Human Rights Abuse) had an auction earlier this month as part of their christmas party of 30 unique, signed Munny dolls customised by some of the most prominent graphic and product designers in the industry, as well as some limited edition goodies.

One of these extra goodies came from our very own second year illustrator Claire Latcham!

See the different doll designs here.

Harry Pearce book!

2009-12-22T13:04:00.000-08:00

This will be on sale when Harry Pearce comes down for a lecture on 19th Jan so I thought id give you prior warning! Follow the link, take a good look and doesn't it look interesting... any graphic designers wet dream!!!

Here's a bit more about the book...

“Sometimes the more cornered you are the more fun you have.”

Designed by Harry Pearce, Conundrums is a new collection of elegant typographic puzzles constrained by three simple rules: one box, two colours, a single typeface.

In the introduction to the book Harry writes: “I grew up in an age and a home where the words of Spike Milligan, Edward Lear, Peter Cook and Monty Python, among many others, filled the air. Nonsense that made sense; irreverence that became pure pleasure. Words became images, images words, and where was the line between the two? It didn’t matter as long as they gave you a smile of recognition. So, visual games with words have stayed with me. And, strangely, these little games seem to have a life of their own. I started them years ago, a love affair between typography and phrase, and they’ve been one step ahead of me ever since."

How to get commissioned by Creative Review...

2009-12-22T12:58:00.000-08:00

When I first saw this post it really made me laugh. This blog link documents how Johanna Basford sent her work into Creative Review's editor. You obviously need an innovative and fresh approach, such as this, as it worked and now shes working for them!

Check out her portfolio of work too. Although it all follows the same style its some fantastic work. Must have taken a very long time considering its all been done by hand with a pen!!

CV Advice...

2009-12-22T12:45:00.000-08:00

Patrick Baglee from Navyblue has been in touch with one of the members to give advice on their CV which we thought to pass on...

"I asked for advice about my website and he came back with some really useful ideas about improving it, one particular suggestion which may be helpful twas about my 'inspiration' section:

make your inspiration about things I might never have seen. I know Alan Fletcher IS inspiring - but I'd like to hear about things that are really different and very personal to you - or - about which page in Fletcher's book inspires you most - not just the book itself. Everyone is inspired by him... but what makes it resonate with you in particular?"

2009-12-22T12:30:00.000-08:00

Wow. 21 days without posting anything! It wasn't that creativity dries up... just work prevails!

Here is something I found two years ago. Its an experimental project by japanese artist Kentaro Nagai which is really interesting. He took a vector image of the world map and manipulated the positioning of the countries to form animal shapes. Whilst some aren't that great there are a few which are fantastic such as this cow. The intro page is really cool where you get to see a flash animation of the animals merging into one another and its the point between chaos and the shape forming thats really interesting.

something to do with an apple mouse...

2009-12-01T03:36:00.000-08:00

something to do with an apple mouse...

Hello Monday have a really cool flash website for their portfolio of work. including these...

Pure adoration...

2009-11-29T11:23:00.000-08:00

I realised there were too many videos in a row so thought I could break it up with this. This was an illustrator who I fell in love with as soon as I visited the site. My jaw dropped and I stopped what I was doing just to open up my InDesign file to write them a letter inviting them down to talk. Fantastic mix of illustration and typography. Check Si Scott out now!

Our ultimate aim in design...

2009-11-29T11:18:00.000-08:00

Ok so it's another t-mobile ad but it just symbolise everything we should be doing with anything we produce, be it a design, an illustration, a photograph. We need to engage the audience and get people to work together. We need to inspire and make people happy. Remember this and you will always succeed.

Life's for sharing...

2009-11-29T11:06:00.000-08:00

The Epica 2009 results were announced Friday 27th with the Epica d'Or in the film category going to Saatchi & Saatchi London's T-Mobile Dance ad which was the first ad to feature a flash mob. It shows a large team of dancers in Liverpool Street Station going crazy to a selection of tunes. Here is a link for the 'making of'. If only we could be there to watch it...

Wouldn't it be great to start one off for the society...

new generation of laptops...

2009-11-27T13:01:00.000-08:00

going to be expensive... but so cool! Lets hope apple catch on :-)

Democracy...

2009-11-26T12:46:00.000-08:00

Over the summer there was a competition to produce a poster based on the theme 'Democracy'. I mentioned it back in October in a post. Luckily one of our members, Evan Lelliot was voted for a place in the book that was produced! If you are lucky and nice enough he has recently screen printed a few here at uni and may sell you one for a tiny price...

It really does pay to enter D&AD competitions...

2009-11-26T12:07:00.000-08:00

Marie is an ex-graduate from the university with some really nice interactive work. This was a project for D&AD she did where she won an award for it too! Shows that it is worth entering as you really can stand a chance of winning! She also did a lot of the work up on the walls in the Letterpress studio, for any who has been in to use and see it. She is currently working at Taxi Studios in Exeter.

24 hour comic drawing challenge...

2009-11-26T11:07:00.000-08:00

Our Camera man, Jake Rowlinson (also a third year illustrator) recently took part in a 24 hour comic drawing challenge at Falmouth. Here is some of his work from the day. Check out more work from the day here.

The 100 Experiment

2009-11-26T11:01:00.000-08:00

Check out our social officer, Mario's latest project and get involved :-)

Beautiful use of meat...

2009-11-24T10:46:00.000-08:00

Although stolen from the Creative Review blog I just had to put this up. Fantastic. Or gruesome. However you want to look at it but still a great idea taking the famous Lord Kitchener poster to the next stage. It was designed by Karmarama and took over 18 hours to make and used over 16 different types of meat!

Ice Ice baby!

2009-11-23T13:51:00.000-08:00

Some really fancy photography with ice, smoke and even solder! They can make some beautiful patterns and Jason Tozer has captured them through photography perfectly!

Letterpress God...

2009-11-23T13:48:00.000-08:00

If you are ever looking for some funky inspiration for your letterpress project or even for any typographic project, take a look at Alan Kitchings work. He has been doing it for more years than any of us could ever remember and the mixture of colour and type works really well. Thanks Hannah for pointing him out!

Fluid type...

2009-11-23T13:45:00.000-08:00

Alex is a freelance graphic designer from Barcelona. His work is a mixture of illustration and yet still typographic based. He has worked with a huge range of clients from Nike to British Airways. Worth a look!

Logo's for companies...

2009-11-23T13:38:00.000-08:00

This is a website where you can sign up for free, where you are then sent briefs for logo designs (live briefs!!). If your design is selected then you will be paid for your design. It might be a nice little earner for anyone who is interested and the logos are for actual companies. Thought it would be good for you guys to know about it and will look good on the cv and good for the portfolio.

Magpie Studio

2009-11-23T13:32:00.000-08:00

Great work on their website. This in particular took my eye. We so often work with macs that it is so refreshing to see something that is a fresh approach and done almost purely by hand.

the carrot rabbit was for "Gavin Martin Associates, a printing firm in London who wanted to promote their conversion to eco-friendly vegetable inks, whilst maintaining their commitment to the highest quality print. this approach offering their customers 'Unrivalled reproduction', and something to smile about in the process. the giant rabbit - painstakingly created in carrots - not only formed a memorable image, but kept the local city farm in fodder for a week."

3d Type...

2009-11-23T13:29:00.000-08:00

Yulia Brodskaya is only three years out of university but has already made a HUGE name for herself working for The Guardian, Cadburys, and even Orange! She has a really unique style, you may have seen some of her work around and there is such precision and fine detail to the work! fantastic!

Underground Fan...

2009-11-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

Think we all needed this London Underground Fan in London!!

Liv

We should think more.

2009-11-14T18:24:00.000-08:00

Design is activism / Design is not activism
Design is pollution / Design is not pollution
Design should aid social mobility / Design should not aid social mobility
Design should be playful / Design should not be playful
Design is a problem solving activity / Design is not a problem solving activity
Design should serve industry / Design should not serve industry
Design should be made for the art gallery market / Design should not be made for the art gallery market
Design is a survival instinct / Design is not a survival instinct
Design is context driven / Design is not context driven
Design is white collar / Design is blue collar
Design is for the future / Design is for the present

Discuss.

What we see around us...

2009-11-14T12:13:00.001-08:00

Inspiration does not only come from outside the uni but inside too. Have you seen something around you or in the studio that you fall in love with? Is there someone's work that you really admire? Send an image or website link to the Designers Society and we will post them up on the blog. Let people get the recognition they deserve and share them with the world. Here are two things I have seen around... whoever did them - if you are reading this - we would love a copy!

( I have since found Catkin Pritchard did the one on the left)

Chris Jordan

2009-11-13T10:47:00.000-08:00

Chris Jordan has done some really unusual work. From photographing the inside of dead birds (honest, nothing has been added or removed) to the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. Really emotive stuff!

Happiness this way

2009-11-13T10:41:00.001-08:00

Although the competition is now over you can see all of the entrants over at the web page. There is some really beautiful (and funny) stuff. Happiness This Way is a collaborative study into what really makes us happy. Today’s mainstream media is on a mission to turn the general population into image conscious, body obsessed celebrity stalkers, I question does this really make anyone happy? This project aims to uncover what really makes you tick and to see if we can discover new trends.

Pearls of Wisdom from Wunderman...

2009-11-13T10:35:00.000-08:00

Something I picked up from the Shellsuit Zombie blog,

"Laura and Mark, a graduate creative team from Brum, were asked by ad agency Wunderman to do something during their 2 week placement that would get them known in the company. Wunderman liked it so much the team are still there and we get to enjoy some pearls of wisdom from the team!"

Fantastic video which is pretty much what we are trying to achieve from this society. Guidance and advice for you guys for the future.

sometimes i do graphics...

2009-11-12T14:12:00.000-08:00

As his 'about me' section says, sometimes he does graphics. It is amazing when you have something else enter your life, like a daughter or a niece or whatever how design seems to come second place and how priorities reorganise themselves. HOWEVER, when he does work, he does some beautiful and amazing illustrations in a very distinct personal style using a very mathmatical shapes and way of drawing. Paul Lee has done some great work for companies such as Sony, Adobe, Lexus and Google. Take a look and enjoy :-)

Bring it to life...

2009-11-12T13:58:00.000-08:00

The new Guinness advert. Fantastic visual effects and a really nice idea going in a different direction to what has been shown before. There are very few amazing adverts. There is the sony bravia adverts, the smirnoff sea ad, and now this. beautiful. Here is the 'Making of' video too.

This is what AMV's executive creative director, Paul Brazier, had to say:

"Good Things Come To Those Who Wait was a strap line that ran for ten triumphant years. However every advertising campaign has a natural lifecycle. ‘Good Things’ was firmly rooted in the experience of drinking in a pub, yet Guinness is also increasingly popular at home and we wanted to find out how we could persuade more people to experience Guinness wherever they were.

"The answer, we believed, lay in another product truth – the fact that Guinness does not pre-exist in a container waiting to be poured. Instead it comes to life in front of your eyes. The liquid hits the bottom of the glass. There’s an explosion of energy. Clouds form - churning, swirling and surging. They defy gravity, moving downwards and then upwards, leaving behind perfect Guinness. At the same time, almost by magic, a creamy white head forms on the drink. When the process finishes something amazing has been created.

"If we could capture this thought we could start to get people to see Guinness, and therefore the Guinness occasion, in a new light - as a drink full of energy, colour and life appropriate for any lively, enriching drinking occasion. Thus the line ‘Guinness. Bring It To Life’ was born."

So a big production and a spanky new strapline... but is the ad any good? Your thoughts and comments please...

Type Tarts...

2009-11-11T10:24:00.000-08:00

Illustrator, Photographer, Media artist, Designer. We all work with type. But does it all have to be so serious!?

Tart cards are the means by which many London prostitutes advertise their services. Step into almost any central London phone box and you can contemplate up to 80 cards inviting you to be tied, teased, spanked or massaged. This project was set for creative minded people to find the tart hiding in every typeface and create their own graphic numbers.

What is your favourite type and could you do the same?

Lets talk about creativity...

2009-11-09T14:36:00.000-08:00

I don't know if you watched it a couple of months ago but Philippe Starck ran a competition for 12 british designers to compete to find the best. He says 'lets not talk about design, lets talk about creativity' and I found that although a program about product design, the lessons that can be learnt apply to all of us. This is a link to watch episode one and I strongly recommend it to all, regardless of creative background. If you learn something, watch the other 5 episodes. if not, then don't but at least watch this one.

Best haloween costume

2009-11-08T17:09:00.000-08:00

Although many may disagree, and although this is a week too late, I thought I would share with you what I thought was the best, and most creative costume this haloween. A pumpkin made from two people!! Original and I bet you haven't seen this one done before!!

Illustrative type

2009-11-08T14:38:00.000-08:00

This is some amazing and original work. Russian born Yulia Brodskaya's amazing illustrations are featured in the guardian, used by nokia, starbucks and orange. She experiments and explores ways of bringing together type, paper and hand crafted 3d objects. Beautiful.

Info Graphics...

2009-11-08T14:34:00.000-08:00

Great inspiration for Information design. Mixing illustrative elements with design in new and unusual ways. It may all be in german but it is still a great source for inspiration... that and a book called "Data Flow"

Design Conversations...

2009-11-08T14:17:00.000-08:00

Been a long time since we posted anything! Our apologies... damn work load!

This post is a website with a collection of thoughts from 30 of the worlds most inspirational creative professionals from a variety of professions, architecture, design, illustration etc. and they were asked two questions which they have been filmed answering.

What example of design inspires you most? and what problem should design solve next"

take a look :-)

johnsonbanks

2009-10-30T04:29:00.000-07:00

We had a guest lecture last year from Michael Johnson. Ever since he has become a "hero" of mine. Check out his website and the thought of the week.

ISO50

2009-10-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

I was introduced to this guys work last summer and it blows me away. Such fantastic illustrations. Scott Hansen works on everything from album covers, posters, magazines to snowboards. There is also a really cool soundtrack playing in the background to the site! Take a look and you wont be disappointed. Easily the best 5 minutes of your day.

Piano Stairs?

2009-10-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

This is fantastic. A really innovative approach from VW trying to put

two completely different things together to make everyday boring

tasks more interesting. So what if it doesn't contain cars, it is

memorable and different. Follow the link to youtube where they have

also approached how to make people use bins more too! Would work

for me!

Behance

2009-10-22T16:02:00.000-07:00

http://behance.net

I've been trying to think of something really inspiring to post for a while now, and it's only just occurred to me that I could actually link a whole fount of inspiration for you!

Behance has loads of categories for you to choose with some really great work... If you're looking for something to kick start that awful brief have a browse and you might find something interesting.

Once again, life made simple.

2009-10-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Lawrence for pointing this out. It really does show how fantastic and innovative apple are and why they charge so much - to fund their R&D department!!! Take a look at the new mouse for your christmas list. They never cease to amaze me and make me think - why isn't that so simple- WHY hasn't it been done before!!! I could go on forever about how fantastic they are but i'm told i waffle too much :D